Gretna, like any other city, is not immune to accidents and injuries. Whether you have been injured in a car crash on the West Bank Expressway, injured on the job, or suffered a slip and fall at a local business, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering can take a toll on you and your family. An experienced Gretna injury lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
What Is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
A personal injury lawsuit is a legal action taken by an individual who has been physically or emotionally injured due to the negligence or intentional actions of another party. These lawsuits fall under the broader category of civil law and are designed to provide compensation to the injured party for damages they have suffered.
In Gretna, Louisiana, personal injury lawsuits are based on the principle of negligence. This means that the injured party, or plaintiff, must prove that the defendant owed them a duty of care, breached that duty, and that this breach directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries and resulting damages. The compensation in a personal injury lawsuit can cover various damages:
- Economic damages: These are quantifiable financial losses such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
- Non-economic damages: These are more subjective and can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm, these damages may be awarded to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior.
Personal injury lawsuits can arise from a wide variety of accidents, including motor vehicle accidents and workplace accidents. The goal of these lawsuits is to make the injured party “whole” again, as much as possible, through financial compensation.
Most Common Types of Accidents in Gretna, LA
Gretna residents and visitors often deal with all kinds of accidents, some more devastating than others. From car accidents on US-90 to pedestrian accidents at the Westside South Shopping Center, all it takes is one negligent action to cause an accident. Some of the most common accidents in Gretna are:
- Car accidents: With major thoroughfares like the West Bank Expressway and Belle Chasse Highway running through Gretna, car accidents are unfortunately common. Jefferson Parish saw 17 car accident deaths in 2023 alone. Distracted driving, speeding, texting while driving, and driving under the influence are frequent causes. If you were injured, contact a Gretna car accident lawyer to pursue compensation.
- Large truck accidents: Given Gretna’s proximity to the Port of New Orleans and various industrial areas, large truck accidents are a significant concern. These accidents tend to cause devastating injuries because of their weight and size, making them particularly dangerous for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Contact a skilled Gretna truck accident lawyer for help with your case.
- Motorcycle accidents: These are often caused by drivers failing to see motorcyclists or misjudging their speed and distance. A Gretna motorcycle accident lawyer can help you fight for compensation if you are injured while riding.
- Bicycle accidents: As more people in Gretna opt for cycling, accidents involving bicycles and motor vehicles are on the rise. These can be particularly devastating for the cyclist, who is exposed to heavy and dangerous motor vehicles. Speak to a Gretna bicycle accident lawyer to discuss your options.
- Pedestrian accidents: In urban areas of Gretna, particularly around shopping districts and residential neighborhoods, pedestrian accidents are an issue. These can be catastrophic or even deadly for pedestrians, especially when large trucks are involved. A Gretna pedestrian accident lawyer can help you obtain justice for your injuries.
- Slip and fall accidents: These incidents can happen anywhere in Gretna, from grocery stores to office buildings. Wet floors, uneven surfaces, and poor lighting are common causes.
- Workplace accidents: With Gretna’s diverse economy, workplace accidents are not uncommon. They can happen in virtually any industry, from construction sites to office environments. Common incidents include falls, equipment malfunctions, and repetitive stress injuries.
- Boat accidents: Given Gretna’s location on the Mississippi River, maritime accidents happen very often. From small recreational boats crashing into objects or other vehicles to large vessels causing an accident, Gretna sees all kinds of boating accidents. Maritime accidents involving dock workers, longshoremen, and river vessel crew members are also common.
- Industrial accidents: The presence of industrial facilities in and around Gretna can lead to accidents from chemical exposure, equipment malfunctions, or fires. A Gretna industrial accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation, no matter how severe your injuries are.
- Medical malpractice: While less common, incidents of medical negligence do happen in healthcare facilities in Gretna. If you suffered damages because your healthcare professional behaved negligently, then you deserve compensation.
Most Common Types of Injuries in Gretna, LA
The wide range of accidents in Gretna can lead to many types of injuries. These are some of the most common:
- Whiplash: Often resulting from rear-end car collisions, it can cause severe neck pain, headaches, and limited mobility.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): These can range from mild concussions to severe trauma, potentially causing long-term complications. In severe cases, injury victims may also have to deal with paralysis.
- Spinal cord injuries: Often due to severe accidents, they can cause partial or complete paralysis, which may require long-term care.
- Fractures and broken bones: These injuries can happen in many types of accidents, from slip and falls to bicycle accidents. A small fracture on one bone is usually not too difficult to resolve, but complex, compound fractures can require multiple surgeries and extensive treatment.
- Soft tissue injuries: These include sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They are common in many types of accidents and can lead to chronic pain if not properly treated.
- Burns: They can happen in industrial accidents or severe car crashes. Their treatment can be excruciatingly painful and very expensive, resulting in extensive damages. Victims may also be able to recover compensation for scarring or disfigurement.
- Repetitive stress injuries: These are common in workplace settings that require repeated motions. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common example of a repetitive stress injury.
- Chemical exposure injuries: Given the industrial presence near Gretna, exposure to harmful chemicals can lead to respiratory injuries, skin conditions, and long-term health effects.
- Psychological injuries: While not physically visible, conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression often come with traumatic accidents.
- Amputation: In severe accidents, especially those involving heavy machinery or severe crush injuries, it may be necessary to amputate a limb.
- Internal injuries: These can include damage to organs, internal bleeding, or other injuries not immediately visible. They are often seen in high-impact accidents or those involving blunt force.
How To Determine the Value of Your Gretna Personal Injury Case
No two personal injury cases are the same, even if the conditions are very similar. Determining the value of your Gretna personal injury case will depend on many factors, including:
- Severity of injuries: More severe injuries often result in higher compensation due to higher medical costs and a greater impact on quality of life.
- Long-term effects: Injuries with lasting consequences often lead to higher settlements. That is because settlements and court awards must consider the life-long costs of injuries. In these cases, the plaintiff may obtain a lump-sum payment or monthly payments for a certain amount of time, depending on the settlement conditions or award.
- Lost wages: If your injury affects your ability to work, you can request compensation. For example, if surgeries and recovery from a serious car wreck caused you to miss two weeks of work, you may seek compensation for the missed paycheck.
- Diminished earning capacity: For injuries with permanent or long-term disabilities, you may be compensated for reduced earning capacity. For example, if you work in a factory and lose a limb, you may never be able to operate the same machinery again. This will impact your livelihood, which should be considered when seeking compensation.
- Medical expenses: Both current and projected future medical costs are considered. This also includes medications, therapy, and home modifications.
- Liability clarity: Clear evidence of the defendant’s fault can strengthen your case. If you are found to share some of the responsibility for the accident, then your compensation amount will be reduced proportionally.
- Insurance coverage: The liable party’s insurance policy limits can affect the maximum compensation available.
- Pain and suffering: While harder to quantify, the physical and emotional distress caused by the injury is considered when determining the value of your claim.
Steps To Take After an Accident in Gretna
If you have been involved in an accident in Gretna, taking the right steps immediately is extremely important. This will help you protect your health and rights because what you do right after an accident can impact your ability to pursue compensation. If you are injured, you should:
- Seek safety: If possible, move to a safe place right away. Ideally, you want to be off the road to prevent getting hit by another vehicle or causing any additional accidents.
- Call 911: Report the accident to the local police department. This will help you create a police report, which is indispensable should you decide to pursue compensation.
- Document the scene: If safe to do so, take photos and videos of the accident. Also, capture any aggravating conditions, like bad weather or damage on the road.
- Gather information: Exchange contact and insurance details with all other parties involved. If possible, speak to any witnesses and get their contact information, too. Their testimony can be extremely helpful if you decide to file a lawsuit.
- Get medical attention: If your injuries are severe, you should wait at the accident scene until the paramedics arrive. Otherwise, head to a local medical center or clinic to seek help. Even if you feel fine, some injuries take a few days to manifest, so make sure to obtain a full medical evaluation after your accident.
- Notify your insurance: Call your insurance company and let them know about the accident. Avoid admitting fault or providing too many details of the accident until you have spoken to a personal injury lawyer.
- Speak with a local attorney: Experienced Gretna injury lawyers can help you fight for your rights. If you suffered due to the negligence of another party, you deserve justice. The right attorney can help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve.
How a Gretna Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Hiring a personal injury lawyer for the first time can be daunting. However, it can also be the best thing you can do for your case. Having a lawyer on your side will help you:
- Evaluate your case: Your attorney and their team will help you determine if you have a valuable case and what it may be worth.
- Gather evidence: From accident reports to witness statements, experienced attorneys know how and where to find the evidence you need to win.
- Deal with insurance companies: Your lawyer will handle all paperwork, documentation, and communication required. They will negotiate with the insurance company to try and obtain a fair settlement without having to go to court.
- File a lawsuit: If necessary, your attorney will take the other party to court. This involves preparing and filing the lawsuit and representing you in court in front of the judge and jury.
Can I Seek Damages if I’m Partly Responsible for My Gretna Accident?
Yes, you can still seek damages if you are partly responsible for your accident in Gretna, LA. Louisiana follows a “pure comparative fault” model, meaning you can pursue compensation as long as another party is responsible for at least 1% of the blame for the accident. For example, if you are found to be 80% responsible for the accident and the other party is responsible for 20%, then you can only pursue up to 20% of the total damages.
Contact an Experienced Gretna Injury Lawyer
Accidents in Gretna can happen in an instant, but their effects can last a lifetime. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. The legal process can be complex, especially when dealing with insurance companies and Louisiana’s laws.
The statute of limitations in Louisiana for injury cases is typically one year, so don’t wait. An experienced Gretna personal injury lawyer can be your advocate, fighting for your rights while you focus on recovery. At Morris & Dewett, we are not afraid to take negligent parties to court and obtain the best possible award — that is how we got the largest personal injury verdict in Louisiana history. Call now for a free consultation.
