Nobody expects to be injured in an accident. When it happens, the consequences can range from significantly inconvenient to potentially catastrophic. The physical pain, emotional distress, and financial burden can be overwhelming. Fortunately, personal injury law exists to protect victims like you so you can obtain compensation for damages caused by someone else’s negligence. An experienced Kenner injury lawyer can help guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why You Need a Kenner Personal Injury Attorney
When you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence in Kenner, you deserve full and fair compensation. However, navigating the complex legal system while dealing with injuries can be overwhelming. This is where a skilled Kenner personal injury attorney becomes invaluable. An experienced legal team can help you:
- Accurately assess your claim’s value
- Gather and preserve crucial evidence to build a strong case
- Handle all communications with insurance companies
- Navigate Louisiana’s legal procedures to meet all deadlines
- Negotiate on your behalf or take your case to trial if necessary
Most Common Types of Accidents in Kenner, LA
If you’ve been injured in Kenner, Louisiana, you’re not alone. Accidents happen every day in this city, largely due to its proximity to major highways and busy streets, leaving victims struggling with injuries, medical bills, and lost wages. Understanding the most common types of accidents can help you recognize when you might need the help of a skilled Kenner personal injury lawyer to obtain justice. Here are the accident categories we see the most:
Car Accidents
With I-10 cutting through Kenner, including busy streets like Williams Boulevard and Veterans Memorial Boulevard, it’s no surprise that this city sees its fair share of car crashes. These range from minor collisions like rear-end accidents to severe multi-vehicle pileups. Distracted driving, speeding, and failure to yield are common causes of car accidents in Kenner, LA.
Unfortunately, 17 people died in car accidents in Jefferson Parish in 2023, according to data from the Louisiana State University Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety. As the largest city in Jefferson Parish, Kenner witnessed many of these deadly crashes. Contact the help of a Kenner car accident lawyer if you were injured in or near Kenner, Louisiana.
Truck Accidents
Given Kenner’s proximity to New Orleans and the Louis Armstrong International Airport, its roads and highways are busy with large commercial trucks trying to pass through. When these behemoths collide with smaller vehicles, the results can be catastrophic. Truck driver fatigue, improper loading, and equipment failure are frequent causes. Victims often face severe injuries and complex legal battles against the truck owners to recover the compensation they’re entitled to.
Motorcycle Accidents
Kenner’s year-round mild weather makes it an attractive place for motorcyclists. Unfortunately, this also means a higher risk of motorcycle crashes. These may happen when other drivers fail to see riders or misjudge their speed. As a motorcyclist, you’re vulnerable on the road, and injuries from these accidents can be life changing.
Bicycle Accidents
As the city promotes bike-friendly initiatives, more cyclists are on the road. Unfortunately, this also means more bicycle accidents in Kenner, especially on busy roads where drivers aren’t used to sharing space. If you’ve ever been hit while cycling, then you already know how devastating these crashes can be. As cyclists are vulnerable on the road, it’s not uncommon to see severe injuries after a bicycle accident, especially when the crash involves a large motor vehicle.
Pedestrian Accidents
Whether you’re enjoying a stroll in Laketown or shopping at The Esplanade, being a pedestrian in Kenner shouldn’t be dangerous. Yet, pedestrian accidents happen too often, usually at crosswalks or intersections where drivers fail to yield. Even a low-speed collision can result in serious injuries for a pedestrian.
Construction Accidents
Kenner’s ongoing development means construction sites are common. These areas pose risks to construction workers and passersby alike. Falls, equipment malfunctions, and falling objects are just a few potential construction accidents that can lead to serious injuries and complex workers’ compensation claims.
Bus Accidents
With public bus transportation serving Kenner and connecting it to New Orleans, bus accidents are not uncommon. Whether involving public transit or school buses, these accidents can affect multiple victims and go through an intricate legal process due to the involvement of government entities.
Other Accidents
There are too many accidents in Kenner, LA, to count. Although people generally don’t intend to be negligent, it’s far too common for an oversight to cause a devastating accident or injury. Some other common accidents in Kenner are:
- Negligence accidents: These accidents happen when someone fails to exercise reasonable care, causing harm to others. For example, if you get injured on a commercial property because the owner was negligent in repairing or maintaining their property, then you might be able to recover compensation from the property owner.
- Oil field accidents: Oil field work is inherently dangerous, with risks including explosions, falls, and exposure to toxic substances. These accidents can cause severe injuries or even death. They often involve complex liability issues as it may not always be possible to file a personal injury lawsuit against an employer.
- Aviation accidents: These involve accidents with aircraft, including commercial planes, private jets, and helicopters. Kenner’s proximity to Louis Armstrong International Airport could result in more frequent aviation accidents, often causing catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
- Offshore accidents: Offshore workers face unique hazards on oil rigs, ships, and other maritime environments. These accidents can involve federal maritime laws like the Jones Act, making them particularly complex to navigate legally.
- Premises liability cases: These involve injuries on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions. Slip and falls, inadequate security incidents, and injuries from falling objects are common examples.
- Product liability cases: Manufacturers or sellers may be held liable when their defective products cause injuries. These cases can involve design defects, manufacturing flaws, or inadequate warnings.
- Workers’ compensation cases: These involve injuries sustained on the job, regardless of fault. Workers’ compensation provides benefits for medical expenses and lost wages, but navigating the system can be challenging. In some cases, workers can file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer, which would allow them to seek more damages.
- Wrongful death cases: These are unfortunate cases in which someone dies due to another’s negligence or intentional act. Although a financial award could never compensate for the life of a loved one, family members may seek compensation for lost financial support, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages.
- Assault cases: These result from intentional harmful acts by another person. Victims of assault may pursue both criminal charges and civil lawsuits to seek justice and compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, and emotional trauma.
Most Common Types of Injuries in Kenner, LA
Accidents in Kenner can lead to all kinds of injuries, from minor bruises to life-altering trauma. Understanding these common injuries can help you recognize the potential long-term impacts and the importance of seeking proper care and legal representation. If you’ve been hurt in an accident in or near Kenner, LA, knowing what type of injury you’re dealing with is crucial for your recovery and potential legal claims. Here are some of the most common types of injuries in Kenner accident cases:
- Brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can happen after various accidents, especially those involving blows to the head. These injuries can range from mild concussions to severe trauma, potentially causing long-term cognitive and physical issues. Recovery from a TBI can be particularly challenging, as they tend to require ongoing medical support and physical rehabilitation.
- Broken bones and fractures: Accidents cause broken bones and fractures all the time. Although simple cracks in bones can be easy to treat, more complex compound fractures can require substantial medical attention. These injuries can cause significant pain, require surgeries, and lead to a long recovery plan.
- Burn injuries: Burns can occur in various accidents, including car crashes, workplace accidents, and defective product cases. Severe burns may require extensive treatment, including skin grafts and lasers, and can lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement. Burn injury victims may be able to seek damages for the psychological impact of dealing with a burn injury in addition to medical costs.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, which can dramatically affect a person’s life. These injuries may require lifelong medical care and assistive devices. If you or a loved one suffered from a spinal cord injury due to a third party’s negligence, you should work with an experienced attorney to accurately tally all the lifelong medical expenses and recover a fair compensation amount.
- Soft tissue injuries: These include sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. While considered less severe, soft tissue injuries can also cause chronic pain and limited mobility. For example, whiplash is one of the most common injuries in car accidents and can lead to long-term neck and back problems.
- Internal organ damage: Blunt force trauma or penetrating injuries can cause damage to internal organs. These injuries may not be immediately apparent but can be life threatening if left untreated. Internal bleeding, ruptured organs, or organ bruising may require emergency surgery and extended hospital stays.
- Amputation: Severe accidents, particularly those involving heavy machinery, can result in the loss of limbs. Amputations have a profound impact on a person’s life, requiring extensive rehabilitation, prosthetics, and accommodations. They can also significantly reduce a person’s lifetime expected compensation, all of which should be factored in when negotiating a settlement amount or fighting in court for a financial award.
- Psychological injuries: While not physically visible, psychological injuries like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are common after a traumatic accident. These conditions can impact a person’s quality of life and may require long-term therapy or medication.
Types of Compensation Available After an Injury in Kenner, LA
If you’ve been injured in Kenner due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation. Understanding these can help you pursue a fair settlement for your injuries. There are three main types of damages available in Louisiana personal injury cases:
Economic Damages
These cover the tangible financial losses resulting from your injury. They include medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, reduced earning capacity, and other out-of-pocket costs related to your injury.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages address the intangible impacts of your injury. They compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. While harder to quantify, these damages often form a significant part of personal injury settlements.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages aren’t meant to compensate the victim but to punish the negligent party. In Louisiana, these are only awarded in cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct. They’re rare in personal injury cases but can significantly increase the overall compensation if awarded.
How Is the Value of a Personal Injury Lawsuit Determined?
Determining the value of a personal injury lawsuit in Kenner isn’t a simple process. Each case is different, and many factors come into play when calculating potential compensation. Some things that could affect the value of your case are:
- Severity of injuries: More severe injuries typically cause more damages, both economic and non-economic. Injuries requiring extensive medical treatment, causing permanent disability, or resulting in long-term pain and suffering will generally lead to larger settlements.
- Medical expenses: All related medical costs are considered when awarding a personal injury settlement, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and projected future medical needs.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: If your injury caused you to miss work or has impacted your ability to earn in the future, you may be able to receive compensation through your claim.
- Property damage: Any damage to your personal property is also included in the calculation. For example, damages to your vehicle in a car accident or to your home in a hit-and-run case.
- Pain and suffering: Being involved in an accident can be extremely painful. While these impacts are difficult to quantify, personal injury lawsuits seek to compensate the injury victim for the physical and emotional pain they went through.
- Impact on quality of life: If your injury has affected your ability to enjoy life or participate in activities you once loved, then you might be able to obtain compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
- Shared fault: Louisiana follows a comparative fault rule. If you’re partially at fault for the accident, then your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Proving Negligence in Kenner Personal Injury Lawsuits
If you’ve been injured in Kenner, proving negligence is one of the most important steps to winning your personal injury case. Negligence forms the basis of most personal injury claims, and understanding its elements can help you build a stronger case. To establish negligence in Louisiana, you must prove four key elements:
- Duty of care: You must show that the defendant owed you a legal duty to act reasonably to prevent harm. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and drive safely.
- Breach of duty: The next requirement is to demonstrate that the defendant failed to meet their duty of care. This could be through action, like speeding, or inaction, like failing to fix a known hazard on their property.
- Causation: You must show that the defendant’s breach directly caused your injuries. This means proving that your injuries would not have occurred if not for the defendant’s negligence.
- Damages: Finally, you must prove you suffered actual losses due to the injury, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Steps To Take After an Accident in Kenner, LA
If you’ve been involved in an accident in Kenner, the steps you take immediately afterward can impact your health, safety, and any potential legal claims. Here’s what you should do:
- Move to safety: If possible, move to a safe location to avoid further injury. Turn on hazard lights and set up flares or warning triangles, if available.
- Call 911: Report the accident to the police immediately. Law enforcement will document the scene and create an official report, which can be useful if you decide to pursue compensation.
- Seek medical attention: Even if you feel fine, some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Obtain a full valuation by emergency responders or visit a hospital like Ochsner Health Center in Kenner.
- Gather evidence and witnesses: If it’s safe, take photos and videos of the accident, any property damage, injuries, and any relevant road conditions or signage. You should also talk to potential witnesses and gather their contact information.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurance provider, but stick to the facts. Avoid admitting fault or providing details to the negligent party’s insurance company until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
- Keep records: Save all documents related to the accident, including medical bills, repair estimates, and any correspondence with insurance companies.
- Follow medical advice: Attend all follow-up appointments and follow your doctor’s treatment plan. This helps your recovery and shows you’re taking your injuries seriously.
- Contact a Kenner personal injury lawyer: Before accepting any settlement offers or giving recorded statements, speak with an experienced local attorney. Having a legal team on your side can help you maximize your award amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does a Kenner Personal Injury Lawsuit Take To Settle?
The duration of a personal injury lawsuit in Kenner can vary depending on the case. Simple cases with clear liability may settle quickly, sometimes within three to six months. More complex cases, especially those involving severe injuries or disputed liability, can easily take years to resolve. Factors that can impact the duration of a personal injury lawsuit include:
- The complexity of the case
- The severity of injuries and required medical treatment
- The willingness of the insurance company to negotiate fairly
- Whether the case goes to trial
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Most reputable personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means:
- You pay no upfront costs or hourly fees.
- The lawyer’s fee is a percentage of your settlement or court award.
- If you don’t win your case, you don’t pay any fees to the attorney.
The standard contingency fee varies between 30–40% of the award settlement. Keep in mind that although hiring an attorney to handle your personal injury case means you’ll pay a portion of your settlement in fees, it also means you might be able to obtain a larger award. For example, someone without an attorney might be able to recover $100,000 in damages, but someone working with an experienced law firm may be able to obtain $300,000 for the same case. That’s because skilled personal injury attorneys will use their experience to maximize the total compensation amount.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Partially at Fault for My Kenner Injury?
Yes, you can still recover compensation in Kenner even if you’re partially at fault for your accident. Louisiana follows a “pure comparative fault” rule, which means:
- You can recover damages even if you’re 99% at fault.
- Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of guilt.
For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 in damages but found to be 30% at fault, you would receive $70,000. This system allows for a more nuanced approach to accident liability, recognizing that multiple parties can contribute to an accident. However, insurance companies will take advantage of this to try to shift more and more of the blame to the injury victim. Don’t accept fault or give statements without consulting an attorney first.
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Kenner, LA?
The statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits in Louisiana is just one year from the date of the injury. This means:
- You have just 12 months to file your lawsuit.
- If you miss this deadline, you likely lose your right to seek compensation.
- The clock starts ticking on the date of your accident or injury.
Contact an Experienced Kenner Injury Lawyer
The difference between a successful personal injury claim and a disappointing one can come down to having the right legal team on your side. The experienced Kenner injury lawyers at Morris & Dewett understand what it takes to win a fair settlement or compensation award in Louisiana. Contact us today for a free consultation. Our team of legal experts will be happy to discuss your Kenner accident case with you.
