Covington's trusted accident injury law firm

Yes. If the other person is at fault and they have insurance, you are entitled to a rental car if your car will require a certain number of days to repair. We can help you through this process.

Make sure to:

• Call the Police (Dial 911);
• Seek immediate medical treatment if you are injured;
• Obtain the other driver's name and contact information;
• Take pictures and video of the damage to both vehicles and of the accident scene;
• Get the name of the other driver's insurance company and policy number;
• Get the item number of the police report and the identity of the police who respond (State Trooper, Parish Sheriff, City police);
• Get the contact information of any witnesses; and
• Take pictures of your injuries.

We can help you with your car wreck case, from start to finish.

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The other person's insurance company is not obligated to pay your medical bills "as you go."  This means that you or your health insurance company are responsible for paying your medical providers as services are rendered.  However, the medical bills are part of your claim against the at-fault party and their insurance company moving forward.  Once a settlement or resolution is made with the at-fault insurance company, your medical bills should be part of that resolution.  An experienced personal injury lawyer should make sure your medical bills are accounted for in any settlement.

If you have a maritime case, your employer may be responsible for paying your ongoing medical bills.

Your lost wages, time you miss to go to the doctor, and inability to continue working may form part of your claim against the at-fault party. It is important to document any time you miss from work. While we can't control your employer's actions, we can provide them with information from your doctor concerning your limitations and request proof from them regarding your lost wages. If you have short-term or long-term disability insurance, we can help you navigate through the process of filing a claim. Each person's situation is unique. We can help you through this process.

Not necessarily. Even if you file a lawsuit, the other party may still settle with you at any time during the process, without the need for a trial. However, when we file a lawsuit, we prepare for trial.

“You may not need to hire an attorney for your car wreck claim.”  That’s something you don’t hear from those big-wig billboard attorneys!  But it’s true.  While hiring an experienced personal injury attorney is a great idea when an accident results in significant injuries and medical bills, “fender benders” can usually be handled without an attorney.

But even for small accidents, it is important to understand your rights BEFORE speaking with the insurance company.  That’s where our CRASH COURSE comes in.  

Here’s how it works: Give us a call at (985) 590-6182.  We immediately schedule a 15-minute call to cover key information you should know BEFORE starting your insurance claim.  Completely

FREE, CONFIDENTIAL, NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

Here are just a few of the topics we will cover:

• How to properly file a claim (what the insurance company will ask you and why);

• Your rights and responsibilities;

• How to get your car repaired and get a rental;

• How medical bills get paid and how to remain compliant with your health insurer; and

• Different insurance coverages you may not know about.

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Physical trauma is not the only injury someone may suffer as a result of a car accident.  In Louisiana, you may also be entitled to compensation for your emotional distress and mental anguish.    

Many people also suffer non-physical damages as a result of an accident. A car wreck is a traumatic experience. In some situations, a victim of a car wreck may be afraid to get behind the wheel again, may feel claustrophobic, or even develop post-traumatic stress disorder. These are examples of emotional distress.

Another type of non-physical damage is mental anguish, which a victim of a car wreck may experience when, because of their injuries, they do not know how they are going to get their life back in order. A victim may worry about how they will pay their bills, whether they will lose their job, or feel deficient as a spouse or a parent. These are all examples of mental anguish.

One of the first steps in recovering money for harms and losses following an auto accident, pedestrian accident, or other personal injury is the filing of a claim with the appropriate insurance company or claims representative. The filing of a claim puts the insurance company on notice of the incident.  

Once a claim is filed, the insurance company begins to collect information about the incident. They will then make a determination as to whether they are accepting responsibility for the accident or denying liability. The insurance company will also collect information related to the extent of the claimant’s damages. That is, how much the claim may be worth. This amount, sometimes called a “reserve” may increase if the person’s damages are continuing.  

During the claims process, we provide the insurance company with evidence so that they can make a determination as to liability. Evidence can include police reports, witness statements, photographs, and videos. We also keep the insurance company updated as to our clients’ ongoing injuries and damages so that they can set their reserve appropriately.  

Most importantly, at Grady J. Flattmann, Attorneys at Law, we keep our clients updated every step of the way.

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Anyone can file and pursue their own personal injury claim without a lawyer.  Whether that is a good idea or not depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of injuries and damage, whether the other person is admitting fault, and the interests of third parties such as medical providers, health insurers, and others.  

Even minor accident claims can become complicated quickly.  Just a trip to the ER can result in several medical bills and create a reimbursement interest from your health insurer, especially for people with Medicare or Medicaid.  At Grady J. Flattmann, Attorneys at Law, we make sure that our clients’ claims are handled the right way, start to finish.  

Also, remember that insurance company adjusters are trained to ask specific questions of accident victims in an effort to save money for the insurance company.  Having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side to interact with insurance adjusters can be a major advantage.  

If you are thinking of handling your own personal injury claim, please call us today.  At Grady J. Flattmann, Attorneys at Law, we offer a free 15-minute “CRASH COURSE to help you better understand the ins and outs of your claim.  

Give us a call today to schedule your free “CRASH COURSE” at (985) 590-6182.

A majority of personal injury claims are settled before a lawsuit has to be filed.  Even in cases where a lawsuit is filed, many are resolved before a trial occurs.  

However, whether your case will go to trial depends on many factors including the extent of your injuries, the amount of insurance available, and whether the at-fault insurance company is willing to be reasonable in their evaluation of your damages.  

Knowing the difference between an insurance claim and a lawsuit is important.  An insurance claim is simply the opening of a claim against the at-fault driver through their insurance company.  An insurance claim allows the insurance company to consider your damages and the liability of their insured to determine whether they are willing to negotiate with you toward the settlement of your claim.  A lawsuit is the continuation of an insurance claim through the court system.  After filing a lawsuit, both sides (you and the insurance company) have the ability to ask questions of each other and uncover additional facts in order to ultimately present those facts at a trial.  

In Louisiana, injury victims have a very short (one-year) time frame within which to either resolve their personal injury claim or file a lawsuit to preserve their claim.  Waiting too long to contact an attorney can be a big mistake.