Motor Vehicle Accident FAQ

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.

Have You Been Hurt In A Covington Area Accident?

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

Car accidents can be complicated and sometimes, more than one person may be at fault for causing the wreck. In Louisiana, we have what’s known as “comparative fault.” This means that a person can recover for their personal injuries, even if they were partially responsible for causing the wreck.

For instance, if it is determined that someone is 50% responsible for causing a wreck, they can still collect 50% of their damages. Also, if the other person had the reasonable opportunity to avoid the wreck, but didn’t, you may still prevail in a personal injury claim, regardless of fault. In Louisiana, this is called the “last clear chance doctrine.” Many factors go into the success or failure of a personal injury case.

At Grady J. Flattmann, Attorneys at Law, we examine each of our clients’ cases from every angle.

Have You Been Hurt In A Covington Area Accident?

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

The process of investigating truck accidents varies from case to case and is sometimes similar to investigations of car accident claims.  However, there are several things we may do during an investigation, unique to truck accidents.  

First, a lot of big trucks, like 18-wheelers, contain electronic logging devices, similar to the “black box” we often hear about.  These devices can track the truck’s speed, locations, and critical events, like braking.  We sometimes have accident reconstruction experts assist us in inspecting the truck and downloading data from its electronic logging devices.

Second, in the event of big trucks hauling loads or making deliveries, it may be important to obtain evidence as to the driver’s activity on the day of the accident or the days leading up to the accident.  Evidence such as driving logs and whether the driver took required breaks can be important in a truck case to show driver fatigue.   

Another topic of investigation in big truck accident cases is the driver’s personnel records.  Does he have a history of accidents?  Did his company conduct a background investigation before putting him on the road?  In some cases, showing that the trucking company knew or should have known that their driver was unsafe, is important for holding the company liable.

While each big truck accident is different, it is important to collect evidence immediately after an accident.  As soon as we are hired on a big truck case, we skillfully tailor our investigation around the unique aspects of the case.   

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Truck Accident?

If you've been hurt in a semi-truck or large vehicle accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

The first few days after a car wreck can be the most frustrating for my clients.  Not only are they in pain and hurting, but a lot of times, they are also out of a vehicle and find themselves suddenly without transportation.  Getting to work is usually the primary concern.

In Louisiana, the at-fault insurance company is responsible for setting up a rental vehicle for you following a wreck.  However, they will not set up the rental until they have investigated the accident and accepted responsibility.  Typically, an insurance adjuster will say that they are waiting for the police report or waiting to get in touch with their insured before they can start the rental process.  

We have been successful in expediting the rental car process by actively communicating with insurance adjusters and making sure they have all the information about the wreck, as soon as possible.  

If you have rental coverage on your own vehicle, a faster way to get the rental car is to go through your own insurance coverage.  That way, you don’t have to wait on the at-fault insurance company.  

Frustrated and without transportation? If you can’t come to us, we will come to you!

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Car Accident?

If you've been hurt in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

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.

Have You Been Hurt In A Covington Area Accident?

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

Motorcyclists are often unfairly blamed when a wreck happens.  Common things drivers say when they are involved in a car versus motorcycle accident include: “he came out of nowhere,” “he was in my blind spot,” “he was weaving through traffic,” or “he was going too fast.”  Due to this unfair prejudice, motorcyclists sometimes find themselves having to prove that an accident wasn’t their fault.

Being very clear about how a wreck occurred, the positions of the vehicles, and the precise sequence of events can help the driver of a motorcycle prove that he or she was not at fault.  The insurance company will try to match up statements with the evidence to determine who is liable for the accident.  

Gathering evidence immediately following the accident is also very important.  Taking pictures and videos of the accident scene and gathering information from potential witnesses can be very helpful in proving that you were not at fault for the wreck.

Have You Been Hurt In A Covington Area Motorcycle Accident?

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

The answer to this question depends on many factors, the most significant being the seriousness of one’s injuries.  Other factors we consider in assessing the value of a claim include the length of medical treatment, the amount of medical bills, future limitations or disabilities, and lost wages.  

The value of a truck accident claim may also grow over time if a person is continuing to suffer or treat for their injuries.  We take great pride in explaining our valuation process to our clients throughout the course of their case.    

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Truck Accident?

If you've been hurt in a semi-truck or large vehicle accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

The law regarding the types of damages that can be claimed following a motorcycle accident are the same as those regarding car accidents.  Following a motorcycle accident, the injured person has property damage claims and personal injury claims.  

Property damage claims include damage to the motorcycle and even damage to clothes or other possessions.  It also includes rental coverage during the time the motorcycle is being repaired.  

Personal injury claims include things like the person’s medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, future disability, mental anguish, and lost enjoyment of life.  

We take pride in making sure our clients understand their rights after being involved in an motorcycle accident.  

Have You Been Hurt In A Covington Area Motorcycle Accident?

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

If you were a passenger in a car that causes an accident, you have the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver, even if you were a passenger in the vehicle he or she was driving.  It is important to get all the information you can regarding the driver’s car insurance so that a claim may be filed on your behalf.  We have successfully handled claims made by passengers. 

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Car Accident?

If you've been hurt in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

While it may be possible to represent yourself in a car accident claim, whether it is advisable to do so depends on many factors.  Most “fender benders” that do not involve injuries may be handled directly with the at-fault insurance company.  However, if the accident involves substantial vehicle damage or if someone was injured, things can get complicated quickly.  

So, how do you decide whether to hire an experienced car accident attorney or try to handle the claim on your own?  That’s where our DIY CRASH COURSE comes in.  Learn more about our 100% free and confidential DIY CRASH COURSE. Click here to learn more.

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Car Accident?

If you've been hurt in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.