Covington Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Lawyer FAQs

How long will this process take?  This is probably the most asked question we get from our clients.  The answer…it depends.  Insurance claims can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years to resolve, depending on a number of factors. 

How significant are your injuries?

Typically, we do not want to settle an insurance claim before our client is either fully healed from their injuries or comfortable with their future medical outlook.  Why?  Because insurance claims are valued in part based on the types of injuries incurred and the amount of time it takes to recover from those injuries.  Settling a case prematurely can sometimes limit the true value of an insurance claim. 

Are there limits on the amount of insurance coverage available?

In Louisiana, the state requires drivers to have minimum car liability limits of 15/30/25.  This means liability limits of $15,000 per person up to $30,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage.  A majority of Louisiana drivers have minimum limits.  Unfortunately, this means that if you are seriously injured in a car accident, the person who caused the accident may very well have only $15,000 in insurance coverage available to cover your medical bills and general damages, like pain and suffering, lost wages, etc.  That’s not much considering that an ambulance ride from Hwy 190 to St. Tammany Parish Hospital alone can cost $3,000 and a hospital bill can cost another $2,000 to $8,000. 

Why does this impact how long an insurance claim takes?  If there is limited insurance available, the value of a major personal injury claim will quickly reach those limits.  At Flattmann Law, we keep insurance companies informed about our clients’ injuries and treatment.  As a result, when our clients’ claims reach policy limits, insurance adjusters often call us in an attempt to resolve those claims as quickly as possible. 

In major injury cases, while it is good news if the at-fault party has high limits of liability coverage, it also means that the claim may take longer to resolve.  In those cases, it is important for our clients to get to a point of maximum medical improvement before settling their case, and doing so can take time. 

Are there questions as to who is responsible for the wreck?

Insurance companies are experts at trying to pass the blame to the injured victim of an accident.  If the insurance company is refusing to accept responsibility (liability) for a wreck, we may have to take extra measures to prove our case.  This can be anything from conducting interviews of witnesses to hiring crash reconstruction experts.  Often, if an insurance company is refusing to accept liability, it requires the filing of a lawsuit and lawsuits can take a long time to finalize.

Have You Been In An Accident And Have Questions About How Long It Will Take Your Claim To Resolve?

If you have been in an accident and have questions about how long it will take to resolve your car wreck claim contact us online or call our Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. Flattmann Law serves clients on the Northshore, including Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Folsom, Hammond, Lacombe, Pearl River, and Slidell.

Emergency medical responders, including paramedics are true heroes.  They respond to countless car accidents and other emergencies every day and provide lifesaving help to those in need.

When a car accident happens, 911 operators typically dispatch not only the police, but also EMS and sometimes the fire department, depending on the situation.  Oftentimes, EMS will ask the parties involved in the wreck if they would like to be transported to the hospital for further evaluation.  Should you accept the offer and be taken via ambulance to the hospital? 

Ambulance services may be run by for-profit private companies, such as Acadian Ambulance Service, or by the government, such as the City of New Orleans EMS.  An ambulance ride to a hospital, even a short distance away, can be expensive.  On average, ambulance bills can be anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500 for one trip, depending on services rendered and mileage.  In cases of EMS air-lift services (helicopters), the bill can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. 

Injured But You Don't Know If An Ambulance Ride Is Necessarily

Of course, life-threatening injuries require EMS assistance and an ambulance ride.  But what if you are injured, but don’t necessarily have non-life-threatening injuries (for instance, you have neck, back, or head pain but not to the point of being disabled)? 

Keep in mind that EMS personnel are trained to mitigate injuries and prevent further injury (think neck immobilization and spine boards).  At the accident scene, it is likely that you will not be able to fully assess or appreciate the extent of your injuries.  Later, when the adrenaline begins to wear off, you may realize that you have more pain than you initially thought. 

When the ambulance bill comes, make sure they have your correct health insurance information and have billed the encounter appropriately.

In summary, err on the side of caution when deciding whether to take the ambulance to the hospital following a car wreck.  EMS workers are trained to help! 

Did You Have To Take An Ambulance To The Hospital Following A Car Wreck?

If you had to take an ambulance to the hospital following your car wreck contact us online or call our Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. Flattmann Law serves clients on the Northshore, including Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Folsom, Hammond, Lacombe, Pearl River, and Slidell.

Beware of an insurance company offering you a “quick settlement” following a car wreck.  This is the WORST TIME to settle your case.  Why?

First, adrenalin in your body is released during an accident and can often mask serious injuries for several days.  Never settle a car accident claim before you have fully recovered from your injuries or at least understand the extent of your injuries.  What may seem like a good offer a day after your wreck can look like pennies compared to how you feel a few days later.  

Second, in the days after an accident, you may not be thinking clearly, especially if you suffered a concussion or severe whiplash during the wreck.  Now is not the time to analyze a settlement offer.  

What happens if you accept an insurance company’s settlement offer?  In order to finalize the offer, the insurance company will send you a “release.”  This is a statement they want you to sign in order to give up any claims you may have in exchange for the settlement money.  By signing a release, you literally sign away your rights to ever bring a lawsuit against the at-fault party or their insurance company, even if a hidden injury pops up later.  

If you have received a settlement offer from an insurance company following a wreck and would like to review it with an attorney for free before you accept it!

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.

The most common excuse an at-fault driver has when accused of running a red light is that their light was green.  “Green light-red light” accidents are common and insurance companies love to deny insurance claims based on their insured’s own self-saving statement.  So, how can you establish fault after a red-light accident?

First, it is very important to study the police report for any evidence the police may have gathered during their investigation.  Were there any independent witnesses who saw the accident?  Perhaps a fellow driver who was nice enough to stop and provide their statement?  

Second, a trip to the accident scene may be useful to see if there are any stores or residences around with cameras which may have captured the accident.  It is important to do this as soon as possible, since many surveillance systems erase footage after a certain amount of time.  

Finally, we sometimes use an accident reconstruction expert to analyze the details of the accident, including damage to the vehicles, skid marks, etc., in order to prove how the accident occurred.  

These are just a few ways we attempt to establish fault when the other driver denies running a red light.   

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Car Accident?

If you'be been hurt in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car 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 families throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

It is important to understand that liability (fault) for a pedestrian versus car accident is not determined simply based on whether someone was in a crosswalk when they were hit by a car.  Rather, whether you were in a crosswalk is just one of many factors to consider in determining liability. 

For instance, if a person disobeys a traffic signal and runs out into a crosswalk right in front of a moving car with the right-of-way, the pedestrian would likely be at fault for causing their own accident.  

Alternatively, if someone is walking in the street (even without a crosswalk) and is struck by a motorist who is not paying attention, driving too fast, or could have avoided the accident, then the motorist may be at fault for causing the accident.  

In Louisiana, fault can be assessed to more than one person.  This is called “comparative fault.”  That means that even if a pedestrian is found to be partially at fault for causing an accident, the other driver can still be found negligent.  

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Bicycle Or Pedestrian Accident?

If you've been hurt in a pedestrian or bicycle accident you need to speak with an experienced pedestrian 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 families throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

Pedestrian versus car accidents can lead to very serious injuries or even death.  For an injured pedestrian, medical bills can quickly pile up.  But who pays them?  

Even if the driver is at fault for causing the accident, their insurance company is not legally required to pay for your medical expenses as the bills come in.  Instead, the insurance company will want to settle for one lump sum which includes not only your medical bills, but also your other damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and lost wages.  Typically, a settlement occurs when the injured person has finished medical treatment. 

So, what do you do with the medical bills piling up?  If you have health insurance, the best option is to use it.  If you do get compensated for medical bills from the at-fault insurance company, your health insurer will likely request reimbursement for the bills it paid.  

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Bicycle Or Pedestrian Accident?

If you've been hurt in a pedestrian or bicycle accident you need to speak with an experienced pedestrian 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 families throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

In the U.S. it is estimated that nearly 1 in 8 drivers are uninsured.  In Louisiana, that number is even higher.  Just as scary are the number of drivers with minimal insurance.  

But, did you know that in some cases, your own insurance may provide coverage in the event you are injured in a pedestrian or bicycle accident with a driver who is either uninsured or has insufficient insurance?  UM coverage is short for “uninsured” or “underinsured” motorist coverage.  It is not required by law but may be purchased as additional coverage.  If you have UM insurance, your insurance coverage steps in the shoes of the uninsured driver and can help cover your damages and injuries.  

Finally, “medical payment” coverage is another optional coverage you may have under your own auto insurance policy.  This coverage can also help pay for medical expenses relating from a pedestrian or bicycle versus car accident.  

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Pedestrian Accident?

If you've been hurt in a pedestrian accident you need to speak with an experienced pedestrian 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.

A driver may not always be at fault for a pedestrian accident.  However, in Louisiana, we have a law called “comparative fault.”  This means that even if a driver is partially at fault for causing a pedestrian accident, they will still be responsible for a portion of the victim’s damages.  

Take for example this scenario.  A good Samaritan stops his vehicle on a highway to provide emergency help to people who were just involved in an accident.  While crossing the highway, the good Samaritan is hit by a distracted driver, traveling way over the speed limit, and weaving through the accident scene.  In that scenario, the driver may be found at fault for being distracted and not taking steps to avoid hitting the good Samaritan pedestrian.

Pedestrian accidents typically involve a lot of facts which must be analyzed to determine fault.

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Bicycle Or Pedestrian Accident?

If you've been hurt in a pedestrian or bicycle accident you need to speak with an experienced pedestrian 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 families throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

In most cases, the answer is “yes.”  In Louisiana, if you are involved in a bicycle accident, you will be responsible for your own medical bills and then will have to seek reimbursement from the at-fault person and/or their insurance company.  

If you have health insurance, you should use it to pay for doctor’s visits, even if they relate to the bicycle versus car accident.  You should also understand how much your health insurer has paid, as they will have an interest in being reimbursed once your claim is over.  

In some cases, a person may have medical payment or “med-pay” coverage under their own auto insurance policy, which would provide money to pay for medical care.  This would apply even if you were on your bicycle, since the accident had to do with a car hitting you.  But be careful, as if the med-pay coverage is used, your auto insurer will also look to be reimbursed from any settlement.

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Bicycle Or Pedestrian Accident?

If you've been hurt in a pedestrian or bicycle accident you need to speak with an experienced pedestrian 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 families throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

Every case is different and the answer to this question depends on many factors, including the facts of the case and the extent of the injuries sustained in the pedestrian accident.  

The first issue we explore is “liability,” that is, who is at fault for causing the pedestrian accident.  In Louisiana, we have what’s known as “comparative fault.”  This means that even if a pedestrian is found partially liable for contributing to their own accident, the other party may still share responsibility, allowing the pedestrian to recover a certain percentage of their damages.    

The second issue we explore is the amount of our client’s damages, including medical bills, future medical bills, lost wages, future lost wages, disability, and pain and suffering.  

The “value” of each personal injury case is very unique.  At our firm, when it is time to resolve our client’s claim, we meticulously examine every aspect of the case, research outcomes of other similar cases, and discuss our findings in detail with our client.  It is important to us that our client feels well-informed and comfortable with any decision they make regarding the value of their case. 

Request A Copy Of Our Free Guide To Louisiana Car Accident Claims

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Pedestrian Accident?

If you've been hurt in a pedestrian accident you need to speak with an experienced pedestrian 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.