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FAQ

Over 30 Years of Dedicated Experience

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    • Stay at the Scene
      Whether you were hit by a distracted driver or slipped and fell on a wet floor in a retail store, it is important that you remain at the scene. In the case of motor vehicle accidents, leaving before you have provided your identity and offered reasonable aid is actually against the law; in every case, staying at the scene until help arrives allows you to ensure you get the proper medical attention and information you need.
    • Call for Help
      After an accident, check yourself and others for injuries. If you or anyone else appears seriously injured, call 911 and wait for paramedics to arrive. You should also call the police and have them come out to the scene of the accident. You may need to file an official accident report, which law enforcement can do on site on your behalf.
    • Get as Much Information as You Can
      It is important that you gather as much information from the other people involved in the accident. This includes their names and contact information, as well as their insurance information in the event of a motor vehicle collision. It is also a good idea to record everything you can about the accident right away; document when and where the incident occurred, take pictures of your injuries and the accident scene, and speak to any witnesses who may have seen what happened.
    • Do Not Admit Fault
      Even if you think you were partly to blame for the accident, avoid admitting fault. You may believe that you were responsible only to find out that the other party was acting negligently or was more at fault than you. Remember, something as simple as apologizing can be construed as admitting fault, and it could come back to haunt you if the insurance company tries to use this to dispute or deny your claim.
    • Seek Medical Attention
      If you did not receive emergency care at the scene, the first thing you should do after leaving the accident is see a doctor. Even if you believe your injuries are not that serious—or that you were not injured at all—the shock of the accident may mask their severity. In some cases, injuries take hours, days, or even weeks to appear. Seemingly minor injuries can worsen over time without proper treatment. Always see a doctor after an accident, and always follow all your doctor’s advice, recommendations, and treatment plans.
    • Contact an Attorney
      Hiring an attorney for your personal injury claim can feel like just another task on your to-do list, but the benefits of having a legal team on your side are immeasurable. While you focus on healing, your attorney will gather evidence to support your claim, negotiate with the insurance company, and ensure that you do not make any mistakes that could jeopardize your recovery. And, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney can prepare you and your case for trial, as well as advocate tirelessly for you in the courtroom.

  • Car

    • What Are the Most Common Injuries in a Car Accident?

      Unfortunately, car accidents often result in life-altering injuries, disability, and death.

      Some of the most common car accident injuries include:

      • Whiplash
      • Concussions
      • Traumatic brain injuries
      • Broken bones
      • Serious lacerations and contusions
      • Slipped, ruptured, or herniated discs
      • Internal bleeding
      • Spinal cord injuries
      • Paralysis
      • Back and neck injuries
      • Accidental amputation
      • Soft tissue damage

      For injured victims and the surviving loved ones of those wrongfully killed, the road to recovery can be long, difficult, and painful. While a successful accident claim cannot undo the pain and suffering you and your family have experienced, it can provide you with the economic resources you need to move forward.

    • What Can I Seek Compensation for After an Accident?

      After an auto accident, you are likely to face a number of significant challenges. You may need extensive, ongoing medical treatment for your injuries; you may be out of work for weeks, months, or even years while you recover.

      This can leave you uncertain as to how you will keep up with mounting medical bills and everyday expenses—on top of dealing with the immense pain and suffering the accident has caused you.

      At The Womac Law Firm, we can help you fight for maximum compensation for your damages, including but not limited to:

      • Medical expenses
      • Hospital bills
      • Rehabilitation
      • Pain and suffering
      • Lost wages
      • Future medical expense
      • Future lost earnings
      • Lost earning ability/disability
      • Property damage

      In some cases, we may also be able to pursue punitive damages, which are meant to punish liable parties for wanton or willful negligence, such as driving while intoxicated.

    • What Happens If I Settle Without an Attorney?

      When you report a car accident to your insurance company or the other party’s insurance provider, they will typically begin calling you and trying to settle your claim. Some insurance companies will offer you a fair settlement to ensure all your expenses are covered, including medical bills and physical damages. However, many insurance companies only care about their bottom lines and will do their best to minimize your claim to avoid a big payout.

      We cannot guarantee positive results for every client, but in most cases, hiring a car accident attorney to handle your claim increases your recovery amount by 2 – 3 times! If you haven't settled with your insurance company, call our office as soon as possible to discuss your case with our New Orleans car accident lawyers.

  • Truck

    • How Are Truck Accident Cases Different?
      Trucks are incredibly large in size and heavy in weight, making them a fearsome and sometimes dangerous force on the road. Any injuries or damages sustained are oftentimes more serious for all involved. While you may believe any and all motor vehicle accidents follow the same formula, this isn’t the case. The truck accident case process is unique from start to finish, particularly during the initial investigation.
    • What Factors Are Considered in a Truck Accident Case?

      There are several important factors which contribute to a truck accident. These issues must be addressed throughout the investigative process. These factors include issues such as:

      • Weather conditions
      • The state of the truck driver
      • The way in which the truck was loaded
      • The last time the truck was properly maintained
      • Faulty parts
      • Whether the driver was properly trained
      • And more

      Analyzing and examining these factors is vital to the success of your case.

    • How Long Will My Truck Accident Case Take?
      As with any legal matter, every personal injury case is different. Truck accident cases are time-sensitive due to the lengthy investigation involved. Evidence must be quickly preserved in order to accurately determine fault, as blame may not necessarily be placed on the driver of the truck. In a situation like this, the trucking company, manufacturer, truck owner, leasing company, or truck loader may be held responsible for your injuries or damages.
    • What Happens During a Truck Accident Investigation?

      The steps of a truck accident investigation will vary depending on the details of the crash. Typically, we will begin by surveying the accident site ourselves and comparing our findings with evidence that we have already been provided by our client or an insurance company investigator.

      For complicated cases, we can call in a crash reconstruction expert to assist with the investigation. Next, our attorneys will want to check the crash history of the truck driver and the trucking company’s safety records. We might be able to find a pattern of negligence that could help prove that the 18-wheeler caused the crash, not you.

    • Do Commercial Trucks Have “Black Box” Devices?
      Some 18-wheelers and semis are equipped with an electronic on-board recorder (EOBR), which is sometimes called a “black box” device like those on airplanes. EOBRs track the amount of time that the vehicle is in operation. This information can be used to see if the truck driver was violating break schedules and possibly driving while exhausted. A few EOBR models can even track the truck’s speed, which could show that the trucker was breaking the speed limit at the time of the collision.

  • Motorcycle

    • I was involved in a motorcycle accident when a car turned left in front of me. Who is at fault?
      Generally, whenever a car turns left in front of a motorcyclist, resulting in a collision, the driver of the car is almost always liable, unless you were driving well above the speed limit or you ran a red light.
    • If I only ride my motorcycle recreationally or just on the weekends, do I still have to wear a helmet?
      In the state of Louisiana, all motorcyclists and their passengers are required to wear a helmet by law, no matter how often you ride. Even if you were in a state that did not require you to wear a helmet, wearing one can significantly reduce your chances of suffering a severe head injury, so make sure you and your passengers never ride without one.
    • Will I still be able to recover damages if I was not wearing a helmet?
      Just because you failed to comply with state law does not mean you cannot recover any compensation at all. That said, it can still potentially harm your case if it is determined that your choice to not wear a helmet contributed to your injuries.
    • What should I do if I get into an accident while riding my motorcycle?
      Treat the aftermath of a motorcycle accident much like you would treat any other motor vehicle accident and exchange information with the other driver, including insurance information, licenses, and contact information. You should also try to take as many pictures as you can of the scene, your injuries, and the physical damage sustained by your motorcycle and the other vehicle.
    • If I get into an accident while riding my motorcycle, should I hire an attorney?
      It’s a good idea to consult with an attorney after being involved in an accident. He or she will be able to provide invaluable advice, such as whether or not you have a valid claim.
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