FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About
Injury, Accident, and Property Damage Claims
When an accident, injury, or natural disaster disrupts your life, you need answers fast. This FAQ page covers personal injury claims, car and truck accidents, slip and fall cases, storm damage claims, and commercial hurricane claims for Louisiana.
At Mike Brandner Law, our legal team is dedicated to ensuring that you know your rights and the next steps to take after you’ve suffered an injury and other losses in Metairie, Hammond, Lake Charles, Lafayette, New Orleans, and the surrounding areas.
Personal Injury Claims
A personal injury claim arises when you’re hurt due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. Through an injury claim, you may be entitled to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering related to your accident. Common examples include:
– Car, truck, or motorcycle accidents
– Slip and fall injuries
– Defective product injuries
– Workplace or construction accidents
– Injuries caused by unsafe property management
Most states have a statute of limitations ranging from one to four years, starting from the date of injury or the date of discovery. Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to sue, so contact an attorney as soon as possible. Under Louisiana law, you generally have two years from the day the injury occurred.
You may recover economic damages (medical costs, lost wages), non-economic damages (pain, emotional distress), and, in rare cases, punitive damages. The total amount depends on the severity of your injuries, the length of time it takes to heal, and evidence of fault.
While you can file on your own, an attorney increases your chances of a fair settlement by handling negotiations, gathering evidence, and meeting legal deadlines. Insurance companies are known for offering less and for finding reasons to deny or delay injury accident claims.
Fault is based on evidence such as police reports, witness statements, photos, expert analysis, and investigative findings. States follow different rules, including comparative or contributory negligence, which can affect the total amount of compensation you can recover. That is why you should contact a lawyer sooner rather than later to help ensure you receive fair treatment. You should also avoid posting anything on social media after your accident to prevent any discrepancies that could be misconstrued and used against you.
Car and Truck Accident Injuries
Call 911, seek medical attention, document the scene with photos, obtain witness contact information, and request an accident report. You should also avoid admitting fault and contact an experienced local attorney before speaking with insurers.
Contact a lawyer as soon as possible after you are injured in a wreck. Early legal representation can help ensure your rights are protected, prevent insurance mishaps, and streamline the evidence and documentation collection process. It can also prevent you from missing any key time limits related to your injury claim.
They consider medical bills, related repair costs, lost income, costs for adaptive equipment, and home renovations for long-term injuries, as well as related pain and suffering. However, insurers often undervalue claims, so an attorney’s negotiation can significantly increase your payout.
Per Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323, Louisiana is a comparative negligence fault state. Meaning that you may be entitled to recover partial compensation if your actions contributed to your accident and injuries.
Liability may extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, or manufacturers. These cases often involve multiple parties and complex regulations.
You may file a claim under your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if available. An attorney can also explore other liable parties or recovery options.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall cases occur when unsafe property conditions—like wet floors, poor lighting, or uneven surfaces—cause injury. You must show the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard.
Establishing a burden of proof is an essential step in any premises liability injury claims. This includes gathering photos of the hazard, incident reports, witness statements, and medical records. Ultimately, you’ll need to prove that the owner had the opportunity to fix or warn about the danger but failed to do so.
Report the accident to the property owner, document the scene, seek medical care, and keep all records. You should also avoid giving recorded statements to insurers without first speaking with a skilled premises liability attorney in Louisiana.
Government entities can be held liable, but strict deadlines and notice rules apply. To help ensure that you don’t miss out on recovering fair compensation, contact an experienced Louisiana premises liability lawyer like Mike Brandner.
Hurricane and Storm Damage Claims
Inform your insurance company as soon as possible, document all damage with photos, make temporary repairs to prevent further loss, and keep all receipts.
You can file a dispute, request an independent inspection, or hire a hurricane claim attorney. Bad faith laws may apply if the insurer acts unfairly.
Deadlines vary by state. Contact a lawyer who specializes in storm damage or hurricane claims in Louisiana to ensure you file promptly, protecting your rights.
Before-and-after photos, repair estimates, receipts, and inventory lists all strengthen your claim.
Commercial Property Claims After a Hurricane
These claims involve hurricane damage to business properties, including structural harm, equipment loss, and business interruption.
Secure the property, document the damage, contact your insurer, and gather financial records that show lost income.
Yes—business interruption coverage may reimburse lost profits and ongoing expenses during repairs.
You can request a re-inspection, hire independent adjusters, or work with an attorney experienced in commercial claims.
It’s highly recommended. Commercial claims involve complex policies, strict deadlines, and high-value losses, making experienced legal representation crucial.
Contact a 24/7 Louisiana Legal Team Near Me
Need answers beyond these FAQs? Our attorneys are available 24/7 to review your case for free. Whether you’ve been injured, lost property in a storm, or need help with an insurance dispute, we fight to protect your rights.Our legal team offers free, no-obligation consultations for every potential client, and we charge no fee unless we win your case. Contact us by phone, chat with us online, or submit your case details using our secure contact form to start the legal process.