When an uninsured or underinsured driver is responsible for a car crash in Gretna, Louisiana, where you are injured, one path to compensation can be through your own Uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.
At The Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C., our founding attorney, John W. Redmann, has practiced personal injury law in Louisiana for over 30 years. We have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across the Greater New Orleans area.
If you were hurt by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Gretna, contact our Gretna uninsured motorist lawyers today at for a free consultation.
How the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. Can Help With an Uninsured Motorist Claim in Gretna, LA
Handling a UM claim in Gretna, LA, is not always straightforward. Even though the claim is filed through your own insurance policy, insurers may still dispute liability, question the extent of injuries, or attempt to reduce payouts. UM claims fall under personal injury law and are often more complex than standard insurance claims.
At the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C., we know every tactic insurers use to reduce or deny these claims, and we know how to counter them.
When you choose our firm to represent you, our Gretna car accident lawyers can:
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence
- Confirm the at-fault driver’s insurance status and policy limits
- Review your policy to determine all available coverage
- Work with medical experts to document your injuries and future needs
- Handle all communications and negotiations with your insurer
- File suit against the insurer if they refuse to pay a fair amount
Because UM coverage under Louisiana law follows the person and not the vehicle, you may also be covered under policies held by other household members. We can review all applicable policies to ensure no available coverage is left on the table.
Having experienced legal guidance can help ensure that your claim is properly evaluated and pursued. Call our Gretna personal injury attorneys and schedule a free consultation today.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Under Louisiana law, UM coverage is included in every Louisiana auto insurance policy by default. UM coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance. UIM coverage applies when they have insurance, but not enough to cover the full amount of your losses. In both cases, you may file a claim with your own insurer.
Louisiana also makes UM coverage personal rather than vehicle-based, meaning you are protected even if the accident happened in someone else’s car. This is especially important because, according to the Insurance Information Institute, roughly 13 percent of drivers have no insurance. UM coverage is often the only meaningful source of recovery available.
Our Gretna car accident attorneys can review your policy and explain your rights under Louisiana law.
What Compensation May Be Available to Gretna Accident Victims?
A successful UM claim can typically recover the same categories of damages as any personal injury claim.
Economic damages cover your financial losses, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Domestic services
- Medical devices
- Lost wages
- Property damage
Non-economic damages cover the more subjective, personal impact of your injuries, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Living with disability
- Scarring
- Limb loss
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
If the uninsured driver caused a fatality, surviving family members may also bring a wrongful death claim. Our Gretna uninsured motorist attorneys can identify all possible sources of compensation to ensure that nothing is left out of your claim.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Partially at Fault for a Car Accident With an Uninsured Motorist in Louisiana?
Louisiana follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault for the accident, as long as you are found to be no more than 50% responsible.
Louisiana also has a “No-Pay, No-Play” law. If you were uninsured at the time of the crash, bars uninsured drivers from recovering the first $100,000 of bodily injury and the first $100,000 of property damage in a car accident, even if they are not at fault.
This law aims to penalize uninsured motorists and reduce insurance costs by limiting recovery for those who do not maintain mandatory liability insurance. If you were properly insured when the accident occurred, however, this law does not affect your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Louisiana?
Louisiana gives most accident victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, including a UM claim. Your insurer may also impose its own shorter deadlines for reporting the accident and giving notice of a claim. Missing either deadline may mean losing your right to pursue compensation in court.
Contact our Gretna personal injury lawyers as soon as possible, and let us stay on top of these important dates while you focus on recovery.
Contact Our Gretna Uninsured Motorist Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
Being hit by an uninsured driver should not leave you without recourse. The Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C., has the experience to help pursue compensation on your behalf and the determination to stand up to insurers who try to shortchange you.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a Gretna uninsured motorist attorney and let us help you get the recovery you deserve.