Lake Charles Car Accident Lawyer

Lake Charles Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents are more than an initial inconvenience — their aftermath can leave you dealing with serious injury, financial loss, and incessant calls from insurance adjusters. In the confusion that follows, it’s hard to know what to do or who’s on your side. Luckily, an experienced Lake Charles car accident lawyer can help. At Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates, we understand that behind every injury claim is a person, and we’re here to guide you through the legal process with clarity, compassion, and experience.

Common Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle

From high-speed collisions on I-10 to fender benders in parking lots, each crash has its own legal and financial implications. At Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates, our personal injury lawyer team understand that no two cases are the same, but many fall into patterns we’ve seen time and time again on Lake Charles roads. Some of the most common cases we handle include:

• Rear-end collisions. These are often caused by distracted drivers or tailgating and can lead to painful whiplash and spine injuries.
• T-bone accidents. Common at intersections, these crashes are often linked to red-light violations or failure to yield.
• Head-on collisions. These accidents can be the most serious and tend to result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
• Drunk or drug-impaired driving accidents. Despite public awareness, impaired driving remains a serious issue in Lake Charles and the surrounding areas.
• Hit-and-run accidents. These occur when a negligent driver flees the scene of the accident.
• Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers.

No matter how your accident happened, if another party’s negligence played a role, you could have a valid claim. Our team has helped drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and families pursue compensation for a wide range of accident scenarios, so if you’re unsure if your case qualifies, Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates is here to walk you through your options.

The Real Cost of a Car Wreck: More Than Medical Bills

People often underestimate the ripple effects of a crash. Beyond the immediate medical care, victims frequently deal with long-term consequences, like physical therapy, mental health struggles, lost wages, and ongoing pain. For some, a return to work isn’t possible. For others, even driving again can trigger fear and anxiety.

Insurance companies know this. That’s why they’re quick to offer lowball settlements before the full picture comes into focus. Their goal may be to wrap up the claim before future medical costs or wage losses can be properly calculated. At Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates, we push back. We calculate the full extent of your losses — financial, physical, and emotional — and make sure the compensation reflects the true cost of the accident.

In 2023, Louisiana saw over 38,000 serious injuries from car accidents, with over 2400 of those coming from Calcasieu Parish. With an average of 150 accidents per day, with distracted driving being the main culprit in 2022, filing a car accident claim is about helping you reclaim control of your life after a devastating loss.

Based in Lake Charles and deeply rooted in the community, the team at Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates helps clients across Calcasieu Parish and the wider Louisiana region fight for what they’re owed after a serious collision. We have assisted many in the area with the fallout of a car accident, and are ready to serve you, too.

How We Build a Strong Injury Claim

Building a strong injury claim requires more than just paperwork — it demands careful investigation, experienced insight, and a thorough understanding of how these kinds of injuries could affect your life now and in the future. At Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates, our approach starts with listening. We sit down with you to understand what happened — not just the crash, but how it’s changed your life. Then we get to work gathering:

• Accident reports
• Medical records and expert opinions
• Surveillance footage or dashcam video
• Cell phone records (for distracted driving)
• Toxicology reports (in DUI-related accidents)
• Black box vehicle data (for speed or brake usage)

Every detail counts when it comes to proving your claim, and our approach ensures nothing is overlooked so your case has the legs it needs to secure the most favorable resolution. At Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates, we work diligently to assemble the pieces to show the true impact of the accident and to secure the compensation you deserve.

Dealing with Insurance Adjusters: What to Know

Once a car accident is reported, you can expect a call from an insurance adjuster, but that doesn’t mean they’re on your side. Their job is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line by minimizing your payout, and they achieve this by closing the claim quickly and cheaply.

Understanding how to handle these conversations can make all the difference when it comes to protecting your claim. Some of the most common tactics they employ include:

• Asking misleading or open-ended questions
• Pressuring you to accept a quick settlement
• Denying medical treatment as “unnecessary”
• Blaming you in part to reduce liability

Having an experienced law firm on your side changes the dynamic. At Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates, we know how to deal with insurance companies, and we work to protect our clients from tactics that can reduce or delay payouts. Before you answer questions or accept an offer, let’s talk about your rights.

What Compensation Can Cover

While no amount of money can undo the trauma of a car accident, the financial fallout can hit just as hard as the physical injuries. There are two main kinds of damages you can seek: economic and non-economic damages.

In a car accident claim, economic damages refer to measurable financial losses, like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. These are the out-of-pocket expenses you can prove with receipts and records. Non-economic damages refer to losses related to mental health distress, pain and suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life. Both types of damages play an important role when it comes to calculating the true value of your claim, which means you could be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills (current and future)
• Lost income and loss of future earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disfigurement or disability

At Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates, we fight to make sure your recovery includes the full range of damages you’re legally entitled to seek. We make sure no option is overlooked.

Why Local Experience and the Right Attorney Matter

Local experience isn’t just helpful, it’s crucial. At Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates, we understand how things work in Lake Charles courts and throughout the Calcasieu Parish area. We understand the nuances of local jury expectations, court procedures, and regional negotiation strategies because we’ve been in these courtrooms and sat across the table from these insurers many times.

Choosing the right lawyer isn’t just about who knows the local landscape – it’s about who takes the time to get to know you and your situation. At Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates, we offer trust, communication, and commitment.

FAQs

Ready to Take the Next Step? Talk to our Car Accident Lawyer Team Today

You don’t have to navigate this process alone —Let us take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on recovery. Whether your accident happened on I-210, Ryan Street, or on a rural road outside of town, Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates is ready to help you move forward. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.