Louisiana Injury Lawyers Blog

March 5, 2023

Why You Should Add Uninsured Motorist Coverage to Your Auto Policy

If you’ve been injured in a car wreck that is not your fault, you will always look to the at fault driver to pay for your damages. But what happens if that driver did not have insurance? Or did not have enough insurance to fully compensate you? What if you are involved in a hit and run? If this is the case, we would turn to your own auto policy to see if you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

While Louisiana does not require drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage (UM), it is never a bad idea to add it to your policy. In fact, 15% of Louisiana drivers do not have auto insurance. Although drivers are required to carry minimum liability insurance, not all drivers abide by this rule, so it is always important to have an extra layer of coverage for yourself in case of an accident.

February 17, 2023

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! How to Stay Safe This Mardi Gras

by Cardone Law Firm

Mardi Gras is undoubtedly one of the biggest holidays in New Orleans. Nearly 1 million enthusiastic visitors fill the streets each year to celebrate the exciting carnival season. However, with the Mardi Gras excitement, comes a much greater risk of injury due to large crowds, overconsumption of alcohol and carefree partying.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission found that the Mardi Gras holiday is the most dangerous holiday for car accidents on Louisiana highways. The New Orleans Police Department revealed that they routinely see a spike in car accidents in the two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday as visitors begin to trickle in. In fact, the Saturday before Mardi Gras is the most active day for collisions with over 120 accidents happening on that day each year since 2017.

February 10, 2023

What You Should Do After a Slip and Fall on a Cruise Ship

by Cardone Law Firm

Nearly 30 million people board cruises each year. No one anticipates being injured on their vacation, but accidents can happen to anyone. Undoubtedly, slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of accidents that occur aboard cruise ships. This kind of accident seems inevitable with slippery surfaces, crowded common areas and the motion of the sea. So, what should you do if you’ve been injured on a cruise ship?

First, it is important to understand the difference between an accident and negligence of the cruise ship. As we know, sometimes accidents happen. You may trip over your own feet or not pay attention to what you are doing. In that case, no one is to blame; however, other accidents are due to the negligence of the cruise line and its employees. If this is the case, the cruise line will be liable for the injured passenger’s injuries. This includes medical bills, future medical treatment, pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, loss of consortium, etc. This is because shipowners owe a duty to exercise reasonable care for the safety of its passengers Kermarec v. Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, 358 U.S. 625 (1959).

February 3, 2023

Most Common Reasons for Gangway Accidents on a Cruise Ship

by Cardone Law Firm

Boarding a cruise ship can be very exciting. This usually means you are in for some relaxation and fun. But what happens if you are injured on the gangway before the excitement even starts? What if your method of entering and exiting the vessel presents an unsafe condition?

Essentially, a gangway is the narrow ramp used to bridge the gap between the land and the vessel so that passengers can board and exit the ship. They are typically positioned at an incline and have handrails and textured floors to prevent slips or falls. However, sometimes conditions are not safe, as such, and accidents happen on these gangways.

January 19, 2023

Why an Accident Report is Crucial to Your Claim

by Cardone Law Firm

Have you ever been involved in a car crash and wondered what you should do next? After making sure that everyone is okay and does not require immediate medical attention, call the police. In many cases, the police officer will come to the scene and write an accident report. This report can be very important for your personal injury claim.

Although an accident report itself is not typically admissible as evidence in court, it is used as a great source of information as to the basic facts of the accident such as location, time, driver information, witness statements, police narrative, and more.

November 23, 2022

Stay Safe This Thanksgiving

by Cardone Law Firm

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year. In fact, the American Automobile Association anticipates nearly 55 million people will be traveling for this year’s holiday. With the increase in traffic on the roads, there is also an increase in the likelihood of an auto accident occurring. To ensure that you and your family stay safe this Thanksgiving, we have included some tips for safe travels.

Before you get on the road this year, be sure to:

November 17, 2022

How a Trailer Hitch Can Impact Rear-End Collisions

by Cardone Law Firm

“There is barely any damage to your vehicle!” This is a common phrase that the at-fault driver’s insurance company may try to dismiss or diminish the extent of your injuries because of minor damage to your vehicle after an accident. While it may be true that your vehicle has minimal damage, the adjuster may be disregarding the fact that your vehicle had a trailer hitch attached to the rear of it.

We have all seen vehicles, especially larger trucks, with a trailer hitch attached to them. They may be used to transport boats, trailers, campers, etc. Even if the hitch is not in use, individuals often leave them attached year-round. While they may seem harmless, trailer hitches actually pose great danger.

October 28, 2022

Who’s responsible If I am Injured on a Cruise?

by Cardone Law Firm

Taking a cruise is popular vacation for many people. Each year, approximately 28 million people set sail for some relaxation and fun. You may find yourself dining in, swimming, shopping, rock climbing, ziplining, surfing, etc. However, your dream vacation can quickly become a nightmare if you find yourself becoming injured while on a cruise ship.

Although a cruise ship can contain many fun activities conveniences for its passengers, it also presents many dangers. The most common types of cruise ship accidents include:

October 14, 2022

Will a Pre-Existing Condition Affect your Louisiana Personal Injury Claim?

by Cardone Law Firm

If you were involved in an accident and were already dealing with a pre-existing injury, you may be wondering how that previous injury will impact your new claim. While having a pre-existing condition does not bar a car accident victim from recovery, it could present challenges when it comes to proving your injuries and value of your claim. Insurance companies will often use this as a tactic to deny fair compensation or claim the motor vehicle accident did not cause the injury. So, it is crucial to contact an attorney immediately to guide you through the process.

Simply put, a pre-existing condition is a health condition that an injured person already had before a new accident occurred. The likelihood of someone suffering from a pre-existing condition is high, especially as you age. However, this should not keep personal injury victims from being properly compensated. Although the insurance company may want an injured party to believe otherwise, a squeaky-clean bill of health is not necessary to prove your injuries. If you suffer from a pre-existing injury, it is important to prove that the accident worsened that injury rather than caused it.

September 23, 2022

Pets are more than just property… Not under Louisiana Law!

by Cardone Law Firm

Many pet owners treat their furry companions as a treasured part of the family. As of 2022, seventy percent of U.S. households, or about 90.5 million families, own a pet. Whether you are taking a trip to the vet, the beach, or the dog park, pets are along for the ride nearly every day. They are often unrestrained. Unfortunately, the more time pets spend in the car with us, the greater the chances of them being injured in an automobile accident. So, what happens if your pet is injured in a car accident with you? Will the insurance company pay for its medical bills too?

The simple answer is yes! This is because your pet is considered your personal property. While we think of our pets as much more than just a piece of property, this is how they are defined in insurance policies. As long as you are not at fault for the accident, the negligent driver’s insurance company is required to pay for your pet’s vet bills, so long as there is no exclusion written in the policy which would exclude your pet from being covered.