Lake Charles Personal Injury Lawyer

Lake Charles Personal Injury Attorney

A serious personal injury can impact months or years of your life. Even if your injuries fully heal, you can find yourself with substantial medical bills and other financial costs that you have to pay while having been unable to work during recovery. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, a Lake Charles personal injury lawyer can help you hold that party accountable for your financial losses, as well as the pain and suffering caused by the injury.

At Gaar Law Firm, we can help. We provide compassionate support to individuals and families dealing with the devastating aftermath of an accident. Our firm can investigate accidents, such as car accidents, slip and fall incidents, or workplace accidents. We determine the cause, the at-fault party, and whether you have the grounds for a claim.

The 14th Judicial District Court (JDC) is located in Lake Charles, and this is where any civil personal injury claims will be filed if a settlement can’t be reached in an insurance claim. The 14th JDC Courthouse is located at 1001 Lakeshore Drive.

Common Personal Injury Cases in Lake Charles

Not every injury you sustain will lead to a personal injury claim. However, when someone owes you a duty of care and fails to uphold that duty of care, they may be liable when their carelessness causes your injury. At Gaar Law Firm, we have experience handling the following personal injury cases:

• Motor vehicle accidents. There were 1,329 suspected injuries from car accidents in Lake Charles in 2024, and 1,049 individuals in accidents with no apparent injuries. Sadly, there were eight fatalities. When another driver is to blame for your car accident, you can file an insurance claim with their car insurance provider. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, this claim could proceed to trial.
  Vehicle accidents can also involve commercial trucks, motorcycles, boats, bicycles, and other parties. Accidents with commercial trucks can be especially serious. In Calcasieu Parish, there were six fatal crashes that involved commercial vehicles, and these six crashes led to 31 fatalities. There were also 93 suspected injury crashes with commercial vehicles, and these 99 accidents led to 2,498 suspected injuries.

• Maritime injuries. Lake Charles and the Calcasieu River being so close by means significant recreational and commercial maritime operations. Injuries on the water can be especially dangerous due to the numerous additional hazards and the time it may take to get medical treatment. Boat accidents can lead to maritime injuries for anyone on the water, and a negligent boat operator can be held liable for these accidents.
  Maritime employees are at an especially high risk of injury because of the time they spend in a hazardous workplace. Injuries such as chemical exposure, machinery accidents, and even explosions can happen on these worksites. Maritime workers may have unique methods of recovering compensation under federal laws, including filing a civil claim against a negligent employer.

• Workplace accidents. There were 208 severe injury reports in 2023 in Louisiana, leading to 195 hospitalizations. Of the severe injury reports, 69 were fractures, and 38 workers needed amputations.
  Workplace injuries can happen in any occupation. They are more common and often more serious in hazardous types of employment, like in lumber mills, offshore rigs, processing plants, and other industrial worksites. Employees can file for workers’ compensation claims, and even file civil claims in a select number of cases. These cases may include negligent third parties or intentional actions by an employer.

• Defective products. Product manufacturers and distributors have a responsibility to create products that are safe for consumption. When an unreasonably dangerous product causes harm because it is poorly made, poorly designed, or lacks needed warnings, the manufacturer or other party can be liable for the injuries it caused.
• Dangerous property. If your injury was caused by a hazard on either private or public property that the property owner should have addressed, you could file a premises liability claim against them. The claim may be for a slip and fall, a dog attack, or exposure to a dangerous substance.

FAQs

How Much Do Most Personal Injury Cases Settle for?

There is no set value that a personal injury case settles for, because every personal injury case is uniquely calculated based on its specific factors. The primary influencing factor is how serious your injuries are. The more significant your injuries, the higher your damages, and the more compensation is needed. Other factors can impact settlements, such as working with legal support, how much evidence supports your case, and the insurance policy limits.

What Percentage Do Most Personal Injury Lawyers Charge?

The percentage that a personal injury lawyer charges varies, so it’s important to ask a potential attorney about their fees. A more experienced attorney may charge a higher percentage. A more complex case may also result in a higher fee. If your case goes to trial, the fee will likely increase. Charging a percentage, or a contingency fee, is useful for individuals already dealing with the costs of an injury. It allows them to work with experienced legal counsel.

How Hard Is It to Win a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

The ease or difficulty of winning your personal injury case relies on many factors. Some injury cases can be very hard to win, while others are very straightforward. Your case may have a higher chance of success if:

• You have the grounds of a valid claim
• You work with an attorney to investigate and negotiate
• There is significant evidence to prove who was at fault
• There is quality evidence that proves your damages
• The other party is willing to negotiate

How Long Does It Take for a Lawyer to Settle a Personal Injury Case?

The time it takes for a lawyer to settle a personal injury case depends on your unique case, although it’s important to note that when settlement negotiations take time, it is often because your attorney is advocating for a full and fair settlement. The case settlement will also be impacted by the time it takes your injuries to fully heal. A case that goes to trial will likely take much longer to resolve than a negotiated settlement.

Get Experienced Legal Representation After a Lake Charles Accident

When you need dedicated and understanding legal support, contact Gaar Law Firm and learn how we can help.