The Louisiana Senate recently passed a bill that could hurt car crash victims. The bill will be handed over to the House for further debate, but many believe that it will pass without much issue — as similar proposals have garnered committee support. If this bill does become law, what will it mean for the residents and, most importantly, victims of motor vehicle accidents?
One reason this bill is gaining support is that it may help lower car insurance rates. Currently, the state of Louisiana has the second-highest insurance rates in the country — falling just behind Michigan. Right now, individuals living here pay well over $2,000 per year for auto insurance, while people in most other states spend an average of $1,470 per year. If this bill passes, insurance rates would supposedly drop anywhere from 10-25%, which would be great, sure, but at what cost?
As it currently stands, victims of car accidents can seek compensation for their losses by negotiating fair settlement terms directly with insurance providers rather than taking their cases to court. There are also no caps on how much they are able to receive. If the bill passes, these individuals will be forced to go to court to seek relief, and damage caps will be put in place, meaning many victims may fail to obtain the compensation that they need and deserve in a timely manner.
Only time will tell if this proposed bill will become law. If it does, those victims of motor vehicle accidents in the state of Louisiana who become subject to it will still have the ability to seek compensation for their losses. However, the way they go about it may look different than it does now. Legal counsel will do everything possible to assist one in achieving maximum relief for any losses experienced, whether one is a car accident victim now or becomes one in the future.