What Do After a Scooter Accident in New Orleans

Posted on by bradeg

Electric and gas scooters are popular these days. They’re fun, affordable, and environmentally friendly. However, the popularity of scooters means there are more severe accidents. Scooter accidents are happening more often. JAMA Surgery reported that the number of e-scooter injuries in the US climbed from 4,582 in 2014 to 14,650 in 2018. 

 

Imagine if you’re hit by a driver when you’re on your scooter. You could be left with devastating injuries and a pile of medical bills. And you may not be able to work for months. What would you do? 

 

Below are essential steps to take if a driver hits you on your scooter. For more information, call a personal injury lawyer in New Orleans today.

 

Get Immediate Medical Attention 

After an auto accident, it’s essential to be seen by a doctor. But when you’re on a scooter or motorcycle, getting immediate medical attention is critical. 

 

You are entirely exposed to the violent forces of the collision on your scooter. You probably will be thrown off the scooter. You could slam into the vehicle that hit you, the ground, or both. There is a high probability you have serious injuries, which might include: 

  • Broken bones
  • Head trauma
  • Back injuries
  • Cuts and scrapes
  • Internal injuries
  • Joint injuries

 

Some scooter injuries may be apparent right away, but not always. For example, you could have internal bleeding or a concussion that you don’t notice for a day or two. That’s why it’s essential to get medical attention right away. 

The doctor will document all your injuries and ensure you get the treatment you need. Also, documenting your injuries immediately will help your personal injury attorney file a successful claim or lawsuit. 

 

Obtain the Police Report

The police should respond to the scooter accident. So you should ask for a copy of the police report at the crash scene. But if you’re too injured, you can contact the police later to receive a copy. You also can usually order a police report copy online. 

 

Even if you’re still in the hospital, now is the time to contact a scooter personal injury attorney. The sooner you get a lawyer the better. Even if the other driver was at fault, you still could say something that hurts your case. Therefore, you should only discuss the issue with your attorney present. 

 

Remember to choose an attorney with a lot of personal injury experience, ideally in scooter and motorcycle accident cases. 

 

Additional Scooter Accident Tips

After you have had medical attention and retained a lawyer, we recommend these guidelines: 

  • Don’t provide the other insurance company with a recorded statement unless your attorney is there. 
  • Don’t talk about your scooter accident on social media. 
  • Provide all of your medical bills and other accident-related documents to your attorney. 
  • If you are seriously injured and will miss a lot of work, give your attorney as much information about your job and salary as possible. Loss of future earnings can be a large part of a personal injury settlement. 

 

Call Us Today to speak with a New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyer

A scooter accident can leave you with debilitating injuries, medical bills, and lost wages. Egenberg Trial Lawyers can help you get compensation for your damages and other losses. Contact us today at (504) 229-2863. 

Do You Need to See a Doctor after a Slip and Fall?

Posted on by bradeg

If you are asking whether you need to seek medical attention after any type of accident, a New Orleans personal injury attorney will tell you the answer is always yes, regardless of the circumstances. Simply put, medical treatment is the primary reason that insurance companies will seek settlements, and you are not likely to get any kind of settlement offer when you fail to see a doctor. 

 

You should never minimize the risk of any slip and fall accident because many falls have the potential to cause debilitating injuries, so prompt treatment is always a good idea. All falls deserve to be taken seriously, especially when they involve older adults.

 

The Importance of Medical Attention

The primary reason to seek medical care after a slip and fall concerns your health. Even when you feel fine after a fall, it is far from uncommon for people to suddenly feel twinges of pain or other discomfort days later because of injuries they were not aware they had sustained.

 

The bottom line is that you do not know how a slip and fall might have hurt you, so it is always a good idea to have a doctor perform a complete evaluation that ensures you did not suffer an injury that may present more lingering symptoms later on. Consider how many soft-tissue injuries present no visible signs of injury but end up causing extreme pain later on.

 

Beyond the immediate injury care, you also need to be mindful of what caused your fall and whether you could be at risk of falling again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that falling once will double your chances of falling again, so you will want to get advice from your doctor or another medical professional about how you can best keep yourself safe.

 

The Importance of a Medical Record

Medical records will be crucially important for establishing that another party was at fault for your fall. The records help prove not only that a slip and fall accident caused your injuries but also contributed to your medical bills, lost income, and any other damages you are seeking. 

 

The burden of proof (meaning the obligation on a party in a dispute to provide sufficient evidence for its position) will be on you to demonstrate that you suffered compensable damages, and medical records can serve as:

  • Direct evidence of injuries with emergency room records, doctor’s notes, a diagnosis, recommended treatment, and other medical documentation can serve as important forms of evidence. 
  • Proof of damages that show an insurance company that you were seriously injured.
  • Indications of what an injury case is worth because medical records will include the exact prices of hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and prescriptions. 

 

The Health Insurance Portability and Account Act (HIPAA) allows you to request a copy of your medical records, and when you are not sure which records you will need, you should talk to a personal injury lawyer. You may have to sign a HIPAA request form that will allow the attorney to request the appropriate records on your behalf. 

 

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney

Did you suffer serious injuries in a slip and fall accident in the greater New Orleans area? You will want to be sure you have Egenberg Trial Lawyers on your side for help recovering every last dollar that is available to you.

 

Our firm can conduct a thorough independent investigation into your fall and secure the evidence necessary to demonstrate another party was at fault before negotiating a full and fair settlement that covers all of your personal expenses or we can take the case to trial when necessary. Call (504) 229-3117 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation so we can take the time to discuss all of the details of your case with you and outline what steps you should take to achieve a full recovery.

Choosing the Right Personal Injury Attorney for You

Posted on by bradeg

When you suffer injuries in any kind of accident, you deserve to know how much financial compensation you can receive and exactly how difficult it is going to be to recover that amount. Handling a personal injury claim by your lonesome can be a perilous journey to take, which is why many other victims often recommend that you be sure to hire a skilled personal injury lawyer to handle the case.

Many people will rely on referrals from friends and family, but you need to make sure the attorney you hire is actually adept at handling your kind of case, which could be remarkably different from the ones that other people you know were dealing with. Always reach out to a New Orleans personal injury lawyer with Egenberg Trial Lawyers for dedicated legal counsel on all types of personal injury matters.

 

Experience Matters

Egenberg Trial Lawyers has a team of attorneys who have decades of experience in the courtroom. Bradley Egenberg earned his Juris Doctor in 2004 and passed the Louisiana bar in 2005.

Ben Berman not only achieves successful judgments and settlements for clients at the trial court level, but has also written numerous winning briefs for the Courts of Appeals and Louisiana Supreme Court including one case in which the Supreme Court upheld Louisiana citizens’ rights to view the public records of organizations that receive contracts to perform essential government services. Aaron J. Hurd is an experienced litigator who represents clients in class and mass action proceedings in both state and federal courts. 

Simon Levitsky has experience in personal injury, maritime law, and first-party casualty insurance matters, while Blake Corley handles catastrophic personal injury, employment discrimination, clergy sexual abuse, and first-party insurance claims. Max Sternberg has experience with both motor vehicle accidents and first-party real property damage claims.

 

Know the Kinds of Cases They Handle

The team at Egenberg Trial Lawyers handles many different kinds of personal injury cases, including:

  • Car Accidents 
  • Truck Accidents 
  • 18-Wheeler Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents 
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Slip and Fall Accidents
  • Dog Bites 
  • Electrocutions
  • Defective Products
  • Intentional Torts
  • Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
  • Jones Act Claims
  • Wrongful Deaths

 

Ask What Representation Will Cost

The big problem for many people when it comes to hiring a lawyer is having to pay for an attorney but Egenberg Trial Lawyers is among the many personal injury lawyers in New Orleans who handle cases on a contingency-fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront for legal counsel because we will only collect a portion of whatever judgment you ultimately receive.

 

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney

If you or your loved one sustains serious injuries in any kind of accident in the greater New Orleans area, you deserve to have legal help navigating the complex system of hurdles involved in recovering damages. Egenberg Trial Lawyers can fight to make sure that you get every last dollar that is available to you and we will make sure that you are fully taken care of so you do not have to spend a single cent out of your own pocket.

Our firm knows how to take all the proper steps in our handling of these cases, so you can take comfort in knowing that you will have a true legal professional on your side and advocating for you every step of the way. Take the time to call (504) 229-2853 or contact us online so you can arrange a free consultation that will let us examine your case and go over all of the details so we will be able to provide the best possible legal representation.

Why Hire a NOLA Injury Attorney For Your Injury Claim?

Posted on by bradeg

When you suffer injuries in any kind of accident in the greater New Orleans area, there can be a temptation to think that you can handle the personal injury claim process on your own and recover financial compensation without having to pay a lawyer. The primary problem with this belief, however, is that many people end up having insurance companies take advantage of the lack of legal representation and forcing them to accept settlements that are far less than the victim actually needs and deserves.

There are many reasons you will want to retain legal counsel when you have a personal injury case in Louisiana. When you sustain any kind of serious injuries in an accident that was the result of another party’s negligence, make sure you speak to an experienced New Orleans personal injury attorney.

Getting the Best Possible Medical Care

When you suffer severe injuries, you need to understand that caring for the injuries can require both a lot of time and money. You should not compromise on getting the best possible medical treatment so you are able to make a full recovery or, at the very least, get as close as possible to your original state.

A lawyer is going to be able to work with medical professionals to ensure that you are able to receive all of the treatment that will be necessary for recovering from your injuries. More importantly, the attorney can also make sure the negligent party covers all of your medical expenses so you do not pay any of these costs out of your own pocket.

Help Expediting Your Claim

You should be aware that the personal injury claim process has the potential to drag out for several months or possibly even years in some cases. Insurance companies have a habit of creating all kinds of red tape that only adds more and more delays to recovering compensation.

When you hire a lawyer, they will know how to get around these obstructions and maintain focus on the goal of getting you money as soon as possible. If an insurer becomes unwilling to settle a case outside of court, the attorney can file a lawsuit to take the case to trial.

Negotiating the Best Available Settlement

It is not uncommon for many injury victims to be taken aback by the first settlement offer they receive from an insurance company, but accepting this offer without consulting a lawyer is almost always a mistake. The initial offer is a decidedly lowball amount that is nowhere near what you actually should be getting.

When you have an attorney, they are going to be able to calculate what your case is actually worth and be able to fight to recover something that is much closer to that amount than you are likely to accomplish on your own. A lawyer is also going to be able to help you if you need to recover money beyond the limits of a negligent party’s insurance policy.

You Do Not Pay Unless You Win

The biggest advantage to hiring a personal injury attorney is that they will not charge you anything upfront for their services. Instead, a personal injury lawyer will be handling your case on a contingency fee basis, which means they only recover compensation when you do first.

People who are sweating about whether they can afford an attorney should know that they have nothing to worry about in personal injury cases. You will be able to relax and allow the lawyer to work.

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney

If you or your loved one sustain injuries in any kind of accident that was the result of another party’s negligence in New Orleans, then you should make sure your first phone call is to a skilled lawyer. Egenberg Trial Lawyers handles cases throughout Louisiana, Texas, and the Gulf Coast region.Our firm offers decades of experience handling these types of claims and handles everything from common automobile accidents to 18-wheeler crashes to slip and fall accidents. Call (504) 229-2853 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation that will let us dig into the details of your case and talk about how we can help.

4 Ways Personal Injury Lawyers Help Victims

Posted on by bradeg

When a person is injured in any kind of accident, there will often be some immediate questioning of whether an attorney is really needed or not. In some cases, victims believe that fault is clear-cut and that obtaining compensation should be easy.

The truth, however, is that lawyers provide a valuable insurance policy in most personal injury cases because people with legal representation routinely take home more money than individuals who handle their cases on their own. Here are four simple reasons you should always consider hiring a personal injury attorney when you have been involved in any kind of accident caused by another party’s negligence.

 

Determining Whether Victims Have a Claim

Proving a personal injury claim is going to involve proving in court that another party was negligent and that negligence caused your injuries. Certain kinds of claims are less complicated than others, as automobile accidents are much more straightforward than medical malpractice, which can be especially complicated.

When you speak to a lawyer about your case, one of the first things they will do in response is to conduct their own independent investigation into the accident. Many kinds of claims may also require the use of experts in a given field to lend credence to a victim’s claims.

 

Assessing Damages

Many people think their cases are worth a lot of money, but you will risk your lawsuit not being taken seriously if you handle a claim on your own and ask for too much. Damages are typically divided into economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are much easier to calculate because they are the actual bills resulting from an injury, and things like medical bills and property damage can easily be proven. Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering or emotional distress do not have an intrinsically tangible value, so they are far more subjective and need to be carefully requested.

A lawyer is going to know how to accurately measure all of your damages, making sure that you are not just compensated for medical bills you have already paid but future ones as well. The attorney will also be able to interview a victim about how their life has changed to accurately convey why non-economic damages should be awarded, and there may even possibly be cause for punitive damages in a very limited number of cases.

 

Filing a Complete Claim With Supporting Documentation

Another big reason to hire a lawyer is so you can be confident that your case is actually complete when it is filed. An attorney is going to know how to put all of the facts together in a claim so that all of the evidence needed is presented and you are fully prepared to take your case to court.

The lawyer is also going to know all of the supporting documentation required to help your claim succeed, whether it is police reports, photos of the scene, witness statements, opinions of expert witnesses, or medical records. An attorney is going to be able to compile all of this information in a way that is most effective in getting you compensation.

 

Negotiating a Settlement

While many people envision their cases going to trial, the truth is that very few personal injury cases actually make it that far. Instead, insurance companies or the negligent parties often agree to settle cases before trial because trials can be very expensive, and they also carry the risk of a victim being awarded greater damages.

People should never try to negotiate settlements on their own because they often end up leaving a lot of money on the table. A lawyer is going to know exactly what your case is worth and will fight to achieve an outcome that matches what was expected.

 

Call Us Today to Speak with a New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyer

Egenberg Trial Lawyers has handled scores of personal injury cases in Lousiana, Texas, and other locations on the Gulf Coast. We will be happy to discuss all of your options with you as soon as you call (504) 229-2853 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.

 

When Can Victims Recover Compensation for Swimming Pool Injuries?

Posted on by bradeg

While most people associate swimming pools with fun in the sun, it is important to know that swimming pools are commonly one of the most recurring elements of lawsuits based on what is known as the attractive nuisance doctrine. An attractive nuisance is typically some kind of dangerous condition on a person’s property that could particularly attract small children onto the land and pose a risk to their safety.

Children are not the only people who can be harmed in swimming pools. In fact,  adults regularly suffer serious injuries in swimming pool accidents. Many victims are dismayed to be injured and confused about what rights they have to recover compensation in these cases. In the event that you have been injured in a swimming pool accident, you should call a New Orleans personal injury lawyer as soon as you can.

 

Common Swimming Pool Injuries

Swimming pools can involve a wide range of possible injuries, some of which are minor to ones that can be completely life-changing or even fatal. Some of the most common kinds of swimming pool injuries generally include:

  • Slip and fall injuries
  • Broken bones 
  • Lacerations
  • Diving board injuries
  • Infections
  • Electrocution
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Drownings

A swimming pool injury generally results in some kind of premises liability action in which a victim seeks compensation from a property owner for not warning them about potential dangers or failing to safely take care of their pools. You need to keep in mind that a premises liability claim can involve three different kinds of property entrants:

  • Invitees are people who were expressly invited onto property and are owed the highest duty of care.
  • Licensees are also invited onto property, but not for the benefit of the property owner. A property owner still needs to notify a licensee about known hazards, but there is no specific duty to inspect the premises before allowing a licensee to enter.
  • Trespassers have no right to be on property and are owed no duty of care, although a property owner cannot deliberately attempt to injure the trespasser.

 

Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents

One major consideration in any swimming pool lawsuit will concern whether a pool where the accident took place was private or public. A private pool is owned by an individual, while a public pool is typically owned by a local government.

Some of the most common causes of swimming pool accidents include:

  • Failure to maintain pools
  • Drain entrapment
  • Defective or missing pool equipment
  • Lack of safety equipment
  • Damaged diving boards or ladders
  • Faulty gates or fences
  • Inadequate pool depth markers
  • Improperly trained staff
  • Lack of supervision
  • Overcrowding
  • Poor lighting

Victims of swimming pool accidents can be entitled to many different kinds of compensation for their injuries. Premises liability cases can be incredibly complex and stressful, so anybody who was harmed in a swimming pool should retain legal counsel.

 

Call Us Today to Speak with a New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyer

Egenberg Trial Lawyers is an experienced team of trial attorneys who have a record of success in all kinds of personal injury actions. We can discuss your swimming pool injury case with you and outline what might be possible when you call (504) 229-2853 or contact us online to schedule a completely free initial consultation.

The Dangers of Drunk Boaters

Posted on by bradeg

Driving a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not only illegal, it’s inherently risky. Drunk boating accidents are especially dangerous because passengers are typically not wearing a safety belt and the boat can be traveling at high speeds. This is such a widespread issue that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has instituted a boat safety campaign to educate boaters on the importance of maintaining control of their craft. Even with a variety of safety course options available, it’s still likely that there will be accidents related to drunk boaters this summer. These accidents can be dangerous or even deadly.

Common Boat Accident Injuries

When you’re out on the water, a mile away from the shore, even a minor injury can become critical. Add alcohol to the mix and the chance of incurring an injury is elevated. One of the biggest issues with a drunk boating injury is that people who are inebriated might not be able to respond correctly or might delay their response. When you’re out on the water, this can make the situation even worse. Common accidents caused by drunk boaters include:

  • Broken bones
  • Deep lacerations (these are especially common in motorboat accidents)
  • Whiplash
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Drowning
  • A collapsed lung due to water intake

If you are injured in a boating accident, your first step should be to seek immediate medical attention. Certain injuries might not present symptoms for hours or even days after the accident. For this reason, it’s essential to visit a medical professional who can assess and properly treat your injuries.

An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you’ve been injured in a boat accident, you should focus on your physical recovery. Follow doctor’s orders and find the right attorney to help with recovering from the parties at fault. An attorney can bring a claim against a drunk boat operator or any other negligent parties. They can handle communications and negotiations with the insurance company so you don’t settle for less than fair compensation. A personal injury lawyer can also work to collect the necessary documentation to support your case, such as medical records, the official police report, and any applicable witness testimony. If necessary, an attorney can also bring litigation to collect compensation on your behalf.

Call a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney Today

When you’re in a boating accident, injuries sustained might be just the start of your problems. Expensive medical bills, extended recovery time, and weeks away from your job can add to your stress. At the law office of Egenberg, APLC, our legal team is well-versed in this type of claim, and we are here to support and guide you through this difficult process. Call us today at 504-229-5700 to schedule a free initial consultation. We will review the details of your case and help you determine your best next steps. You can also contact us online.

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