Car Accident Lawyer in Metairie — A Former Adjuster Who Knows Their Playbook
You have a narrow window after a car wreck in Louisiana before the other side's insurance company shapes the outcome. I'm a former insurance adjuster and former insurance-defense attorney — I know the early-settlement playbook because I ran it.
What I Know About Insurance Companies That Most Lawyers Don't
I spent years on the other side — first as an adjuster evaluating claims, then as defense counsel protecting insurers from paying full value. When I represent you now, I'm not guessing at what the adjuster is thinking. I know what they're looking for, what they're hoping you don't know, and why that first call comes so fast.
That early phone call is not a courtesy. It's a strategy. Adjusters move quickly after a crash because recorded statements, quick settlements, and signed releases lock in low numbers before you understand the full extent of your injuries or your rights. Don't give a recorded statement. Don't accept a check. Call me first.
Partly at Fault? You Can Still Recover.
Louisiana follows pure comparative negligence. That means even if you were partly responsible for the accident, you can still recover damages — your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 30 percent at fault and your damages total $100,000, you recover $70,000.
Insurance adjusters count on you not knowing this. They use shared fault as a reason to deny your claim outright or pressure you into a fraction of what you're owed. Partly at fault isn't the same as out of luck.
Local Roads I Know — and Where Crashes Happen
I've represented injured clients across Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, and the Northshore for over 31 years. The high-volume crash corridors around here — Veterans Memorial Boulevard, the I-10 corridor through Metairie and into New Orleans, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway approaches — generate serious accidents regularly, and the insurance companies that cover those drivers know this territory too.
Local knowledge matters. I know the courts, the judges, and the defense firms that appear on the other side of these cases.
One Lawyer. Your Case. Start to Finish.
When you hire me, you get me — not a case manager, not a rotating associate, not a paralegal who calls you back three days later. I handle your case from the first consultation through settlement or trial. After 31 years in practice, the overwhelming majority of my clients come from referrals. That only happens when people feel they were dealt with directly and treated fairly.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Louisiana
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you feel fine, get evaluated. Injuries like soft-tissue damage, concussions, and internal trauma often surface hours or days after a crash. A gap in medical care gives adjusters a reason to dispute your injuries.
2. Document Everything at the Scene
Photograph the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Get the other driver's insurance information, and collect contact information from witnesses before they leave.
3. Do Not Give a Recorded Statement
The other driver's insurance company will call you quickly. You are not required to give a recorded statement, and doing so before you have legal counsel almost always works against you.
4. Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Before You Sign Anything
Once you sign a release, the case is closed — regardless of what injuries or expenses emerge later. Call me before you accept any offer or put your name on any document from an insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Claims in Louisiana
What should I say when the adjuster calls me after my wreck?
Be polite, but say as little as possible. Confirm that the accident occurred and that you are represented by counsel — or that you intend to consult with an attorney before speaking further. Do not describe how the accident happened, characterize your injuries, or agree to a recorded statement. Anything you say becomes part of the claim file and can be used to minimize your recovery.How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Louisiana?
Louisiana's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is one year from the date of the accident. This is shorter than most states. Missing that deadline typically means losing your right to recover entirely — so do not wait.What if the at-fault driver doesn't have insurance?
Louisiana law requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage unless they specifically reject it in writing. If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own policy may cover your damages. I can review your policy and identify every available source of recovery.How is fault determined in a Louisiana car accident case?
Fault is determined by examining the evidence — police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, vehicle damage patterns, and sometimes accident reconstruction. Louisiana's pure comparative negligence rule means fault can be apportioned between multiple parties, and each party's recovery is adjusted accordingly.What does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer?
I handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney's fees unless I recover compensation for you. The fee comes out of the settlement or verdict — not your pocket.