Alexandria, LA Personal Injury Lawyer

Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Alexandria, LA

Suffering a personal injury due to another party’s act of negligence or wrongdoing can be a major disruption in your life. You and your family’s financial security can be put at risk thanks to medical bills piling on top of potential lost wages. Whether you have been injured in a drunk driving accident along MacArthur Drive or suffered a sideswipe thanks to another party’s distracted driving, an Alexandria, LA, personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation.

At LaCour Law Firm, we firmly believe that justice is due when an individual suffers a personal injury. We can work to settle your case outside of court, seeking fair compensation through skilled and fruitful negotiations. However, if you don’t get the settlement you deserve, we are not afraid to take your case to trial. Whatever your personal injury case might entail, we are here to fight for you and win so that you can get back on your feet. we are ready to fight hard for fair compensation.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Alexandria, Louisiana

In Louisiana, car accidents are the most common cause of personal injury cases. In 2024, Louisiana recorded 753 traffic deaths, the state’s lowest total in five years, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. Despite the ever-evolving driving laws of the state of Louisiana and the growing safety features many modern vehicles are equipped with, these accidents are still very common, especially along major roadways like Interstate Highway I-49.

These accidents happen for several reasons, some of the most common including:

• Drunk Driving: It is illegal in the state of Louisiana to operate a motorized vehicle if you have a blood alcohol content level of 0.08% or higher, if you are at or above the legal drinking age of 21. Additionally, operating a vehicle with a certain number of controlled substances in your bloodstream can reduce a driver’s ability to respond to traffic conditions and hinder their overall motor skills, causing accidents to pose a greater risk.
• Speeding: When an individual operates their vehicle at a speed above the posted speed limit, driving this fast can leave them less time to make the necessary decisions or reactions to other vehicles to avoid a traffic collision. Additionally, traveling at such high speeds can make the accident itself more severe as the force of impact will be much more intense, resulting in more severe injuries and even death.
• Driver Fatigue: When a driver is operating their vehicle while fatigued, this is an increasing cause for many motor vehicle accidents. This can be especially true for the congested areas around MacArthur Drive, where people are going to or coming from working long shifts at hospitals or the office. When drivers are over-tired, they are more likely to make driving mistakes and errors that can result in devastating accidents.
• Distracted Drivers: When a driver takes part in an action that causes their hands to come off the wheel or takes their eyes off the road, this can be considered distracted driving and could result in horrific consequences. There are several forms distracted driving can take, including driving while operating a cell phone, eating, drinking, or smoking while driving, adjusting the radio stations, putting on your makeup while driving, and other actions that do not allow the driver to fully pay attention to the roadway.
• Weather: Although we have no control over the weather, it is important to understand the impact certain weather conditions can have on road safety. In the spring and fall, Louisiana sees a large amount of rainfall, totaling up to anywhere from 50 to 70 inches per year. Heavy rain and gusting winds can cause terrible road conditions, making it easier for drivers to lose control of their vehicles and cause an accident.
• Aggressive Driving: When a driver is impatient or pushy, these behaviors can increase the likelihood of causing an accident. Certain actions of aggressive driving can include frequently changing lanes, flashing lights at other motorists, tailgating, failing to yield to other vehicles, and rolling down windows to yell at nearby motorists.
• Rideshare Wrecks: Rideshare apps are a popular choice amongst many folks in Alexandria, especially students attending LSU Alexandria. As a passenger in a Lyft, Uber, or other rideshare program, you need to be able to trust your driver. However, if your driver gets into an accident while you are in the car and you suffer an injury, the attorneys at LaCour Law Firm are here to help.

If you suffer an injury in an accident that is not your fault, do not wait to speak to a committed and aggressive legal advocate like the personal injury attorneys at LaCour Law Firm. We understand how difficult these cases are and how emotionally challenging they can become, and we want to do everything in our power to ensure you are given the representation you need to recover fair compensation.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Alexandria?

Louisiana law limits how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. Lawyers call this deadline “prescription.”

• If you were hurt on or after July 1, 2024, you have two years from the date of the accident to file suit, under Louisiana Civil Code article 3493.1.
• If you were hurt before July 1, 2024, the older one-year deadline may still apply to your case.

If you miss this deadline, you can lose your right to recover money for your injury. It is best to talk to a lawyer well before the deadline, since gathering evidence and medical records takes time.

Louisiana changed its fault rule effective January 1, 2026. For accidents on or after that date, if you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages. If you are less than 51% at fault, you can still recover, but your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault.

If your accident happened before January 1, 2026, this new rule does not apply to you. Under the older rule, you could still recover damages even if you were mostly at fault — your award was just reduced by your share of the blame, with no cutoff point.

Damages You Can Recover in a Personal Injury Claim

Depending on the cause and severity of your personal injury, you may be able to seek several damages. The more severe your injury, the higher the amount of compensation you may be able to recover in your case. It can be important to understand the kinds of injuries often seen in Alexandria personal injury cases, such as:

• Broken bones
• Cuts, bruises, or lacerations
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Nerve or organ damage
• Amputations

If you suffer any of these or other physical injuries in a personal injury case, it is your right to seek compensation from the parties liable for the harm you have sustained. This compensation can come in the form of the following:

• Any hospital or medical bills for the treatment of your injuries
• Out-of-pocket costs, such as travel to and from doctor appointments
• Lost wages from missing time at work due to your recovery
• The loss of any earning ability in the future
• Your own physical pain and suffering
• Experiencing a lowered quality of life
• Emotional distress or mental anguish

In certain personal injury cases, you may also be able to seek exemplary, or punitive, damages. Louisiana law only allows these damages when a specific statute says so, such as when a drunk driver’s reckless conduct causes your injury, under Louisiana Civil Code article 2315.4. Your attorney can help determine if you are eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Alexandria, LA?

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident if it happened on or after July 1, 2024. Louisiana Civil Code article 3493.1 sets this deadline, and earlier injuries may still fall under the older one-year rule.

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing upfront and the fee comes out of your settlement or award. Ask your attorney to explain the fee arrangement before you sign anything.

Can I still sue if the police report blames me for the accident?

Yes, a police report is not the final word on fault. You can still pursue a claim, and an attorney can gather evidence to show how much fault, if any, should be assigned to you.

What compensation can I recover after a personal injury?

You may recover medical bills, lost wages, future earning loss, and pain and suffering. In rare cases involving conduct like drunk driving, you may also recover punitive damages.

Will my case go to trial, or will it settle?

Many personal injury cases settle without a trial. Some cases do go to trial when the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement.

Are punitive damages available in a Louisiana personal injury case?

Only in limited situations set out by statute, such as injuries caused by a drunk driver. Most Louisiana personal injury cases do not include punitive damages.

Contact Our Alexandria Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have suffered a personal injury in Alexandria, the team at LaCour Law Firm is here for you. We are ready to fight for your right to fair compensation. Contact our offices today to learn more about our legal services.