So you’ve been in a car accident and your vehicle is damaged. Now what? Well, you have several options based on the condition of your vehicle.

If you have the liable party’s insurance information, you can contact them to set up a claim. Many times, the insurance company will not accept liability and begin the property damage process until after they receive an accident report and have spoken to their insured. This can cause delays in getting your vehicle repaired.

YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT OPERABLE.

If your vehicle is not drivable, you may want to get a jump on the adjustment of your property damage.

You can either contact your own insurance company to begin the process of assessing the vehicle’s damages under your collision policy or you can contact the at-fault party’s insurance company if you have that information. Sometimes if the at-fault insurance company has not determined fault, this will delay your repairs. You may have to use your own collision policy to get the ball rolling. Don’t worry, your insurance company will attempt to get their money back from at at-fault party’s carrier. It’s ok to go through your own policy.

Warning – You have a duty to mitigate your damages in Louisiana. In other words, you cannot let your vehicle rack up weeks of storage fees if you have the ability to remove the vehicle or have your collision policy take care of it. Don’t wait too long to act.

YOUR VEHICLE IS DAMAGED, BUT DRIVEABLE

As long as the vehicle is roadworthy, you can continue to drive your vehicle while you wait for the other person’s insurance company to determine liability. Just note, this can sometimes be a long process. You could be waiting awhile.

YOU NEED A RENTAL

If your car is in the shop or totaled, you are going to need a rental to get around. Louisiana provides that you are entitled to loss of use for a reasonable period of time. What is a reasonable period of time? Who knows – there is much disagreement here. Usually its until your vehicle has been repaired or until an offer is made if your vehicle is totaled. It should be for at least a week longer from the date you receive a check, but insurance companies often do not agree.

You can either go through the at-fault insurance company to provide a rental to you (if liability has been determined) or you can elect to go through your own insurance company if you have a rental policy. Just note: your insurance carrier will usually not provide a rental unless you also allow them to begin the property damage claim under your collision policy.

Also be aware, you will need a credit card in order to rent a vehicle, even if the vehicle is being paid for by an auto insurance company.

If the insurance company fails to provide a rental to you, you can always be reimbursed for loss of use during the time your vehicle is not operable.

WHERE SHOULD I TAKE MY CAR FOR REPAIRS?

This is easy. Anywhere you want. You do not have to take your vehicle to the body shop recommended by the insurance company. In fact, my rule of thumb is – don’t take your vehicle to any of the repair shops recommended by any insurance company. That usually means they have a contract with that body shop and the body shop may make efforts to save the insurance company money by lessening your damages or using used parts. Find an independent body shop you trust.

DIMINISHED VALUE

So the insurance company told you that you are not entitled to diminished value. THEY LIED! In Louisiana you are entitled to the diminished value of your vehicle after the repairs are completed. You need to get a diminished value report from your body shop. If your body shop does not provide reports, there are companies in Louisiana and nationally who do. Stand your ground! You are entitled to diminished value. Don’t let the insurance company bully you.

AND AS ALWAYS – HIRE A LAWYER. At Cashio Injury Attorneys, we do not take a fee on property damages as long as we are handling your injury claim.

Speaking of a case prior to litigation, an adjuster will be assigned by the insurance company to evaluate your injury claim for settlement purposes.

Every insurance company is different, but a majority of all companies do have certain preset criteria for evaluating claims. Most use software programs where adjusters will input demographics, the location of the accident, the venue, the amount of property damages, diagnosis codes and medical bills to determine a settlement amount. The computer spits out a number. Usually the amount is unfair. Remember the insurance company is in the business of making money and in order to make money they must take in as many premiums as possible and pay out as little as they can on claims. That’s why you may find that if you negotiate with an insurance company without an injury attorney’s help, the adjuster may low ball the offer, believing you won’t know the true value of your injuries.

Some insurance companies will even try to reduce the medical bills you incurred by either claiming they were unnecessary or not reasonable or not customary. Guess what? In Louisiana, unlike some states, they are not allowed to do this. Don’t let them take advantage of you. Remember they are not on your side. They care more about their stockholders than they do your situation. Hire a tough injury attorney to go to bat for you.

The answer is yes but with limited criteria. These type of damages in Louisiana is called Lejuene damages, or sometimes bystander’s damages. Louisiana’s Article 2315.6 makes it possible for a person to make claim for mental anguish when witnessing an injury/accident of someone if:

1. the person claiming the mental anguish damage is:
   • the mother or father of the injured person
   • the children or grandchildren of the injured person
   • the brother or sister of the injured person
   • the spouse of the injured person
   • the grandmother or grandfather of the injured person.
2. the person claiming bystander’s damages must either witness the event causing the injury to their loved one or came upon the event soon thereafter.
3. the damages must be severe, debilitating and foreseeable.

Therefore, in order to make a claim for mental anguish as a bystander of an accident you must be an immediate family member of the injured person, you must either witness the accident or arrive onto the scene shortly thereafter and the mental anguish must be so severe that it is debilitating. A friend or a distant relative like an uncle or cousin cannot make a Lejuene claim. Also, if an immediate family member comes upon the scene but it is not immediately thereafter, for example 24 hours later, they cannot make a claim for Lejuene damages.

Lejuene damages gets its name from the Louisiana Supreme Court case Lejuene v. Rayne Branch Hospital 556 So. 2d 559 (1990). In that case, Rayo Lejuene was under the permanent care of Rayne Branch Hospital. The staff at Rayne Branch Hospital had neglected Mr. Lejuene to such a degree that his face was being chewed on by rats. His wife, Ms. Mable Lejuene, during a visit opened the hospital door to witness the rats on Mr. Lejuene. The event caused Mable Lejuene to suffer debilitating and serious mental anguish to the point that she sued Rayne Branch Hospital for her damages of mental and emotional distress. Prior to this case, bystanders weren’t allowed to seek recovery for damages unless they were involved in the subject accident/event. The Louisiana Supreme Court held that Mable Lejuene could be compensated for the distress of witnessing an injury to a loved one. That case led the Louisiana Legislature to enact La. Art. 2315.6 setting out the criteria for what is now known as Lejuene damages.

If you witnessed a loved one in an accident or saw them injured immediately after an accident, don’t hesitate to call the lawyers at Cashio Injury Attorneys who will get you the compensation you deserve for your mental anguish and emotional distress claim. Call us at 225-402-5466.

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Article 2315.6

Liability for damages caused by injury to another

1. The following persons who view an event causing injury to another person, or who come upon the scene of the event soon thereafter, may recover damages for mental anguish or emotional distress that they suffer as a result of the other person’s injury:
   • (1) The spouse, child or children, and grandchild or grandchildren of the injured person, or either the spouse, the child or children, or the grandchild or grandchildren of the injured person.
   • (2) The father and mother of the injured person, or either of them.
   • (3) The brothers and sisters of the injured person or any of them.
   • (4) The grandfather and grandmother of the injured person, or either of them.
2. To recover for mental anguish or emotional distress under this Article, the injured person must suffer such harm that one can reasonably expect a person in the claimant’s position to suffer serious mental anguish or emotional distress from the experience, and the claimant’s mental anguish or emotional distress must be severe, debilitating, and foreseeable.
   Damages suffered as a result of mental anguish or emotional distress for injury to another shall be recovered only in accordance with this Article.

In Louisiana, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance on their vehicles. If you are operating a vehicle and are involved in an accident and do not have liability insurance coverage on that vehicle, you are considered uninsured and you will be barred from recovering the first $15,000.00 of bodily injury damage and the first $25,000.00 of property damage under Louisiana’s No Pay No Play statute – even if you are not at fault for the accident.

The No Pay No Play statute applies to the driver of the vehicle. In other words, the passengers can still recover the full amount of their bodily injury damages. However, if the passenger is the owner of the vehicle, No Pay No Play statute will apply to that passenger.

Also, the Louisiana No Pay No Play statute does not apply to out of state drivers.

Keep in mind that the Louisiana No Pay No Play statute does not prevent the uninsured driver from recovering all of their bodily injury or property damages. It only prevents the uninsured driver from recovering the first $15,000.00 of bodily injury damage and the first $25,000.00 of property damage. So, in the event that you are an uninsured driver and are involved in an accident and you are not at fault for the accident, you can recover the amounts above the limitations reflected in the No Pay No Play statute. For example, if your bodily injury damages are valued at $50,000.00, you have the potential to recover $35,000.00 for your bodily injury claim. ($50,000.00 minus $15,000.00 penalty).

The Louisiana No Pay No Play does not apply to the following:

If the at fault driver was in a commission of a felony at the time of the subject accident;

If the at fault driver was cited for operation of a vehicle while intoxicated during the accident and is subsequently convicted of such offense;

The uninsured is parked at the time of the accident; and

The at fault driver flees the scene of the subject accident.

If you’ve been involved in an accident and did not have liability insurance at the time of the accident, you need a Louisiana No Pay No Play lawyer. At Cashio Injury Attorneys, we have handled many uninsured drivers who were injured by someone’s negligence. We can help you overcome the Louisiana No Pay No Play laws and recover the money you deserve. Call the Louisiana Law Lion at 225-402-5466 for immediate help.

Below is the Louisiana No Pay No Play statute:

§866. Compulsory motor vehicle liability security; failure to comply; limitation of damages

(a) The recovery for injury or damages that are otherwise prohibited under this Section.

(b) The defeat of any affirmative defense otherwise allowed under this Section.

(c) The avoidance of liability for court costs otherwise required under this Section.

(2) Reinstatement provisions of a policy during the premium payment grace period specified in the policy shall not be invalidated by the provisions of this Section.

H. The provisions of this Part shall not apply to any vehicle which is legally parked at the time of the accident.

Acts 1997, No. 1476, §4, eff. Sept. 6, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 1085, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2003, No. 532, §1; Acts 2008, No. 921, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2014, No. 149, §1.

NOTE: See Acts 1997, No. 1476, §5(D)(2). The rate reduction day was the date on which the judgment in the lawsuit became final, May 8, 1998. Sections 2 through 4 became effective 120 days thereafter, Sept. 6, 1998.

(a) The recovery for injury or damages that are otherwise prohibited under this Section.

(b) The defeat of any affirmative defense otherwise allowed under this Section.

(c) The avoidance of liability for court costs otherwise required under this Section.

(2) Reinstatement provisions of a policy during the premium payment grace period specified in the policy shall not be invalidated by the provisions of this Section.

H. The provisions of this Part shall not apply to any vehicle which is legally parked at the time of the accident.

Acts 1997, No. 1476, §4, eff. Sept. 6, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 1085, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2003, No. 532, §1; Acts 2008, No. 921, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2014, No. 149, §1.

NOTE: See Acts 1997, No. 1476, §5(D)(2). The rate reduction day was the date on which the judgment in the lawsuit became final, May 8, 1998. Sections 2 through 4 became effective 120 days thereafter, Sept. 6, 1998.

A.(1) There shall be no recovery for the first fifteen thousand dollars of bodily injury and no recovery for the first twenty-five thousand dollars of property damage based on any cause or right of action arising out of a motor vehicle accident, for such injury or damages occasioned by an owner or operator of a motor vehicle involved in such accident who fails to own or maintain compulsory motor vehicle liability security.

(2) For purposes of this Section, the meaning of “bodily injury” and “property damage” is governed by the applicable motor vehicle liability insurance policy or, in the event of security other than an insurance policy, the meaning of such terms is that which is commonly ascribed thereto.

(3)(a) The limitation of recovery provisions of this Subsection do not apply if the driver of the other vehicle:

(i) Is cited for a violation of R.S. 14:98 as a result of the accident and is subsequently convicted of or pleads nolo contendere to such offense.

(ii) Intentionally causes the accident.

(iii) Flees from the scene of the accident.

(iv) At the time of the accident, is in furtherance of the commission of a felony offense under the law.

(b) The limitation of recovery provisions of this Subsection do not apply if at the time of the accident, the other vehicle is not being operated and the vehicle is not in violation of the provisions of Chapter 1 of this Title.

B. Each person who is involved in an accident in which the other motor vehicle was not covered by compulsory motor vehicle liability security and who is found to be liable for damages to the owner or operator of the other motor vehicle may assert as an affirmative defense the limitation of recovery provisions of Subsection A of this Section.

C. If the owner of a motor vehicle, who fails to own or maintain compulsory motor vehicle liability security, institutes an action to recover damages in any amount, regardless of whether such owner or operator is at fault, and is awarded an amount equal to or less than the minimum amount of compulsory motor vehicle liability security, then such owner or operator shall be assessed and held liable for all court costs incurred by all parties to the action.

D. Each person who applies for a driver’s license, registers a motor vehicle, or operates or owns a motor vehicle in this state is deemed to have given his consent to be subject to and governed by the provisions of this Section. All persons who apply for the issuance or renewal of a driver’s license, motor vehicle title, or motor vehicle registration shall sign a declaration on a form developed by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections pursuant to rule and regulation that the person acknowledges and gives consent to the requirements and provisions of this Section and that the person will comply with all provisions of this Section and the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law. Proof of whether the person obtained or signed such declaration is irrelevant to the application of this Section.

E. Nothing in this Section shall preclude a passenger in a vehicle from asserting a claim to recover damages for injury, death, or loss which he occasioned, in whole or in part, by the negligence of another person arising out of the operation or use of a motor vehicle. This Subsection shall not apply to a passenger who is also the owner of the uninsured motor vehicle involved in the accident.

F.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no insurer shall lose any rights of subrogation for claims paid under the applicable insurance policy for the recovery of any sum in excess of the first fifteen thousand dollars of bodily injury and the first twenty-five thousand dollars of property damages.

(2) In claims where no suit is filed, the claimant’s insurer shall have all rights to recover any amount paid by the claimant’s insurer on behalf of the insured for the recovery of any sum in excess of the first fifteen thousand dollars of bodily injury and the first twenty-five thousand dollars of property damages.

G.(1) Except for newly acquired vehicles added to a policy subject to the policy terms, the issuance, change, or adjustment of any motor vehicle liability security or insurance policy subsequent to a motor vehicle accident, without proof of coverage having been bound prior to such motor vehicle accident, shall not effectuate any of the following:

(a) The recovery for injury or damages that are otherwise prohibited under this Section.

(b) The defeat of any affirmative defense otherwise allowed under this Section.

(c) The avoidance of liability for court costs otherwise required under this Section.

(2) Reinstatement provisions of a policy during the premium payment grace period specified in the policy shall not be invalidated by the provisions of this Section.

H. The provisions of this Part shall not apply to any vehicle which is legally parked at the time of the accident.

Acts 1997, No. 1476, §4, eff. Sept. 6, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 1085, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2003, No. 532, §1; Acts 2008, No. 921, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2014, No. 149, §1.

NOTE: See Acts 1997, No. 1476, §5(D)(2). The rate reduction day was the date on which the judgment in the lawsuit became final, May 8, 1998. Sections 2 through 4 became effective 120 days thereafter, Sept. 6, 1998.

Speeding Ticket Attorney

Speeding tickets are incredibly common, and more than 41 million speeding tickets are issued every year. If you’re like most other Americans, you may be tempted to just pay off your ticket and take the financial hit – but that’s the last thing you should do.

As a speeding ticket attorney like our friends at Rispoli & Borneo P.C. can explain, your ticket can cost you way more than sticker price. Read on to learn more about how much your ticket can actually cost, and see why lawyering up may be your most economic option.

The Real Cost of Your Ticket

A speeding ticket in New Jersey can cost anywhere from $85 to $260. In an unsure economy and when everyone’s tightening their belts, that’s not money you can afford to lose. And, if you’re facing a more serious charge such as reckless driving, you may be in for extra more money down the drain – and even jail time (more on that later).

When people talk about the price of their speeding ticket, they usually forget one big additional cost: insurance. We all have to pay for insurance, and the rate we pay depends on several different factors. One of these factors is whether or not you have a clean driving record.

In Jersey, a traffic ticket will stay on your record for up to five years, and that means paying extra for five years, too. You’ll have to shell out more money per month until your record is cleared and your speeding ticket is far behind you – and by that time, you’ll be in the hole for a lot more money than the initial price of your ticket.

Reckless Driving – Jail Time and Heavy Fines

Earlier, we mentioned reckless driving. These charges are more serious, so it’s important to explain how reckless driving is different than basic speeding.

Reckless driving is defined as any action taken behind the wheel that creates a danger for other drivers on the road. This includes exceeding the speed limit by a certain amount (30 miles an hour over the limit in Jersey), but it also includes racing, unsafely passing, and even just driving unsafely for current weather conditions.

If you’re dealing with a reckless driving charge, there’s more on the line than just money. You may have to deal with jail time on top of hefty fines, and aside from being in jail, that means an even greater financial impact: You may have trouble finding a job in the future, and the time you spend in jail is time spent missing work in the first place.

Get in Touch with an Attorney Today

A speeding ticket is more than just an inconvenience. It’s a huge waste of money, and by the time it’s finally removed from your record, you’ll have spent even more money on insurance. This applies double for reckless driving, especially if you’re facing jail time.

If you’re wondering if hiring a lawyer to fight your ticket is worth it, it is. When you factor in the price of your insurance, not to mention the already steep price of your ticket, getting in touch with a speeding ticket lawyer is your most economical option.

Don’t hesitate to save yourself some money. Reach out to a speeding ticket attorney today.

Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal injury law focuses on the representation of individuals who have been injured by another party’s negligence or wrongdoing. An experienced personal injury lawyer explains that it is a type of civil law that allows injured parties to seek compensation for their damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Personal injury attorneys help injured individuals seek compensation from the negligent person or entity who harmed them. There are many different types of cases that personal injury attorneys will take on, including but not limited to:

Car accidents: If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, a personal injury attorney can help you obtain compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages. To gain compensation for your injuries, you will need to prove that the other driver is liable for the accident and your injuries. To prove that the other driver is at fault, your attorney will gather and analyze evidence pertaining to your case, file a lawsuit, negotiate with the at-fault parties, and represent you in court if your case goes to trial. 

Slip and fall accidents: Personal injury attorneys represent plaintiffs who have been injured after slipping or tripping on someone else’s property due to a hazardous condition. A personal injury attorney will be able to determine who is responsible for a slip-and-fall accident and help you secure compensation for your injuries and other damages. 

Medical malpractice: Personal injury attorneys represent those who have been harmed due to a healthcare professional’s error or negligence. Common instances of medical malpractice are misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose, surgical errors, birth injuries, prescription errors, and anesthesia errors. 

Product liability: Personal injury attorneys represent those injured by defective or dangerous products and hold manufacturers, distributors, and retailers responsible for products that are defective or dangerous and cause injury or harm to consumers. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury due to a defective product, a personal injury attorney can help you secure compensation for your injuries and through litigation, and can ensure that others are not harmed by the product in the future. 

Wrongful death: If a loved one has died due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another party, a personal injury attorney can provide valuable guidance and representation to the family members of a deceased individual and help them secure the compensation they deserve. Wrongful death claims can arise in a variety of circumstances, including car accidents, medical malpractice, and other types of accidents or incidents. To bring a successful wrongful death claim, a plaintiff must be able to prove that the defendant’s actions or inaction caused their loved one’s death and that the plaintiff has suffered damages as a result. Damages in a wrongful death case can include medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost wages and benefits, and other damages such as loss of companionship and emotional distress. 

Sexual Assault: Sexual assault is a broad term. It describes battery, harassment, coercion, stalking, and rape. A personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal options in regard to a civil lawsuit and can guide you through the legal process. 

If you have been injured and believe that you may have a personal injury case, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand your options and guide you through the process so that you can seek justice and compensation for the losses you have suffered. 

Thanks to Eglet Adams for their insight on the types of cases that personal injury attorneys represent. 

Car Accident Injury Lawyer

Accidents happen throughout the world to numerous people on a daily basis. The same can be said for the United States. With a busy and active population that is always on the move, the United States sees thousands of people injured from a variety of different circumstances daily. There are many causes for these different types of accidents too. Some are caused by pure negligence and others see a variety of factors that lead to the negative outcome. Automobiles are involved in accidents daily and so are individuals who work with heavy machinery and in dangerous environments around vehicles and equipment. 

Common Types of Accidents

There are many different accidents that someone may be subjected to in life. Automobile accidents are a leading cause of accidents that leave people with injuries or property damage. Other accidents may happen at businesses or jobs that lack proper safety training for their employees. If someone doesn’t follow protocol or a safety process at the workplace then this too can lead to trouble like injuries. Injuries can also happen from repetitive motions done over time. When someone sits at a computer for eight hours a day and five days a week then they may be putting their hands and backs in a stressful situation. These types of injuries can keep people out of work for an extended period of time costing both the company and the person time and money.

Possible Injuries From an Accident

There are numerous types of injuries that can be received from being in an accident. These range from minor to severe. A minor injury may include a scrape, slight loss of blood, scratch, minor pain in the body, and more. A medium-sized injury could be a sprained ligament, strained muscle, a broken bone in the hand or foot, whiplash, and others. A more severe injury could be broken bones, broken neck or back, massive loss of blood, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even fatalities. Getting injured can be something that changes some people’s lives drastically. There are many people who receive severe or medium injuries that are unable to work ever again. When this happens it can not only be the injury that causes pain to their body but the overall experience can also lead to debilitating mental issues like depression and stress. 

Legal Assistance

When people are involved in an accident that has either changed their life or left them with an injury it may be a good idea to seek legal help. An accident injury lawyer turns to in their time of need from a firm like the Yearin Law Office has helped many people overcome their injury cases. Compensation may be available depending on the circumstances of the injury and how it occurred. By turning to the professionals a victim of an accident gives themselves a greater chance at not only receiving compensation for bills and pain but also in helping this type of occurrence not to happen to someone else by that same person.

Car Accident Lawyer

As much as we try to avoid car accidents, they happen daily. Sometimes these car accidents are only minor bumps that quickly buff out. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case; a car accident can even take someone’s life. We’ll explore five of the top factors that can lead to car accidents. 

1. Driving While Under the Influence 

Unfortunately, many car accidents occur because a person was drinking or using other substances. Drugs and alcohol can produce various consequences while driving. For starters, these substances can slow down a person’s reaction time. As a result, they may think they have plenty of time to stop before a red light only to slam into the car in front of them. Furthermore, drugs and alcohol can make people engage in behavior they usually wouldn’t. For example, a sober driver may never consider trying to pass multiple vehicles simultaneously while on the highway. A drunk driver, however, may suddenly think they’re a stunt driver, only to end up ramming another car. 

2. Distracted Driving 

Distracted driving is another leading factor in car accidents. Technically, you could call driving while under the influence distracted driving, but many other examples exist. Exhaustion is another example, alongside using the phone while driving, eating or drinking, turning radio stations, having too many rowdy passengers in your vehicle, etc. 

3. The Weather

You should avoid driving when it’s raining or during a winter storm. Unfortunately, sometimes this is unavoidable, especially if you need to go to work. Driving experience can definitely factor into your ability to handle less than favorable weather conditions. However, even the most skilled driver can’t always handle a nasty storm. If you must drive during unfavorable conditions, always exercise caution, even if this means going 20mph less than you usually do. 

4. Poor Road Conditions 

Probably to no one’s surprise, most car accidents happen in big urban areas like the city. However, the most deadly of these accidents often happens in rural areas. Different factors lead to this somewhat of a paradox. One major factor is often the quality of roads. The U.S. suffers from crumbling infrastructure throughout, but the problem can often become more prevalent the further you get away from major streets. Problems like potholes and mismarked signage can all cause car accidents. 

5. Aggressive Driving 

Just about every driver is guilty of violating the rules of the road at least once. Chances are, you may have driven over the speed limit when you slept in too much one day. While violating the rules of the road is never good, there’s definitely a distinction between going a little over the speed limit and engaging in behavior that severely puts another driver at risk. Actions like not using a seatbelt, tailgating another person, extremely speeding, running red lights or stop signs, weaving in and out of traffic, etc, can all be considered examples of aggressive driving. When an accident occurs due to this behavior, you may need help from a car accident lawyer—something our friends at Patterson Bray PLLC agree with.