Automobile Accidents
Auto Accident

The lawyers at Bruno & Bruno have a record of successful outcomes on behalf of our clients, including jury verdicts and settlements in the tens of millions of dollars. We regularly represent plaintiffs who suffer serious injuries or wrongful death in all kinds of auto accidents. We handle single-vehicle and multiple-vehicle auto accident, truck accident, and bus accident cases in communities all across Louisiana. Our auto accident attorneys litigate against anyone, from taxi companies in cases of aggressive taxi drivers to the government in cases of bus drivers.


In our transportation dominated society, a person must deal with cars, trucks, and buses crash on the streets and highway every day. All too often, crashes occur and these accidents are the result of recklessness or carelessness on one driver's part. Driver liability for crashes can involve such irresponsible actions as:

  • Speeding
  • Running red lights
  • Sudden lane changes
  • Sudden starting and stopping
  • Sudden door opening
  • Illegal u-turns
  • Failure to yield right-of-way
  • Unsecured loads
  • Inattentiveness
  • Fatigue
  • Extending the over-the-road driving hours restrictions
  • Drunk driving

A traffic court may deal with citations issued to drivers, and determine who has to pay a fine or spend some time as a guest of the county. The Department of Public Safety may suspend or revoke a driver's license. However, neither of those decides who pays monetary damages, or how much. In fact, traffic tickets and license suspensions are ordinarily not even admissible in evidence in a tort case.


What To Do If You Are In An Accident

Stay calm. Don't argue or yell.

  • Do not move any vehicles until after the police arrive, unless you are on an expressway.
  • If you are on an expressway, try to get the cars out of the traffic lanes. If you are near the crest of a hill, try to warn drivers coming over the hill.
  • Ask someone to call the police or 911. Don't let anyone talk you out of it.
  • Do not say you are not hurt. Some internal injuries do not show up for days. It is often both truthful and prudent to simply say that you are ""shaken up."" Do not be too proud to ride in an ambulance if police or paramedics suggest it.
  • Note any other causes of the wreck, such as road hazards, etc.
  • If you have a camera in the car, take pictures of the scene and the vehicles (damage, defects, odd tags or bumper stickers, alcohol and drug containers, etc.

When police arrive:

  • Be pleasant, cooperative and truthful.
  • Speak slowly and clearly in order to be understood.
  • Do not make guesses about time, speed and distance. You likely would be wrong.
  • Do not say it was your fault. That can be determined when you are not in shock.
  • If you smelled alcohol on another driver's breath, or saw a driver and passenger switch places after a wreck, tell the officer.
  • Give the police officer and the other driver information about your auto insurance, but do not tell anyone at the scene that your insurance will pay damages for anyone.
  • Promptly notify your own automobile insurance company.
  • If a strange person appears at the wreck and offers you a ride to a chiropractor, or if you are called later by a stranger who learns of the wreck and tries to get you to go to a particular chiropractor or lawyer, get his name and tag or phone number. Report him to the police.
  • If you get a ticket, don't argue with the officer. You may sign it to acknowledge receipt.
  • From the other driver's license, copy the name, address, license number and date of birth. Write down the tag number. If a large truck is involved, also copy everything that is written on the side of the truck.
  • Talk to an experienced lawyer before you sign anything else, give a written or tape recorded statement, go to traffic court, or settle with a claims adjuster.
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