Bruno & BrunoNew Orleans Personal Injury | Bruno & Bruno2026-09-21T17:27:22Zhttps://www.brunobrunolaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1503350/2022/12/cropped-bruno-bruno-favicon-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Bruno & Bruno<![CDATA[What should you do if the at-fault driver flees the scene?]]>https://www.brunobrunolaw.com/?p=492602026-09-09T14:50:21Z2026-09-09T14:50:21ZYour first moves after a hit-and-run
Those first moments at the scene matter enormously. Here's what to prioritize right away:
Move to safety: Get yourself and any passengers away from active traffic immediately
Call 911: Report the crash and request medical help if you or anyone needs it
Note the other vehicle: Write down the color, make, model, partial plate number and the direction they fled
Photograph everything: Capture vehicle damage, skid marks and road conditions from multiple angles
Get witness information: Ask any bystanders nearby for their names and phone numbers
Look for nearby cameras: Note any traffic cameras, business surveillance systems or doorbell cameras in the area
It would greatly help your case if you have a dashcam and were able to capture the license plate of the at-fault driver. Every detail you gather right now strengthens your case considerably.
How hit-and-run claims work in Louisiana
Louisiana law requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. That coverage becomes your most important resource when the at-fault driver disappears.
Your policy steps in to cover medical bills, lost wages and vehicle damage when the responsible driver never surfaces. Filing a police report right away strengthens your UM claim and gives law enforcement the best possible chance of tracking down who caused the crash.
Should you chase the driver who fled?
Resist that urge. Chasing a fleeing driver puts you and everyone else on the road at serious risk. Instead, gather every identifying detail you can from where you stand.
Then, share it all with the police and your attorney. They can work to trace the driver through surveillance footage, witness accounts and other available evidence.
Stay prepared for the unexpected
Hit-and-run accidents feel deeply unfair but you still have strong options. Acting quickly, documenting the scene thoroughly and reporting the crash right away gives your case a solid foundation.
Additionally, speaking with a personal injury attorney can help you pursue every available avenue for compensation. This way, you don't end up carrying the legal stress on your own or the financial cost of someone else's decision to drive away.]]>On Behalf of Bruno & Bruno<![CDATA[What happens after an offline rideshare crash?]]>https://www.brunobrunolaw.com/?p=492592026-09-08T00:41:21Z2026-09-08T00:41:21ZDoes going offline end rideshare coverage?
Louisiana law states that a prearranged ride is transportation that begins when a driver accepts an app request and ends when the final requesting passenger leaves the vehicle. Therefore, simply switching off the app while the passenger remains inside may not automatically end the original ride.
During a prearranged trip, Louisiana requires at least $1 million in automobile liability coverage for bodily injury, death and property damage. The driver’s insurance or rideshare company may provide this policy.
However, the situation becomes less certain if the driver formally ended the trip in the app and made a separate private agreement with the passenger. The rideshare company may argue that its commercial coverage ended when the recorded trip stopped. Meanwhile, the driver’s personal insurer could deny coverage under an exclusion for transporting passengers for payment.
Agreeing to travel offline does not excuse careless driving or automatically prevent an injured passenger from making a claim. Louisiana law also makes advance agreements limiting responsibility for bodily injury between rideshare drivers and passengers unenforceable.
The exact time the trip ended in the app may become important evidence. Louisiana requires rideshare drivers involved in accidents to disclose whether they were logged into the platform or completing a prearranged ride.
If you are an injured passenger, you should report the collision to the rideshare company, but avoid accepting a quick settlement before the available policies are identified. A legal representative can examine the app records, private agreement and insurance exclusions to determine which parties may be financially responsible for the harm you’ve suffered.]]>On Behalf of Bruno & Bruno<![CDATA[What should you do after a car accident in New Orleans?]]>https://www.brunobrunolaw.com/?p=492582026-08-25T15:37:32Z2026-08-25T15:37:32ZThousands of people suffer from serious injuries, medical bills, vehicle damage and income loss because of a car accident. The Department of Transportation estimates that nearly 40,000 people suffer fatal injuries from car accidents every year. If you have been in a car accident, it is important to understand what steps you should take to protect your legal rights. Here is what you should know:
Call the police
The first thing to do after a car accident is to report the incident to the police. Even if the car accident seemed minor and no one was injured, calling the police can protect you from serious repercussions. The police should arrive at the scene of the accident to collect information from the involved parties by speaking to drivers, passengers and witnesses. They should then document the location of the accident and any evidence that could be important to the case, such as street camera locations.
Speak to paramedics
Paramedics should also arrive when you call the police. You should consider having the ambulance look at you for injuries even if you do not appear hurt. A medical report can benefit you later if you are indeed hurt.
Gather evidence
Before the police arrive and after, you should consider gathering evidence. Having pictures of each vehicle, injuries and the location of the accident can be beneficial if you have to file a legal claim. You may also have video evidence recorded on a traffic camera or dash camera.
Reach out for legal guidance
If you are suffering serious injuries after a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. You may need to consider reaching out for professional legal guidance to help you build a car accident claim to recover from medical bills, vehicle repair bills and lost wages.
]]>On Behalf of Bruno & Bruno<![CDATA[Who has the right of way at a Louisiana intersection?]]>https://www.brunobrunolaw.com/?p=492562026-08-16T01:23:36Z2026-08-16T01:23:36ZLegal guidance can help an injured person understand the applicable road rules and also evaluate whether the motorist, cyclist or pedestrian failed to exercise reasonable care in an intersection crash scenario.
Pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks
At an intersection, a pedestrian has the right of way when crossing within a marked or unmarked crosswalk. If signals are operating, the pedestrian must follow the “Walk” or “Don’t Walk” display. At an intersection without working signals, a driver must stop and yield when a pedestrian is in the roadway the vehicle is traveling on or turning onto.
How Louisiana treats bicycles at intersections
Under Louisiana law, a person riding a bicycle on a highway has the same rights and duties as a vehicle driver. A cyclist must obey stop signs and traffic lights, yield when required and signal a turn when practicable. For example, a bicycle rider making a left turn must submit to approaching traffic.
What duties do motorists have?
While a green light gives a go-ahead for movement, it does not provide an unrestricted right of way. A turning driver must yield to pedestrians lawfully using an adjacent crosswalk and traffic already in the intersection. Before turning right on red, the motorist must stop and yield to lawful traffic and pedestrians. Right of way is a legal responsibility, not permission to ignore an apparent danger.
Louisiana’s comparative-fault system can impact compensation when an injured person shares responsibility. Thankfully, prompt legal review can help clarify who had the right of way and preserve the necessary evidence in the aftermath of an injurious crash.]]>On Behalf of Bruno & Bruno<![CDATA[Can you pursue a Louisiana crash claim after flying home?]]>https://www.brunobrunolaw.com/?p=492552026-07-27T16:18:23Z2026-07-27T16:18:23ZYou came to Louisiana for a wedding or a long weekend, and a crash you did not cause turned the trip upside down. Now you are back home in another state, wondering whether the accident claim is even worth chasing. Distance rarely closes the door. Here is how a Louisiana crash claim can move forward while you recover at home.
Why Louisiana law may still govern after you return home
Where a crash happens usually decides which state's rules apply. Because your collision occurred on Louisiana roads, Louisiana law generally governs the claim, even after you return home. That includes the filing deadline, which the state calls a prescriptive period, its version of a statute of limitations.For most injuries on or after July 1, 2024, the two-year prescriptive period allows two years from the crash to file. Earlier accidents often fall under the older one-year limit, so your crash date matters.
What medical records can show about the injury timeline
Your medical records tie the crash to your injuries, which is why they carry so much weight from a distance. Treatment at a Louisiana emergency room, followed by care from your own doctors, builds a clear timeline. That paper trail helps show your pain began with the collision and not something later. Gaps in treatment can raise doubts, so keeping every appointment and following your provider's plan protects the story your records tell.
How evidence and insurance communication can continue across state lines
Most of a claim now runs on phone calls, email and shared documents, so living in another state rarely slows it down. Photos, the police report, repair estimates and witness statements can all reach your attorney electronically. Insurance adjusters routinely work with injured travelers from other states, and a lawyer can handle those conversations for you. Attorneys familiar with claims for nonresidents can coordinate the paperwork while you focus on recovering.
When returning to Louisiana may become necessary
Some steps may still call you back to the state. If your case does not settle, you could return for a deposition, where attorneys question you under oath, or for an independent medical examination requested by the insurer. A trial, though less common, would also happen in a Louisiana courtroom. Even then, courts increasingly allow remote testimony, which limits how often you travel.
Why early coordination can keep the claim on track
Distance does not have to weaken your claim, but time can. Evidence fades, memories blur and the prescriptive clock keeps running from the day of the crash. Sorting your records, saving every crash-related document and getting Louisiana guidance early gives your claim a stronger foundation while you recover. The sooner the groundwork is in place, the fewer surprises you face if the case moves toward a settlement or court.]]>On Behalf of Bruno & Bruno<![CDATA[3 expensive injuries that can result from rear-end crashes]]>https://www.brunobrunolaw.com/?p=492542026-07-03T12:29:15Z2026-07-03T12:29:15Zone in five traffic fatalities. They can also cause very serious injuries, including the three costly injuries briefly outlined below.
1. Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
Soft tissue injuries can be painful and expensive. They may require medical care, ranging from prescription medication to physical therapy. They can also affect a person's ability to work, especially if they have a physically-demanding job. Whiplash can even affect the ability to sit at a desk for some people.
2. Traumatic brain injuries
People can hit their heads due to the abrupt back-and-forth motions that occur during rear-end collisions. Blunt-force trauma to the head may produce swelling inside the skull or lead to internal bleeding. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can trigger a variety of very serious symptoms, which can be permanent in many cases.
3. Broken bones
People may brace for impact when a rear-end crash occurs, and they may fracture bones in their arms or legs as a result. They may even break their collarbones and ribs. Fractures generally require weeks to heal.
Even if a rear-end crash initially seems minor, people may develop more serious symptoms as time passes. Reviewing car crash circumstances with a personal injury attorney can help those with rear-end crash injuries calculate their losses and pursue compensation for their lost wages and medical expenses effectively.]]>On Behalf of Bruno & Bruno<![CDATA[What to do after a pedestrian accident in New Orleans]]>https://www.brunobrunolaw.com/?p=492532026-06-30T10:16:30Z2026-06-30T10:16:30ZGetting hit by a car while walking is frightening, painful and physically disorienting. In New Orleans, crowded streets, narrow neighborhoods and heavy foot traffic can make pedestrians especially vulnerable. If a driver hit you, none of what follows is your fault. Still, the choices you make in the first hours and days can protect your health, preserve evidence and support a claim for the losses you now face because of the accident.
Get medical care first
Your health comes before everything else. Call 911 or ask someone nearby to call for you. Even if you think you can walk away, have emergency responders or a doctor evaluate you. Pedestrian injuries like concussions, internal bleeding and fractures do not always cause immediate pain, and a treatment delay can complicate recovery. Seeing a doctor promptly also creates medical documentation that ties your symptoms to the crash, which matters if an insurer later questions the connection between the accident and your medical condition.
Report the crash and gather what you can
Make sure the police come to the scene and write a report. If you're able, get the driver's name, license plate and insurance information, then ask any witnesses for their phone numbers before they leave.Take photos of the street, the vehicle, your injuries and nearby details, such as traffic signals, crosswalk markings, lighting and debris. This documentation can matter in pedestrian accident claims. If you're too hurt to do this, ask a companion, witness or nearby business whether someone can help preserve important scene evidence.
Be careful with the insurance company
An insurance adjuster may call quickly and sound friendly, but remember that the adjuster protects the insurance company’s financial interests. Do not give a recorded statement, accept blame or agree to a fast settlement before you understand your injuries and the full cost of treatment.Louisiana follows a comparative fault rule, and insurers often try to assign some responsibility to the person who was walking. That argument does not automatically end the claim, but it can affect the amount available.is.
Keep track of how this affects your life
If you're worried about bills piling up, missed paychecks or caring for your family while you heal, you're not alone. Those losses are part of what a claim may address. Save your medical bills, keep a note of workdays you've missed and hold on to receipts for anything you've paid out of pocket. These details can show how the crash changed daily life, not just what the hospital charged or what appeared in the first medical report.
Know your deadline
Louisiana changed its deadline for many injury claims. For accidents on or after July 1, 2024, state law generally gives injured people a two-year deadline from the date injury or damage occurs. Even so, try to start your claim as soon as you can. Early action helps preserve evidence like video footage, witness statements and road conditions, which can fade or change over time and make your claim harder to prove.
Use the first week to decide what comes next
After the immediate shock passes, the most important question is whether your life is returning to normal or getting harder. Lingering pain, missed work or repeated calls from an adjuster may signal that the accident has consequences beyond the first doctor visit. Treat that as a sign to slow down and get a clearer picture of your losses before you sign paperwork, give statements or make settlement decisions about the claim.]]>On Behalf of Bruno & Bruno<![CDATA[Could a car crash lead to a PTSD diagnosis?]]>https://www.brunobrunolaw.com/?p=492512026-06-24T07:35:55Z2026-06-24T07:35:55ZYes, it is absolutely possible to get a diagnosis for post-traumatic stress disorder due to your involvement in a car accident.
People often think of PTSD as something that comes from a person's occupation or an especially traumatic experience, like serving as a soldier in a combat zone. And it is certainly true that these types of things can cause PTSD.But it is also important to remember that a serious car accident, especially where a person suffered serious injuries or witnessed the death of a loved one, could be one of the most traumatic events of their lives. Even though car accidents themselves happen every day, they are not a common occurrence for an individual, and so could leave them with PTSD after the fact.
What do studies tell us?
When looking at the rate of PTSD, some studies have found that it is fairly common. One report indicated that 26% of those involved in the study reported PTSD, or slightly more than one out of every four people involved in a car accident.Exactly what post-traumatic stress disorder looks like can vary significantly from person to person. One person may have flashbacks or nightmares. Another person may practice extreme avoidance behavior, such as being unable to ride in a car after the accident. Another individual could experience panic attacks due to triggering events, such as if they have to drive through the intersection where the crash occurred.PTSD can be very emotionally difficult, and it can impact someone’s personal relationships. It can even change the course of their professional career, especially if they run into issues like being unable to drive and find reliable transportation. Those who have been involved in an accident caused by another driver need to know how to seek financial compensation for lost wages, medical expenses and other damages.
]]>On Behalf of Bruno & Bruno<![CDATA[How to handle a reckless driver on the highway]]>https://www.brunobrunolaw.com/?p=492502026-06-12T07:50:17Z2026-06-12T07:50:17ZReckless driving poses a serious risk to everyone on the road. Drivers who speed, weave through traffic, tailgate, disregard traffic signals or make unsafe lane changes can increase the likelihood of collisions and injuries.
When encountering a reckless driver, prioritizing safety is essential. Remaining calm and taking appropriate precautions can help protect you, your passengers and other motorists.
Create space, not conflict
When another driver acts dangerously, give them room. Slow down slightly, change lanes when it is safe and avoid matching their speed. Do not brake-check, gesture, honk in anger or block them from passing. These reactions can make the situation worse. Keep both hands on the wheel and watch what is happening around you. If the driver is behind you, move over when possible. If they are in front of you, increase your following distance. A few extra seconds of space can give you time to react if they lose control or cause a crash.
Know what to do next
If the reckless driving creates an immediate danger, call 911 when it is safe. Share the vehicle color, make, model, license plate, location and direction of travel. If a crash happens, move to a safe place if you can. Check for injuries, call for help and wait for officers to arrive. You can also take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, damage or any visible injuries. Afterward, keep medical records, repair bills, police reports and insurance documents in one place. These details may matter if injuries or damage become more serious later.If you were hurt or your vehicle was damaged, it is crucial to seek legal assistance to help you understand your options and avoid mistakes during insurance talks. ]]>On Behalf of Bruno & Bruno<![CDATA[3 ways car crash injuries can derail a professional’s career]]>https://www.brunobrunolaw.com/?p=492482026-05-25T11:54:35Z2026-05-25T11:54:35Z1. Through functional limitations
Regardless of what symptoms a TBI produces, a brain injury has the potential to affect professionals in any career. From issues with balance and motor function to changes in personality and memory deficits, the symptoms of a TBI can prevent a person from returning to their previous line of work.
2. The impact of missed work
When people miss a substantial amount of work, their employers may have a less positive view of their job performance. For those who miss weeks of work due to a TBI or who must attend frequent appointments that require time away from work, their injury-related absences can have a chilling effect on their career development.
3. Changing relationships
A major injury is a personal trauma that tends to have an impact on an individual's closest relationships. Not only do people who have sustained major injuries often notice their family dynamics changing, but their relationships with coworkers, subordinates and clients may change as well. Those changes can potentially have a negative impact on a person's job security or eligibility for advancement opportunities.
Understanding the economic impact of a TBI can help car crash survivors pursue financial compensation more effectively. For those facing long-term career setbacks, options beyond insurance are often necessary given the extent of their losses.]]>