Opelousas Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accident Attorney in Opelousas, LA

After a car accident, it’s imperative that you act quickly to recover damages for your injuries. While the process of filing a claim is fairly simple, it can be challenging to secure the settlement that you deserve. It helps to work with an Opelousas car accident lawyer who has experience navigating cases like yours. For residents throughout St. Landry Parish, Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, is here to help.

Filing a Car Accident Claim in Opelousas, LA

When you file a car accident claim, it’s critical that you are able to prove negligence. Louisiana is a modified comparative fault state, which means any percentage of fault for an incident can reduce your total settlement amount.

Establishing another party’s fault in a car accident isn’t only important for securing your compensation. It also ensures your insurance rates aren’t negatively affected by incidents over which you had no control.

In addition to dealing with your injuries and any related damages, car accidents can also lead to higher insurance costs. Recent data shows that Louisiana has the highest auto insurance premiums of all the southern states. This is partly due to the high number of injury claims filed in the state.

Motor Vehicle Accidents in Louisiana

Motor vehicle accidents accounted for 3,020 non-fatal injury cases reported in Louisiana in a single year. It’s estimated that nearly 60 percent of traffic fatalities were drivers and about 12 percent were passengers. In 2024, there was a total of 753 traffic fatalities in Louisiana, including:

• 451 drivers
• 159 pedestrians
• 70 motorcyclists
• 44 bicyclists

The decisions drivers make on the road ultimately have the biggest impact on overall safety. Behaviors like aggressive driving, fatigued driving, or speeding can exponentially increase the likelihood of an accident.

That said, bad driver behavior isn’t the only cause of motor vehicle accidents throughout the state. Poor road conditions and infrastructure are also major factors in traffic incidents. Louisiana is known for its poor-quality roads.

In St. Landry Parish specifically, poor conditions on Carrington Place and Rue Joubert Street have caused significant travel disruptions. Issues like this exist everywhere throughout the state and can lead to higher volumes of accidents over time. Moreover, these poor road conditions can make it difficult for first responders to get to injured victims.

A Local Opelousas Car Accident Lawyer You Can Trust

If you’re seeking legal counsel after a car accident in Louisiana, it’s wise to look locally. Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, has been serving Opelousas residents for over three decades.

We’re familiar with these roads and the potential dangers on them. We’re dedicated to helping our clients protect themselves and recover the compensation they’re owed when situations arise.

We’re proud to be a leading law firm in personal injury with a 95 percent success rate and more than 4,000 client consultations. Over the years, we have successfully recovered more than $60 million for our clients. We accomplish this by tailoring our legal strategies to each client’s unique needs.

We’ve earned the trust of local Louisianans since we opened our doors in 1994, and we’re just getting started. We’re confident in our ability to help you secure a fair settlement for your losses.

FAQs

What Damages Can I Recover From a Car Accident Claim in Opelousas?

The damages you can recover from a car accident claim in Opelousas depend on the details of your case. It’s important to be able to prove your losses in order to recover damages. The most common economic damages recovered from a car accident claim include lost wages and benefits, medical bills, and property damages.

You may also file to recover non-economic damages for more abstract losses like disability, emotional damage, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.

What Happens if I Can’t Negotiate a Fair Car Accident Settlement With an Insurance Company in Opelousas?

If you can’t negotiate a fair car accident settlement with an insurance company in Opelousas, Louisiana you might have to go to court. While most car accident claims settle out of court, some of them require court involvement.

When negotiations fail, you can take matters before a judge instead. If you’re filing a claim in Opelousas, you can expect to go before the 27th Judicial District Court. It helps to have an Opelousas car accident attorney represent you.

Can I Recover Damages for a Car Accident in Opelousas if I’m Partially at Fault?

You can recover damages for a car accident in Opelousas if you are partially at fault for the accident. As of 2026, Louisiana is a modified comparative fault state. This means that victims in accidents are eligible to recover damages so long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault for the incident.

If you’re partially at fault for an accident, the potential compensation you can recover is going to be reduced based on that percentage of fault.

Do I Have to Go to Court to Settle a Car Accident Claim in Opelousas?

You do not have to go to court to settle a car accident claim in Opelousas. In fact, the majority of personal injury claims are settled out of court. Settling a claim out of court involves negotiating a fair settlement for your losses. This typically means speaking with insurance companies.

An Opelousas car accident lawyer can negotiate terms and escalate matters in court if necessary. You can typically expect a case to go to court only if negotiations are unsuccessful.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Opelousas to Discuss Your Case in More Detail

If you’re in a car accident, it’s critical to know what steps to take to secure a fair settlement. You may want to consider working with an Opelousas car accident attorney. That way, you can be sure you’re doing everything correctly and set yourself up to recover the maximum amount of compensation.

If you live in St. Landry Parish, you can turn to Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, to help with your injury claim. Contact our office to set up a consultation with a trusted attorney today.