Laotian Speaking Lawyer for Accident Injury Cases

Laotians and other Laos-speaking immigrants began arriving in the United States shortly after the Vietnam War. Currently, California is home to the largest population of Laotian Americans, which includes the Hmong, a mountainous tribe from the county of Laos. The language is also used by over 20 million people in northeast Thailand. In spite of the fact over 58,000 Laotians reside in California, it can be difficult to find legal professionals that are fluent in Lao.

If you have been harmed in an accident and need help navigating the legal system, please contact Normandie Law Firm as soon as possible. We have an entire team of bilingual attorneys, paralegals, and case managers, who can communicate with you in your preferred language. Our attorneys are ready to take immediate action on your case and ensure that justice is served for your harm and suffering.

The Benefits of Hiring a Laotian-Speaking Accident Injury Lawyer

Fortunately, the law is on your side when you are a victim of an accident that was caused by someone else. However, there’s no denying the complexities of the American legal system, particularly when you are a Lao-speaking individual. While family and friends can be helpful if you are struggling with a language barrier, this is not the best source of information when you need help with the legal system. Thus, it’s highly recommended that you consult a Laotian-speaking lawyer for accident injury cases.

The bilingual legal team of Normandie Law Firm is here for you, no matter what type of injuries you’ve suffered. Our practice areas include:

• Motor vehicle accidents – cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, trains, government agency vehicles.
• Slip and fall / trip and fall accident claims
• Aviation accidents (helicopter / plane crash, fires, etc.)
• Injuries due to falling objects
• Uber and Lyft driver accidents
• Animal attack / dog bite injuries
• Assault and battery
• Sexual assault
• Medical malpractice
• Workplace injury (workers’ compensation claims)
• Defective product accident

Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements

Injury Compensation for Uber and Lyft Drivers

Many Lao-speaking immigrants often work more than one job, which means they need a flexible source of income that can fit into their busy schedules. Rideshare driving is a great option for these individuals, but working for Uber or Lyft can put you at greater risk of an auto accident. You can, of course, seek compensation from the at fault party’s insurance company, but you may also be entitled to compensation under Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy.

Essentially, both companies offer supplemental accident coverage for up to $1 million, which protects both the driver and their passengers. The coverage kicks in once you log into the app and are waiting for a passenger. If you are available but do not have a passenger in the car, you are covered for up to $100,000 for any injuries due to an accident, and up to $25,000 if there is damage to your vehicle. However, the coverage jumps to the maximum of $1 million if you are transporting a passenger at the time of your accident.

Of course, just because you are entitled to payment doesn’t mean that either company will make things easy for you. It’s not unusual for Ube or Lyft to insist that the coverage offered by your own insurance is enough. At the same time, your insurance company may deny your claim because you were driving for a rideshare company at the time.

It can be very challenging to assert your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve when you have limited English-speaking skills. Our law firm is here to make sure that justice is not denied to you. We have represented countless Lyft and Uber accident victims throughout the years, so we are more than ready for the challenge of fighting for you and the settlement you are entitled to.

The Right to Sue for an Accident

Not all accidents can be blamed on someone else, so how can you tell if you have the right to sue for your injuries? Basically, you will need to show that another party failed to take reasonable care, which could have prevented your accident. In legal terms, this is known as “negligence,” and it typically involves the following circumstances:

• An individual, private entity, or government agency / employee acted in a careless or reckless manner, or failed to resolve a condition that had the potential to cause harm to others.
• Due to their act of negligence, you suffered an accident that resulted in bodily and/or psychological injuries.
• Your injuries caused you to suffer financial and emotional losses, which you have the right to recover from the negligent party.

As previously stated, negligence can take place in the form of intentional acts or failing to foresee a dangerous situation. The first part is easy enough to understand, as there are many types of conduct that are more than likely to cause harm to another individual. That’s why we follow traffic laws, for example, like yielding to pedestrians and not driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

But what does it mean to be responsible for an accident that may happen due to a dangerous condition? This situation typically applies to property owners, who must inspect and maintain their property on a regular basis. That way, they can be alerted to hazards that have the potential to injure someone. Thus, if there was a leaking pipe in a building that caused you to slip and fall, you would have grounds to sue the property owner, even if they did not directly cause the plumbing issues that led to your accident.

There may be other elements that we will have to examine in order to figure out who is liable for your accident. We know all this information can be overwhelming, but a Lao-speaking lawyer can help you understand your rights and legal options during a free case evaluation.

Settlement Value for Accident Injury Claims in California

The amount that we can recover on your behalf depends on many elements that are unique to your accident, as well as the severity of your injuries. In addition, your settlement will include a variety of damages, such as pain and suffering, medical expenses, missed wages, mental anguish, and damage to your personal property. When these damages are combined, your accident claim may be worth around $15,000 to well over $1 million. To get a better idea of what you can potentially recover from a lawsuit, please contact us at your earliest convenience.

Is there a Time Limit to Sue for my Accident?

Yes, you are bound by a statute of limitations when you are seeking compensation from a party that has injured you. In California, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years of the accident date if you are suing a private individual or company / business. Most lawsuits fall under these categories, but what if your accident was due to negligence by the government? For example, maybe you were injured in a government building, or you were harmed by a careless city employee. In these situations, you must file an accident claim with the state or county within 6 months. If your claim is rejected, you will have either 6 months or two years to file a lawsuit, depending on how the agency responds to your claim.

As you can see, it can be rather complicated to determine the correct statute of limitations for your case. We are available 24/7 to help you with this issue and any other questions you have about your legal rights.

How long does it take to Settle an Accident Injury Claim? 

The process of settling a personal injury claim can be a lengthy process, depending on how badly you’ve been injured and the losses you are entitled to as a result of your accident. Ideally, we will be able to negotiate a fair amount of damages for you within 6 months. However, it can take over a year before the other side agrees to a settlement amount that’s in line with your level or harm and suffering. If the defendant is particularly resistant, going to trial may be the only option. If so, the process of recovering your compensation award can take 2 years or longer.

Second Opinions on Active Injury Claims

If another law firm is handling your claim, perhaps we can be of assistance to you with a free second opinion. This is a chance for accident victims to discuss specific elements in their case and verify that their claim is on the right track. You may also have serious concerns about your attorney’s conduct, or whether they are experienced or committed enough to handle your lawsuit. A Laotian-speaking legal expert is ready to evaluate your case and help you take the necessary steps towards the settlement you deserve. These consultations are free with no obligation to leave your current law firm, so contact us right away to schedule a second opinion on your accident claim.

Take Advantage of the Zero Fee Guarantee

Your finances are stretched to the limit when you are in the process of recovering from an accident. You know that legal representation is essential to obtaining payment from the responsible party. But how can you afford an attorney when you are struggling to cover your daily living expenses?

Let us put your mind at ease with the Zero Fee guarantee. You pay nothing to retain our services, since all our lawyers work on contingency. We bill the defendant for the cost of representing you, which we only receive by winning your case. If we lose, you owe us nothing, since we don’t believe in getting paid unless you get paid.

We look forward to meeting you and doing all that we can to help you move forward from your accident. Call Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free consultation with a Lao-speaking accident injury attorney.