The Louisiana Legislature recently passed an auto accident “Tort Reform” bill to reform civil litigation. It is now awaiting Governor John Bel Edwards’ signature, and it is unknown whether he will eventually sign the legislation.
If signed, the reform bill would limit damages in car accident lawsuits for insurance companies and other businesses. It would also require more frequent jury trials that would require lawyers to argue damage claims to more than an individual judge. Finally, it would increase the amount of time victims have to file accident lawsuits to facilitate settlement negotiations.
According to the article, those pushing for tort reform want to cap some types of damages awarded in civil litigation, and it would limit direct suit against insurance companies. They claim this will lower the state’s insurance rates, which are amount the highest in the U.S.
On the other hand, opponents of this legislation say that the reform will make it harder for car accident victims to get the money they need to cover medical bills and that it could actually increase court costs. They also point out that there is a provision in the bill that will not require insurance companies to lower their rates.
Regardless of one’s personal views on tort reform, if signed, this bill could have significant effects on car accident victims. While it will give victims more time to file a lawsuit, it will cap certain types of damages, which could ultimately make it more challenging for victims to be made financially whole.
Car accident victims face an uphill battle to recover, and filing civil lawsuits is often the only way they can get the money they desperately need to get their lives back on track. This is especially true for families who lost loved ones. The civil litigation landscape is constantly changing, which is why getting professional help can be so imperative.