Car Accident Attorney in Houma
The Guidance & Support You Need After a Serious Crash
Being injured in a car accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. Suddenly, you might find yourself facing mounting medical bills, you might need to take time off work, and, quite often, insurance companies only add to the confusion.
At Waitz & Downer, our attorneys know what you’re dealing with, and we know how to help. For three generations, we have been helping families in South Louisiana find answers, rebuild, and recover after serious accidents and life-changing injuries.
Contact us online or call (985) 331-7832 for a free consultation.
We understand the worry that follows a car accident. Our goal is to help you move forward with clarity, support, and the confidence that comes from having decades of proven experience on your side. For over 50 years, families in the Houma area have chosen Waitz & Downer because we combine the strength of tradition, the insight of local roots, and a passion for helping people in times of need. If you’re looking for a car accident attorney Houma trusts, you’ve found the right place.
Why Local Experience Matters After a Car Accident
After an accident, the legal team you choose matters. Working with attorneys who know the region inside and out can make all the difference in your recovery. At Waitz & Downer, our legacy runs deep right here in Houma. Three generations of the Waitz family have served this community, and our work continues today alongside Hunt Downer and our respected local team. We grew up in these neighborhoods. We understand the realities our clients face, and we know how serious injuries can impact your life.
Our experience is about more than the years we've been in practice. We have developed important relationships with local judges, have an in-depth understanding of Terrebonne Parish courts, and often work with nearby healthcare providers, like the Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center, to obtain medical records and other important evidence for our clients' claims. What's more, we know how insurance companies handle car accident cases in this area. This allows us to anticipate challenges unique to our region and fight for results that make a real difference in the lives of our clients.
Choosing a car accident lawyer in Houma goes beyond finding one with the right skills to handle your case. It's about trust, shared values, and knowing that your legal team truly supports you. At Waitz & Downer, we treat every client the way we would want our own family to be treated in a time of crisis.
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“Excellent law firm. Attorney Hunt Downer is a very down to earth guy who likes to keep it simple.”- Joseph G.
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“Waitz and Downer has handled legal affairs for my family for years. My daughter was involved in a head on collision with a drunk driver. The insurance company did not want to pay for my daughter to purchase a new car, hers was totaled. Waitz and Downer handled the matter very professionally and things were settled very quickly.”- Lie Ann M.
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“Mary is sharp, professional, and friendly. She strives to meets the needs of her clients, and she truly invest in them and their cases. She is easily assessable, and she is exceptionally honest and trustworthy. She is an excellent attorney, and I highly recommend her!- Dana P.
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Your Rights & Next Steps After a Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident in Houma or anywhere in Terrebonne Parish, it's important to know exactly what steps to take to protect your health, your future, and your legal rights. Louisiana law shapes your options, and timely action is crucial. Prioritizing your well-being and gathering the right information early sets a strong foundation for your case.
If you have just been in a car accident, our attorneys recommend the following:
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Some symptoms may take time to develop or could worsen without treatment.
- Contact the Houma Police Department or Louisiana State Police to make an official accident report. These reports are important for legal and insurance purposes.
- Collect and save evidence, including photos of the vehicles involved, the accident scene, and your visible injuries. Gather names and contact details for witnesses if possible.
- Avoid discussing fault or making agreements with insurers before speaking to a car accident lawyer. Insurance adjusters often try to settle quickly and for less than you may deserve.
- Contact a car accident lawyer who knows Louisiana law. Our team can review your situation at no cost and explain your options right from the start.
Louisiana’s statute of limitations generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a claim (for accidents occurring before July 1, 2024, you have one year to sue for damages). Acting quickly helps ensure you don't miss this important deadline, and it allows us to gather evidence quickly so that we can work to build the strongest case possible. If you have more questions about what you should (or shouldn't) do after a car accident, you can always reach out to our attorneys for personalized answers. Every path to recovery is different, and we are here to guide you.
Seeking Fair Compensation for Accident-Related Injuries
Car accidents are rarely true “accidents.” Most often, these incidents occur because someone was careless or acted outside of the law. Unfortunately, even a seemingly small act of negligence can lead to a life-changing injury—and those responsible should be held accountable. Whether you were hit by a drunk driver, rear-ended by someone who was texting and driving, or injured by a commercial truck driver who failed to follow hours-of-service laws, you deserve justice and compensation to help make you “whole.”
Depending on the specific details of your case, you could be entitled to the following types of compensation:
- Economic Damages: These are losses that can be more easily calculated, as they have a real dollar value. Examples of economic damages include medical expenses and lost wages.
- Non-Economic Damages: These are intangible losses, such as pain and suffering or lost earning capacity, that can significantly impact a person's day-to-day life.
- Punitive Damages: Punitive damages are generally only awarded in cases involving gross negligence or misconduct as a way to punish the defendant, rather than compensate the victim.
Our Houma car accident attorneys can sit down with you during a free initial consultation to discuss the details of your case. We can go over the losses you have suffered, as well as the future damages you are likely to incur. Determining the potential value of a case depends on many different factors, but our team is always prepared to fight for the full, fair recovery our clients are owed. This means preparing every case for trial and negotiating aggressively for fair settlements that meet our clients' needs.
How Our Houma Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
At Waitz & Downer, we believe that supporting car accident victims and their families means more than just handling paperwork. Our approach is based on personal attention, clear communication, and honest answers at every step of your car accident case. We start with a free, confidential consultation—no obligation or pressure. This gives you a chance to share your story, ask questions, and get a clear understanding of your rights without worrying about any initial costs. If you choose to work with our firm, we offer contingency fees, meaning you don't pay any out-of-pocket legal fees. Instead, our attorneys only get paid if they recover compensation for you.
Here’s what you can expect when you work with our team:
- Direct access to your attorney and our entire staff throughout your case
- Clear updates about your case’s progress so you always stay informed
- Plain-language answers to your questions to eliminate legal confusion
- Contingency arrangements—no upfront fees and no payment unless we secure a financial recovery for you
We treat every person who contacts us with dignity and respect. Our goal is to reduce the stress of the legal process so you can focus on your recovery. We encourage questions—everything you share is confidential.
Proven Results for Louisiana Car Accident Victims
In our years spent representing accident victims in Houma and throughout South Louisiana, we have achieved countless life-changing outcomes for real, everyday people who were hurt through no fault of their own. Our goal with every car accident case is to help those affected restore their health and move forward after trauma. Our team has successfully resolved many car accident and personal injury cases, supporting families not just in Terrebonne Parish but also throughout the Gulf Coast.
When it comes to your Houma car accident case, our goal is to secure compensation that helps you:
- Pay your medical bills, including emergency treatment and long-term care
- Replace your lost wages and other income from missed work or due to a new disability
- Address any future health needs that arise from your accident-related injuries
- Rebuild your peace of mind and financial security after a serious crash
No attorney can ever guarantee a specific result, but our track record reflects our commitment to getting our clients every dollar they deserve. We build every case on the strength of our extensive local knowledge, considerable legal insight, and dedication to making a difference. When you need a car accident lawyer in Houma, trust a team that will fight for you.
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Strength with Heart
Big-firm results, small-town heart—we treat every client like one of our own.
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We Stand Firm
From oilfields to open waters, we fight for the injured and the families left behind.
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One Shared MissionThree generations strong, our family’s legacy is protecting yours when tragedy strikes.
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Rooted in the Gulf Coast
Born from the region we serve, we stand with our neighbors through every storm and every fight for justice.
Take the Next Step: Call for Your Free Consultation
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident in Houma, contact our team for a free, confidential consultation. We will listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you understand your rights with no cost or obligation. Our attorneys are ready to work with you personally from start to finish.
Getting started is simple and can make a real difference in your recovery. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can begin answering your questions, explaining your options, and protecting your rights.
Call (985) 331-7832 for your free consultation with a trusted car accident attorney in Houma. We are here to help you move forward.
