When you need the very best legal consultation, case evaluation and representation it has to be Fletcher & Roy, “The Peoples Lawyers” Ralph Fletcher and Dickie Roy are not only seasoned veteran Attorneys who have been around and have seen it all, they are also passionate advocates for the folks they represent. Ralph Fletcher is a native son, born, raised and educated right here in South Louisiana. He graduated from Paul M. Herbert Law Center at L.S.U. and has been practicing law and getting it right for over twenty five years. He is a devoted husband and loving father of four, Ralph Fletcher understands strong family values and no one is more committed and concerned about helping families and people in general.

Fletcher & Roy are the guys who will be there to help you or a loved one when you have had an accident and the insurance company is trying pay less than your just compensation. They just won’t let it happen. They have represented and helped thousands of people from all walks of life, professionals, tool pushers, policeman, teachers and folks just like you who never in a million years thought they would need the help of a personal injury attorney.

Should that unfortunate day ever come when you or a loved one is seriously harmed or injured you had better call the right attorney the first time, someone who is highly skilled, thoroughly experienced, extremely competent, professional and most importantly tremendously passionate about helping you receive the justice you deserve.

Fletcher & Roy are “The People’s Lawyers”. They are the advocates that you need on your side in times of trouble and are the very best at what they do. Although some may claim to be, not all attorneys are competent, experienced trail lawyers. When you see the big full page advertisement in the yellow pages, be cautious. Even incompetent, inexperienced attorneys can have big advertisements.

You can make the right choice from the very beginning with Fletcher & Roy because they are always looking out for you. There have been many times when an incompetent lawyer has messed up a plaintiff‘s case and another attorney was asked to file litigation against them, it happens all the time.

Ralph Fletcher says, “We keep in touch with our clients and the lines of communication are always open”. The most common complaint people have about their lawyer is that they are kept in the dark about their case and there is a lack of communication. That is definitely not the situation with Fletcher & Roy. We are always accessible, available and our door is always open to our clients.”

When I asked Ralph Fletcher how he felt about the criticism directed toward the legal profession and personal injury attorneys in general he said this, “I am very proud of the profession I have chosen. I am in the service of others and I get to help people every day and there is nothing more rewarding than to know you are making a difference. If not for my help, many people would be cheated and taken advantage of and would never receive compensation for their loss and receive the justice we all deserve. We offer help and assistance to the weak, poor and defenseless and give them the opportunity to be treated fairly and get the justice they deserve. After all isn’t that the American way. In my opinion there is nothing greater than to be in the service of your fellow man. Some of the greatest men in history have been trial attorneys. Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were all trial attorneys. In fact twenty five of the fifty six signers of the Declaration of Independence were attorneys and thirty two of the fifty five framers of our Constitution were all lawyers. It is without a doubt a noble and honorable profession and I am blessed to be a part of it. It’s not the character of the profession, but the character of the person in the profession. I rest my case,” Ralph says jokingly.

When it comes to something as important as your long term health care after a serious injury, you need to have the very best legal team on your side; Fletcher & Roy would like to offer you their services if you should ever need them. They will treat you fairly, honestly and with the utmost professionalism. They will definitely get you the just compensation and the justice you deserve.

Here is a little known fact that you really need to know; the first thing that insurance companies do when there is an accident or a claim is to consult with their legal team of professionals in order to discuss and develop a strategy of how not to compensate you, the victim, no matter how hurt, injured or disabled you may become. Insurance companies are in the business of saving the company money, unfortunately at your expense. Once you become the victim, you also become the enemy that must be defeated. They may offer a quick, small settlement to the victim who is in financial need or use a number of other tactics to avoid compensating you. They are skilled experts at this game. They have attorneys working 24/7 for them and against you. You cannot fight them alone.

The only recourse you have is to balance the playing field with your own team of tough, highly skilled legal professionals like Fletcher & Roy. Never accept a quick settlement because most, if not all of the time you are not going to be treated fairly. You cannot fight the powerful insurance companies and their attorneys but Fletcher & Roy can and will fight and win for you.

They can help you because they specialize in all types of personal injury and negligent incidents, vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, daycare and nursing home abuse, birth injury, and any other intolerable offences, wrongful death, maritime, premises and security liability, toxic torts, insurance disputes, mass tort litigation and class action suits.

“If you have been injured, we want to help you. If a family member or friend needs our help, we can help them as well. Just call us anytime day or night. We are always there for you and there is absolutely no charge for the consultation,” ~ Ralph Fletcher.

If you are one of the fortunate people who have never been involved in an automobile accident which necessitated hiring a personal injury attorney, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. You should know, however, that in the United States a person is injured in an auto accident every 14 seconds-over two million of those injured each year will suffer debilitating and sometimes permanent injuries. With odds like these, you should understand the complexity of receiving a fair settlement for injuries suffered in an auto accident, and why an auto accident attorney can be a true lifeline during the difficult, challenging times following such an accident. While an attorney cannot lessen the inconvenience or pain you have suffered following an auto accident, he can accomplish the demanding and inevitable task of dealing with the insurance company on your behalf, and ensuring that, at the very least, you receive the equitable monetary settlement you are entitled to.

“Personal injury” claims or lawsuits are pursued by individuals who have suffered injury or damages as a result of the negligent or intentional conduct of another person, organization or entity. In most cases, a personal injury claim or lawsuit will involve a physical injury such as bone fracture, herniated or ruptured disc, torn ligament, laceration, paralysis, burn, amputation, or other type of bodily injury. However, personal injury cases can involve other types of non-physical harm such as damage to a person’s reputation, physiological trauma, and severe emotional distress, violation of one’s civil rights or invasion of one’s right to privacy.

"Having worked over 25 years as a personal injury attorney, I have found that one of the most important things my clients can do after an auto accident is to get the medical help that they need". Whether it is because of costs, or because the client thinks they can get through their injuries without medical attention, many people stop seeking care after they are released from the emergency room. Even though one can understand the rationale to do this under certain circumstances, it is critical for people to know how important follow-up care is to their health and car accident claim. Without seeking further medical health, you are essentially telling a jury that you really aren't as injured as you claim to be.

After a serious auto accident, you can get in touch with an experienced injury attorney to help you with your case. Once you have an attorney to represent you, there is a better chance that a doctor will see you even if you do not have the financial resources to normally see one. You may need to see a specialist for a specific injury as well.

As a personal injury lawyer, I understand what needs to happen when there has been a automoble accident; someone has been injured, and needs compensation for their injuries and medical expenses.

Louisiana law requires that you have at least a certain minimum amount of car insurance. When you buy your car insurance policy, ask for advice from your agent or insurance company about additional insurance, including coverage to protect you in case you are injured by someone who does not have enough insurance or if you happen to injure someone else.

Sometimes the other driver in an accident is guilty of negligence or recklessness, and there is liability that should result in a compensation settlement for you - covering monetary damages for pain or suffering, lost wages, and reasonable (current and foreseeable future) medical expenses. So there are both "actual damages" - such as medical treatment costs - and "moral damages" covering an accident's trauma and the retribution for liability.

Such negligence - which could result in minor injury, incapacitation, or even death - can take many forms such as failure to signal a turn correctly or observe the speed limit or obey a traffic signal such as a stop sign. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is another potential form of delinquency. And now with the prevalence of cell phones and "smart" phones, messaging, texting, and mere distracting conversation can become highly dangerous factors. Even fiddling with the car stereo or one's iPod or MP3 player could yield deadly results.

Liability may even apply to road designers or builders if there are structural or traffic-flow flaws responsible for an accident, such as badly designed highway entrances or exits, road obstructions, confusing or partially concealed signs, or inadequate lighting.

Injuries from car crashes take myriad forms. Whiplash is probably the best-known single grievance, but other types of spine, spinal cord, and neck injuries are common, as are concussions and other harm to the head, skull, and brain. Broken bones can occur: legs, arms, knees, ankles, etc. Other harsh possibilities include punctured lungs, severed limbs, internal bleeding, and organ injuries.

Accident injuries can be tricky to diagnose because symptoms don't appear for several days, until the effect of the endorphins wears off.

Experience and trial-tested legal skills are only a few of the assets they have to offer at Fletcher & Roy. What really sets them apart from other injury law firms is compassion and the real commitment they have to providing hands-on personal service. In their experience, getting people through crisis situations like these absolutely requires a willingness to be there for them at every stage of the process. To allow for this, Fletcher & Roy has deliberately chosen not to follow a high-volume case model. "We would rather focus on fewer, more serious cases and give each person and every case we handle the time and attention they deserve", says Ralph Fletcher.

Below I have listed some of the things an Accident Attorney can do for an accident victim :

1. Help get your vehicle fixed or replaced using property damage insurance.

2. Deal with and fight the insurance companies if necessary.

3. Collect and preserve your evidence.

4. Take statements from Police Officers and Witnesses.

5. Present your claim and fight for the highest possible value.

6. File a lawsuit, if necessary, and take the case through trial to a verdict in a Louisiana court.

7. Make sure that all of your medical bills are paid or waived.

8. Negotiate with your medical providers to reduce your medical bills. This means more money in your pocket.

9. Fight collection agencies regarding your accident related medical bills using Louisiana law.

Any motor vehicle accident is traumatic. It is even worse when injuries occur. The first priority is to make sure everyone is seen by a physician and properly treated for injuries, so call an ambulance or go to an emergency room. Then you need to know some things in order to properly handle the settlement case.

- Take notes of any admissions the other driver may make
(such as admitting he was at fault or was distracted). Get witness information. Carry a disposable camera and take your own pictures.

- Do not make statements to adjustors, investigators or even police about your injuries or about fault in the accident. Honest people make quick and sometimes wrong assessments and later those words hurt your ability to recover damages. (Many people who are in shock at the time will tell the police that they are all right only to wake up the next morning with severe pain and stiffness. They are not liars. The body does work that way.)

- A ticket issued by police does not automatically guarantee that you will win nor does it automatically mean you will lose. The standards of proof for traffic offenses and the standards of proof for civil actions are different. And even a driver violating the law may not be the proximate cause of the accident.

- Be wary of insurance adjusters that offer quick checks. While they often divide the case into property damage (rental car and fixing your car) and medical damages (lost wages, medical bills and perhaps pain and suffering), the way you settle one could affect the way the other is settled.

- Pick a serious law firm that is not just interested in trading paper and getting a quick settlement. Make sure your lawyer is unafraid of going to trial and follow the attorney's advice, they are the professionals with the experience. Fletcher & Roy know what it takes to support victims as they navigate the complex and often confusing realm of personal injury cases.

Car accident victims find it tough to file a personal injury claim, they simply do not know where to start. Hiring Fletcher & Roy can be of great assistance. They have thorough knowledge about the state laws. Help from these experienced lawyers increases your chances of getting the proper care after an accident, because after a settlement occurs it is too late to address any injuries.

Here are the most typical types of doctors that accident victims should see:

Neurologist: Neurologists concentrate on the human nervous system. This consists of the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. Brain and spinal cord injuries are sometimes a result of car accidents, and may be life altering for those who suffer them. The chance of recovery can be improved as neurologists test the patient and determine the best course of action.

Orthopedist: Orthopedists deal with bones and joints. As you would expect, in critical car accidents, bones are very susceptible to being broken through extreme force. Even if your injuries are not obvious, it is still a wise decision to see an orthopedist if you are going through pain or soreness in your bones or joints. Occasionally these less painful injuries can transform into bigger issues in the future if they are not properly cared for.

Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are often overlooked by car accident victims, but the emotional trauma that an accident can cause may require somebody to see one. If you have been emotionally scarred in some way as a car accident victim, it is essential to show a desire to overcome the pain by seeing a psychiatrist. The anxieties and memories that can haunt somebody who has been in a motor vehicle accident may be tough to conquer, but by seeing a psychiatrist, you are taking the initial step on the road to recuperation.

Chiropractor: Chiropractors are very helpful in helping people heal from deep tissue injuries which could occasionally be overlooked by other physicians. Seeing a chiropractor can work towards alleviating a lot of pain that results from a car accident. If you think that your injury deserves chiropractic attention, then you should see a chiropractor immediately.

It is so crucial to follow-up with your doctor or specialist to treat specific injuries.Go to that doctor.

It is important that you follow up with the doctor soon after the initial visit. Any delay could make things worst for your back and neck. Be sure to express all your symptoms, even depression. Adjusters will review those medical records and will find exactly what you tell the doctor. If you keep your pain silent, then the adjuster will assume that you did not have any.

Stick to your treatment schedule. If you start skipping dates and not doing everything in your power to get better, adjusters will decrease the value of your claim. Adjusters will justify gaps in treatment as an injury that was not very significant.

The number of motorcycle enthusiasts has increased in recent years. One possible reason for the increase is the need for economical transportation. Regardless of the reason, every year there are riders who are venturing out for the first time. New Jersey like most other states has a mandatory helmet law. In addition, there is state funded rider education available to every rider. New motorcycles include more designed safety features, technologies for helmets and other safety gear has improved, there are many resources for rider training, and the state has enacted laws and provides resources to help keep riders safe. But accidents still happen.

The hazards that motorcyclists face are the same as other vehicles with some additions that are unique or amplified because of their size and being a two wheeled vehicle. Many motorcycle accidents are one vehicle accidents that are caused or complicated by speed, road conditions or weather. Motorcycle accidents that involve a collision with a car, truck or bus can have serious consequences for the rider because of the limited protection afforded by a two wheeled vehicle.


Visibility is a significant factor in many motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles. Many drivers of autos who have just had an accident involving one state that they did not see the motorcycle. No matter what effort is made by the rider to make them and their bike more visible the size difference creates a challenge for drivers who are making decisions in traffic based on a quick glance looking for a hazard. Unless a driver is specifically thinking about looking for a smaller conflict (motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian) they can easily miss their presence when looking for an approaching vehicle.

There is a lot of information available to motorcycle enthusiasts oriented to maintaining an emphasis on safety. Among them are: affinity riding groups, insurance companies, motorcycle dealers, and others that routinely publish information and hold rider safety training events. With all of the equipment and resources available a significant part of riders staying safe rests on themselves. Knowing the unique hazards and maintaining a vigilant posture that exceeds that of normal drivers can be life saving behaviors for riders.

Even if a rider does everything safely, accidents can still happen. Traffic accidents are typically the combination of a number of factors. When those factors combine and result in a collision between a motorcycle and an auto, truck or bus the outcome can be very serious for everyone involved especially the rider and passenger of a motorcycle. Motorcycle accidents, as any personal injury attorney lawyer will tell you, are usually deadlier than automobile accidents.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a motocycle accident, you should contact an experienced attorney immediately so that your accident can properly be investigated and evidence preserved.

When you or your loved one is involved in an accident involving a truck, especially a large truck or long-haul and heavy equipment moving truck, your case will involve special attention. You will need an experienced attorney to handle your claim, as detailed investigations must be completed to properly protect the client and prove the client’s claims.

Trucking accidents often involve commercial vehicles and issues regarding subcontracting or employment of drivers, proper permits and CDL licenses, route approvals, proper rest times, weight limits and other details that must be thoroughly investigated.

When a truck driver negligently operates a vehicle in the course and scope of his employment or as an agent for a trucking company or other employer, there is a claim not only against the negligent driver, but also the employer. Many companies are involved in interstate trucking operations and the employer may or may not be a business incorporated in this state. Further, interstate trucking is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

Injuries sustained in trucking accidents can range from minor to horrific with catastrophic injuries or injuries resulting in death. There are many different reasons that accidents involving large trucks may occur. They can be caused by long work shifts, driver fatigue, use of a mobile phone, speeding, unsafe drivers, jack knifing, defective vehicle equipment, failure to have tires or other equipment in proper working condition and many other reasons.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, you should contact an experienced attorney immediately so that your accident can properly be investigated and evidence preserved.

"For questions about these issues and to learn more about how to recover the maximum amount available for your trucking accident, you may call us for a free consultation and evaluation of your case," adds Ralph Fletcher.

Statistics prove that the likelihood of a death or serious injury increases significantly when a traffic accident involves a large truck. There are several reasons why trucking accidents have a higher incidence of fatality, including these:
1. Size and weight of the truck – A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (40 tons). With a special overweight permit, its total weight can significantly exceed 80,000 pounds. In contrast, most automobiles weigh between 3,000 – 5,000 pounds. Thus, loaded semi-trailer trucks can weigh more than 20 times a typical car. The massive size and weight of a truck generates tremendous impact forces during any collision with an automobile. Moreover, a much smaller automobile is less able to absorb or dissipate the huge amount of energy generated by a striking large truck.

2. Strength and more solid of the truck metal - The metal and other materials used on large trucks are heavier, stronger and built more solid than those used on automobiles. Thus, a large truck will absorb less of the energy generated at impact and cause more of it to be transferred to the weaker car materials. This adds to the injury causing dynamics for the automobile occupants.

3. Height of the truck vs. height of an automobile – Because of the significant height differential, the strongest part of a large truck often collides into the weakest part of an automobile. In addition, the crumble zones and passenger restraint systems of cars are designed primarily for collisions with personal passenger vehicles, not large trucks. For these reasons, occupants of automobiles are not well protected against the uniquely dangerous circumstances of a crash with a large truck.

4. Slow deceleration of a truck after braking – The average length of time it takes to stop an 18-wheeler is 40% greater than that of an automobile. Thus, all other things being equal, a large truck will be traveling at a greater impact speed than would an automobile under the same accident sequencing. Obviously, a greater impact speed will be associated with a higher rate of fatality and severe injury.

5. Large trucks often carry flammable and hazardous materials – Some deaths and injuries are not caused by the initial impact of a large truck. Instead, they are the result of secondary injuries due to burns caused by chemicals or flammable liquids which ignite after the crash. Secondary injuries can also be caused by the inhalation of toxic hazardous substances being transported by the large truck.

Offshore accidents might come few and far between, but when they do take place they often result in serious injuries or even fatalities. In addition, because these accidents are far away from land, they often make it difficult for getting the victims the proper medical attention they need, in a timely fashion.

Because of the Jones Act, many victims of offshore accidents are protected. This legislation, created in 1920, was designed to assist maritime employees after they become injured. Since then, this piece of legislation has assisted many sailors in recovering compensation following their offshore accidents.

In the US, admiralty law falls under the jurisdication of US district courts. However, when state law is an issue in the US, the maritime cases may have concurrent jurisdiction. Because of the wide range of state and local laws this can be extremely complex and challenging for the victim to understand.