Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyers

Reclaim Your Life After a Car Accident in Louisiana

At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a car accident can take on you and your family. Our dedicated team of Baton Rouge car accident attorneys has a proven track record of success, recovering billions of dollars for clients like you.

With years of experience handling complex car accident cases, we’re committed to providing personalized legal guidance and unwavering support. From the moment you contact us, we’ll work tirelessly to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.

If you were injured in a car accident, contact us online or call (225) 999-1111 to schedule a free initial consultation. You pay nothing unless you recover money.

Why Clients Choose Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys

• We have a nearly 100% success rate.
• We have recovered over $10 billion for our clients.
• We will come to you to discuss your case.
• You pay nothing until we win for you.

Schedule a free consultation, and you will quickly understand why clients trust Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys for their Baton Rouge car accident cases. 

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• Do I Need a Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer?
• What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
• Common Causes of Car Accidents
• Common Types of Car Accidents
• The Most Dangerous Roads in Baton Rouge
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Who Can Be Held Liable?
• Dealing With an Insurance Company After a Car Accident
• What Compensation is Available?
• What is the Statute of Limitations?
• What If I Lost a Loved One in a Car Accident?
• Contact Us

Do I Need a Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer?

Some personal injury victims attempt to resolve their personal injury claims without an attorney. However, this is rarely a wise decision.

Being represented by an experienced Baton Rouge car accident attorney is best for numerous reasons, including:

• Fighting Unfair Tactics: Insurance companies and defense attorneys work hard to deny or devalue your claim. However, an experienced car accident attorney knows how to combat their unfair tactics and hold them responsible for paying the full value of your damages.
• Accurate Damage Calculation: An experienced car accident injury attorney will help ensure all current and future damages are accurately calculated to understand what would be a fair settlement of your case. You should not settle your claim until you know its actual value.
• Higher Settlement Success: You will almost always have a significantly better outcome when represented by an experienced car accident lawyer in Baton Rouge.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?

At the Scene:

1. Call 911: If there are injuries or vehicles blocking traffic, call emergency services immediately.
2. Document the Scene: Use your phone to take photos and videos of damage, injuries, and road conditions.
3. Exchange Information: Get contact and insurance details from all parties involved.
4. Report to Police: If there are injuries or significant property damage, report the accident to local authorities. Louisiana law requires you to report an accident to local police if the collision causes any injuries or $500 or more in property damage.
5. Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health; seek medical help for any injuries.
6. Avoid Admitting Fault: Don’t apologize or admit blame.

After the Accident:

1. Consult with a Lawyer: Seek legal advice to protect your rights and pursue compensation.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company: Notify them promptly about the accident.
3. Preserve Evidence: Keep medical records, repair bills, and other documents.
4. Limit Communication: Avoid discussing the accident with the other driver or their insurance company until you have legal representation.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Louisiana include:

• Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of an accident. Speeding drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicles or fail to stop in time, resulting in collisions.
• Aggressive Driving: Reckless driving behaviors, such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or running red lights, can lead to serious accidents. Reckless drivers often cause avoidable accidents if they follow the rules of the road.
• Failure to Use Turn Signals: Failing to signal intentions can confuse other drivers and lead to collisions.
• Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Disregarding traffic signals can result in T-bone collisions and other serious accidents.
• Drunk or Drugged Driving: Impaired driving significantly impairs a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents. Drunk or drugged drivers often cause accidents that result in serious injuries or fatalities.
• Distracted Driving: Distracted driving, such as using a cell phone or texting while driving, takes a driver’s attention away from the road, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Drowsy Driving: Driving while fatigued can impair a driver’s ability to react to hazards, leading to accidents.
• Improper Turns: Making turns without yielding the right of way or failing to signal can lead to collisions.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Baton Rouge

Although crashes can happen in many ways, some collisions are more common than others. Knowing the type of accident can help determine what caused the crash.

Common types of crashes include:

• Head-On Accidents. This occurs when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions directly collide. These crashes, also known as frontal collisions, tend to occur when someone is driving on the wrong side of the road or when a driver navigates into oncoming traffic to pass a car ahead of them.
• Side-Impact Accidents. Many side-impact collisions happen in intersections when drivers do not properly yield to traffic. The initial collision may put the vehicles in the path of oncoming traffic and cause a chain reaction.
• Rear-End Accidents. A driver “rear-ends” another vehicle when they fail to slow, stop, or react to a vehicle ahead of them, causing the rear car to collide with the vehicle in front of it. These crashes are often the result of fatigue or distracted driving.
• Roll-Over Accidents. These types of accidents are typically single-car crashes. They can happen when a vehicle traveling at a significant speed swerves or makes a sudden turn, perhaps to avoid a hazard or oncoming traffic. 
• Single–Vehicle Accidents. Other kinds of single-vehicle accidents can be the result of various factors, including harsh weather, driving while intoxicated, or dozing off behind the wheel. Defective components can also cause a vehicle to stop suddenly or otherwise fail to respond to driver input.
• Highway Construction Accidents. Construction crews and equipment pose a serious hazard, often requiring drivers to reduce speed, stop suddenly, merge without sufficient notice, or navigate unusual routes.
• Bicycle Accidents. As bikes become an increasingly popular way to exercise and commute, cyclists and motorists need to share the road more often. Collisions can be particularly hazardous for cyclists, who have very little physical protection.
• Pedestrian Accidents. Collisions with pedestrians are far too frequent in Louisiana. Although they are often caused by driver error, road hazards, traffic design, or even pedestrian negligence can also play a role.

The Most Dangerous Roads in Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge is a busy place with a great deal of vehicle traffic. Whether you’re traveling down the I-10, I-12, Interstate 110, Airline Highway (U.S. 61), U.S. 190, or any city streets, there’s always the risk of being involved in an accident – especially as Baton Rouge has been ranked among the nation’s most dangerous cities for drivers by several studies. 

But as the data shows, there are some roads and intersections more notorious for accidents. These include:

1. Nicholson Dr. As the most dangerous street in Baton Rouge, hundreds of accidents occur along Nicholson Drive every year, including an average of over 400 on the span between downtown and LSU. 
2. O’Neal Ln. The stretch of O’Neal Lane between Harrell’s Ferry Road and Interstate 12 sees hundreds of accidents each year, often due to heavier traffic flows.
3. Staring Ln. Staring Lane sees an average of 300 accidents every year, particularly along the busy corridor between Highland Rd. and Perkins Rd.
4. Highland Rd. The portion of Highland Rd. spanning from the I-10 intersection to Airline Highway at Perkins Rd. doesn’t have as many wrecks as the streets above but is still home to roughly 245 accidents each year, on average. 
5. Burbank Dr. Burbank may be a more rural roadway than the other streets on this list, but the span from Bluebonnet to Lee Drive still has well over 200 accidents every year. 

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Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Crash in Baton Rouge

Being involved in a car accident can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. In the aftermath, it can be easy to make mistakes that could negatively impact your ability to receive compensation for your injuries and damages. 

Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Not Seeking Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine after the accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries may not present symptoms immediately, and delaying medical treatment could harm your case.
• Admitting Fault: It is important to avoid apologizing or admitting fault at the scene of the accident. This can be used against you during negotiations or in court.
• Not Collecting Evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, damage to your vehicle, and any injuries you sustained. Collect contact information from witnesses and the other driver.
• Accepting a Quick Settlement: Insurance companies may offer a quick settlement to avoid a lawsuit. However, this settlement may not fully compensate you for your injuries and damages. It is important to consult with a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer before accepting any settlement offers.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Baton Rouge Car Accident?

In most car accident cases, negligent motorists are held liable for the damages they cause victims. However, drivers are not always the only ones to blame when accidents happen. 

At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, our award-winning team conducts meticulous investigations to identify the underlying cause of accidents and the potential liable parties involved. Depending on the circumstances, this could be a:

• Negligent driver.
• Property owner that failed to address hazards on their land that caused a crash.
• Commercial trucking company that violated trucking regulations.
• Rideshare companies (like Uber or Lyft) whose drivers negligently cause a crash.
• Corporate entity responsible for an employee who negligently drove a work vehicle or van.
• Manufacturer of defective products, including defective tires and auto parts.
• School system that employed a negligent school bus driver.

In some cases, at-fault motorists don’t have enough insurance coverage (or any auto insurance at all) to cover damages suffered by the victims they’ve harmed. 

In these cases, our attorneys explore whether victims have uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM, UIM) coverage as part of their auto insurance policies. This optional coverage can allow victims harmed by uninsured and underinsured drivers to file claims directly with their own insurance company. However, as insurance carriers care more about profits than people, they still fight these first-party claims aggressively, which is why it’s important to have a lawyer. 

Dealing With an Insurance Company After a Car Accident

While at-fault motorists are typically named as defendants in car accident lawsuits, it is the insurance carriers from whom these motorists purchased coverage that handle the case.

Fortunately, our team at Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys is dedicated to helping accident victims level the playing field with insurance companies. Your Baton Rouge car accident attorney can help you deal with insurers by:

• Handling all communications with insurance company representatives on your behalf.
• Filing claims, demand, and lawsuits, as appropriate.
• Handling all aspects of discovery between you and the insurer, including interrogatories and evidence exchanges. 
• Engaging in settlement negotiations on your behalf or representing your interests at trial.

What Compensation is Available for Louisiana Car Accident Injuries?

If you were injured in a car accident, you have the right to recover monetary damages from the responsible party or parties. Compensation in these cases is meant to put you back in the financial position you were in before the crash.

Types of compensation you can typically recover after a Louisiana car accident include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium
• Future expenses (medical, lost income, financial support)

In the tragic event where a person perishes in a car accident, certain family members have the right to seek similar compensation for wrongful death. Personal injury and wrongful death cases also allow for victims to recover future damages, including any future medical expenses they may require or future lost income or financial support a victim would have provided / earned prior to their injury.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Baton Rouge Car Accident Claims?

A statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing your claim. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to recover compensation for your damages.

In Louisiana, most personal injury claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2493.1. However, the timeline depends on when your accident occurred:

• Accidents before July 1, 2024: You have one year from the date of the incident to file a claim.
• Accidents on or after July 1, 2024: You have two years from the date of the incident to file a claim.

Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations

In some cases, the statute of limitations may be paused (tolled) or shortened, depending on the circumstances. For example:

• Tolling: The deadline may be extended if the injured person is a minor, mentally incapacitated, or if the at-fault party leaves the state.
• Shorter Deadlines: Certain claims, like those against government entities, may have much shorter filing deadlines.

Because these rules can be complex, it’s critical to consult an experienced car accident attorney in Baton Rouge as soon as possible to determine your specific deadline and protect your rights.

What If I Lost a Loved One in a Car Accident?

The expanded statute of limitations does not apply to wrongful death and survival actions. If your loved one died as a result of injuries suffered in a car accident, you may be able to bring a wrongful death action and possibly a survival action to recover damages.

However, you only have one year from the date of death of your loved one to bring a wrongful death or survival action.

Regarding a Louisiana survival action, Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.1(A) provides:

“If a person who has been injured by an offense or quasi offense dies, the right to recover all damages for injury to that person, his property or otherwise, caused by the offense or quasi offense, shall survive for a period of one year from the death of the deceased….”

For a Louisiana wrongful death action, Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2 (B) provides:

“The right of action granted by this Article prescribes one year from the death of the deceased.”

Note that the one-year statute of limitations for both survival actions and wrongful death actions begins on the date of the deceased’s death, not necessarily on the date of their car accident. A compassionate Baton Rouge wrongful death lawyer can help you seek justice and compensation for your loss. You don’t have to face this difficult time alone—legal support is here to guide you.

Contact Our Baton Rouge Car Accident Attorney Today For a FREE Consultation

Our Baton Rouge car accident lawyers at Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys are passionate about guiding victims and families through their legal journeys. Backed by decades of experience, we’ve earned a reputation for success and have recovered over $10 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

If you have questions about a potential car accident lawsuit anywhere in the Greater Baton Rouge area or beyond, we’re here to help. Give us a call at (225) 999-1111 to get started or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.