When you are injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you deserve just compensation from the driver responsible. A Gonzales personal injury attorney can help you secure the full value of your claim.Â
At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, our track record speaks for itself. Our Gonzales car accident attorneys have recovered billions of dollars for thousands of clients. Driven by our strong Christian values and extensive experience, we are confident we can provide the skilled, compassionate representation needed to put money back in your pocket. We handle these cases on a contingency basis, so you will not owe us a dime unless we win. Call us today at (225) 999-1111 or fill out the form to schedule your free consultation.
Why Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys?
- Decades of experience handling car accident injury cases.
- Billions of dollars recovered for our clients.
- A nearly 100% success rate.
- Available 24/7.
- No fee until we win for you.
We treat you like family and are committed to recovering maximum compensation for our clients. When you schedule a free consultation and meet with us, you will understand why Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys is the right choice for your Gonzales car accident injury claim.
Car Accident Information Center
- Causes of Car Accidents
- Types of Car Accidents
- Car Accident Injuries
- Car Accident Lawsuits
- Why a Car Accident Lawyer?
- Gonzales Car Accident FAQ
Causes of Louisiana Car Accidents
While road hazards, vehicle defects, and severe weather can lead to or contribute to collisions, most car accidents are the direct result of the actions of one or more drivers. All drivers have an obligation to behave responsibly when they get behind the wheel and make every effort to pay attention to the road. Crashes are more likely to occur when this responsibility is not honored.
Car accidents in Gonzales and across Louisiana are often caused by:
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Running stop signs or traffic lights
- Turning or changing lanes without signaling
- Unsafe lane changes
- Excessive speeding
- Fatigued driving
- Reckless or aggressive driving
Common Types of Car Accidents
Any type of unexpected collision, even at low speeds, can cause catastrophic injuries. Car accidents can quickly become disastrous depending on the size of the vehicles, the speed, and manner in which they make contact, the location of the crash, whether either driver had time to take evasive action, and other factors. Even the crashworthiness of each vehicle and seatbelt usage will matter.
Several of the most common types of car accidents include:
- Rear-end collisions. These accidents involve the front end of one vehicle colliding with the rear end of another vehicle, often when traffic stops suddenly or a vehicle is stopped at a light or stop sign. These accidents typically occur because the driver of the rear vehicle fails to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead of them and/or is not paying attention.
- Head-on collisions. A head-on collision occurs when two vehicles make contact when driving toward each other in opposite directions. These extremely serious collisions tend to happen on two-lane roads when a vehicle attempts to pass another but does not see an approaching car. They can also happen when a driver is driving on the wrong side of the road out of recklessness, fatigue, or due to intoxication.
- Side-impact collisions. A side-impact crash involves one car hitting the side of another car at a perpendicular angle, often at an intersection. These can happen when a car tries to run a red light or stop sign and collides with oncoming traffic.
- Sideswipes. These accidents often involve a side impact on both vehicles. When a driver merges or changes lanes without checking their blind spot, they may “sideswipe” the car beside them.
- Rollovers. A rollover is a particularly dangerous accident in which a car’s tires leave the pavement, and the vehicle flips one or more times, potentially landing wrong-side up. Rollovers are more likely when a driver is intoxicated, speeding excessively, or otherwise driving recklessly.
Our car accident attorneys in Gonzales are prepared to represent you in claims involving all types of motor vehicle collisions. Whether you were in an accident in Gonzales, Ascension Parish or anywhere in Louisiana, we can help. We represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and others.
Common Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
When you get behind the wheel, you make every effort to pay attention to the task at hand and follow the rules of the road. Sadly, not all drivers live up to this responsibility, leading to frequent and sometimes deadly accidents. Even a seemingly minor vehicular collision can result in lasting consequences, including costly medical bills, property damage, and lost wages.
Physical injuries sustained in a car accident can range from mercifully minor to catastrophic to life-ending. Many resulting conditions will require expensive, ongoing care to resolve.
Common injuries sustained by victims in Gonzales car accidents include:
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Fractured limbs
- Organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash
- Spinal injuries
Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Gonzales
Our Gonzales car accident lawyers help clients fight for economic and non-economic damages:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Rebuilding your life after a serious car accident can seem impossible. Medical bills keep piling up, you have to miss work, and you don’t know how you will keep food on the table. Recovering a fair settlement or award gives you the opportunity to put the pieces back together, and it brings peace of mind in knowing that the at-fault party has been held accountable for their actions.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
A statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing a claim. If you miss your deadline, you will be unable to recover compensation for your damages.
Louisiana recently extended the statute of limitations in most personal injury actions, also known as delictual actions, from one year to two years.
Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1 states:
“Delictual actions are subject to a liberative prescription of two years. This prescription commences to run from the day that the injury or damage is sustained.”
The new two-year deadline applies to most personal injury actions that occur on or after July 1, 2024. However, if the accident or incident that caused your injury occurred before July 1, 2024, you still have one year to file a claim.
The statute of limitations for wrongful death and survival actions remains one year. Note that in survival and wrongful death actions, the deadline for filing a claim is one year from the date of death, not necessarily from the date the accident or incident occurred.
There are exceptions to the statute of limitations. In some situations, the statute of limitations may be paused, allowing additional time to file a claim. In other circumstances, your deadline could be much shorter.
You must quickly consult an experienced Gonzales car accident attorney to determine your filing deadline.
Another reason you need to seek the help of an experienced car accident lawyer in Gonzales to protect vital evidence that supports your case.
Evidence can quickly be destroyed, lost, or diminished if not identified and gathered soon after an accident. At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we take fast action to secure evidence that may be used to build your strongest case.
Why Hire a Gonzales Car Accident Attorney?
To recover compensation, you will most likely have to work with the other driver and their insurance company. Insurance adjusters do not act in your best interest and will generally look for ways to pay you as little as possible. Furthermore, the other driver may claim they were not at fault for the accident to avoid paying damages. They may even hire their own legal representation.
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident in Gonzales, it is important to work with a skilled attorney who can pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses. When you hire our team at Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, you put an experienced lawyer on your side who will go to bat for you. We have the knowledge and experience to help you navigate the complex legal process and can help you understand your rights and the legal options available to you.
Our Gonzales car accident lawyers will work to protect your interests throughout the legal process and help you avoid common mistakes, such as inadvertently saying something that could be used against you later. we will also investigate your circumstances, determine the liable parties, and build a persuasive case that maximizes what you stand to recover.
You do not have to fight for the compensation you deserve alone. We can help you understand your rights and provide the advocacy you need to be the victor, not the victim.
Gonzales Car Accident FAQ
Can I File a Claim If the Other Driver Left the Scene?
In Louisiana, drivers are required to stay at the scene of an injury-causing collision until police arrive. If a negligent driver attempts to flee, you should make every effort to note their license plate number as well as the make and color of their vehicle. See if any witnesses caught the license plate or got a picture on their smartphone. You should still call the police, who can work to track down the driver based on the information you give them.
When we take on a hit-and-run case in Gonzales, our car accident lawyers make every effort to cooperate with law enforcement as they search for the driver. We will also pursue every possible avenue of compensation for our client to maximize their recovery.
Are Delayed Injuries Common After a Car Accident?
In many cases, yes. You may feel shaken up but otherwise fine after a straightforward rear-end accident, for example. However, many injuries, such as whiplash or even traumatic brain injuries, may not be immediately visible or apparent. It may take days or weeks for symptoms to appear. These conditions require prompt treatment, so it is wise to see a doctor as soon as you can after any car accident for a full medical evaluation. They may be able to detect problems and get you the care you need.
Can I Sue If I Was a Passenger in a Louisiana Car Accident?
Yes. Drivers are not the only ones who can file personal injury lawsuits. If you were a passenger in a car and were injured in a crash, you can take legal action. Note that a passenger can potentially sue the driver of the car who collides with the vehicle they are riding in or the driver of the vehicle the passenger is riding in. A Gonzales car accident attorney at our injury law firm can help determine your options.
Proudly Serving Gonzales & Beyond
Located in Ascension Parish, Gonzales is fondly known as the “Jambalaya Capital of the World.” Gonzales was named after Joseph Stonewall “Tee Joe” Gonzales, a politician and businessman who served as the first Mayor of Gonzales from 1922-1936. He is also credited with founding the city’s first post office in 1887. Gonzales is particularly famous for its annual Jambalaya Festival, which was held for the first time back in 1968. Today, Gonzales is home to approximately 12,500 residents as well as some of Louisiana’s most interesting and history-rich attractions, including authentic cuisine and stunning antebellum homes. In 2019, the city was chosen by the National Chamber of Commerce as one of the “Top 5 Cities to Live In.” Our firm is proud to serve clients in Gonzales and the surrounding areas.Â
Contact a Gonzales Car Accident Attorney Today
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a car accident caused by another party, you deserve to be compensated for your damages.
You need an experienced Gonzales car accident injury lawyer to help you recover maximum compensation. At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we have been protecting the rights of car accident victims for decades and have recovered over $10 billion for our clients.
We treat every client like family and with the respect and dignity they deserve. Our Christian values drive us to help injury victims get the justice and financial help they need. We want to do the same for you.
Call (225) 999-1111 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
We will listen to you, answer your questions, and explain your rights. If we represent you, we will work tirelessly to recover every dollar you are entitled to.