Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accident Attorney In Baton Rouge, LA

Car accidents happen each day, ranging from minor property damage-only crashes to catastrophic collisions with severe injuries. After an accident, you could be facing costly medical bills and expensive car repair costs on top of being unable to earn income because of your injury. A Baton Rouge car accident lawyer can help you review your options for filing a personal injury claim to recover these losses. When another driver is at fault, you can hold them accountable.

Have You Been Hurt in a Car Accident?

Let the Baton Rouge car accident lawyers at Gauthier Amedee Personal Injury Law fight for your rights. Our team of attorneys has the knowledge and expertise to get you the compensation you deserve. You shouldn’t have to face the aftermath of a car crash alone. We’re ready to be your Go2Lawyers!

Your Baton Rouge, LA, Car Accident Lawyers

If you or someone close to you has been hurt by the reckless, careless actions of another driver in Baton Rouge, you deserve compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. Don’t let bullying insurance companies and strong-arm tactics frighten you. Call Gauthier Amedee and let us fight for maximum compensation. We’re just a phone call away, so don’t delay! Get a free consultation with one of our experienced Baton Rouge car accident lawyers.

We Make It Fast & Easy

Getting help for your injury has never been easier. Just give us a call at 225-222-2222 or fill out our free online form, and we’ll take it from there!

You’re Entitled to Compensation

If you’ve been hurt by someone else’s carelessness, especially in a hit-and-run accident, you’re entitled to compensation. We’ll be your Go2Lawyers and fight to get you what you deserve.

There’s No Fee & No Risk

You’ve got nothing to lose by calling our Baton Rouge car accident attorneys. There’s no fee unless we win your case, and there’s no risk in getting a consultation.

Common Car Accident Injuries

There are a number of injuries you might face from a wreck, and a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer can help. Here are some of the most common car crash injuries:

• Broken Bones
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Loss of Limb or Paralysis
• Invisible Injuries
• Invisible Injuries
• Internal Organ Damage
• Neck Injury
• Back Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury

These injuries can be severe and have lasting effects. The more severe the injuries are, the more significant their costs are likely to be. Getting compensation can give you immense peace of mind and make the road to recovery easier on you and your loved ones.

Car Accidents in Baton Rouge

Car accidents frequently cause property damage, injury, and death throughout the nation. In Baton Rouge, 5,609 suspected injuries in vehicle accidents in 2024, a decrease from 5,711 in 2023 and a significant decrease from 6,423 in 2022. There were, sadly, 40 fatalities in 2024, 41 in 2023, and 54 in 2022.

In East Baton Rouge Parish overall, there were 5,018 suspected injury crashes and 7,972 suspected injuries in 2024. These injuries can range from minor injuries to catastrophic harm that can affect someone’s entire life.

When another party is to blame for your car accident, you can hold them legally and financially responsible for your damages. This liability typically falls on another driver for carelessness on the road, but there are some accidents where other parties are fully or partially liable. This includes product manufacturers, mechanics, or other entities. Proving which party was liable for your accident helps you claim the compensation you are owed.

Available Compensation for Car Accident Injuries

The type of compensation you may be eligible for depends on the type of injury you sustained and its severity, any property damage, and the costs associated with these damages. Your injuries are the most significant influencing factor in the value of a final settlement or verdict. Some examples of possible compensation include:

• Your medical bills, including all copays, emergency room fees, surgeries, transportation to and from the medical facility, medications, physical therapy, future medical expenses, and more.
• Your lost wages from time off work or future time off work during your recovery.
• Your future lost earning capacity, if your ability to work full time was impacted, or if your injuries forced you to enter a new form of employment.
• The costs to repair or replace your vehicle and other property damages.
• Your pain and suffering, including the loss of lifestyle, reduced quality of life, psychological trauma, mental anguish, and more.

More severe injuries tend to have higher medical treatment costs and require you to take more time off of work, increasing the amount of income you lose. This is why more serious injuries result in higher claim values. However, securing the full value of your damages is not easy. The claims process can be tricky. Hiring a skilled attorney to collect the evidence, build a case, and handle settlement negotiations on your behalf can help alleviate that stress.

Timeframe to File a Claim

If you are eligible for compensation for your car accident injuries, keep in mind that you must submit your claim within the time frame established in the statute of limitations. In Louisiana, this statute of limitations for personal injury and property damage lawsuits is 1 year from the date of the accident, according to Article 3492 of the Civil Code. As of July 2024, the time limit has changed to two years. This is still a short window of time to investigate and file your claim.

It’s important to note that this statute of limitations applies only to a lawsuit, not to a car insurance claim. Your insurance company will have its own policies regarding how long you have to inform them of an accident, and it’s usually as soon as possible.

Proving Negligence in a Car Accident Case

Just about every personal injury claim comes down to the concept of negligence. At its most basic level, it means you have to prove that the other person acted in a manner contrary to how a reasonable person would act. This is known as the “reasonable person” standard. Basically, you will need to establish three factors:

1. The other driver acted irresponsibly or violated their duty of care toward other drivers on the road.
2. Their irresponsibility led directly or indirectly to the accident.
3. You were hurt as a direct result of the accident.

It can get complex and take some time to establish these facts. That’s why it’s so important to have the right car wreck attorney in your corner. Our experienced legal professionals know how to prove negligence and will work to get you the compensation you deserve.

Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents

Assessing the cause of your motor vehicle accident is the crucial first step in gathering evidence and determining which party was liable. In some accidents, multiple parties are partially liable. There are many negligent actions or dangerous conditions that can lead to a car accident and potentially show which party is liable, including:

• Distracted driving. A driver is distracted anytime their eyes, focus, or attention are not on the road. This can be caused by cell phones, navigational systems, sightseeing, daydreaming, eating, drinking, or talking with passengers. Distracted driving frequently causes accidents. When a driver’s distraction causes a crash, they can be held accountable for their carelessness.
• Speeding. Driving excessively over the speed limit makes a crash more likely because it gives drivers less time to react to hazards. A crash that does occur will also be more serious because of the higher speeds. Speeding and other forms of reckless driving, like dangerous lane changes or running red lights, can lead to accidents.
• Aggressive driving. Road rage, tailgating, brake checking, and other forms of aggressive driving increase the risk of an accident. Drivers who engage in aggressive driving practices can be held liable when those actions lead to a crash.
• Driving under the influence. It is illegal to operate a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol, but driving under the influence is a common cause of vehicle collisions. Of the 5,018 suspected injury crashes in East Baton Rouge Parish in 2024, 349 of them involved alcohol. This is 6.95% of these crashes.

  Alcohol was involved in 2.14% of property damage-only crashes. Alcohol involvement was disproportionately likely in fatal accidents, making up 27.69% of fatal crashes in the parish. When a driver causes an accident under the influence, they can be held liable for their gross negligence and misconduct in civil court, as well as face criminal charges.

• Inclement weather. Low visibility is a frequent cause of accidents, as are slick or wet roads. While no one is liable for poor weather conditions, drivers can be liable if they don’t drive safely in those conditions. Even if a driver is going the speed limit, they could be liable if the weather conditions should have made them drive more slowly, and their failure to do so led to an accident.
• Poor road conditions. Other road conditions can make roads dangerous, including construction sites, missing road signs, poorly designed roads, debris on the road, and degrading roads. Drivers may be liable for not driving safely in these conditions. A construction company may be liable if they were negligent in road safety.

  The entity responsible for road design or maintenance could also be liable if these defects caused an accident.

An experienced car accident attorney can look into the cause of the accident and determine which driver or other party should be held liable for the damages.

Evidence When Filing a Car Accident Claim

Evidence is crucial to helping you prove each element of your claim and proving which party is at fault for the collision. Some important pieces of evidence could include:

• Photos and videos of the crash, including CCTV-like dashcams
• Photos and videos of the accident scene, damages, and injuries
• Mechanics and repair estimates
• Documentation of injuries and treatment
• Eyewitness testimony

One other important piece of evidence is the accident report filed by the police officer on site. Securing this report is crucial after a crash. Where you can secure this report depends on the law enforcement agency that responded to the accident. This may be:

• The Louisiana State Police, which can be reached at their non-emergency number (225) 754-8500 or (800) 969-2059
• The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office and its non-emergency number (225) 389-5000
• The Baton Rouge Police Department and its non-emergency number is (225) 389-2000

When you work with an attorney, they can help you secure the evidence to support your claim, including the police report. Gathering this evidence will likely improve the chances of securing a fair and full settlement and improve your chances of success if the claim goes to court.

How Can a Lawyer Help My Baton Rouge Car Accident?

After a car accident, it’s important to take all of the right steps to protect your right to the compensation you deserve. Knowing how to take these steps and handle any surprises that arise can be difficult. A lawyer who is experienced in car accident laws in Baton Rouge can make all the difference in your case.

When you hire the right legal team, your lawyer should take over all of the complicated legal issues as soon as they pick up your case. This includes communicating with the insurance adjusters, filing paperwork, organizing all of the necessary evidence, and advocating for your rights every step of the way.

At Gauthier Amedee Personal Injury Law, our Baton Rouge car accident lawyers have decades of combined legal experience that will give you your best chance at the maximum possible compensation for your accident injuries. Don’t settle for less when our team can fight for more.

What Comes Next?

Car Accident FAQs

What Should I Do After an Accident?

Immediately after an accident, call first responders. File a police report and get medical attention, even if you don’t feel injured. Get the contact information of any witnesses and exchange information with the other driver. Photograph the scene, if you can, from as many different angles as possible. Report the incident to your insurance company. Be honest, but stick to the facts. Don’t editorialize. Then call a qualified car wreck attorney.

What Is My Case Worth?

Every case is unique, and no attorney should quote you a figure right out of the gate. We will sit down with you to value your case based on the level of liability the other driver holds, specific physical and emotional damages you’ve suffered, and other factors. At that point, we may be able to estimate a general value, but we will not know your exact compensation amount until an official settlement is reached.

Do I Have a Case?

You may have a case if you were injured because another person acted recklessly or carelessly while driving. This can include not obeying traffic signs, using a cell phone or texting, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and more. Road conditions and the weather can also impact whether or not you have a legal case.

Many people assume they do not have a case, when in fact, they do. You may be eligible for compensation even if:

• You are partly at fault for the accident. In Louisiana, being partially responsible does not mean that you can’t receive a settlement. However, it can mean that your compensation will be reduced.
• Your injuries are relatively minor or invisible. While injuries like paralysis or traumatic brain injuries are devastating, anxiety or PTSD can still affect you for the rest of your life. These less tangible types of injuries can interfere with your ability to work and often require medical treatment.
• The vehicles in the accident did not sustain extensive damage. Injuries can still result even if the accident didn’t “look” bad, and you can still seek to recover your losses.

At Gauthier Amedee, one of our car accident lawyers will carefully look over the details of your accident. If you do have a case, we’re your Go2Lawyers!

Should I Talk to the Insurance Adjuster?

Remember, the insurance adjuster for the other party is not your friend! Never sign anything they put in front of you, and do not volunteer any information. They might start off seeming sympathetic, but when you question their initial offer, they gradually may apply more bullying and strong-arm tactics. You’re always within your rights to refer them to your lawyer.

Should I Give a Recorded Statement to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?

There is usually no need for you to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. If one is asked of you, it is likely an attempt to get something on record that the insurance company can use against you. Instead, talk to your attorney and have them handle all conversations with the insurance company.

What If I Was Partially at Fault for My Car Accident?

Louisiana abides by a comparative fault law, which means it is possible for you to still receive compensation even if you are found to be partially at fault. However, this law also states that any compensation you’re entitled to may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if it is determined that you were 20% responsible for your accident and you have $100,000 in damages, your compensation will likely be reduced to $80,000.

Can I Still Receive Compensation If I Wasn’t Wearing a Seatbelt?

Yes, however, if the failure to wear a seatbelt contributed in any way to your injuries received in the incident, your recovery may be negatively affected.

Contact a Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer at Gauthier Amedee

When you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s a very difficult and stressful time. All you want to do is get well again, but there are bullying insurance adjusters who are trying to keep you from this in order to save money. That’s why you need a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer who understands and cares. The experienced attorneys at Gauthier Amedee are ready to listen, understand, and fight for you.

When you work with our law firm, we’ll cut through the red tape, remind everyone just who the victim is, and fight every step of the way to protect your rights. We’ll work hard to get you the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call 225-647-1700 or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation. Don’t delay! Your Go2Lawyers are standing by.