Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyers

Dedicated Car Accident Lawsuit Representation

At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we help people injured in a wide range of vehicular accidents get back on their feet and obtain the full compensation available to them under the law. Our Baton Rouge car accident lawyers have represented thousands of clients over decades of experience and recovered billions in damages and settlements. 

The risk of an accident is an unfortunate feature of life on the road, even for the most experienced and capable drivers. Driving on the I-10, I-12, Interstate 110, Airline Highway (U.S. 61), or U.S. 190 can involve a certain level of inherent risk. Unfortunately, crashes can and do happen, often causing catastrophic and even life-threatening injuries. 

Our firm is founded on our Christian faith and a deep personal commitment to our clients. We are pleased to stand by our Louisiana neighbors and community members in their time of need. 

If you were recently injured in a car accident, contact us online or call (225) 230-3110 to schedule a free initial consultation. You pay nothing unless you recover money.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Louisiana Car Accident?

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or anyone else has been injured or if one or more vehicles cannot be safely moved out of the way of oncoming traffic. Louisiana law requires you to report any accident to local police if the collision causes any injuries or $500 or more in property damage.

 In addition, some insurance policies require policyholders to notify the police any time they are involved in a crash. 

When possible, use your smartphone to take photos and videos of the crash scene. Try to document damage to the involved vehicles, your injuries, the surrounding area, and any other factors that may have contributed to the wreck. 

Make sure to exchange contact information with all other parties involved in the crash. This includes names, phone numbers, addresses, license information, and insurance information. 

Get in touch with a legal professional and your insurance company as soon as you can. Avoid communicating with the driver (or any representative of the driver) who caused the accident until you have retained legal representation.

How Negligence Causes Car Crashes in Louisiana

Car crashes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be caused by a wide range of factors. They are commonly the result of driver error and negligence.

Louisiana law generally requires motorists to operate their vehicles safely and to refrain from dangerous behavior. 

A driver who does not live up to this responsibility is likely to be found negligent and held legally responsible for any collisions that happen due to their conduct. 

Some of the most common driver errors that cause car accidents include:

• Speeding
• Aggressive driving
• Failure to use turn signals
• Running red lights or stop lights
• Drunk or drugged driving
• Distracted driving
• Using a cell phone while driving
• Tailgating
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Drowsy driving
• Improper turns

Drivers may not be the only ones to blame when accidents happen. Other factors can include inclement weather, road construction, hazards, and car defects.

One of the Baton Rouge car accident attorneys at our firm will thoroughly investigate your collision to determine the cause of the crash, ascertain liability, and build the most substantial possible claim for monetary damages. 

No matter your circumstances, we are confident we can provide the dependable advocacy you need to prevail.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Louisiana

Although crashes can happen in many different 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 in an attempt 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.

Regardless of the type of accident or how it happened, anyone who is injured in a car crash has the right to seek compensation from those responsible. The good news is that you do not need to go it alone. 

Our team at Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys can guide you through the process and advise you of your rights and options.

Monetary Damages for Louisiana Car Accident Injuries

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

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

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage

Non-monetary compensation may also be available if suffered severe forms of harm or are less able to enjoy life’s activities. Examples of non-monetary damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.

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. 

Unfortunately, there is simply no amount of money that can replace a lost loved one, though compensation can ease some of the financial stress that comes with their passing.

To recover damages after a car accident, you must be able to prove fault. Our Baton Rouge car accident lawyers understand how to build the strongest possible claim for monetary damages and will leave no stone unturned. We also fight aggressively to resolve these cases on optimal terms for our clients without long and drawn-out court battles.

Our firm is so confident in our ability to maximize our clients’ compensation in these matters that we generally take these cases on a contingency basis. That means there are no upfront costs, and we do not get paid unless we obtain compensation for you.

Louisiana Drunk and Drugged Driving Accidents

Drivers make the reckless decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol every day. This is despite the clear evidence that these choices result in tragic and often fatal consequences for the driver and everyone else on the road.

Louisiana law makes it a crime to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol intoxication is typically determined based on blood alcohol content (BAC). A motorist whose BAC is 0.08% is considered legally intoxicated. 

Intoxicated drivers cannot react properly to traffic around them and are prone to poor decision-making, which often results in avoidable accidents. These crashes commonly cause catastrophic injuries and even death. 

If you were injured in a car crash caused by an intoxicated driver, we can help. Our Baton Rouge car accident attorneys have significant experience assisting people and families whose lives have been upended by drunk or drugged motorists.

Rental Car Accidents in Louisiana

Rental car accidents frequently happen in major cities, where people from around the world come to visit, conduct business, and soak in local culture. When these crashes occur, they introduce complicated questions of liability because of the additional parties involved.

Like in other accidents, a driver who causes a rental car crash is likely to be primarily responsible for any resulting injuries. The driver’s insurer may be required to cover the costs under a liability policy.

Rental car drivers are also generally responsible for any physical damage that happens in the car during the rental term. They may be liable for damages caused to other cars involved in a crash or injuries sustained due to a collision.

Understanding your insurance coverage before driving off in a rental car is vital. If you own an insured vehicle, that insurance policy likely also covers property damage and liability for crashes involving cars you rent. It may also overlap with any coverage offered by the rental company.

Major credit cards also often offer some insurance for rentals secured using their cards, but keep in mind that the coverage can be very limited. It typically includes little to no liability coverage.

Speak with a Baton Rouge Car Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has suffered any injuries in a Louisiana car crash, it is essential to seek advice from a seasoned lawyer. We will thoroughly evaluate your case and help you explore all available recovery options. 

Our office is conveniently located in Baton Rouge, and we are pleased to serve clients throughout the region, including in St. Gabriel, Donaldsonville, Gramercy, Lutcher, Plaquemine, Baker, Port Allen, Addis, Sunshine, Darrow, Convent, St. James, and Belle Rose.

You typically only have one year from the date of a car accident to take legal action, so do not wait to discuss your case with us. Contact us online or call (225) 230-3110 today!