Gonzales car accident lawyer
One moment on the road can change everything. We know what you’re going through.
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.
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.
- Recovered for the injured*
- $10B+
- Injury claims handled
- 3,200+
- National Trial Lawyers
- Top 100
- Rated on Google by clients
- 5.0
*By personal injury firms Chris Corzo has helped lead. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome.
Why Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys
We stand beside injured people and their families in Gonzales and across Louisiana, from the first call to the last.
- 01
No fee unless we win
You pay nothing at all unless we recover for you.
- 02
Injury focused
Thousands of cases handled, including car accident claims.
- 03
Recognized excellence
Super Lawyers® and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
- 04
Local and accessible
15+ years here, with offices in Gonzales and Baton Rouge.
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Car Accident Information Center
Everything you need to know after a crash, in one place.
- Causes of Car AccidentsWhat leads to most crashes on our roads.
- Types of Car AccidentsRear-end, head-on, side-impact and more.
- Car Accident InjuriesCommon injuries and the care they need.
- Car Accident LawsuitsHow a claim moves forward, step by step.
- Why a Car Accident Lawyer?What an attorney does for you and yours.
- Gonzales Car Accident FAQAnswers to the questions we hear most.
Causes of Louisiana Car Accidents
Road hazards, vehicle defects and bad weather all play a part, but most crashes come down to a driver’s choices. Every driver owes it to everyone else on the road to pay attention. These are the lapses we see most often in Gonzales.
Running a red light, one of the most common causes.
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
Even a crash at low speed can cause serious injuries, depending on the vehicles and how they meet. These are the most common types.
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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.
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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.
- 03
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.
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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.
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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
Even a minor collision can cause injuries that take months to heal, and some last a lifetime.
Common injuries include:
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Fractured limbs
- Organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal injuries
Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Gonzales
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.
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
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.
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 us
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
01Can 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.
02Are 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.
03Can 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.
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.