Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer

Helping Injured Victims Seek Justice and Recover Compensation

Being involved in a car accident is a harrowing experience. If you are injured, it can leave you unable to return to work. You might have extensive medical bills or cause financial hardship. If the car crash was caused by another person’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation to help cover your accident-related losses.

At Walter R. Krousel Jr. & Associates, APLC, we know how important it is for car accident victims and their families to receive a full and fair recovery. Serious injuries can impact nearly every aspect of a person’s life. Our car accident lawyers in Baton Rouge will tirelessly advocate for you, ensuring that you get the compensation you need after a car crash.

If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, contact our office at 225-263-6194 to schedule a professional consultation.

What to Do if You Were Injured in a Car Accident in Baton Rouge

If you were injured in a car accident in Baton Rouge, you need to act quickly to protect your rights, including your right to recovery. Louisiana is an at-fault or tort insurance state. This means that you are able to pursue damages from a driver who caused your injuries.

Obtaining compensation from a negligent motorist can be challenging without the help of a car wreck lawyer in Baton Rouge. In the event that you are injured in an accident, you need to seek medical attention immediately.

If you are able, contact 9-1-1 from the scene of the crash. The dispatcher will be able to send for emergency medical personnel. Even if you are not taken to the hospital, you should still be seen by a doctor as soon after the accident as possible. Once you have received proper medical care, you should consult with a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer to determine your legal options.

Other steps to take after being injured in a car accident include:

Take Photos of the Accident Scene

Photos and videos can be used to support your claim later. If possible, snap some photos of the accident scene and the surrounding area. Also, take pictures of your injuries and any property damage.

Exchange Information

Get the other driver’s insurance company, contact details, and license plate number. You will need all of this information to file a claim later.

Talk to Witnesses

If anyone saw the crash, get their contact information as well. You can call upon them later to support your statement.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Your insurance company will want to know about the accident as soon as possible. Call your insurance representative and tell them the facts about the accident.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Crashes?

Car crashes can be caused by several different factors, including poor road conditions and inclement weather. However, many times car accidents are caused by negligent drivers.

Common causes of car accidents include:

Distracted driving or driver inattention: Drivers who are talking on the phone, texting, eating, or otherwise not paying attention to the road can cause dangerous accidents. All drivers are expected to keep their attention focused to protect the drivers around them
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: Driving under the influence is against the law. Drivers who do not have full control over their faculties can cause catastrophic accidents. If you are hurt by a drunk driver, you can pursue both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit
Speeding: The faster a car driver, the more likely it is they will get into a car accident. When a car can’t stop in time, it’s very likely that they’ll hit another driver on the road
Reckless driving: Aggressive and reckless driving can cause multi-car accidents. When drivers fail to obey traffic laws or swerve through traffic, other drivers can become victims
Fatigued or drowsy driving: Tired driving is almost as dangerous as drunk driving. Drivers who are tired might make mistakes or even fall asleep at the wheel
Following too closely (tailgating): Vehicles are required to keep their distance to have ample stopping time. When a car follows too closely, it’s much more likely to cause an accident
Failure to obey stop lights or stop signs: Accidents in intersections are often caused by drivers failing to stop at lights or stop signs. These dangerous collisions can involve multiple vehicles
Improper passing: Passing another car is allowed on certain parts of the road. When drivers pass each other in a dangerous area, it can cause an accident

Regardless of the cause of your accident, you should always speak to a qualified Baton Rouge car wreck attorney before submitting a statement to an insurance adjuster. The insurance company may try to deny your claim or downplay your injuries. In some car accident cases, they may even try to put you at fault for the accident. A Baton Rouge car accident attorney can help ensure that your valid claim is not unfairly and unethically rejected.

What Types of Car Accidents Are the Most Common?

Just like there are many causes of car accidents, there are also many types of car accidents you may have been involved in. The type of car accident you are injured in can impact your injury claim, property damage repairs, and more.

Our Baton Rouge car accident lawyer often sees the following types of car accidents:

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions occur when two cars hit each other straight on. Head-on collisions can be catastrophic, especially at high speeds.

T-Bone Accidents

T-bone accidents happen when one car hits the broad side of another car. In most cases, T-bone accidents occur in intersections when the at-fault party fails to stop or slow down in time.

Rear-End Crashes

Rear-end crashes, also called fender benders, are common in high-traffic areas. When one car fails to brake and crashes into the back of another car, it can cause injuries, property damage, and more.

Rollover Accidents

Accidents at high speeds can cause a car to roll over, leading to extensive injuries. Many rollover accident victims suffer catastrophic injuries, and some even pass away.

Hit and Runs

When a car fails to stop at the scene of an accident, it’s called a hit and run. Hit-and-run accidents can lead to civil lawsuits and criminal charges.

Rideshare Accidents

Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies have gotten very popular in the last few years. Being involved in a car accident with a rideshare driver can be complex, as there are often multiple insurance companies involved in your personal injury lawsuit.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are at risk for severe injuries when they are hit by vehicles on the road. Being injured in a car accident as a pedestrian can lead to extensive medical bills and long recovery times.

What Types of Injuries Occur After an Accident?

Accident-related injuries can range in severity. It is important to note that serious injuries can occur even in minor crashes. Therefore, it is essential not to ignore any pain or discomfort that you feel after a collision.

Injuries commonly experienced after a car crash:

Whiplash
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Broken bones
Cuts and lacerations
Sprains, strains, and dislocations
Spinal cord injuries
Neck and back trauma

One of the most difficult things about car accident injuries is that they may not be immediately apparent after the crash. Injuries may take days to weeks to show up. Your body may be in shock from the sudden impact, unable to ascertain the true extent of the damage. Getting seen by a medical professional as soon as possible can help ensure that you receive a prompt and accurate diagnosis of your injuries.

Who is Liable for a Car Accident?

In car accident claims, assigning liability allows you to collect compensation from the at-fault party. While some car accidents are straightforward, other car accidents can involve multiple parties or parties who weren’t present at the scene.

Most commonly, the party responsible for a car accident is:

The other driver
The other driver’s employer (if they were driving as part of their work duties)
The manufacturer of your car or an auto repair shop (if a vehicle malfunction caused your accident)
Government entities that failed to maintain the infrastructure

In Louisiana, multiple parties can be found liable for an accident. At-fault parties must pay damages proportional to their fault.

If you believe there are multiple parties responsible for your accident, you need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side. These cases can quickly become complex, and you may have to negotiate with multiple insurance companies. Our legal team will walk you through your case from beginning to end to ensure you recover compensation.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Recover in a Car Accident Claim?

Many car accident victims accrue expenses after an accident. By pursuing a personal injury claim, you can recover compensation to pay for any damages that were directly caused by your accident. Since all car accident cases are different, our team will help you add up all your expenses to request full and fair compensation.

In most car accident claims, damages are categorized as the following:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are any expenses with a fixed price tag attached to them. In most cases, your bills, receipts, and medical records will be used to prove these expenses. Economic damages may include:

Medical expenses
Future medical bills
Medication
Physical therapy
Rehabilitation services
Medical equipment, like wheelchairs, walkers, or crutches
Property damage repair or replacement costs
Lost wages from taking time off work
Loss of future income

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are damages you’ve accrued that don’t have a specific dollar amount. Accident victims often suffer emotionally, which can be calculated with help from our auto accident lawyer. Non-economic damages can include:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent disability
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of companionship (for wrongful death cases)

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are additional damages that you can request under certain circumstances. These damages are meant to punish the defendant and prevent them from repeating their actions in the future. In most car accident cases, punitive damages are awarded if the liable party was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drunk driving can also lead to criminal charges.

Do I Need to Hire a Car Wreck Attorney in Baton Rouge?

If you were injured in a car crash in Baton Rouge, you need to speak with a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer. A car wreck lawyer in Baton Rouge can walk you through the legal process, helping to determine whether you have a valid claim for damages. They can also conduct an independent investigation to determine who or what caused the accident.

Unfortunately, insurance companies may try to get you to settle for significantly less than your car accident case is worth. In some cases, they may use deceptive or high-pressure tactics to get you to accept a lower settlement offer. Without the help of a car accident lawyer in Baton Rouge, you could end up settling your auto accident case for little to nothing at all.

When you work with our team, we’ll do the following:

Gather Evidence

Evidence is crucial in proving your claim. We’ll spend time gathering police reports, accident reports, witness statements, and more.

Examine Medical Records

Your medical records can be used to prove your medical expenses and the severity of your injuries. We can help you request your records and also get testimonies from medical professionals about the extent of your injuries.

Assign Liability

Once we know all the details of your case, we can assign liability to one party or multiple parties. Assigning liability will help us gather the evidence we need and negotiate for a settlement.

Negotiate a Settlement

In many cases, car accident claims are settled outside of court. We can meet with the liable party or their insurance company to discuss a settlement offer. We’ll negotiate with your best interests in mind, calculating your damages and expenses to get the full payment you deserve.

Take Your Case to Court

Sometimes, the best way to receive a fair settlement is by going to trial. If that’s the case, we’ll prepare your case for court and present it before a judge to fight for your right to compensation.

What if I Was Partially to Blame for the Crash?

Louisiana follows a comparative fault rule meaning that a person’s recovery may be reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault. The good news is that even if you were partially to blame for your car accident injuries, you might still be able to obtain compensation from a negligent party.

What is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident Claim?

In Louisiana and around the country, personal injury claims are subject to a statute of limitations. Once this timeline expires, you will no longer be able to pursue compensation for your injuries. Louisiana law specifies that car accident victims have two years from the date of their accident to file a lawsuit.

If you were injured before July 1, 2024, you only have one year from the date of your accident to file a claim. The statute of limitations has certain exceptions, but they are rare and may not apply to your case. The best way to ensure you get the settlement you deserve is by working with our experienced car accident attorney.

Injured in a Car Accident in Baton Rouge?

At Walter R. Krousel Jr. & Associates, APLC, we believe our clients deserve to be treated with respect and compassion. We believe that ethics in law matter and that our clients deserve to be treated with respect and compassion. We know the devastation that a car accident can cause, which is why we simply do not give up until we achieve the best possible results in the car accident case.

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, contact our office at 225-263-6194 to schedule a professional, no-obligation case review. Let us help you get the recovery you deserve after a crash. We proudly represent car accident injury victims throughout Baton Rouge, LA.