Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents tend to be one of the main causes of personal injury and death in the nation, with Baton Rouge being no exception. With increasing numbers of cars on the road, complex intersections, and distracted drivers, the chance of getting in a car accident is at an all-time high. If you or your loved one has been harmed in a car accident in the area, a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer from the Knightshead Law Firm can fiercely represent your case.

At the Knightshead Law Firm, our compassionate legal team understands the devastation of car accidents and the financial, emotional, and physical challenges that clients suffer in the wake of a crash. Therefore, we are here to fight for the protection of your rights and interests, assisting you pursue optimal compensation that helps you recover. Together, we can find a way forward after your tragic accident.

How an Experienced Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer Can Support Your Case

If you’ve recently been in a car crash, you are likely overwhelmed when it comes to determining how you can recover the compensation you need. As you’re likely dealing with significant costs to repair your vehicle, in addition to lost income and increasing medical bills, it is crucial to make sure you get the payouts you need. This ensures that you do not permanently suffer financially from an accident you didn’t cause.

An empathetic Baton Rouge car accident lawyer can our firm can support you in the following ways:

• Ensuring protection of your rights. Unfortunately, insurance companies are commonly motivated by optimizing their bottom line, which is in conflict with paying you the compensation to which you’re entitled. In order to avoid making these payments, they may try to shift the blame onto you or undervalue your claim. A fierce attorney from our firm can leverage robust counter tactics to ensure your interests are protected.
• Looking into your crash. We can scour the details of your case, bringing crucial evidence to light, including statements from witnesses, records from law enforcement and even traffic cam footage. Furthermore, we can work with professionals like accident reconstruction experts to further strengthen the narrative.
• Carrying out negotiations. We can work to negotiate a fair and just settlement on your behalf outside of the courtroom. By avoiding litigation, we can help streamline your case and get you the compensation you need as soon as possible.
• Taking your case to court. In some cases, it may be favorable to pursue litigation. If stakeholders are not willing to negotiate in a fair manner, we can help you submit a personal injury claim in Louisiana to the courts. We can fight hard on your behalf, presenting strong legal arguments with robust supporting evidence.

What Do I Need To Know About Car Accidents?

Receiving compensation for a car accident is not as straightforward as many people believe it is. Here are some important facts you should know when it comes to seeking a personal injury claim:

Louisiana Is An At-Fault State

What does this mean? In Louisiana, the results of an accident case depend on who was at fault. This means proving the other party’s fault is very important in obtaining the full compensation you need. Fault can be split between parties too, such as one party being 80% at fault and the other 20% at fault.

After an accident, you should always contact the police and get a report filed. This creates a physical record of the crash, which can be valuable evidence later.

Leading Causes of Car Accidents in Baton Rouge

By understanding the main causes of car accidents in both Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas, you can work to identify the root cause of your own accident. This is key in determining liability and holding negligent parties accountable for paying for your damages. A knowledgeable car accident attorney at the Knightshead Law Firm has demonstrated experience handling car accident cases caused by the following:

• Distracted driving. Distracted driving tends to be one of the leading causes of car accidents in Baton Rouge and across the nation. Engaging in activities such as checking social media, making calls, fiddling with navigation systems or radios, or talking to passengers can divert attention from driving duties, threatening everyone on the road.
• Reckless driving. Reckless driving actions – such as going above the speed limit, weaving between lanes, tailgating and ignoring red lights or other traffic signals – not only minimize reaction times, but also increase the potential severity of crashes.
• Driving under the influence. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs continues to be a major problem in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. Drugs and alcohol significantly impair reaction time, motor skills, and cognitive functioning, increasing the risk of causing an accident.
• Poor road conditions. Roads that have not been adequately designed or maintained can lead to car accidents. For example, uneven pavement, potholes, missing traffic signs, and poorly designed intersections can lead to crashes. In such cases, government entities may be involved as a liable party.
• Adverse weather conditions. Slippery roads, fog, and rain in Louisiana can increase the chances of losing control of the vehicle, potentially leading to life threatening collisions.

Unfortunately, the majority of car accident causes in Baton Rouge are due to negligence or wrongdoing on the behalf of one or more individuals or entities. This means that they could otherwise have been avoided. A skilled attorney from the Knightshead Law Firm can help you determine the cause of your car crash and hold parties liable for their actions.

Common Medical Injuries Sustained From Car Crashes

Injuries after a car accident can range from minor to severe, with medical expenses playing a key role in financial losses sustained by accident victims. The experienced personal injury team at the Knightshead Law Firm has successfully helped clients recover the compensation needed to heal, treat, or manage the following medical conditions:

• Fractures and broken bones. Fractures and broken bones caused by the impact of a car crash can affect parts of the body such as the pelvis, legs, ribs, arms and collarbone. Some fractures may involve multiple surgeries and a long recovery time.
• Whiplash. Whiplash is caused by the sudden jerking of the head back and forth, which can strain the upper back and neck. Victims sustaining whiplash injuries may experience symptoms like significant headaches and a disturbing ringing sound in the ears.
• Spinal cord injuries. Injuries that impact the spine can lead to partial or complete paralysis, irreversibly causing a significantly reduced quality of life for victims.
• Traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can stem from more minor injuries, such as mild concussions, to more severe, life-threatening injuries, such as those that permanently impair cognitive and motor functioning.
• Internal injuries. If vital internal organs are damaged due to impact of the car accident, this can be life threatening. As internal injuries are not always immediately apparent, it is crucial for all car accident victims to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if they believe they are fine.
• Emotional suffering. In the wake of car accidents, victims commonly suffer from conditions that impact their mental health, such as anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, when considering medical expenses in a compensation package, it is crucial to take into account both physical and mental damages.

You Can Recover More Than Medical Costs

Medical bills are usually the main talking point when it comes to compensation, which is understandable considering what an enormous financial burden they are. However, your compensation may extend beyond this.

The Knightshead Law Firm can also help you seek coverage for damages to your vehicle, the cost of a rental car, lost wages if you are unable to work and even compensation for the suffering you have endured. Here is a breakdown of the compensation to which you may be entitled:

• Lost income. If you’ve been out of work as a result of your car accident injuries, you may be entitled to recover all wages and associated benefits lost as a result. An experienced attorney from our firm can help you adequately calculate this number to ensure that you are paid a fairer and just amount that protects your future financial security.
• Future medical expenses. In addition to past medical expenses, such as hospital bills, surgery fees, diagnostic tests, and medical devices, a thorough compensation package can account for future projected expenses. A collaborative attorney from our firm can work with our network of medical professionals to estimate the competition required to ensure you continue to receive the medical treatment you need.
• Pain and suffering. In addition to economic damages like lost wages and medical expenses, you may also be entitled to noneconomic damages for physical pain and emotional distress, as well as loss of enjoyment of life. As these amounts are highly complex to calculate, it’s important to work with an attorney who has in depth experience handling these types of cases.
• Disability related expenses. Compensation packages can also include coverage for disability related expenses, such as at home care for those who are permanently disabled. Furthermore, it can cover long term rehabilitation fees and any required home modifications, such as installations of wheelchair ramps.
• Wrongful death. If you lost a loved one in a car accident, you may be entitled to wrongful death damages. This includes coverage for the funeral and burial expenses, loss of consortium, emotional distress, and any medical bills the victim may have accrued prior to death.

A detail-oriented attorney from the Knightshead Law Firm can scour the details of your case to determine all of the damages that you have suffered, adequately accounting for them to ensure that your final compensation package reflects these losses.

You Should Not Take An Insurer’s First Offer

After an accident, insurance companies may immediately make you an offer. This is a tactic to pay you less than you deserve by playing on your desperation and the pressure of your situation. We understand how overwhelming a car crash is, but you should not accept any offers until you seek advice from an attorney. We will analyze the true coverage you deserve and fight for the benefits you need to make a full recovery.

What to Do After a Car Accident

By taking the right steps after getting in a car accident in Baton Rouge, you can work to protect your health and safety and set the groundwork for a strong personal injury case that helps you get the compensation you need down the line. Directly after your crash, make sure that you get to a place where you are out of harm’s way, and report the accident to law enforcement as soon as possible. If anyone around you has suffered life threatening injuries, request medical assistance.

Collect the information of all involved parties, including other drivers and witnesses. Get the driving and insurance information of other drivers involved. If possible, collect crucial information from the accident scene – including photos and videos of damages and conditions. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, be sure to get a medical evaluation to document your conditions. Finally, contact a skilled attorney as soon as possible to get next steps.

Seek Help From An Experienced Lawyer

We have successfully guided many accident victims through the claims process. We will ensure you have a full understanding of each step so you can make informed decisions that are right for you.

Contact us online or call 225-388-5265 to set up a free consultation. Our office is in Baton Rouge, and we help clients throughout Louisiana.