Auto Accident Injury in Baton Rouge, LA

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Baton Rouge? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Baton Rouge, LA that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents, and an estimated 38,000 were killed. The Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation reports that Baton Rouge, LA, had 59 fatal auto accidents in 2018 with a total of 66 deaths. The city had 5,317 injury accidents that resulted in 8,581 injuries. Property damage accidents totaled 17,417.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

The Baton Rouge Code of Ordinances explains that drivers must call 911 for any accident with $500 or more in property damage or that involves injuries or deaths. In all other accidents, drivers must exchange information. If a driver leaves the scene without exchanging information, it is a hit-and-run, which is a criminal charge.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

According to the Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation, statewide costs for fatal auto accidents in 2019 were about $1.2 billion. Serious injury accidents cost almost $564 million. Minor injury accidents had a price tag of approximately $1.4 billion, and property damage-only accidents had an estimated cost of $1.9 billion. The average cost per driver for all accidents was $2,954.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Louisiana

Liability Laws for Baton Rouge

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Louisiana uses a tort system to assign liability in motor vehicle accidents. Under the tort system, the driver who is at fault will pay the damages. The state also recognizes a comparative negligence rule. This means that drivers collect damages based on fault. Therefore, a driver who is 40% at fault can collect 60% of the damages.

Statute of Limitations in Baton Rouge

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while others may give you up to six years.

The Louisiana State Legislature explains that the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is one year. The time clock begins on the day of the accident. However, minors or persons who are not mentally competent to bring a lawsuit in the state may have more time since the clock will not run until they are able to file their claim.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Baton Rouge, LA

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Louisiana!