Rear-end collisions are among the most common car accidents in Louisiana. Although the rear driver is typically at fault, comparative fault disputes do arise — especially when the front driver stopped suddenly or had malfunctioning brake lights. Injuries from rear-end crashes often include whiplash, herniated discs, and traumatic brain injuries that may not appear immediately after the impact.

Head-on collisions are among the most catastrophic crash types, often resulting in fatalities or permanently disabling injuries. These accidents frequently involve a driver who crossed the center line due to distraction, impairment, or fatigue. Our attorneys pursue maximum compensation for victims of head-on crashes, including damages for long-term medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Side-impact crashes at intersections — often called T-bone accidents — frequently result from drivers running red lights or failing to yield. These collisions are especially dangerous for the occupants on the struck side of the vehicle. Determining fault may require traffic camera footage, witness testimony, and accident reconstruction analysis.

Sideswipe accidents typically occur when a driver drifts out of their lane or makes an improper lane change. While they may seem minor, sideswipes can cause drivers to lose control at highway speeds, leading to serious secondary collisions. Our team investigates the full chain of events to establish liability and document all resulting injuries.

When an at-fault driver flees the scene, victims are often left wondering how they will recover compensation. Louisiana law and your own uninsured motorist coverage may provide a path to recovery. Our attorneys help hit and run victims identify all available sources of compensation and guide them through the claims process step by step.

Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of serious car accidents in Louisiana. When an impaired driver injures you, you may be entitled to both compensatory and punitive damages. Our attorneys work aggressively to hold drunk drivers and, in some cases, the establishments that overserved them fully accountable for the harm they caused.

Texting, phone use, and other distractions cause thousands of crashes in Louisiana each year. Proving distracted driving often requires cell phone records, vehicle data, and eyewitness accounts. Our legal team has the resources and experience to gather this evidence and build a strong liability case on your behalf.

Excessive speed dramatically increases the severity of crash injuries. When a driver’s reckless behavior causes your accident, Louisiana law may allow you to pursue punitive damages on top of your compensatory losses. We investigate the facts thoroughly to ensure reckless drivers are held to the highest level of accountability.

Accidents involving three or more vehicles create complex liability questions, with multiple insurance companies often pointing fingers at each other. Our attorneys are experienced in untangling multi-party fault scenarios and negotiating with several insurers simultaneously to secure the best possible outcome for our clients.

Crashes involving Uber or Lyft drivers involve a layered insurance framework that depends on whether the driver was on a trip, waiting for a request, or offline at the time of the crash. We have experience navigating rideshare accident claims and know how to hold the right parties — the driver, the company, or both — responsible for your injuries.

As of July 1, 2024, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from recovering any compensation. Because building a strong case takes time, we recommend contacting an attorney as soon as possible after a crash. Learn more about how damages are calculated in Louisiana.

Call 911 and report the crash. Take photos of the scene, vehicles, and your injuries. Get medical attention even if you feel fine — some injuries appear days later. Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, and do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Contact Mansfield Melancon as soon as possible so we can begin preserving evidence right away.

Yes — and don’t sign anything before you do. Early settlement offers from insurance companies are almost always far below what your case is actually worth. Adjusters are trained to resolve claims quickly and cheaply before you fully understand the extent of your injuries or the true value of your losses. An attorney can evaluate any offer, negotiate aggressively on your behalf, and make sure you do not sign away your rights for less than you deserve.

Louisiana follows pure comparative fault. Even if you were partly responsible for your accident, you can still recover compensation — your total award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often inflate a victim’s share of fault to reduce their payout, which is exactly why having an experienced attorney in your corner matters.

Nothing upfront. Our car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no out-of-pocket expenses. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing.

It depends on the complexity of your case. Some claims settle within a few months once liability is clear and medical treatment is complete. Others — particularly those involving serious injuries, disputed fault, or uncooperative insurance companies — may take a year or more. We keep you informed throughout the process and never pressure you to accept a settlement before you are ready. Learn more about the timeline of a personal injury case.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy may cover your losses when the at-fault driver carries no insurance or not enough coverage to pay your full damages. We help clients identify all available sources of recovery, including UM/UIM coverage, and handle the claim process from start to finish.

Louisiana’s No-Pay, No-Play law limits the ability of uninsured drivers to recover certain damages. If you were driving without insurance at the time of the accident, you may be unable to collect the first $15,000 of bodily injury damages and the first $25,000 of property damage — even if the other driver was entirely at fault. This makes carrying proper insurance coverage essential for every Louisiana driver.

Louisiana law requires all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. In many serious accident cases, these minimums fall far short of covering full losses. That is why our attorneys work to identify all available sources of compensation — including underinsured motorist coverage — to make sure you are not left with uncovered damages.