Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer
Were you injured in a car accident in Baton Rouge, LA? Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers is here to help. Contact us today or call (225) 263-4787 to schedule a free consultation with a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer. We have decades of legal experience and a proven track record, and we work on a contingency fee basis.
Why Choose Mansfield Melancon for Help With Your Claim in Baton Rouge?
With over 50 years of combined experience and tens of millions recovered for clients, Mansfield Melancon delivers proven results in Baton Rouge. Our attorneys have been recognized as Louisiana Rising Stars by Super Lawyers and named among the Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers.
About Our Attorneys
Founding attorneys Scott Mansfield and Collin Melancon have extensive trial experience and a shared commitment to protecting injury victims across Louisiana. Both began their careers at highly respected defense firms, gaining invaluable insight into how insurance companies operate — which they now use to fight for individuals, not corporations.
Our Recent Case Results
- $3,500,000 – confidential settlement
- $1,625,000 for a client with serious injuries
- $700,000 after a commercial vehicle collision
- $500,000 after an automobile accident that caused neck and back injuries
How a Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer Can Help After an Accident
When you hire our top-rated Baton Rouge lawyers, you can trust that we will:
- Complete a thorough accident investigation
- Analyze the cause of the accident to determine who is responsible
- Hire leading expert witnesses to strengthen your case
- File all documents required to pursue car insurance claims
- Defend you against allegations of contributory fault
- Negotiate a favorable settlement on your behalf
- File a lawsuit and fiercely argue your case at trial if the at-fault parties refuse to settle
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
- Call 911 to report the accident and request EMS if necessary
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the at-fault driver
- Get contact information from any witnesses to the collision
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Contact an experienced Baton Rouge car accident attorney
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Claim in Baton Rouge, LA?
In Louisiana, effective 7/01/2024, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. If your accident happened before that date, you’ll likely only have one year to take legal action. The facts of your case and exceptions to the statute can change the general deadline, so contact an attorney as soon as possible.
How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?
The following may impact the value of a claim:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- The duration of your recovery period
- Whether you sustain permanent impairments
- Your level of blame for causing the collision
- The parties involved in your case
- The availability of insurance coverage
- The strength of the evidence
- Whether you can return to your job
- How your losses impact your quality of life
What Damages Can I Receive After a Car Accident in Baton Rouge, LA?
Examples of economic damages include past and future medical expenses, travel expenses to doctor appointments, lost wages and benefits, property damage, out-of-pocket expenses, long-term nursing care, in-home services, reduction in earning capacity, and funeral expenses in wrongful death cases.
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, impairments and disabilities, diminished quality of life, mental anguish, and emotional distress.
Can I Receive Damages if I Contributed to the Cause of a Car Accident in Louisiana?
Louisiana has adopted a comparative fault law. Victims can recover damages even if they are partially to blame, but their compensation is reduced by their level of responsibility. For example, if a jury decided you were 40% to blame and awarded $1 million, you would receive $600,000.
How is Fault Determined in a Car Accident?
Fault is often established through a combination of evidence, such as:
- Photographs of the scene, vehicle damage, and road conditions
- Video footage from traffic cameras, dashcams, or nearby surveillance systems
- Eyewitness statements
- Accident reports
- Expert accident reconstruction analyses
- Vehicle black box or event data recorder information
- Cell phone records and medical records
Who Could Be Liable For My Injuries After a Car Accident?
Parties often named as defendants in injury claims include careless motorists, truckers and trucking companies, motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, bus drivers and transit companies, rideshare drivers, taxi drivers, car and part manufacturers, mechanics, and government agencies.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
Our team handles all types of collision claims including rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, rollover accidents, highway accidents, intersection accidents, sideswipe accidents, T-bones, parking lot collisions, drunk driving accidents, hit-and-runs, and collisions caused by uninsured or underinsured motorists.
Types of Injuries After a Car Accident
Our legal team has experience handling claims involving airbag injuries, internal bleeding and organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, spinal injuries, neck injuries and whiplash, back injuries, fractured and broken bones, severe burns, and soft tissue damage.
Common Causes of Auto Accidents
Common causes include distracted driving, failing to follow traffic laws, driving under the influence, speeding and reckless driving, texting and driving, fatigued and drowsy driving, aggressive driving and road rage, and illegal lane changes or tailgating. Other factors include defective car parts, unsafe road conditions, and poor weather.
Car Accident FAQ
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Louisiana?
Studies have shown that accident victims who hire an injury lawyer can get up to 3.5x more compensation than those who don’t. An attorney will protect you from mistakes, investigate your accident, gather evidence proving liability, handle communications with insurance companies, and calculate the full value of everything you have lost.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Most attorneys in this area of the law operate on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay any attorney’s fees unless and until we win your case. Our attorney’s legal fees are based on a percentage of the amount we get for your claim.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Most cases — around 95% — are resolved without the need for trial. However, trial may be necessary if the insurance company denies your claim, devalues your damages, refuses to make a fair offer, is blaming you for the accident, or there are multiple at-fault parties.
How Long Will It Take to Settle My Car Crash Case?
The time it takes to settle your case depends on the severity of your injuries and the complexity of your case. Some cases settle in months; others take years. Your injury lawyer will help you understand the possible timeline.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyers
Don’t let an insurance company pressure you into accepting a low settlement offer. Before you accept a settlement offer, call Mansfield Melancon for a case evaluation. We’re standing by to provide you with top-rated legal services.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our car accident lawyers in Baton Rouge. Our office is located at 404 Europe St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Call us at (225) 263-4787.
