Were you injured in a car accident in Baton Rouge, LA? Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Reach out online or call (225) 263-4787 to schedule a free consultation with a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer today!
We have decades of legal experience and a proven track record. We use our knowledge and extensive resources to fight for the rights of victims and their families. Our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars through negotiated settlements and jury verdicts for our clients.
We work on a contingency fee basis and can answer any questions you may have. We are here to help you when you need to seek legal advice after a crash in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Why Choose Mansfield Melancon for Help With Your Claim in Baton Rouge?
When your future is on the line, you need a team of Baton Rouge personal injury lawyers that knows how to win. 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. We have the skills, resources, and tenacity to handle the most complex claims.
We will fight to secure justice —because your recovery is our mission. Reach out to us today for a free case review.
About Our Attorneys
At Mansfield Melancon, 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.
Scott and Collin have been recognized among Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars for multiple consecutive years, reflecting their skill, integrity, and success in the courtroom. Together, they’ve built a firm known for its personalized approach and unwavering dedication to justice in Baton Rouge and beyond.
Our Recent Case Results
At Mansfield Melancon, we have secured tens of millions of dollars for our clients. Here are some of our most notable 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
These outcomes reflect our relentless pursuit of justice and our commitment to helping every client.
Our Client Reviews
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 agree to a just settlement amount
We are ready to fight for the money you need to replace income, pay medical bills, and relieve the financial burden.
Call our law offices today to schedule a time to meet and discuss your case.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
The moments after an accident are extremely overwhelming. However, there are certain steps you must take to protect your health and your accident claim.
At a minimum, you should:
- Call 911 to report the accident and request EMS if necessary.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the at-fault driver (you’ll need this to file an injury claim).
- Get contact information from any witnesses to the collision.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene.
- Seek medical attention.
Finally, you should contact an experienced attorney in Baton Rouge. Your lawyer can help you understand your rights and options.
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.
However, the facts of your case and exceptions to the statute can change the general deadline. Therefore, we encourage you to call or fill out our online contact form as soon as possible to discuss your case with a personal injury attorney.
How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?
Many factors affect the value of a claim. Some increase the value of your case, while others can reduce it. As just one example, a case involving a broken bone is likely valued higher than one only involving a minor bruise.
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, both inside and outside the home
Our Baton Rouge car accident attorneys will calculate the full value of your claim prior to making demands from the at-fault driver.
What Damages Can I Receive After a Car Accident in Baton Rouge, LA?
The damages available for a claim depend on the facts specific to your case. Generally, car accident victims can seek economic damages for their financial losses.
Examples of economic damages are:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Travel expenses to and from doctor appointments
- Lost wages and benefits
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Long-term nursing/personal care
- In-home services
- Reduction in earning capacity
- Funeral expenses in wrongful death cases
Accident victims also experience pain and suffering. Louisiana tort laws provide compensation for non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Impairments and disabilities
- Diminished quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
Our lawyers will work hard to calculate all of your damages. That way, we can pursue all the financial compensation you deserve.
Can I Receive Damages if I Contributed to the Cause of a Car Accident in Louisiana?
Some states prohibit victims from financial recovery if they are partially to blame for causing their accident. Louisiana does not. Instead, Louisiana has adopted a comparative fault law.
Victims can recover damages even if they are partially to blame. However, their compensation is based on their level of responsibility.
Suppose a jury decided you were 40% to blame. The judge would reduce your damages by that amount. Therefore, if the jury awarded you $1 million, you would only get 60% or $600,000.
The law makes an exception in cases of intentional torts. If the person who caused your collision acted intentionally, the comparative fault would not apply.
How is Fault Determined in a Car Accident?
The insurance company will investigate the accident to determine who is at fault and whether they are liable.
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
- Medical records and bills
This information helps establish liability, strengthen your claim, and ensure that you get full compensation for your losses.
Who Could Be Liable For My Injuries After a Car Accident?
Many different parties could share responsibility for your collision. Further, that means anyone who contributed to your collision is responsible for their portion of liability.
The following parties are often named as defendants in injury claims:
- Careless motorists
- Truckers and trucking companies
- Motorcyclists
- Bicyclists
- Pedestrians
- Bus drivers and transit companies/agencies
- Rideshare drivers
- Taxi drivers
- Car and part manufacturers
- Mechanics
- Government agencies
It’s important to seek compensation from everyone who’s to blame. Your lawyer will investigate to identify all the liable parties, so you don’t miss out on much-needed compensation.
Can I Recover Damages If an Uninsured Driver Caused My Crash?
Yes. You may have a right to significant compensation through an uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) policy. You may also be able to secure a personal judgment against the driver. An attorney can help you understand your legal options.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
Our team has extensive experience handling personal injury cases, including complex collision claims.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end accidents occur far too often. They can result in serious harm to the head, back, and spine, to name a few. Our Baton Rouge rear-end collision lawyers can help you seek a maximum recovery.
Head-On Crashes
Head-on collisions often result in serious harm and fatalities due to the speed and force involved. If another driver struck you, our Baton Rouge head-on collision lawyers can help you pursue money for your medical bills, emotional distress, significant property damage, and other losses.
Rollover Accidents
Rollovers can be catastrophic, leading to paralysis, amputations, and even wrongful death. If a careless driver caused your wreck, our Baton Rouge rollover accident lawyers can help you get justice.
Highway Accidents
Highway collisions often involve high speeds and big impacts. Our Baton Rouge highway accident lawyers can help you after a highway collision.
Intersection Accidents
Intersection crashes are dangerous because they often involve multiple cars traveling in different directions. They can even result in a chain reaction. Our Baton Rouge intersection accident lawyers can help you every step of the way.
Our legal team also represents clients who have been hurt in:
- Sideswipe accidents
- T-bones
- Parking lot collisions
- Drunk driving accidents
- Left-turn accidents
- Hit-and-runs
- Collisions caused by uninsured or underinsured motorists
- And more
Contact us today to learn more about our practice areas and how we can help you.
Types of Injuries After a Car Accident
Our legal team has experience handling claims involving the following injuries:
- Airbag injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Spinal injury
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Back injuries
- Fractured, crushed, and broken bones
- Severe burns
- Soft tissue damage
Our lawyers communicate with your doctors to document your losses. We can help you locate medical specialists and experts who can assist in determining impairment ratings and permanent disabilities.
Common Causes of Auto Accidents
Many of the car wrecks that occur in Baton Rouge are preventable and would not have happened had it not been for the actions of another party. Generally, these circumstances give rise to a negligence claim for damages.
Common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Failing to follow Louisiana traffic laws
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Texting and driving
- Fatigued and drowsy driving
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Illegal or unsafe maneuvers such as improper lane changes, tailgating, and failing to yield the right of way
Other factors could contribute to why a car wreck happens. A Baton Rouge crash could involve defective or malfunctioning car parts/systems, defectively designed intersections, unsafe road conditions, and poor weather conditions.
Any party that contributed to the cause of the crash could be responsible. Liable parties may include the drivers, passengers, manufacturers of defective parts, trucking companies, government entities, and others.
A Baton Rouge auto accident lawyer will identify each party who may be liable. We’ll pursue claims against all responsible parties to maximize your recovery for any type of motor vehicle accident, including those involving a rental car, multi-vehicle collisions, hit-and-runs, distracted driving, and more.
Car Accident FAQ
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Louisiana?
Hiring an experienced attorney can mean getting all the money you need and deserve. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire an injury lawyer can get up to 3.5x more compensation from their claims than those who don’t.
An attorney will protect you from mistakes that could hurt your chances of recovery. They will investigate your accident and gather evidence proving liability. They will also handle communications and negotiations with the insurance company throughout the claims process, putting pressure on them to make a just offer.
Moreover, they will calculate the value of everything you have lost so that you know much to demand from the other side.
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. We understand that being in a collision can create a financial crisis for your family. It can be challenging to meet living expenses during your recovery. Therefore, you may worry about how you can afford to hire a lawyer in Baton Rouge.
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. Call us with any questions you might have about the contingency fee payment system.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Most cases are resolved without the need for trial — around 95%. The chances are good that your case will be resolved through the negotiation process. However, there are some instances where trial is unavoidable and may be in your best interest.
Your case may need to go to court if:
- The insurance company denies your claim, devalues your damages, or refuses to make a fair offer
- The insurer is blaming you for the accident
- There are multiple at-fault parties in your case
In these scenarios, the court/trial process may be your only avenue for recovery. An experienced injury attorney can help you understand the pros and cons of filing an injury lawsuit and evaluate whether your case has a likelihood of trial.
How Long Will It Take to Settle My Car Crash Case?
The time it takes to settle your case will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of your injuries and the complexity of your case. Some cases can be settled in a matter of months. Others take years. Your injury lawyer will help you understand the possible timeline for settlement in your case.
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 in Baton Rouge, LA. Many insurance companies will try to intimidate you to avoid paying the fair value of your claim. Generally, personal injury claims are worth more than insurance companies offer.
Before you accept a settlement offer, call our personal injury law firm at Mansfield Melancon for a case evaluation. We will use our legal knowledge to help you.
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 firm is located near you. We have an office in Baton Rouge at 404 Europe St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, United States. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 30.441766420787026, -91.18629265908775
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