Were you injured in an auto accident at an intersection in Baton Rouge, LA? At Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, our knowledgeable Baton Rouge intersection accident lawyers are capable of helping you recover compensation. 

We have 50 years of combined experience and have recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. Our attorneys are fully prepared to advocate for you and hold the at-fault party responsible.

Contact our law office today at (225) 263-4787 to schedule a free consultation.

How Mansfield Melancon Can Help After An Intersection Accident In Baton Rouge, LA

Our experienced Baton Rouge car accident attorneys are equipped to help you pursue a successful claim by:

• Collecting other evidence like dash cam footage, video recordings, witness statements, and post-crash evidence
• Interviewing individuals who may have knowledge about how the accident occurred
• Downloading and analyzing car crash data from the vehicles’ onboard computers
• Preparing and filing a claim that seeks adequate damages for your injuries and losses
• Negotiating a fair and speedy resolution to your claim so you get the compensation you need quickly
• Taking your case to court when necessary

Untangling the series of events that led to an intersection crash in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is difficult. You and the other driver will likely not agree on who was at fault or who had the right of way. Evidence will be needed to prove you are entitled to compensation.

Insurance companies use the confusion and uncertainty that intersection wrecks leave behind to lowball or deny valid claims for compensation. You do not need to fight for your legal rights and financial security while trying to recover from your injuries. Let our Baton Rouge personal injury attorneys help.

Contact Mansfield Melancon today to schedule a free consultation.

Intersections And Right-Of-Way Rules

No matter how many lanes of traffic are present at an intersection or whether it is controlled by a traffic light, sign, or by no device at all, safely navigating an intersection involves Louisiana right-of-way rules. These rules are laws that tell which driver gets to go first when two or more are present at the same intersection. 

Generally, these rules are:

• Traffic with a green light or arrow goes before traffic with a red light.
• Vehicles approaching a yield sign must yield to any cross traffic, but they can proceed ahead of vehicles stopped at a stop sign.
• At an uncontrolled intersection or intersections with only stop signs, the driver who arrives first gets to proceed before others.
• Traffic proceeding straight has the right of way over traffic making a turn.
• When two or more vehicles reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time, the vehicle to the right of you has the right of way.

All Baton Rouge drivers are expected to know and follow these rules at all times. However, remembering them and applying them correctly in the moment can be challenging. Failing to follow these rules, even accidentally, can lead to a crash that injures others. When this happens, the person who forgot the right-of-way rules is often responsible for damages.

Why Do Baton Rouge Drivers Ignore Or Forget Right-Of-Way Rules?

If avoiding intersection crashes is as simple as remembering the state’s right-of-way laws, you might wonder why these accidents happen at all. There are numerous examples of negligent or careless behavior that can cause someone to forget, ignore, or fail to correctly apply right-of-way laws at any given moment. 

Such behavior might include:

• Incorrectly perceiving the situation and movement of traffic (i.e., failing to realize your vehicle arrived at the intersection first and had the right of way)
• Confusion or ignorance about what the right-of-way laws are
• Being distracted by an electronic device
• Impairment after consuming alcohol, drugs, or certain medications

Succeeding with your injury claim involves more than showing the other driver ignored a right-of-way rule. Evidence must show that the driver was careless or reckless in their actions and that those actions caused the crash. Through evidence, witnesses, and other means, your attorney can help you build a claim that leads to a successful settlement or verdict.

Contact Our Baton Rouge Intersection Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation

Whether you were in a car, on a bike, or on foot, you could have a claim for damages if you were injured at a Baton Rouge intersection by another’s negligence. Contact us and schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation with our team. We will help you make an informed choice about what to do and advocate for your rights every step of the way.