A car accident can change your life instantly. If you were injured in a wreck in Baton Rouge, you could face medical bills, costly car repairs, and miss time at work. If someone else’s negligent behavior caused your accident, you have the right to hold them responsible for their actions.
The legal team at the Morris Bart law firm is here to help. We can help you get a settlement that will help you move on from your injuries. Let our Baton Rouge car accident lawyer help you get a fresh start.
Why Choose Our Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer
- The injury attorneys at our law firm have more than 40 years of experience and 15 locations across four states. We can handle even the most challenging car accident case in Louisiana.
- Our car accident attorneys in Baton Rouge have a long history of achieving positive results for our clients. We have secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
- We have proven our ability to help car accident victims recover. Case examples include a $852,845 outcome for a crash victim in Louisiana with facial fractures and neck and back pain.
- Our Baton Rouge attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you will only be charged attorney’s fees if we succeed in securing financial compensation for your case.
What Our Clients Are Saying
“Excellent lawyer I recommend everyone to use Morris Bart Mr Spencer handled my case and he did a fantastic job at getting me my money I deserved thank you for being my lawyer.” – Constance W.
For a free legal consultation with a Car Accident lawyer serving Baton Rouge, call 800-537-8185
Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer Resources and FAQs
- When Should You Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident?
- How Much Can You Get from a Car Accident Settlement?
- How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Baton Rouge Car Accident Attorney?
- What to Do to Help Strengthen Your Car Accident Case
- What to Expect When Filing a Baton Rouge Car Accident Claim
- Your Lawyer Can Prove Negligence After a Baton Rouge Car Accident
- Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
- Laws that May Impact Your Claim
- Call the Baton Rouge Car Accident Legal Team
When Should You Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident?
The earlier you team up with a car accident attorney, the more you stand to gain from your legal counsel. Some situations that could benefit from hiring representation include:
- Collecting evidence of your injuries and losses
- Determining the settlement amount you need for future care
- Negotiating with insurance for a fair settlement
- Appealing a denied insurance claim
- Starting a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary
No matter what stage your car accident case is in, it’s never too early to involve your lawyer. If you haven’t reached out to your insurance company yet, your Baton Rouge car accident lawyer can communicate with them on your behalf.
How Much Can You Get from a Car Accident Settlement?
While it’s impossible to promise you a dollar amount without reviewing your case, there are multiple damages you could expect to reclaim. A car accident settlement could compensate you for:
- Medical bills for injuries caused by the accident
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy or mobility devices
- Property damage or vehicle repairs
- Loss of income if you are unable to work
Accident victims who suffer significant financial losses generally receive higher settlement amounts. If you suffered an injury that permanently disabled you or diminished your quality of life, you deserve a settlement that reflects this. A Baton Rouge car accident lawyer can review your case and accident-related expenses to give you a better idea of what compensation you can expect.
Results You Can Count on
When choosing a law firm to represent you, case results.For example, the Morris Bart law firm represented a client injured in a car wreck. The damage was so severe that our client needed lower back surgery. We won this client a $450,000 settlement.
Every case is different. Our team can help you calculate the settlement amount you should pursue for your specific needs. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Baton Rouge Car Accident Attorney?
At the Morris Bart law firm, our Baton Rouge car accident attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. This means we only charge for our services if and when we win the client’s case. We charge $0 upfront to take a case. Our law firm fronts the costs of litigation for you and will only charge a fee if your Baton Rouge car accident case results in a successful settlement or judgment award for your damages.
If your case is successful, we will deduct our fee directly from the amount collected from the defendant or defendant’s insurance company. We will not charge you out of pocket. We will discuss the percentage rate of our fee with you ahead of time so there are no unexpected or hidden costs. Contingency fees mean you will only pay your car accident lawyer a percentage of the money that you receive if the case settles out of court or is won at trial. You will take on no financial risks.
What to Do to Help Strengthen Your Car Accident Case
Many car accident victims in Baton Rouge do not realize there are steps they can take after a collision to strengthen an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Car insurance companies will look for any reason to reject a claim or reduce coverage. If you skip a step or make a mistake, this could jeopardize your ability to recover fair financial compensation. Here’s what you should do after a car accident in Louisiana:
- Report the accident from the scene. Call 911 immediately using your cell phone to report the car accident. You should report a crash even if it is minor to obtain a police report, which can provide evidence during your claim.
- Do not admit fault for the accident. Do not admit any fault to the other driver, a police officer or an insurance company. Do not apologize, either, as this could be misconstrued as an admittance of guilt. When giving your description of events, avoid opinions and speculation.
- Document the car accident. Exchange information with the other driver and gather evidence. Before you leave the scene, take photos of the car accident and any property damage. Write down your police report number and obtain a copy of your police report.
- Speak to witnesses. Witness statements can provide key evidence during your car accident case, such as proof that the other driver was behaving negligently or recklessly behind the wheel. Before you leave the scene of the crash, talk to eyewitnesses and get their contact information.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Do not delay in seeking medical care after a car accident in Baton Rouge. Waiting to see a doctor can give an insurance company a reason to deny coverage. Follow your doctor’s advice and treatment plan while you recover.
- Keep evidence of your losses. Collect proof of the losses that you have suffered because of the car accident. This may include health care expenses, hospital bills, receipts, rental car paperwork, property repair estimates, photographs of your injuries and an injury journal.
- Don’t wait to file a claim. File your car accident claim in Louisiana as soon as possible. Most insurance providers require claimants to file right away – within 24 to 72 hours of the accident. Delaying your claim could make you miss an important deadline.
- Be careful when speaking to insurance claims adjusters. Do not fall for insurance company tactics during your case. Do not give them a recorded statement or too much information. Do not accept the very first settlement offer you receive, as it may be less than you deserve.
- Stay off of social media. While your car accident case is processing, stay off all social media platforms. A car insurance company can use your social media activity against you. Avoid posting about your crash or injuries, posting new photos of yourself, or tagging locations.
- Contact a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer. Get an experienced legal representative on your side to help you through the car accident claims process. Your lawyer will help you deal with an insurance company and build the strongest possible claim to damages.
This is just an idea of all of the steps you need to take and mistakes you should avoid to protect your legal rights as much as possible after getting into a collision. A Baton Rouge accident attorney at Morris Bart can help you with every phase of an insurance claim or lawsuit so that you can rest assured you are doing everything you can to win maximum financial compensation.
What to Expect When Filing a Baton Rouge Car Accident Claim
The car accident claims process typically starts with filing an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurance company. Louisiana is a fault state, meaning the claim will be filed with the insurance carrier of the at-fault driver. Although each case is unique, the general process that takes place after a claim is filed is as follows:
- The insurance company will assign someone known as the claims adjuster to your case. The insurance adjusters will communicate with you about your car accident and assess your claim. Be careful what you say to an insurance adjuster, as he or she is not on your side.
- The adjuster will investigate the car accident case and request proof of your losses. Do not admit fault for the car accident or give the insurance adjuster a recorded statement. The adjuster will make a determination of who was at fault.
- If the other driver is found to be responsible for your car accident, you may receive a settlement offer from the insurance carrier. Do not be too quick to accept the first offer. Consult with a car accident lawyer in Baton Rouge first to find out if the offer is fair.
- If the insurance company refutes liability, rejects your claim or fails to offer a reasonable settlement value, your attorney can take your case to court to pursue fair and full financial compensation for your losses.
- A car accident trial begins with the discovery phase. This involves an exchange of evidence. Then, at the trial date, both sides of the case will present evidence to a judge or jury, who will decide liability for the crash. If the defendant is found liable, his or her insurance company will be made to pay a judgment award.
Most car accident cases in Louisiana reach settlements. It is important to find a car accident attorney who can go to court, however, to prepare for any possibility. A trial lawyer at Morris Bart in Baton Rouge can preserve your best interests through aggressive settlement negotiations with an insurance company and/or high-quality litigation. We will guide you through each step of your car accident claim.
Your Lawyer Can Prove Negligence After a Baton Rouge Car Accident
You can pursue compensation from the party who caused your car accident. Your Baton Rouge personal injury attorney can collect evidence to show the other party’s negligence. Negligence could involve:
- A driver speeding
- A driver failing to check blind spots or improperly changing lanes
- Drunk driving or driving after taking drugs
The following four elements must be satisfied for us to prove negligence was the reason for your accident:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party had a duty to keep you safe.
- Breach of duty: The liable party did not maintain their duty of care. Running a red light, for example, is a breach of duty of care.
- Causation: The liable party’s negligence caused your accident.
- Damages: Because of the liable party’s negligence, you suffered damages such as medical expenses or vehicle repair costs.
Evidence We Can Use to Prove Negligence in Your Motor Vehicle Accident Case
Your legal team can gather evidence to strengthen your personal injury claim or lawsuit. Some of the evidence we may use includes:
- A police report
- Photos and videos of your injuries or the crash scene
- Witness statements
- Expert witness testimony
- Your medical records
It isn’t your job to collect evidence, so do not worry if you do not already have proof of your accident. Your lawyer in Baton Rouge can collect evidence to support your case. If you happen to have some evidence gathered, bring it to your lawyer.
Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
Even if the car accident was minor, you should consult a car accident attorney. You may have invisible injuries that show up later. If you did not cause the accident, you should not have to pay for medical expenses and other damages.
The other driver might later claim injuries and say you were responsible for the crash. This could raise your auto insurance rates or hurt your driving record. Consult with a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer to protect your rights. Your legal team can handle all communications with the other driver.
An attorney can help collect evidence to document your injuries, explain Louisiana traffic law, and negotiate with your insurance company. Hiring a lawyer can mean the difference between a low settlement offer and one that fairly compensates you.
Laws that May Impact Your Claim
Louisiana’s comparative fault law, or La. Civ. Code Art. 2323 considers the partial responsibility of both parties when assigning fault and allocating damages. If you are found to be partially responsible for the accident, your damages will be reduced by the degree to which you were at fault. For example, if you were awarded $10,000 and found to be 20% responsible, you would only be eligible for $8,000 in compensation.
Be aware of Louisiana’s statute of limitations. This is the time limit the state imposes on your ability to take legal action, found in La. Civ. Code Art. 3492. In a personal injury accident, Louisiana has a one-year statute of limitations. If you do not file your claim by this one-year deadline, you could lose the right to pursue compensation from the other driver.
There are a few exceptions to the Louisiana statute of limitations that could limit the amount of time you have to file. Even if your one-year timeframe has passed, you may have legal options. Contact a car accident attorney in Baton Rouge to learn more.
Louisiana also has a Direct Action Law. Louisiana Revised Statute 22:1269 allows a car accident victim to take direct action against a liability insurer in two situations: where the insurance policy was issued or delivered in Louisiana or where the accident or injury occurred in Louisiana. This rule grants a procedural right of action against the insurer; it does not create an independent cause of action against the insurance company. If a liability policy covers a certain risk, a victim may be given the right to sue the insurance company directly in these scenarios.
A legal action may be brought against the liability insurer alone only when the insurance company has been declared bankrupt, the insured is insolvent, service of citation cannot be made on the insured, the cause of action is for damages caused between a child and parent or between married persons, when the insurer is an uninsured motorist carrier, or when the insured is deceased. Find out if you have a substantive cause of action under Louisiana’s Direct Action Law by consulting with our attorneys.
Call the Baton Rouge Car Accident Legal Team
When you partner with the team at the Morris Bart law firm, we can help gather evidence to determine who was liable for your accident. We can review your bills and speak with your doctors and other medical experts to determine the total amount of your losses.
We can bring this evidence to the insurance companies and take them to trial if they are unwilling to offer you a fair and reasonable settlement. To speak with a Baton Rouge car accident legal team member, contact the Morris Bart law firm. We’re available to take your call 24/7, and the consultation is free.
Serving All of East Baton Rouge Parish
Including but not limited to:
Broadmoor | Capital Heights | Garden District | Goodwood | Highland Road | LSU (Louisiana State University) Area | Mid City South| Parkview Oaks | Sherwood Forest | Southdowns | The Highlands-Perkins | University Gardens | Villa del Rey | Westminster
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
