Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer
At Babcock Partners, we realize how a car accident can turn your life upside down – especially if you are left with severe injuries or the loss of a loved one. We want to help you set things right.
While you focus on your health and your family, our accident lawyers aggressively pursue the compensation you are due for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and more.
Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyers
Our Baton Rouge automobile accident attorneys, Stephen Babcock and Chase Tettleton, know Louisiana’s accident laws inside and out, are both founding members of Trial Masters™ – a national organization comprised solely of lawyers who have tried 35 or more trials to verdict. This means we have the experience you need at the time you need it most.
Insurance companies know we are serious about taking cases to court – and that helps us achieve success for our clients at the negotiation table.
We are committed to seeking maximum fair compensation for car accident victims and their families in Baton Rouge and throughout Louisiana. We can provide a free review of your case today. In that case review, we will discuss Louisiana’s accident laws with you and how your case is impacted by them. We will then give you an assessment based many years of experience of the merits of your claim.
Types of Baton Rouge Automobile Accident Cases
If you have been hit from behind in a car accident, you are not alone. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident. They are also the most common cause of whiplash, a painful and potentially disabling neck and back injury.
A head-on collision is the type of car accident most likely to result in death. Head-on collisions account for about 2 percent of car accidents but cause about 10 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities.
A rollover accident, in which a car tips over onto its side or roof, is a dangerous car crash. Rollover accidents have a higher fatality rate than other car accidents. If you or a loved one has survived a rollover, your injuries are likely to be serious, but you may be lucky to be alive.
The driver who caused your car accident may have had something entirely different from driving on their mind at the time of the wreck. We’ve all seen examples of distracted driving: cell phone use behind the wheel, texting while driving, turning to deal with kids, applying makeup or shaving, fiddling with the radio, etc.
Distracted driving is multitasking at its potentially deadly worst. When a car accident has been caused by a distracted driver, those who have been injured or lost a loved one deserve swift and sure compensation for their losses.
It should come as no surprise that intersections are the scenes of many car accidents. Multiple streams of traffic cross and turn in front of each other. When drivers don’t pay attention at intersections, crashes are often the result.
As you may expect, the increased speeds allowed on Louisiana interstates and highways result in more destructive crashes when car accidents occur. When high-speed highway accidents happen in heavy traffic, multiple vehicles may become involved, resulting in pileups that damage many cars and injure or kill multiple people.
Baton Rouge auto accidents can often lead to scars, lacerations or disfigurement. Sometimes those accidents come in the form of auto accidents, other times it may be from a dog or animal bite.
Contact a Babcock Partners Car Accident Attorney Today
We are confident that we can make a difference for you. In fact, having an experienced accident lawyer on your side may be the number one factor in your obtaining any recovery at all. That said, if you don’t obtain a financial recovery, you will pay no attorney’s fee or costs.
And if you are not satisfied with how your case is going, we will return your case file to you within 30 days of being hired as part of our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee with no attorney’s fee or costs owed to us whatsoever.
Don’t wait to take action after a car accident. GET EVEN. CALL STEPHEN.™
Causes for Baton Rouge Automobile Accidents
Mobile Phones/Devices Cause Baton Rouge Car Accidents
Smartphones and other speaking devices are one of the most cited causes of motor vehicle accidents each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports, roughly 10% of all people driving in the U.S. are texting or talking on the phone. Recent studies have shown that talking is just as distracting as texting. Devices in your vehicle, such as radios and navigation devices, take the driver’s focus off of the road. Anything that takes a driver’s attention from traffic and driving can potentially lead to an accident.
Drinking and Driving Causes LA Car Wrecks
Drunk driving is responsible for thousands of fatalities each year. People between the ages of 16-20 have a higher probability of being involved in a drunk driving car accident. Drunk driving fatalities rise around holidays and celebratory events. The two weeks that include Christmas and New Years account for an average of 47 alcohol-related deaths each day. State legislatures are the ones who implement preventative measures such as checkpoints during holidays, breathalyzer starters for anyone convicted of DUI or DWI and more.
Speeding Can Lead to Auto Accidents in Baton Rouge
Speeding or reckless driving account for over 30% of all car accident fatalities in the U.S. each year, according to reports from the NHTSA. Male drivers between the ages of 15-24 are the highest risk of speed-related car accidents. Speeding paired with any other distraction can increase the chances of accident and fatality dramatically. Each state views speeding violations differently with varying consequences.
Distracted Driving Car Accident: Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer
Distracted driving includes any actions by the driver or passengers that lead to the driver losing focus on the road. Phone use and talking with passengers are the most common forms of distraction. 1 in 4 car accidents is attributed to distracted driving. Other common distractions include, but are not limited to, eating, grooming, listening to music and reaching for objects in the car. Multitasking was linked by the National Safety Council to an overall decrease in focus and effectiveness while driving.
Should You Get an Auto Accident Lawyer In Baton Rouge?
You’ve been hurt in an accident involving automobiles, motorcycles, dog bites or burns, and you may be wondering:
- Will an accident lawyer be worth it?
- Are my injuries really that bad?
- Was it my fault?
- How can I handle so many medical bills?
- Are the physical, emotional, career and psychological damages worth a court battle?
- Do I really want to sacrifice the time and energy it takes to pursue financial compensation for my losses?
- What if I was in an Uber/Uberx accident?
Maybe you’re thinking about just letting it go. Moving on with your life without looking back.
Still, the burning question remains: Should I get a personal injury attorney?
Let’s explore the whys and hows of seeking consultation from an accident lawyer.
Will an Accident Lawyer Be Worth It?
If you believe that another person’s actions or negligence directly led to your injuries or the death of a loved one, you’ll need legal guidance and support to get you through the tough times. An accident lawyer will understand how the system operates and will have a clear idea of the evidence required to win your case.
An accident lawyer will understand how the system operates and will have a clear idea of the evidence required to win your case.
The primary reasons an accident lawyer is worth your time and effort is because they:
- Are court-savvy and know how to get the maximum return for the least amount of effort
- Know exactly which evidence will be needed for your claim and how to gather it quickly
- Take the pressure off you, which allows you precious time to recuperate
- Help you understand the longterm costs of injuries like yours, so that you can request appropriate compensation
Contacting an accident lawyer immediately after the accident is in your best interest because this is the prime time to collect evidence and gather testimony. So if you’re on the fence, you could always err on the side of caution and at least receive an initial consultation.
Are My Injuries Really That Bad?
Typically, the severity of your injuries are determined by the:
- Kind of injury you received in the accident
- Amount of time it will take for you to regain normal functioning
- Amount of any present or future medical bills required regarding your injuries
There’re also clear guidelines that separate short-term, long-term and permanent disability.
1. Short-Term Disability
Short-term, or temporary, injuries can last anywhere from one day to three months. These can range from minor aches to incessant and debilitating agony.
2. Long-term Disability
Usually, long-term disability is the result of an injury that continues to affect your functioning for over a year. This can be recurring headaches, torn ligaments or chronic pain.
3. Permanent Disability
Permanent disability is when an accident impairs your functioning for the rest of your life. This type of disability can pertain to any part of your body or daily functioning.
With minor injuries and relatively insignificant losses, you can usually settle the claim on your own. If you have the time, energy and money to put towards addressing your claims, you can always opt to take it on yourself.
You may be addressing your claim with a judge, jury, your insurance company and/or the other party.
If, however, you endure suffering that lasts longer than a couple of days and/or demands medical treatment, you’ll probably want to find a good accident lawyer. Solid legal representation can mean the difference between alleviating the heavy burden of debt and drowning under the weight of it all.
Like any other business, insurance companies would like to avoid paying any more than they have to. Yours may use its own lawyers to discount or minimize your personal injury claims. This is where the right representation by an excellent accident lawyer can make all the difference.
Was It My Fault?
It’s not uncommon for victims to blame themselves for an accident. This is a natural human inclination that should be balanced out with the facts.
The truth is, most of us want to prevent conflict no matter what it takes. We may even convince ourselves that we did something wrong to avoid confronting someone else’s negligence or actions.
A good accident lawyer will be able to help you sort out the details with minimal stress for you. People don’t like conflict because they don’t like the toll it takes on their bodies. But with the support of a lawyer, you can get the results you deserve without excessive drama.
How Can I Handle So Many Medical Bills?
If you weren’t at fault in the accident, you may not have to. Medical bills can mount very quickly after an injury, and you might be able to have them paid in part or full.
Medical bills can include hospital admittance, surgeries, medical equipment and physical rehabilitation.
You may have amazing insurance. But even with the best of insurance plans, you’ll typically owe at least the deductible between $1,000 and $3,000 before the insurance will begin coverage. Still, you could be left with up to 50% of the original bills.
If you have inadequate or no medical insurance, you may be in even deeper still. A personal injury lawyer can help you get compensated for all of your medical expenses not paid by your insurance.
Are the Damages Worth a Court Battle?
Most personal injury cases never go to court. If you have a good accident lawyer, he/she can sometimes keep you out of the court room.
Many people easily notice the monetary consequences of a car wreck or other personal injury, but fewer fully grasp the non-monetary effects. Let’s take a look at the various ways you may be impacted by an accident:
Monetary Impact
- Car repairs
- Hospital stays, stitches, surgeries, etc…
- Time off work during the recuperation phase
- Possible loss of job due to recovery time
- Loss of future income due to disabilities
- Depleted savings during recovery period
- Cost of therapeutic care for mental, behavioral or physical concerns pertaining to the accident
Non-Monetary Impact
- Long- and short-term physical
- Long- and short-term emotional
- Long- and short-term psychological
The Physical Consequences of an Accident can Include:
- Slip disc
- Torn shoulder
- Whiplash
- Chronic pain
- Longterm eye or ear impairment
- Trauma to the brain
- Hemorrhaging of the brain
- Partial or complete paralysis
The Emotional Impact of an Accident can Include:
- Survivor’s guilt when a friend, family member or someone else dies in the same accident
- The “what ifs?” What if I had done something differently?
- Anger, rage or resentment turned either inward towards self or towards the person responsible for the accident
- Sadness, grief, and pain over the physical losses
- Relationship strain/social impact
The psychological impact of personal injury may include Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, phobias of driving or loud sounds, or other stress-related symptoms.
Tangible Losses Versus Intangible Pain and Suffering
Following an accident, you’ll experience the more tangible losses identified in the previous section. These include immediate medical bills, repairs, and counseling.
An accident also involves the more intangible pain and suffering due to various indirect losses. These can include the toll injuries take on your career, social life, intimate relationships, and isolation or abandonment fears.
Career
We’ve already identified how the recovery period can affect employment. Beyond that, you may also experience limitations in what you’re able to accomplish at your job.
For instance, let’s say you’re a typist, and three of your fingers were broken in an accident. You may not be able to type up to your previous standards, even after your fingers have healed. Worse still, your typing speed might be cut in half, leading to an eventual loss of your job.
Another example would be if you have a relatively low-stress job that requires minor lifting, like carrying files down the hall of a dentist’s office. If your neck, back or legs were injured in an accident, you may not even be able to do this task anymore.
Social Life
The need for belonging is a basic human need. Your social life is an important part of your life. It’s not a luxury, but a must-have.
Due to your accident, you may not be able to do the social activities you once enjoyed. You might have subtle symptoms that prevent you from socializing at gatherings, such as tinnitus, chronic pain or paralysis.
A common after-effect of a head or neck injury or whiplash is tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. Tinnitus can range from a low hum to a high pitched ring that makes it difficult to concentrate.
Imagine you’re trying to listen to your friend tell a story at a party, and your ears start ringing loudly. You’d have trouble concentrating and interacting with others.
Chronic pain from an injury can greatly dampen your enjoyment of a night out with friends, as well. You’re laughing with your best buds when all of a sudden a shooting pain makes it way up your leg. And it won’t relent.
Partial or full paralysis is a more obvious hindrance for your social life. If you’re an avid camper or skier, those activities are likely out of the question.
Another intangible consequence that can result from all of the above is extreme self-consciousness. When you’re used to your body working a certain way, adjusting to a new normal can be very hard.
Intimate Relationships
Your most intimate relationships may be altered in a drastic way. Certain injuries can affect sex drive. Some accidents can result in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder as well.
You might have phobias, such as intense fear of driving or avoiding certain places that remind you of the place where you had your accident. Anxiety may be triggered in specific settings or by noises, which keeps you from wanting to go out on dates with your spouse.
You may feel insecure in a romantic situation if you are left with an unsightly scar across your chest. You may want to cover yourself.
All of these things are intangible and unmeasurable damages. A good accident lawyer will be able to give evidence if these affect your case, to get you the amount you’re entitled to.
Isolation and Abandonment Fears
Victims of personal injury sometimes believe that it’s best to hide away to take the burden off of family or friends. This is especially true if a person becomes paralyzed.
Isolation can create abandonment fears.
Will my spouse leave me? Will he/she want to stay with me through this? Will I be alone?
An accident lawyer will be able to communicate to the judge, jury or your insurance company the extent of these intangible damages.
Do I Really Want to Sacrifice the Time and Energy To Pursue Financial Compensation?
It can be easy to be intimidated by the time and energy you believe it will take to recover financial compensation for what you’ve been through. This is perfectly natural. But do the cons of getting legal counsel really outweigh the pros?
Cons
- An accident lawyer costs you money
- You’ll be required to recount your ordeal
- You’ll need to complete several interviews and answer questions
- You’ll need to provide evidence for your case
Pros
- You’re typically going to recover more money than you spend because lawyers take cases they believe they can win
- You’ll have an ally and receive support during this trying time
- You’ll receive excellent legal guidance and know exactly what to expect
- An accident lawyer will help you understand what your claim is worth (It’s probably more than you think)
- You can recover and get on with your life with a better peace of mind
What if I Was in an Uber/Uberx Accident?
In the case of an Uber or Uberx accident, you are entitled to receive financial restitution for injuries sustained while you were a passenger.
Some of the damages recovered can include:
- Post-accident counseling
- Hospital stays
- Wage loss
- Property damage
- Psychological trauma, mental or physical suffering
- Financial impairment due to a sustained disability
For Support on Your Healing Journey
As you can see, the losses for accident victims extend far beyond the scope of tangible impact. An accident lawyer can help you uncover all of the areas of your life affected by your accident.
If you’re ready to make that call, check us out at Babcock Partners. We stand up for victims so they don’t get a raw deal.
“7 Things You Should Know After A Car Accident”
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