Gonzales Car Accident Lawyer

Gonzales Car Accident Attorney

Car collisions can result in financial stressors and minor to severe injuries. Even fender benders can result in frustrating discussions with insurance companies and confusing paperwork. More serious accidents can lead to weeks or months of recovery, resulting in costly hospital bills, long-term medical needs, and lost income, on top of the usual expenses. An experienced Gonzales car accident lawyer can help you get compensation in a car accident claim.

An attorney can handle legal deadlines and paperwork for you, and they can also negotiate with insurance providers on your behalf. You can rest and recover, confident that your accident attorney can secure the most beneficial outcome available.

Murphy Law Firm: Representation for Victims of Car Accidents

At Murphy Law Firm, our team works to get you the compensation you need as quickly as possible so that you can get back to living your life. For more than 30 years, our firm has supported injured individuals and families throughout Louisiana in insurance and civil claims, including car accident claims. Our team has over 150 years of collective legal experience between us, and we can leverage this knowledge in your favor.

Our firm has secured over $250 million for our clients in Louisiana, including vehicle accident results like an $18.9 million verdict, a $3.8 million settlement, and a $3.3 million settlement. Our team fights for you in negotiations and is more than willing to take your case to court when needed. We are in court every day advocating for the rights of people like you.

We also aim for supportive, transparent, and compassionate legal care. We understand how stressful and overwhelming a sudden injury can be. Our firm provides individualized solutions with strategies to maximize compensation because we know that every person has a unique situation, with unique financial and personal needs. We can guide you through your compensation options and help you determine the ideal way of resolving your case.

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Gonzales?

Determining the cause of a car accident is a crucial first step to finding out which party was at fault and, therefore, can be held liable. In some cases, multiple parties are partially liable, and you can recover a portion of your compensation from each party.

In most car accidents, a driver is at fault, and they are liable under the theory of negligence. This means that they did not intentionally cause the accident but were careless in a way that caused the accident. Some common causes of accidents due to driver negligence include:

• Distracted driving. Any distractions that cause a driver to take their eyes or focus off the road put themselves and others at risk. This is one of the primary causes of accidents. In Ascension Parish, there were seven fatal crashes and 731 suspected injury crashes caused by distracted and inattentive drivers in 2024. Distracted driving can occur when a driver is eating, drinking, talking on the phone, texting, talking with others in the car, or dealing with a navigational or music system. These accidents can also occur when a rideshare driver is distracted. A rideshare accident lawyer can assist in these situations.
• Driving under the influence. It is incredibly dangerous for drivers to operate their vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drivers who are intoxicated are more likely to cause an accident due to poor judgment and slowed reactions.

  If a driver causes an accident while they are under the influence, they face criminal charges as well as civil penalties. There were two fatalities in Gonzales in car accidents in 2024, and both of them were alcohol-related. There was alcohol involved in 14 of the 315 suspected injuries.

• Fatigued driving. Driving while tired is nearly as dangerous as driving under the influence, and it happens more frequently. If a driver caused an accident because they were tired, they could be liable. Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel are likely to cause head-on collisions, which can be fatal. In Ascension Parish, head-on collisions were the manner of collision in 3.56% of injury crashes and 9.52% of fatal crashes.
• Speeding. Speeding is a type of reckless driving. It increases the chances of an accident occurring because it reduces the time a driver has to react, and it also increases the damage from any accident that occurs.

  Drivers can also cause an accident by driving too fast for the conditions on the road. A driver may be going the speed limit, but there may be inclement weather, road construction, uneven pavement, or other dangerous conditions. Drivers are responsible for reducing their speed by an appropriate amount.

• Moving violations. These include failing to yield the right-of-way, not stopping at red lights or stop signs, failing to signal turns and lane changes, and otherwise breaking the flow of traffic. Even minor moving violations can result in an accident.
• Improper vehicle care. Drivers are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their vehicles. If a malfunction caused an accident, and the driver or owner of the vehicle knew about the concern but didn’t address it, they can be held liable.

There are other potential causes of car accidents, including:

• Improper maintenance or repairs completed by a third-party mechanic
• Poorly maintained roads, signs, and traffic lights by private or governmental entities
• Construction sites that are not taken care of, leading to debris on the road
• Faulty and dangerous products, such as an important car component

An attorney can help you find the cause of your car accident. Then, they can use the information gained in an investigation to determine the party or parties that are at fault. There are several pieces of evidence that are important to building your claim. This includes a police accident report. This is either secured at the scene or at a later date.

Your accident may have been handled by the Gonzales Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, or the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.

What if I Am Partially at Fault?

If you are partially at fault for a car accident in Louisiana, this does not prevent you from recovering compensation, although it can limit your final settlement amount or case award. You can still file a car accident claim, although not in all cases. Louisiana uses comparative negligence for personal injury claims. Therefore, if the court finds you partially at fault for the accident, your damages will be reduced by the same percentage that you are at fault.

These laws also affect car insurance claims, although the percentage liability is determined by the involved insurance providers and their attorneys. Having an attorney by your side is especially important in these cases, as they can conduct an independent investigation to determine the cause and at-fault parties for the accident. This may help them argue down the percentage that you are found at fault or prevent you from being found at fault at all.

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Car Accident Claim?

If you can prove that the other party is fully at fault for the accident, then you may be able to recover the entirety of the damages you suffered in the incident in Gonzales. This includes economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are losses with a clear financial value, such as:

• Past, current, and long-term medical expenses
• Costs of expected complications associated with the injury
• Lost income during recovery
• Lost earning capacity in the event of disability
• Repair or replacement costs for property damage

Non-economic damages do not have a set value. Nevertheless, they are still legally recognized losses for emotional and psychological damage, including:

• Physical pain
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional trauma and distress
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of companionship or consortium

In rare situations, you could also recover punitive damages. These damages do not compensate for a loss. You may get these damages if you take your claim to the Louisiana court and the court deems that the at-fault party acted with wanton disregard while being under the influence. These damages are assigned to punish the at-fault party and prevent future similar behavior.

How Do You Prove Another Party Is Liable for a Crash?

The way you prove another party liable for a crash may depend on which party is to blame. Generally, you need to be able to prove the following:

1. Duty of care. The other party owed you a duty of care. Drivers on the road owe each other some level of care, like the duty to avoid causing harm when possible.
2. Breach of duty. The other party must have breached the duty of care they owed you. Nearly all accidents are caused by the negligence of a party. However, there are very rare cases where someone may be liable for malice or intentional acts.
3. Causation. The breach of duty by the other party must have caused the accident, or been a significant factor in causing the accident. If the party acted negligently but another person caused the crash, they likely cannot be held liable.
4. Damages. You must prove you suffered damages that are legally recognized because of the accident. This includes economic and non-economic damages.

Proving all of these elements is essential for a successful claim, whether you are negotiating the case or taking it to court. Depending on the party you are holding liable, certain aspects may be different, such as the duty of care they owed you or what is considered a breach of that duty. An experienced car accident attorney helps you understand these legal complexities.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Louisiana?

A: The average car accident settlement in Louisiana depends entirely on a person’s individual injuries and other damages. If you were injured in a car accident, your settlement mostly relies on damages like medical bills, property damage costs, and lost income.

While you should be able to recover the full value of your damages, this can be difficult. Other factors influence your settlement, like your attorney’s skill, the insurance provider’s willingness to settle, and the amount of evidence available.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim in Louisiana?

A: How long it takes to settle a car accident claim in Louisiana depends on how complex your case is, the number of parties involved, and other factors. Working with an attorney helps you resolve the claim more quickly, as they can gather evidence to support your claim. An insurance provider is more likely to settle if you can prove fault in the accident and the extent of your damages. If your claim goes to court, it takes longer to resolve.

Q: What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Louisiana?

A: After a car accident in Louisiana, there are several steps you should take:

1. Move vehicles out of the way, and remove individuals from the vehicles if possible.
2. Call to report the accident and injuries.
3. Exchange insurance information with the other driver.
4. Receive medical care from emergency medical services.
5. Provide an accident report to the officer on site.
6. Document the scene of the accident, including the contact information of eyewitnesses.
7. Report the accident to your insurance company.
8. Contact a car accident attorney.

Q: How Long After a Car Accident Can You Sue in Louisiana?

A: After a car accident, there is a set amount of time in which to file a civil claim in court. During this time, you can negotiate an insurance claim with the insurer of the at-fault driver. If you cannot reach a fair settlement before this time passes, you need to file your civil claim. If the time limit expires, you will be barred from recovering compensation. An attorney helps you keep track of these deadlines.

Q: Can I Still Recover Damages if I’m Found Partially at Fault for the Accident?

A: Yes, you can still recover damages if you’re found partially at fault for the accident, although not always. For accidents prior to 2026 in Louisiana, you can recover damages as long as you are not fully at fault for an accident, although your damages are reduced by the percentage you are found to be at fault. Accidents in or after 2026 have stricter limitations. If your percentage liability is too high, you may be barred from recovery.

Effective and Experienced Car Accident Attorneys in Gonzales

You should not have to struggle with injuries and insurance paperwork after a difficult accident, especially when it was not your fault. The team at Murphy Law Firm can help you protect your rights and fight for the compensation you need to support yourself. Contact our firm today.

Gonzales, Louisiana Car Accident Resources

• Louisiana Car Accident Statute of Limitations
• Louisiana Car Accident Statistics
• Louisiana Car Accident Laws
• Causes of Car Accidents in Louisiana
• How Long After A Car Accident Can You File A Claim In Louisiana?
• Who Is At Fault in a Multi-Car Accident?
• Types of Brain Injuries from Car Accidents in Louisiana
• Factors To Know About Louisiana Car Accidents
• Negligence in a Louisiana Car Accident Lawsuit
• Louisiana Car Accident Settlement Timeline and Process
• Average Car Accident Settlement in Louisiana
• What Happens If You Are at Fault in a Car Accident in Louisiana? 
• How To Get a Police Report After a Car Accident in Louisiana?

Your Path to Legal Resolution Starts with Murphy Law Firm.

When you choose Murphy Law Firm, you gain access to a team of experienced attorneys with a proven track record of success. We understand the importance of trust, and we strive to build lasting relationships with our clients by delivering exceptional results.

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