Office Location: 400 Poydras Tower, #1975, New Orleans, 70130
Baton Rouge is not only the capital of Louisiana, but the second-largest city in the state. This historically important city is also evolving as an epicenter of technology and new development. As with many larger cities, the possibility of experiencing an accident in the Baton Rouge area is especially prevalent. As the city continues to grow, the influx of tourists who are unfamiliar with the layout of the roads and residents who are busy hurrying to and from work creates a dangerous mix, and may contribute to an accident that can result in serious injuries.
At Stewart J. Guss Personal Injury Lawyers, our legal team has worked on many different types of accident cases for more than 20 years. We are dedicated to fighting for fair and just compensation for those who have been injured in an accident in Baton Rouge. We will help to ease your mind and take on the burden of working through an often-complicated legal system so you don’t have to. Our intake department is available for your free consultation, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-898-4877, or you may contact us now by CLICKING HERE.
Personal Injury Accident Victims We Represent
An accident that results in a personal injury can occur in any number of situations. Given that different accidents require a different set of legal knowledge, you need to work with a law firm that has the experience and understanding it takes to handle your specific incident. Our team of lawyers and legal professionals often work with clients who were hurt in:
Pedestrian accidents. Many people in Baton Rouge enjoy walking as an alternative to driving a car. With the beautiful neighborhoods and vibrant downtown area to explore, going out on foot is becoming a popular option. It is important to remember, that even the most aware pedestrians have a much slower ability to react when a car doesn’t see them. Always practice caution when crossing the street, even if you are in a designated crosswalk. Cars and other vehicles don’t always slow down or yield to those who are walking. Pedestrian accidents can cause some of the most serious injuries and can be traumatizing as well.
Car accidents. In Baton Rouge, car accidents are all too common. We work with injured victims frequently and have seen the damage that this type of accident can cause. With a consistently increasing number of cars on the road, collisions can happen anywhere and at any time. People who attempt to multitask in the car and end up driving distracted, and those who disobey the law and drive while intoxicated, and inexperienced drivers are a few of the dangerous drivers on the roadways. If you have been in a car accident and are unsure what your options are, call us today for a free consultation.
Construction worker accidents. With the continued growth in Baton Rouge, construction sites are commonly seen throughout the city. Those who work in construction understand the potential dangers they face every day when they show up to work. Between handling large machinery, climbing up scaffolding to fix the side of a building, and operating a forklift or other vehicle, there are many opportunities for something to go wrong and cause an injury.
Truck accidents. You’ll notice that trucks are on the road at all times in Louisiana. We rely on commercial trucking companies to provide us with goods quickly, and often this results in increased pressure on the truck driver who is carrying the load. Drivers who are drowsy, distracted, or do not heed to dangerous weather conditions can cause serious accidents. Given that these vehicles are some of the largest on the roads in Baton Rouge, the damage they inflict can result in serious injuries to everyone involved. A rollover accident, a sudden lane change, or a jack-knife accident are all too common. Those who have been injured in an accident that involved a truck should contact an experienced law firm ASAP.
Motorcycle accidents. The frequent sunny days in Baton Rouge make it a popular spot for motorcycle riders to enjoy the roads and beautiful weather. While this is a popular pastime for many residents, the dangers of riding a motorcycle are serious, and accidents can occur when other drivers are not paying attention to their surroundings. Given that those who are on a motorcycle have nothing to protect them from the impact of the road, this type of accident often results in severe injury. If a negligent driver hurt you on your motorcycle, call us now to find out how we can help.
Nursing home neglect or abuse cases. An expanding elderly population in Baton Rouge means that there is an increasing need for extended care facilities and nursing homes. Choosing the right nursing home for an aging adult can be an emotionally difficult process. You want to be sure that the facility is dedicated to providing top-quality care for all of the residents. Unfortunately, cases of elder abuse are all too common among this vulnerable population. We have worked with clients who reported or were victims of nursing home neglect or abuse and understand how upsetting this can be. We are committed to advocating for the rights of nursing home abuse victims and have the resources to do so. Call us today to learn how we can help.
How to Manage Working With Insurance Companies
One of the most complicated and potentially confusing pieces of the accident claims process can be working with the insurance companies. Insurance money helps offset the expensive cost of medical treatment and subsidizes lost wages due to time off work during recovery. Most people rely on their insurance company to offer a fair settlement package after an accident.
Although you might consider these companies to be advocating for your fair compensation, unfortunately, they are working to maintain their own financial profits. This means that while you have paid into the system that is meant to protect you in the event of an accident, there is still work to do in order to collect monetary returns for your damages. The insurance company will do their best to minimize the value of your claim, and this is an area that the general population is ill-equipped to deal with.
We often see insurance companies attempt to:
- Ask injured victims to make a recorded statement after the accident with the hopes that something they say will hurt their case. This is dangerous territory because even if you believe you are answering to the best of your ability, insurance companies often twist your own words a way to disprove your claim.
- Take an unreasonably extended amount of time to process your claim. These delays can add unnecessary stress for those who rely on a settlement to pay for medical bills and supplement their wages while they are unable to work. This delay tactic is often meant to encourage accident victims to take a lower settlement offer. Don’t fall prey to this maneuver—Stewart J. Guss Personal Injury Lawyers has years of experience working to expedite the claims process for thousands of cases.
- Make an initial offer for much less than what your injuries cost you. The insurance company wants to minimize its financial output, which means that they will often attempt to send you a settlement offer that is way below the actual value of your claim. This is especially true when accident victims have not retained an experienced law firm. The insurance companies frequently take this as an opportunity to settle quickly, and for much less money than you are entitled to.
We advise that our clients remain silent during the initial stages of communication with the insurance company. Remember:
- Retain the services of an experienced law firm as soon as possible after an accident. The insurance companies are hoping that you delay speaking with a lawyer so that they can attempt to convince you to take a lower settlement offer.
- Never speak with a representative from the insurance company unless you have your legal team present. The insurance company will often ask questions meant to discredit your claim. Any statement you provide could end up hurting your chances for fair compensation.
- Keep detailed notes and records on all events surrounding the accident. You can discuss these with your legal team, who will use this information to support your claim.
This is a lot of information to remember, and the stakes are high when speaking with the insurance company. It’s best if you remove yourself from communication with the insurance company and let an experienced team of attorneys and legal professionals take over this important piece of the process. This way, you can focus on recovering from your injuries without the added stress of speaking with the insurance company.
The Benefits of Working With Our Firm
- Physical therapy
- Medical bills
- Prescription medication
- In-home medical equipment
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Damage to property
We will review all of the details of your case before determining the actual settlement value. In the event that an insurance company won’t offer fair and just compensation for your damages, our skilled litigators will bring them to court. Our goal is to fight for our clients rights after an accident, and we are dedicated to maximizing the value of your claim.
People will often delay speaking with a law firm because they believe the cost of legal help is unaffordable. When you’re already facing a mounting pile of medical bills and the insurance company is slow to process your claim, taking on another financial burden can be incredibly intimidating.
We can assuage this concern by explaining how our fee structure works. We take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you won’t pay us any money up front or out of your pocket, but only if a settlement is reached for your case>. Remember that we offer free consultations, so it is always to your benefit to meet with one of our team of legal professionals to go through the details of your case. We can help put the entire process in perspective and take a great weight off during this difficult time.
Call an Experienced Personal Injury Law Firm in Baton Rouge Today
If you were hurt in an accident in the Baton Rouge area, speak with our team of attorneys and legal professionals. We are well-versed in working through Louisiana’s legal system. Stewart J. Guss Personal Injury Lawyers is dedicated to helping clients get back on their feet after an accident. We understand how difficult this time can be for not only you but for your family as well.
An injury can emotionally traumatize you and can set you back from participating in the life you enjoyed before your accident. Seeking compensation from the responsible insurance companies through the complicated legal process can present an arduous challenge.
Luckily, you have a strong advocate on your side. Our client-first law team will always put your needs first. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We will talk about the details of your case and determine the right next steps to take together. Again—because we take all of our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a DIME unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so call us today at 800-898-4877 or contact us now by CLICKING HERE. Don’t delay—let us fight for your rights TODAY.
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See what past clients have to say:
Review: 5/5
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"As a relatively new resident of Houston, I did not know of an attorney to contact for a personal injury suit. I randomly went through the yellow pages contacting two attorneys that had rejected my case prior to me contacting Stewart Guss. Stewart took my case on and settled for far more than I had anticipated. The silver lining of this is that I will now have enough money to go back to school for retraining, so I will be able to reenter the workforce in a new capacity. The paralegal, Angela, was kind and supportive throughout the process. If I did not understand the legal jargon, I did not hesitate to ask, and was never once made to feel that I was incompetent. Thank you Stewart and Angela for giving me a new lease on live."
-Sally T.