How To Handle An Auto Accident In Louisiana

Baton Rouge LA

20 July, 2020

4:17 PM

Description

You never expect that you could be the victim of an accident the next time you start your car and hit the road. And yet, more than three million people are injured in automotive related accidents and crashes annually. Knowing what to do in the event that the worst happens can put you in a better position to heal and seek compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damage done. If you, like many individuals, do not know what to do in the event of a Baton Rouge car crash, there’s no time like the present to create or review an action plan. Or, speak to a personal injury attorney in Baton Rouge like Babcock Injury Lawyers to learn more about what happens when you are involved in an accident. Get to a Safe Location When an accident happens, safety is your top priority. If you are able to exit the vehicle, do so. Look to see if anyone is severely injured and if there are bystanders, ask one of them directly to call emergency services. When possible, move yourself, anyone involved, and bystanders to the side of the road, unless too injured to safely do so. While an auto accident may have little visible damage, there will be a risk of leaking fluids that could cause combustion, as well as the risk of continued traffic on the roadway. Contact the Authorities You should try to make sure that the authorities have been contacted as soon as you can. If there are other people nearby, you may be able to alert one of them to call 911. If you are asking a bystander for help, make sure that it is clear who you are asking, as individuals are more likely to simply ignore this crucial step assuming that someone else will step up. An officer and/or paramedics may have already been dispatched to the scene. Once authorities arrive to take over, you may be asked to speak to an officer to give your account of the incident. A police report can be detrimental to your injury claim. This report will be used to follow up with insurance claims and seek legal help. Get Medical Attention No matter how minor you think your injuries might be, it’s always best for your health and your possible legal case to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident. This not only helps to make sure that there are no injuries from your accident that are not being treated, but it gives credence to any future legal action you may choose to take. Thoroughly Document the Accident When you are not seriously injured from an accident, it will be possible for you to document your injuries and the damage sustained. Take photos of all vehicles involved as well as the crash site. Try to get photos from as many unique angles as possible. You should also create written statements if possible. A good car accident statement might include:  Your driving directionThe direction of the other driverThe date and time of the eventAs detailed of a description of the accident as you can come up withConsider recording an audio description of the accident tooInformation about driving conditions such as weather and trafficNames and contact information for any witnesses presentThe name, badge number, and contact information for the officer at the scene. Include as much information you can get about the other driver that you can get, including photos of their license plate number. If there are witnesses to the accident, their statements could be important as well. You should also try to get witness statements when possible.  Talk with a Trusted Accident Attorney Once you have photos and accurate documentation of the accident, it's time to get on the phone with an accident lawyer you trust. Talk with your attorney about the details of the accident and exactly what you should do now. Never agree to talk with the other party's insurance company or to provide a written statement to their insurance company. File an Insurance Report Once you've spoken with your attorney, it's time to talk with your insurance company and to file a report with them. Luckily, this is another area where your attorney can help you. Experienced attorneys know just how to talk to the insurance companies in order to get you the compensation due to you in order to help pay for your medical bills related to your accident. Insurance companies aren’t keen on paying up, so having a lawyer can be your ace in the hole in a legal battle either in or out of the courtroom. While understanding the steps that you need to take when you have been in a car crash in Baton Rouge isn’t going to prevent a possible accident from occurring, it will help you to remain as calm as possible and take the right actions that could end up helping your case if you need to file for accident injury compensation. Always know your legal rights, and don’t hesitate to speak to an attorney when you feel in over your head. Babcock Injury Lawyers  10101 Siegen Lane, Ste. 3C Baton Rouge LA 70810 (225) 222-2625