What to Do After Car Accident in Louisiana?

Steps to Take After a Car Crash in Louisiana

1. Check on ALL parties involved.This can be difficult to prioritize immediately after a car wreck, especially because tempers may be high following the crash, but this is the first and most important step. Check your own body and ensure you haven’t received any serious injuries and then check on everyone else involved in the accident. If someone has been physically harmed, you need to call 911 immediately.
2. Take several pictures and detailed notes in a timely manner. With all the adrenaline that flows through your body after a car accident, you are bound to forget important details about exactly what happened. To help you and your potential case, take pictures of all the vehicles involved and any relevant road issues or signage. Also jot down detailed notes of everything you remember about the crash. If you don’t have a pen, use your phone to take notes.
3. Call the police. This may have already been done by this point, but if not, make sure the police are notified. Be sure to stay by your car while you wait for the officers to arrive. Once they arrive, ask to fill out a car accident report and be as detailed as you can be about what occured.
4. Seek Medical Attention.If you haven’t spoken to a medic, seek one out and get treatment as needed. With all the sudden trauma that can accompany a car crash, it’s easy to overlook a potential injury on you or your passengers involved in the accident.
5. Talk to Witnesses. Once you’ve spoken to the medical staff and officers, seek out any witnesses that may be able to give a different perspective of the crash. Take down their name, number, email, and any important details they may have that could help with determining fault.
6. Take Additional Pictures. Take more photos of the car, witnesses, and anything else that might be relevant. Also, be sure to take a picture of the vehicle as it is loaded on the tow truck.
7. Call Your Insurance Company. Get in touch with your insurer and open a claim on the accident. Whether the car accident was your fault or not, it is important to keep your insurance company informed. But, be careful. Do not give a recorded statement.
8. Get in Touch with a Car Accident Attorney. If you have been injured, or there is serious damage to property, speak with a car crash lawyer about your options and make sure to be advised before you sign anything with any insurance company. You should follow this step whether or not you are considered at fault.
9. Monitor Your Health in the Upcoming Days. Some injuries from car crashes can take several days to appear. Be sure to monitor any health changes and take pictures of lacerations and bruises from the accident.