One of the first things you can do to protect your rights after a car accident is to report the accident to local police and file a police report. In fact, Louisiana law requires you to do so if you suffered injuries, under Revised Statutes (RS) §32:398. You should also:
- Gather as much information as you can from the accident scene, including witness information and observations
- Seek medical attention to treat and create an official record of your injuries
- Identify the filing deadline for personal injury lawsuits in your state
- Avoid making any statements to anyone about fault or saying anything that might point blame in your direction
In fact, you may want to avoid speaking to the at-fault driver or any representative at their insurance company. Instead, consider hiring an attorney to communicate on your behalf. Our team can represent you and help you take other steps to protect your right to financial compensation from a negligent driver.
Filing a Police Report Can Establish Important Facts in Your Case
A police report helps protect your rights after a car accident by capturing important details. This may prevent any distortion of the details in the aftermath of the collision. Our legal team can use your car accident report to collect the following information for your case, such as:
- Important contact information
- Vehicle and driver identification
- Police officer investigative notes
- Accident scene diagrams
- Vehicle damage and impact points
In this report, the responding officer will likely indicate possible accident causes, such as speeding, drug or alcohol impairment, failure to obey traffic signs and signals, or cellphone use that distracted the other driver.
Proving the At-Fault Driver’s Liability
Using your car accident report, our legal team could identify and prove the action that led to your collision. The at-fault driver might have committed a careless or reckless act behind the wheel. If breaching their responsibility to drive safely caused the accident and your injuries, the driver may bear responsibility for your damages.
This report also establishes a timeline for your lawsuit. Obtain a copy of your car accident report right away or allow us to obtain it on your behalf as your representatives.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientDiscussing the Accident with Other Parties Could Jeopardize Your Case
It is important not to speculate about the cause of the accident with the at-fault party or their representatives. You don’t want to say anything that could be used against you to suggest you were responsible for the collision.
You should also avoid discussing your case with any witnesses or online. Anything you say in reference to the collision and your injuries could potentially play a role in your claim or lawsuit.
When you hire our firm, we take over all communications regarding your case. We take steps to ensure our clients’ rights are protected and can advise you on any statements you may need to make during the process.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientSeeking Medical Attention for Your Injuries Is Crucial
The cornerstone of a personal injury case is the injuries suffered in the accident. Without injuries and damages, victims can’t pursue compensation from another party.
You must be able to provide evidence that proves your injuries occurred and connects them to the collision. The best way to do this is to seek medical attention as soon as you can. A doctor can create a record of:
- Your injuries
- The treatment your injuries require
- Your timeline for recovery
These medical records will be an important piece of your personal injury case. We can use them to show the severity of the collision and its impact on your life to support your right to damages. These records can also help us establish a large portion of your case’s value.
Recovering Financial Damages
An accurate assessment and valuation of your accident-related damages is a critical part of your lawsuit. If your lawsuit is not accurately valued, it could mean you are left with out-of-pocket expenses. We will carefully consider your recoverable damages when building your case, which include the cost of your accident-related:
- Medical care
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Physical disabilities
Our team can guide you through the lengthy process of compiling, organizing, proving, and calculating the costs of your financial expenses and losses. We will do so using evidence such as your medical records to support our valuation.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientComply with Your State’s Statute of Limitations
Filing your case on time is just as important as proving the cause and cost of your injuries. What constitutes on-time filing may vary from state to state. In Louisiana, Civil Code (CC) §3492 dictates that you only have one year to submit the paperwork to initiate a personal injury lawsuit.
When you contact our team about your potential compensation lawsuit, we will explain how long you have to file and help you avoid missing this deadline. Doing so can help protect your rights, since filing after this deadline could disqualify you from seeking compensation.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientProtect Your Rights After a Car Accident
You do not have to protect your rights or fight for financial compensation on your own. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers may be able to help you safeguard your right to financial recovery after a car accident. Once you file a police report and seek medical attention, our team can take these and other pieces of evidence to construct a case for damages.
Contact a personal injury team member at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers to receive a free case assessment. Call (337) 777-7777 today.
