What you do at the scene of a car accident might be important later when you seek compensation from the at-fault driver. Insurance Information Institute (III) guidelines recommend doing these things in the immediate aftermath of a collision:
- If possible, move your car to a place of safety.
- Call local police or ask a witness to do so for you.
- Call emergency medical technicians, if needed.
- Take photos of vehicle damage and the accident scene.
- Exchange information with the at-fault driver.
- Get the contact details of any available witnesses.
You may also want to consider seeking legal representation as soon as possible after your collision. The sooner you get help from a car accident lawyer from our firm, the more time we may have to investigate and build your case. Our team can also make sure you comply with your state’s filing deadline.
Get to Safety and Call 911
Calling the police is extremely important. The responding officers will fill out an accident report and document the scene. The police report is often the first piece of evidence that helps with the claims process. Depending on where the accident occurred, police reports can take up to 10 business days to be finalized.
If you’re injured, call 911 or ask someone else to do so. If you’re seriously injured, try not to move, and wait for emergency responders to arrive. If you are able to safely move around, check on the well-being of others involved in the crash. Try to remember that you may feel worse before feeling better. When the adrenaline wears off, the pain can kick in. If you are in need of immediate and urgent care, an ambulance may be needed to take you to a nearby emergency room. If you are able, try to pay attention to what ambulance carrier is taking you to the hospital, and what hospital the EMS team takes you to.
Even if you’re not sure if you suffered injuries, visiting a hospital or your doctor as soon as possible can help you confirm this. Certain injuries may not be apparent right away because of the adrenaline our bodies release in high-stress situations. Internal injuries can also be difficult to detect without a medical exam.
If you don’t receive medical attention right away, your injuries may go undiagnosed and cause you further harm. Waiting to see a doctor after a collision can also bring the severity of your injuries into question when you pursue a personal injury case.
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Collect Information from the Other Drivers and Witnesses
When an accident occurs, it’s important to record as much as you can about the events leading up to it and the other parties who played a role. To begin with, you will want to exchange contact information and insurance information with others involved.
If anyone witnessed the collision, it can be helpful to get their contact information as well. While you don’t want to make any statements about what may have happened to cause the collision, getting the names and phone numbers of bystanders can help you in the long run. These witnesses may have seen exactly how the incident occurred. Try to also pay special attention to cameras near the accident scene that may have captured the crash or incident. We may be able to contact these individuals or request the camera footage for testimony or documentation in your case.
Also, take note of where the accident occurred or any cross streets nearby. Do your best to know your own insurance policy and be able to easily access your license, registration, and your car insurance carrier/policy. Taking pictures of the property damage and surrounding area is often helpful as well. Keep an eye out for any witnesses around the area.
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Take Pictures at the Scene of Your Collision
Along with the notes you take at the accident scene and the information found in your car accident report, photos and videos from the scene may further support your case for compensation. If possible, take photos of the following at the scene:
- Your surroundings
- Your injuries
- Vehicle and property damage
- The positioning of the vehicles involved
If you lose consciousness at the scene or if the severity of your injuries prevents you from taking photos, do not worry. In some cases, the investigating officer may photograph the scene. If so, we can request these photos, as well as footage from any nearby surveillance or traffic cameras.
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Remove Your Valuables
You never know where your car will be towed to, so it is important to remove any valuables that you may have inside your vehicle. If you don’t want to lose it, remove it. Some invaluable items that you don’t want to forget may include car rider tags, garage door openers, trunk or center console contents, items in your glove compartment, and spare house keys.
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File and Obtain a Copy of the Car Accident Report
Even after you and the at-fault driver exchange contact and insurance information, you should still insist on filing a car accident report. Doing so captures additional details that might bolster and support your car accident lawsuit. Our team could obtain the following information from this document and use it to build your case:
- Primary and secondary contributing factors for the collision
- Each driver’s movements prior to the crash
- The investigating officer’s observations from the scene
- The identity of the other parties involved
As soon as your car accident report is ready, obtain a copy for your personal records and take one to your lawyer. If your injuries prevent you from getting the report or any of the other documents we might request, a member of our legal team could do so for you.
Notify Your Insurer & Start the Claims Process
You can submit your accident report, any medical expenses, vehicle damage, and rental fees to your own insurance provider. It is important to think about ALL of your expenses, including any time off from work. REMEMBER: notifying your insurance provider of the accident is entirely different from talking to the other driver’s insurance.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer and Know Your Rights
Our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you take any evidence you are able to collect at the scene and use it to support your right to damages. If your injuries prevent you from getting any photographs or information, we can conduct our own investigation and obtain evidence for you. The sooner you reach out, the easier it may be for us to collect time-sensitive evidence. We can:
- Locate and interview witnesses while their memories are fresh
- Locate and obtain copies of nearby video footage while it is available
- Build a solid and effective case file that supports your right to recovery
- Review the coverage limits of the at-fault driver’s insurance policy
Contacting us early will also help us keep your case ahead of Louisiana’s filing deadline. Under Civil Code (CC) §3492, this deadline is generally only one year.
If your insurance company denies your claim, gives you a low-ball estimate, or offers you a quick settlement, there may still be time to call a lawyer. The sooner you reach out, the better off you will be. Our experienced lawyers at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can protect your rights and maximize your chances of getting full compensation for your injuries.
Reach Out to Our Attorneys Today
Do not hesitate to seek advice and guidance from our team. Speak with a Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers representative about your case for free today. Call (337) 777-7777.
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