What to Do When You’re Involved in a Freeway Accident
After being involved in a freeway accident, you should:
- Get to safety
- Contact emergency responders
- Get evaluated by medical professionals
- Consider contacting a freeway accident lawyer for help
The aftermath of a collision can quickly get complicated. By ensuring your safety and consulting with a car accident attorney, you can avoid confusion and recover damages.
Steps to Take After a Freeway Accident
Freeway accidents are one of the scariest types of motor vehicle crashes. Not only are you stuck on the freeway with drivers traveling at high speeds, but the risk of a multi-vehicle crash is significantly higher.
With that in mind, here are some of the most critical steps you should take in the immediate aftermath of your freeway accident:
Get to Safety
First and foremost, after the collision, make sure you get yourself and your passengers to safety. If possible, move your car away from the flow of traffic. If you suspect that anyone suffered a neck or spinal cord injury, keep them immobilized until first responders arrive.
As noted, multi-car crashes are common on freeways. So, you should exit the vehicle and remain in a safe place. That way, if another vehicle strikes your car, you won’t suffer further injuries.
Contact Emergency Responders
As soon as possible, contact emergency responders. When you call 911, they will send law enforcement officials and healthcare professionals to the scene of the accident. Although you might have hoped to avoid getting the police involved, after an accident on the freeway, having police on the scene is crucial.
Law enforcement will investigate to determine whether negligence caused the collision. For instance, they may ask the other driver to submit to a Breathalyzer if they suspect drunk driving. The police’s evidence can later support your case if you file a claim or lawsuit.
Get Evaluated by Medical Professionals
Even if you initially feel fine after your freeway accident, you should still seek a medical evaluation. A healthcare provider can evaluate your condition to determine whether you suffer from invisible injuries that could impair your well-being. They can also render the necessary treatment.
What’s more, visiting a healthcare professional generates evidence that can support your case. This information may comprise:
- Your imaging scan results, such as x-rays
- Photos of your injuries
- Your medical records
- Any medications you were prescribed
- The names of your treatment providers
If you do not obtain medical treatment immediately after the accident, the liable party could argue that you are exaggerating the extent of your injuries. This could compel them to offer less than you deserve during negotiations.
A Freeway Accident Lawyer Can Seek Fair Compensation
As soon as you have an opportunity, consider contacting a freeway accident lawyer for help. You can do this before you contact emergency responders, after police arrive, or once your healthcare team has stabilized you. The sooner you get your freeway accident attorney working on your case, the better.
Prompt legal action is important because:
- Much of the evidence we need to prove liability and negligence may be time sensitive. For instance, if a traffic camera captured your accident, this footage may not last forever. Your lawyer could only have a few days to request and view this information.
- Some insurance companies prey on claimants who don’t have lawyers. This may compel a claims adjuster to pressure you into accepting a low settlement or giving a recorded statement.
- Mistakes you make early on in your case could affect its outcome. For instance, admitting a portion of fault for the accident (even inadvertently) could jeopardize your right to damages.
Working with a lawyer from your case’s outset offers something invaluable: peace of mind. While you recover from your condition, you can rest easy knowing you have someone pursuing justice.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Manage Your Case’s Many Obligations
Your lawyer can also offer legal guidance regarding your next steps. While you recuperate from your injuries, they can begin building a case against the liable party, investigate and gather evidence, and start quantifying your damages. This way, you can maximize the compensation you can seek. You have a chance to start rebuilding your life without being burdened by the complexities of your freeway accident case.
Reach Out to Our Accident Attorneys for Help Today
In the immediate aftermath of your collision, you may feel overwhelmed and frustrated. Get the answers and legal help you want when you contact a freeway accident lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. We offer free, no-obligation consultations where we can discuss your legal goals.
CC Art. 3492 only gives you two years to sue the at-fault party following a freeway accident in Louisiana. Because of this strict filing deadline, we encourage you to call us as soon as possible.
