Each year, thousands are the unfortunate victims of car accidents in the state of Louisiana. If you happen to be one of them, what should you do first? How should you react? What should you say to the other drivers or to responding law officers?
It may be difficult to focus in the aftermath of a traffic wreck, but how you react can have serious implications should a car accident lawsuit result from the incident.
Car accident lawsuit
What should you do following a traffic accident? Car accident attorneys recommend the following:
Keep safe. If this is not a serious injury, and all vehicles are movable, move them to the side of the road. Otherwise, remain in your car until help arrives. Turn on your hazard lights and, if you can, put out cones, flares, or warning triangles.
Exchange information. Get the name, address, phone number, insurance information, license plate, and driver license number of each driver involved in the crash. If a driver is not the insured party for his or her vehicle, find out the relationship to the insured. Do not say anything regarding fault. There may be factors at play you are not aware of.
Document the scene. If you can, photograph the damage to all vehicles. If there are witnesses, obtain their contact information. Write down the year, make, model and color of each car, and document the precise location and circumstances of the crash. This information can be very helpful to a Baton Rouge car accident attorney.
File a report. File a state vehicle accident report, regardless of whether police responded. You should be able to do so at the local police station or through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Know what is covered. Understand your insurance coverage, including what is covered and what is not covered.
Obtain legal counsel. The drivers involved in the crash may wish to handle damages on their own, but this may not be a good idea. Drivers may change their minds without informing anyone, leaving you holding the bag. Obtain an experienced car accident lawyer.
Contact a Livingston Parish car accident attorney today
The law firm of Marks and Lear, PLC can represent you following a car accident in Louisiana. Our experienced and savvy Baton Rouge personal injury attorneys can help protect your legal rights and, if necessary, obtain damages and other compensation during this trying episode in your life. Call us at 225-383-5678, toll free at 800-349-3349, or email us online.
Call now for a free consultation and speak directly with an attorney
225-383-5678
Marks and Lear PLC is located in Baton Rouge, LA and serves clients in and around Baton Rouge, Baker, Brusly, Addis, Port Allen, Sunshine, Zachary, Saint Gabriel, Watson, Greenwell Springs, Carville, Bueche, Erwinville, Grosse Tete, Duplessis, Plaquemine, Glynn, Prairieville, Bayou Goula, Pride, Ascension County, East Baton Rouge County, East Feliciana County, Iberville County, West Baton Rouge County.
Marks and Lear PLC
