What to Do After a Baton Rouge Automobile Accident
Getting into an automobile accident can be a very stressful situation. It is essential to do several things as soon as possible following your accident, but your tasks are not always easy to keep straight in the moment. Those who get in an accident should try to remain calm so that they can make the process afterward an efficient and more accessible experience. To help, Williamson Campbell & Whittington (WCW) has shared all the proper steps to follow after an automobile accident in Baton Rouge.
Look for Injuries
The first thing to do after an accident is to check to see if anyone is injured or needs medical assistance immediately. It may not always be clear from the outset if there are any injuries, so getting help or calling the police is always a good idea. If possible, any cars involved in the accident should be moved to the shoulder of the road to avoid any further problems with traffic. The vehicle should have its emergency lights on to signal to other drivers that they should be careful around the accident location.
Louisiana law requires anyone involved in a severe accident to contact the authorities immediately. The police can give you and the other drivers an official report that can be sent to your insurance company. This report can be crucial in building a possible defense with an automobile accident lawyer in Baton Rouge later on.
Exchange Information
Once everyone is safely out of harm’s way, you need to give relevant information to the other drivers involved in the crash. This information generally includes your name, phone number, and insurance information. The other drivers involved should share this same information with you, too. Make sure not to spend too much time discussing the details of the accident with the other driver, as that could lead to sharing information that may be used against you if you choose to seek legal action.
Record What Happened During the Automobile Accident in Baton Rouge
Your insurance company will want to get a report of the incident. Make sure to accurately document the scene of the accident using photos of the damaged vehicles, photos of license plates, the date and time, and any other important facts. This kind of report could include how fast the cars were traveling, the weather conditions, what type of road it happened on, and more.
It can also be helpful to document any injuries that were sustained during the accident. Later on, it would be best if you also capture pictures of your injuries as they go through different stages of healing. If you are having trouble with gathering images of your injuries immediately following the accident, the police should be able to provide help as they will also document the scene.
Inform Your Insurance Company
Before you leave the scene, you should report your claim for the automobile accident in Baton Rouge. Some insurance companies even have mobile apps that you can report a claim on. Insurance companies can then help you get your damaged car towed to a repair shop or aid in another way.
Need a Car Accident Lawyer? Call Us!
After your accident, you may want to look into a car accident lawyer. If you are in Baton Rouge, WCW can help make the aftermath a little less stressful. From helping you file your insurance claims to fighting for a maximized settlement, we can offer the support you need. You can call a member of our team at 225-383-4010 and get started on your case. Or, you can also send us a message online. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a free consultation!