Believe it or not, as a Louisiana car accident lawyer, I sometimes get phone calls from clients at the scene of their car accident wondering what they should do. Should you find yourself in a car accident, here is a list of the 9 things you should do immediately after the accident.
- Immediately after your car accident, the most important thing you can do is to make sure you, and anyone in the car with you, are safe. Of course, if anyone is seriously injured, that takes top priority.
- Call the police. Louisiana law prohibits people from leaving the scene of an accident until a full report has been made to the police.
- Exchange information with the other driver or drivers – usually the police officer will obtain and provide this information but you must be sure that you have it. Write down the name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, vehicle make, model and color, as well as the insurance information of the other driver or drivers involved.
- Get contact information from any witnesses.
- Do not make statements to the other driver or anyone else about the cause of the accident, but do tell the police.
- If you are hurt, wait for the paramedics to examine you. If they advise you to go to the hospital, follow their advice.
- Take pictures of all damages to your car and any others BEFORE moving the cars to the side of the road. Ideally, you should document the accident where it happened.
- If you are injured or feeling bad at all, go to the ER as soon as possible. This protects you, from a medical and legal perspective, and starts a document trail to prove you were injured.
- Follow up with your doctor as required.
This is good information to know before you find yourself panicked at the scene of an accident. If you were in an accident and have questions about what you need to do next, give me a call. 985-240-9773
