What To Do After an Auto Accident
Experienced New Orleans Auto Accident Attorney
Auto accidents can be terrifying, painful, and extremely damaging. Handling the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, to say the least, which is why it is so important to know the necessary steps every driver needs to take after a crash.
On top of your physical injuries and the damage to your vehicle, you’ll also need to deal with your insurance company. Navigating all of these issues after a crash can be stressful and difficult, which is why it is crucial that you have an experienced car accident attorney on your side.
Call (504) 309-2996 to discuss your car accident case with our New Orleans lawyer.
After an Accident
Medical Care
The first thing you should do after any auto vehicle accident is to check for serious injuries. Minor scrapes and bruises can be treated later, but any head injuries, serious lacerations, broken bones, or other concerning wounds should be handled by a professional without delay. Call 911, or ask someone to call an ambulance for you if you are hurt. If you are okay, see if anyone else involved in the crash is injured and call 911 if they need medical attention.
Gathering Information
Once your health has been taken care of, make sure you take the necessary steps to collect information from anyone else involved in the crash. This includes other drivers, bystanders who saw the accident, or injured pedestrians or bicyclists. Jot down the contact information and names of the bystanders, as they might be able to help your case by testifying about the cause of the crash.
The driver who caused the accident is responsible for reporting the incident to their insurance company, but it’s a good idea to contact their insurance yourself, too. You never want to rely on the other driver to handle everything appropriately, always cover your bases.
You should collect the following information from the other driver:
- Full name
- Address
- Insurance company and policy information
Also, take pictures of the incident. Photograph the damaged vehicles, the surrounding wreckage, and any factors that may have influenced the crash. For example, if there was ice on the ground, or the traffic light was broken, take a picture of it.
Contacting the Insurance Companies
Even though the driver who caused the wreck is responsible for contacting their insurer, you should contact their insurance company as well. Notify them of the accident and relay any crucial information. Even if you don’t think you were responsible for the accident, you should still contact your insurance company.
Ideally, the other driver’s insurance will accept responsibility and pay for the damages to your vehicle. However, it’s rarely that simple, which is why you need to take action to defend your rights.
Hiring a Car Accident Attorney
Car accidents can be extremely expensive and ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve is key. Dealing with car insurance companies can be problematic, and obtaining full compensation for your injuries and the damage to your vehicle can be extremely difficult. An experienced lawyer can help fight a denied insurance claim, navigating any automotive accident laws or policy details that others might overlook.
Why Choose Us?
At LaHatte Law, LLC, our New Orleans car accident attorney is dedicated to finding effective, efficient legal solutions for his clients. Our firm understands how difficult it can be to recover from a car accident, which is why we want to take care of the legal side of things while you focus on healing. We have gone toe-to-toe with some of the most prominent insurance companies in the country and we know precisely which legal methods work best to advocate for your right to fair compensation.
Contact LaHatte Law, LLC today to discuss your auto accident case with an experienced, New Orleans insurance bad faith lawyer.