A car accident can happen in seconds, but the decisions you make immediately afterward can have a major impact on your health, your safety, and your potential injury claim.
Attorney Christian Lewis with The Glenn Armentor Law Corporation recently joined Midday with Darla on KADN News 15 to discuss the legal requirements and important safety steps drivers should take at the scene of a crash.
Check for Injuries and Get to Safety
The first priority after any accident is safety. Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately and wait for emergency responders.
If the vehicles are creating a dangerous situation and can be moved safely, move them out of traffic. If they cannot be moved, turn on hazard lights and stay in a safe location until help arrives.
Call the Police and Report the Accident
Even when a crash seems minor, it is often important to contact law enforcement. A police report can create an official record of the accident and may become an important part of your insurance claim or personal injury case.
When speaking with officers, provide accurate information about what happened. Avoid guessing, exaggerating, or admitting fault. Stick to the facts as you understand them.
Exchange Information With the Other Driver
After a crash, you should exchange basic information with the other driver, including:
- Name and contact information
- Driver’s license information
- Insurance company and policy information
- License plate number
- Vehicle make, model, and color
If there are witnesses, try to get their names and contact information as well. Witnesses may be helpful later if there is a dispute about how the crash happened.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are physically able to do so safely, take photos and videos before the scene changes. Important things to document include:
- Damage to all vehicles involved
- The position of the vehicles
- Skid marks, debris, or broken glass
- Traffic signs, signals, and road conditions
- Visible injuries
- Weather and lighting conditions
- Any nearby businesses or cameras that may have recorded the crash
This evidence can be helpful when insurance companies review the claim. It may also help your attorney build a stronger case if your injuries become more serious than they first appeared.
Do Not Admit Fault at the Scene
After a crash, it is natural to feel shaken or apologetic. However, you should avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault. Even a simple apology may later be used against you by an insurance company.
Instead, focus on making sure everyone is safe, getting medical attention, exchanging information, and documenting the scene.
Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible
Some injuries are obvious right away. Others, including neck injuries, back injuries, concussions, and soft tissue injuries, may take hours or days to fully appear.
Seeing a doctor after an accident protects both your health and your claim. Medical records can help connect your injuries to the crash and show the treatment you needed as a result of the accident.
Be Careful When Speaking With Insurance Companies
After the accident, you may be contacted by an insurance adjuster. Before giving a recorded statement, signing paperwork, or accepting a settlement offer, consider speaking with an experienced auto accident attorney.
Insurance companies may try to limit the value of your claim early in the process. The attorneys at The Glenn Armentor Law Corporation can help you understand your rights, protect your claim, and avoid common mistakes after a crash.
When Should You Contact a Lawyer After a Crash?
You should consider contacting a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident, especially if you were injured, your vehicle was damaged, the other driver was uninsured or underinsured, fault is being disputed, or the insurance company is pressuring you to settle quickly.
Speaking with a lawyer does not mean you are filing a lawsuit. It means you are getting guidance before making decisions that could affect your ability to recover compensation.
Watch the Full KADN Segment
To learn more about what to do at the scene of a crash, watch Attorney Christian Lewis of The Glenn Armentor Law Corporation on Midday with Darla on KADN News 15.
Injured in a Car Accident? Contact The Glenn Armentor Law Corporation
If you were injured in a car accident in Lafayette, Acadiana, or anywhere in Louisiana, The Glenn Armentor Law Corporation is here to help. Since 1977, our team has fought for injured people and helped them pursue the compensation they deserve.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. If we do not win, you do not pay.
