When drivers on Louisiana highways find themselves colliding unavoidably, having a plan for what to do next is an essential part of surviving the incident well. At Hale Injury Lawyers, we have helped numerous motorists recover following car accidents that disrupted their lives.
FindLaw provides a brief checklist for accident survivors, giving instructions on steps to take in the wake of a life altering collision. First, unless the crash happens in a deserted place, FindLaw reminds drivers not to leave the scene. The police may charge motorists who choose not to stay with hit-and-run charges, a consequence you want to avoid.
In addition, when the accident results in extensive property damage or serious personal injury, call 911 and report the incident. When police officers arrive on the scene, they will collect information from all the drivers and try to determine who is at fault. For your future reference, getting the officers’ names and badge numbers is a good idea. Knowing that information can make it easier to follow up with the officers if you need to at a later time.
If the property damage is minimal and no one is seriously hurt, you and the other drivers may decide to work things out with your insurance companies without the assistance of law enforcement. When you choose to go this route, be sure to get all relevant information from every party involved. The other drivers’ insurance information should be at the top of your list, but you also need their names and the names of any passengers plus addresses, contact information, drivers’ license and license plate numbers.
Remember to take pictures at the scene of the accident, too. With improved cameras on smartphones now, it is easier than ever to get good photos, and the pictures you take can help your insurance company make important decisions about repairing or replacing your vehicle. For more information on car accidents, visit our webpage.
