Being involved in a car accident can disrupt your whole day. If you have never been hit by an automobile before, you may not know that you can experience a feeling of being “shook”.
Often, when you’re in an auto accident, your body tries to protect you from trauma by releasing a sudden surge of adrenaline. This hormone functions to protect you from harm by causing the “fight or flight” response. Adrenaline causes several self-preservation responses, including: increased energy! With all the extra energy and emotions it can sometimes be hard to determine what to do next!
There are several things you should do at the scene of an automobile accident, before calling your Accident Injury Lawyer. Taking these steps will help you successfully pursue your personal injury claim.
First and foremost, make sure that no one has suffered any catastrophic or life threatening injuries. Address any medical needs immediately.
Call 911 to report the accident and any injuries. Request an ambulance if needed.
While waiting for the police to arrive at the scene of the accident there are several things you can do to be proactive and assist your New Orleans car accident attorney.
Take photos of the motor vehicles involved and any property damage, as well as the location of vehicles where they came to a stop. Take photos of any signs, roadway issues or other traffic issues that may have played a part in how the accident occurred. Take photos of anything you think might be important to your car accident case.
After you take photos, please move your vehicles from the roadway to prevent further accidents or traffic issues. In Louisiana, you can be ticketed for not moving your vehicles from blocking the roadway.
Did anyone witness the accident? If so, it is important to get their full name, phone number and even a mailing address. Sometimes a witness can be very helpful if the insurance company is questioning who was at fault.
Next, exchange information. Take photos of the insurance cards and photo identifications. While the police officer will take both parties’ information, by exchanging information in advance you will be able to set up an accident claim and move forward with your car accident case without waiting for the police report. Police reports can take up to fourteen days, by exchanging this information at the time of the accident you allow your Personal Injury attorney to immediately reach out to the insurance companies on your behalf.
Determine if your motor vehicle is drivable. If you are not able to drive your vehicle, reach out to a towing company and determine where to have your vehicle towed. If you tow your vehicle to a lot or a tow yard, be aware that there will be fees associated with storing your vehicle.
Make sure to have any necessary paperwork from the police department, this includes an information exchange sheet and/or a crash report item number slip. If the police officer assisted you with a tow truck, there will be paperwork associated with towing and storing your vehicle.
After the police have come and you have addressed any medical needs, call your New Orleans accident attorney. Now, it is time to address your legal needs, before talking to any insurance companies! Find an accident attorney who can help you with your claim.
Bring all of the information you have gathered, including your own insurance information to your appointment with your Personal Injury Attorney. The right accident attorney will make you feel like you are being taken care of, they will walk you through what to expect in pursuing your claim.
Being involved in an auto accident can feel overwhelming. It can affect your mental and physical health and can cause a great deal of pain and suffering. The accident attorneys at Arnona Rose, Attorneys at Law, are here to help take that stress away. Arnona Rose, Attorneys at Law provides free consultations – call us to discuss legal options and how we can help you with your personal injury lawsuit.
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