What Should I Do if I’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident in New Orleans?

Accidents happen every day, but wrecks can destroy your life. Even if you have a clean driving record and are the most careful driver you know, there are other drivers, circumstances, and conditions that may cause an auto accident despite your best efforts.

Crescent City Law has been helping victims of car crashes for over a decade, and we know from experience that no matter how careful you are on the road, someone else will not be as careful, and negligently hit you.  We know the pain of having to file an insurance claim, get your vehicle repaired, and even go to the emergency room for medical assistance.  We’ve been there..

The important thing to remember is that you can have experienced attorneys on your side who are ready to protect your rights and make sure you are compensated for all of your injuries and damages.

Read on to find out the 5 things you should do if you’ve been injured in a car accident in New Orleans.

If you are in an auto accident in New Orleans or any part of Louisiana, you need to get yourself to a hospital Emergency Room immediately. If you aren’t immediately brought to the hospital by an emergency vehicle, there are many other ways you can go to the ER: drive yourself, walk, take public transportation, call family or friends, or you can call the police, fire department or ambulance.

Regardless of how you get to the Emergency Room, it is important that you go so you can document any physical pain and distress as a result of your accident.

If you do go to the Emergency Room and see a doctor, make sure you follow the doctor’s orders in order to get back to health.

The most important thing you can do after being injured is to get healthy. While you are regaining your health, you are also creating medical documentation of your recovery that may be used in your favor if you go to court.

If you are in an auto accident, regardless of the damage, make sure to report the accident to the police, especially if you are injured. Call 911 or the local police.  If an ambulance arrives at the scene, make sure to have all your injuries, no matter how small, checked by an EMT or paramedic.

Before you leave the crash site, be sure to take photos of every car, photos of drivers’ licenses, exchange insurance information.  Also, be sure to call the police so they can write a report about the accident.  These documents will help support your claim and ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

When you hire a personal injury attorney in New Orleans you will need to provide him or her with as much information as possible, and the police report is at the top of the list.

If you intend to seek damages after the accident, you will need to take good notes about the accident, everything leading up to it, and everything that happened immediately after.

Memories fade, but these notes will help you remember exactly what happened so you can recount them to your attorney later. It’s also a good idea to take photographs if you can.

Here are some of the thing you can do to document the evidence of your car accident:

• Write a quick narrative of everything you remember from before, during, and after the crash
• Write down everything that the other driver said to you or someone nearby
• Take pictures and videos of the damage to your car
• Take pictures and videos of the environment around you
• Ask any witnesses for their names and contact information

It may seem like a distant possibility now, but once you’re in a car accident, it will feel all too real. Hiring a personal injury lawyer to walk you through the insurance and legal process of seeking compensation is the most important step you can take after an accident.

We help people injured in car wrecks.  Crescent City Law has the experience and the understanding of the law to make sure you are fully compensated for your losses. Don’t let the stress get to you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.