What to Do After a Minor Car Accident

We see people get in fender-benders every day. On any given day we could see a couple of accidents on our way to work or school. Thankfully, most of these are minor. Nobody suffers any serious injuries. And, other than some damage to the cars, everyone is okay.

But even a minor accident can cause a major headache. Whether you’re involved in a minor or major car accident, you should take the same steps. First, you’re required by law to report an accident. Second, you really have no idea when an accident is truly minor or could be something much worse.

Many people think they’re fine after a crash. The next day, they don’t feel so well. They go to the doctor. After examining them, the doctor sends them out to the hospital. They could have internal injuries or some kind of organ damage.

This is why it’s important that you take the same precautions after any car accident in Louisiana. Your Louisiana car accident attorney needs you to do this in order to get you the compensation you deserve.

You Should Always Call the Police

The first thing you should do after a car accident is call the police. You should do this before you get out of the car. You don’t want to talk to the other driver without the police present, as you may end up admitting fault when you weren’t truly at fault.

The other driver may also try to convince you not to call the cops. This happens all the time when the accident is minor. They’ll tell you it’ll be more expensive if you file an insurance claim. Since the damage to your vehicles appears minor, they’ll ask if you’re willing to just go your separate ways.

Don’t do this. Even if you may have been partly at fault, you want to call the cops. They can document the accident which takes care of your legal duty to report the crash. They’ll also conduct a thorough investigation.

The police will also get license and insurance information from both drivers. This way, the other driver can’t give you fake insurance information and then drive off. If you didn’t cause the crash, you shouldn’t be left holding the bag.

Seek Medical Treatment Immediately

Even if an accident seems minor, you could suffer some pretty serious injuries. You may feel fine immediately after the wreck. But you could have internal injuries or a traumatic brain injury. It’s important that you go to the hospital and get checked out by a doctor.

The hospital will do all the necessary tests to determine if you have any injuries. They’ll do the following tests as a precaution:

  • MRI
  • CT scan
  • X-ray
  • Physical exam

If they determine that you are injured, they can treat you right away. The doctor will also make notes of your injuries in your medical records. These records will come in handy if you have to file a claim later on.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Louisiana

No matter how minor the damage, it’s a good idea to meet with an experienced car accident attorney in Louisiana. They can review your case and help decide if you have a legal claim. Some of the things your lawyer will review includes:

  • The police report – This is a very valuable tool. It contains information that you can’t get on your own. It will have contact information for any eye witnesses. It’ll also describe the accident scene and road conditions. Finally, it’ll mention if the other driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. If you don’t call the police after your accident, your car accident attorney won’t have this resource.
  • Medical Records – Your lawyer needs to see your medical records. Were you hurt? Did your doctor confirm that your injuries were recent? This is the best way to prove your medical damages. Without a trip to the hospital or doctor, you have no proof that you were injured at all.
  • Correspondence from the Insurance Companies – If you’ve gotten denial letters or other paperwork, you need to show them to your lawyer. Your attorney will reach out and see if the case can be settled without the need for legal action.

If you or your loved one have been in any sort of an accident, you need to call a Louisiana car accident attorney. Schedule your free initial consultation today. No matter how minor the crash, you have to make sure you protect your rights. The best way to do this is to meet with an experienced car accident attorney in Louisiana.