The moments following a car accident can be confusing and overwhelming. Your heart is racing, adrenaline is pumping, and you may be dealing with shock, injuries, or damage to your vehicle. However, the actions you take in the first 24 hours after a collision in Lake Charles can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. Understanding the proper steps to take can protect your health, your legal rights, and your financial future.
Immediately Check for Injuries and Call 911
Your first priority after any accident is safety. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries, and if it is safe to do so, check on the other driver and their passengers as well. Even if the accident seems minor, you should call 911 if anyone is injured or if there is significant property damage. In Louisiana, you are legally required to report any accident that results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500. Lake Charles police or Louisiana State Police will respond to document the scene and create an official accident report, which becomes crucial evidence for your insurance claim or potential lawsuit. Never leave the scene of an accident, as this can result in serious criminal charges regardless of who was at fault.
Document Everything at the Scene
If you are physically able and it is safe to do so, gather as much evidence as possible while still at the accident scene. Use your smartphone to take photographs from multiple angles showing vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, weather conditions, and the overall accident scene. Capture images of license plates, street signs, and any visible injuries. Exchange information with the other driver including names, phone numbers, addresses, driver’s license numbers, insurance company names, policy numbers, and vehicle registration details. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information as their statements may prove invaluable later. Write down your own account of what happened while the details are fresh in your memory, including the time, location, traffic conditions, and the sequence of events leading up to the collision.
Be Careful What You Say
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, emotions run high and you may feel compelled to apologize or discuss what happened. Resist this urge. Do not admit fault or say anything that could be interpreted as accepting responsibility for the accident, even if you believe you may have been partially at fault. Louisiana follows a comparative fault system, and any statements you make can be used to reduce or deny your claim. When speaking with the other driver, keep the conversation limited to exchanging necessary information. Be polite but do not discuss the details of the accident or speculate about what caused it. Simply stick to the facts when speaking with police officers and provide an honest account of what occurred without embellishing or minimizing the situation.
Seek Medical Attention Promptly
One of the biggest mistakes people make after a car accident is delaying medical treatment. You may feel fine immediately after the collision due to adrenaline, but many serious injuries including whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage do not show symptoms for hours or even days. If emergency responders are at the scene, allow them to evaluate you even if you think you are uninjured. Visit an emergency room, urgent care facility, or your primary care physician within 24 hours of the accident. This medical documentation creates a clear link between the accident and your injuries, which is critical for your insurance claim. Delaying medical treatment gives insurance companies ammunition to argue that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something other than the accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company
You should report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, typically within 24 hours. Most insurance policies require prompt notification, and failing to report can jeopardize your coverage. However, when speaking with your own insurance company or the other driver’s insurer, provide only basic facts about the accident. Do not give a recorded statement or sign any documents without first consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters may seem friendly and helpful, but remember that their goal is to minimize the amount their company pays out. They may ask leading questions designed to get you to say something that damages your claim.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Many accident victims wait too long to consult with an attorney, assuming they can handle the insurance claim on their own or that hiring a lawyer is only necessary for severe injuries. The truth is that having legal representation from the beginning can dramatically improve your outcome. An experienced personal injury attorney understands Louisiana law, knows how insurance companies operate, and can ensure that evidence is properly preserved. Colonna Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and only pay if your case is successful. An attorney can handle communications with insurance companies, investigate the accident, gather additional evidence, calculate the true value of your claim including future medical expenses and lost wages, and negotiate for maximum compensation while you focus on your physical recovery.
Preserve All Evidence and Records
Throughout the first 24 hours and beyond, keep detailed records of everything related to the accident. Save all medical bills, prescription receipts, repair estimates, rental car expenses, and any other costs associated with the collision. Keep a journal documenting your pain levels, symptoms, medical appointments, and how the injuries impact your daily life. Do not post about the accident on social media, as insurance companies routinely monitor these platforms looking for evidence to use against injury claims.
Take Action to Protect Your Rights
The first 24 hours after a car accident in Lake Charles set the foundation for your entire claim. By following these steps, you protect your health, preserve critical evidence, and position yourself for the best possible outcome. Do not navigate this challenging time alone. Contact an experienced Lake Charles personal injury attorney who can guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
