Covington Auto Accidents
Protect yourself after your Auto Accident
If you’ve been in an automobile accident in Covington, metro New Orleans, or Lake Ponchatrain, there are certain steps you can take in the immediate aftermath that will help make claiming damages, recovering expenses, and restoring your property easier.
You may go directly into panic mode—that’s expected for some people, but do your best to stay calm, assess the situation, and make smart decisions. Our law office is here to help you no matter what you do afterwards, but these tips make asserting your claim or filing your lawsuit go more smoothly for everyone.
What to Do after Automobile Accidents in Covington
Call the police: Do this immediately.
Get medical help: Report all points of physical impact, any pain or pressure you may feel, any changes in vision, hearing, or breathing to medical professionals as soon as possible. The police will probably call an ambulance. If they don’t, ask for one and get the paramedics to take a detailed written report. If you need further treatment, go to a hospital.
Assess the damage to your vehicle: If it looks bad, it probably is bad. Take pictures with your cell phone if you can. Make notes of before-and-after elements you may not be able to photograph.
Talk only to the police: Wanting to talk about what just happened is natural—but, in this instance, it isn’t smart. The other party or any witnesses might turn your story against you. The police are neutral and will write a report of what you say. If you need a minute, tell them you’re upset and you have to gather your thoughts.
Call your insurance company: Once you’ve managed your physical well-being, call your insurance company to report the accident. Do not give them extensive details. Explain that you were in an accident and that you will obtain the police report. You can speak to them more thoroughly once you are calm and have an attorney.
Call an attorney: Auto accidents can be devastating, but with common sense and strong legal representation, you give yourself a fighting chance of recovering the value of your damages in full. Let our law offices help.
