Kenny Habetz Injury Law | April 29, 2025 | Car Accident
The unfortunate reality of driving is that car accidents can happen even when you least expect them. Taking the right steps after the fact can make all the difference in preserving your health, your rights, and your peace of mind.
Safety at the Scene of the Wreck
First things first — your health and safety. Right after a collision, your first priority should be ensuring that you and anyone else involved are safe and okay. Check your passengers and yourself for any injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately.
If you’re able and it’s safe, move your vehicle to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Turn your hazards on to alert other drivers.
Keep in mind that even if the accident seems minor, taking precautions from the beginning is absolutely crucial. And it never hurts to get assessed by a medical professional, especially if you want to consider seeking compensation for your suffering down the line.
Exchange Insurance and Contact Information
Once you’ve confirmed that everyone is safe — and if you’re not too injured to do so — the next most important thing to do is collect crucial information from the scene and any other driver involved.
You’ll want to exchange the following information:
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Driver’s license number
- Insurance information, including company name, policy number, and expiration date
- Vehicle information, including the make, model, and license plate number
Keep your conversation with the other parties strictly focused on the practical information. Don’t speculate about who is at fault or make any statements that might be construed as admitting fault.
Next, document everything — the wreck, damage to your vehicles, the road conditions, and any visible injuries you have. Your smartphone camera is your best friend in this situation. Be as thorough as possible in your documentation, and even take notes to describe any details of the accident that could have been significant but might be easily forgotten later.
If there were any witnesses, try to get their contact information — their testimony could be key to establishing the facts of your claim with insurance. You’ll also want to contact your insurance company as soon as possible, especially since many companies have specific time limits for accident reporting.
When To Call the Police
There’s never a time when calling the police to the scene of an accident is a bad idea — and if you’re already calling 911 for paramedics, it’s highly likely the cops will be dispatched as well.
If you’re at all hesitant to contact law enforcement, note that there are specific instances where you have to call them according to Louisiana law. For example, you should always call the police if anyone is injured or killed. Additionally, if there’s damage to any vehicle greater than $500 in value, a police report becomes necessary.
Even if the damage seems less significant and everyone looks okay, it’s a good idea to get the police on site anyway, since an official, objective report can help clarify the details of what happened and prevent disputes down the line.
When the police arrive, try to give them as accurate and truthful an account of your experience as you can. Make sure you get the police report number and the name of the investigating officer.
Getting Legal Help After a Car Accident
Ask anyone who’s had a car accident and they’ll likely tell you that dealing with the aftermath is a trying, overwhelming experience. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through the process of recovering compensation on your own. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer for a free consultation to learn about your legal rights and options.
Contact the Louisiana Car Accident Law Firm Of Kenny Habetz Injury Law for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, please call Kenny Habetz Injury Law for a free case evaluation with a Louisiana car accident lawyer or contact us online. We have offices in Lafayette and Crowley, LA.
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Lafayette
110 E Kaliste Saloom Rd Ste 101 Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 399-9000
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Crowley
604 S Parkerson Ave. Crowley, LA 70526
(337) 329-8883
