Car Accident Lawyer New Orleans, LA
A car accident lawyer New Orleans, LA residents rely on knows that whether you have been in a small or large accident, it is important you begin to take the necessary steps so as to ensure you protect your rights and interests. If you believe negligence was the cause of the wreck, you should not delay in contacting a car accident lawyer New Orleans, Louisiana has to offer.
Reddy Accident Law understands how a collision can affect a person’s life, not only for weeks, or months, but also for many years to come. By taking certain precautions soon after the incident, the car accident lawyer in New Orleans, LA may be able to secure monetary compensation for what happened.
Things You Should Do Following a Car Accident
Briefly Talk with the Other Driver
In order to file a claim, you will need to have the alleged negligent driver’s license, contact details, and insurance information. This should be copied directly from their documentation and not their word of mouth. In fact, you might also want to take a picture of each piece.
As a car accident lawyer in New Orleans, LA might tell you, you can talk with the other driver, but you should say as little as possible. It is prudent that you avoid making statements about who is at fault or that you are sorry. You should also never accept or state blame. Finally, do your best to remain calm until the police can arrive.
Take Photos of the Scene
Before you leave the scene you should take photos and videos of the accident, surroundings, signage, and anything else that may be relevant. Photographs, as well as people, can often be used as evidence should you choose to take legal action against the alleged at-fault party.
A New Orleans, LA car accident lawyer might also suggest that you get any witnesses’ contact details. You don’t need to get a statement at this time, and can ask your lawyer to follow up with them.
Call 911 and/or the Police
For obvious reasons, it is very important that you call 911, the police, or an ambulance right away. If you choose to delay in getting medical care, your injuries may worsen. Or, there may be silent injuries, such as internal bleeding or head trauma, that goes undiagnosed. Furthermore, you may be challenged by the insurance company for not getting prompt treatment.
Notify Your Insurance Company
You have an obligation to contact your insurance to notify them about the accident. In general, all you need to do is be strict with the basic facts. You should not do any of the following:
- Admit any fault or blame
- Apologize
- Sign anything
If you don’t know what you should and should not say, it may be in your best interest to ask a car accident lawyer in New Orleans, LA.
Be Careful About What You Post on Social Media
Anything you post on social media can be used against you; therefore, a car accident lawyer in New Orleans, LA may advise you to not use social media to discuss what happened. Call Reddy Accident Law to learn more.
Avoiding A Car Accident
It’s common knowledge that drinking alcoholic beverages before getting behind the wheel is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. However, when it comes to drinking soda, eating burgers, fries, tacos, and other foods while actively engaged in driving, no one bats an eye. The truth of the matter is, though, that eating while behind the wheel can distract you and increase the risk of car accidents. Although eating and drinking food and non-alcoholic beverages while driving isn’t illegal, it is distracting behavior. As a result, if you were involved in a collision with a driver who was eating or drinking behind the wheel, that behavior could serve as evidence that the accident was either primarily or totally their fault. It’s therefore important to mention the eating/drinking behavior when you meet with a car accident lawyer New Orleans, LA residents trust. During your consultation with a New Orleans, Louisiana car accident lawyer at the Reddy Accident Law, know that no detail is insignificant. If the driver of the other car was eating or drinking at the time of the accident, we want to know about it.
Eating Takes Your Hands Off the Wheel
If you want to eat while driving, you will be forced to take at least one hand off the wheel. You’ll have to remove the wrappers, tear open sauce packets and take food out of bags. When you take even one hand off the wheel, it makes it more difficult to control the vehicle, increasing your risk of getting into an accident.
Eating Takes Your Attention Off the Road
When you’re eating something tasty, your mind is on that food. You might not be able to focus your attention on the road ahead. If you take your attention off the road for even a minute, you’re in danger of hitting another vehicle and causing an accident.
Passengers Eating Can Reduce Your Focus
It might not seem like a big deal to let the passengers in your vehicle eat. After all, they aren’t the ones behind the wheel. However, they can actually distract you while you drive. The smells and sound of the passengers chomping down on their food can cause you to lose concentration.
Clutter Can Distract You
After you get food at a drive-thru or gas station for something to eat, you’re left with napkins, wrappers, and other garbage. You might not always remember to throw the garbage away and toss it on the floor. All of that clutter on the floor can be a big distraction while you drive, increasing the risk of an accident.
What are the common causes of car accidents?
After you have been in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be wondering what the common causes of driver error are. We understand that it can be stressful and emotionally exhausting after you have been in a car accident because you may be dealing with physical pain, high hospital bills, and legal matters. However, we are here to help and we know that understanding the process can make things easier. While manufacturers and car designers are attempting everything they can to make driving safer, people still get into accidents, whether it was because of a manufacturing error, a design flaw, or a user problem.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
While it is true that not all car accidents are the result of a driver’s error, many are. We’ve gathered some of the top reasons we have seen car accidents occur with our clients.
- Driving Distracted. This is number one because it happens almost everywhere. A person may not even realize they are driving distracted when it is happening. Fiddling with the radio dial, picking up a toy to give your baby in the backseat, or eating a sandwich all count as driving distracted and all can be equally as dangerous. Texting or talking on the phone are also ways one can be distracted.
- Speeding. You may be late for a meeting, picking up your kids at school, or simply feel you do not have enough time to get things done. Whatever the case, speeding is also a top reason car accidents happen. The truth is, you never get there that much quicker even if you were speeding. We never believe it is worth it.
- Running a Light. This is similar to speeding and it almost always happens because someone values their time more than the time and safety of others. Car accidents happen all the time when a person continues to go through an intersection at a red light. When the light turns yellow, you must slow down.
- Defects in Car Design. Not the fault of the driver at all, some people get into accidents because there is actually a flaw in the design of the automobile. When you have been injured for this reason, you would not file a claim with the driver but you would file a claim with the designer or manufacturer. Call your attorney if you believe the accident was the result of a design flaw.
Were You in a Car Accident?
Even if you’re careful and avoid eating while behind the wheel others may not make this responsible decision. If you were recently injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s poor choices, know that an experienced New Orleans, LA car accident lawyer may be able to help you hold that irresponsible party accountable and help you to collect compensation related to the harm you have suffered. Don’t wait. If you haven’t already scheduled a consultation with our team, please do so now. We look forward to speaking with you. It’s important to speak to a New Orleans, LA car accident lawyer about your case as soon as possible to better ensure that your rights remain protected and that your legal options remain preserved.