In the State of Louisiana, drivers are required by law to report accidents that either result in injuries or in damages of over $100. Damages- whether physical or property- can be deceptively expensive, so we suggest reporting all accidents.
When you play it safe and legal and call police to file a report after a Louisiana car accident, you protect your rights as well. If the other party later tries to claim that you caused the accident, that police report will be a lifesaver for your case. What makes the police report so important? Information and official documentation – read on to find out why they matter.
While remaining within the legal guidelines is a must, there are also some clear benefits to filing a police report after an accident; the report filed now may be needed by your lawyer later.
The police report will include hard facts about the accident and provides much-needed information for your legal team. If you have been injured, these details will be needed to support you case in court and ensure that you receive all of the compensation you are entitled to. If you have been accused of contributing to the accident, then these details can help clear your name and ensure that the accusations do not impact your insurance or case settlement.
The report will cover the names of the people involved, describe any overt or obvious injuries or damages, properly identify the vehicles, drivers and witnesses; and since it is written by an objective third party, be accepted as an accurate account of what happened.
A police report also serves as official documentation of the accident and can be used by the court, your lawyer and the insurance company as evidence. Everything from the location of the vehicles to the weather outside will be documented in the report and serve as useful information for your attorney. Many personal injury cases are settled before the court is involved, so official documentation will help your attorney fight for you.
Three words: Call right away
While Louisiana does give you up to 24 hours to make the report, there is really no reason to wait. You should call the authorities in the city or town where the accident occurred or the state authorities if the accident was not within town limits. Calling the police at once allows them to see what happened immediately, not a day or two later or after the cars have been removed.
Call the police immediately after an accident, even if there do not seem to be injuries. This will protect your rights and make it easier for an attorney to help you out in the courtroom.
If you have been injured an accident, we can help. Contact us for a complimentary consultation about your case and to find out what compensation you might be entitled to. We are committed to protecting your rights and helping you fully recover from an accident and stand ready to help you however we can.
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