After a car accident in Baton Rouge, take these seven steps:
- Check for severe injuries and call 911 if needed
- Move your vehicle to a safe location
- Call the police to file a report
- Exchange information with the other driver
- Document the scene with photos
- Notify your insurance company
- Seek medical attention for any injuries.
Each step protects your health, your legal rights, and your insurance claim. Louisiana law (R.S. 32:398) requires you to report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500 to law enforcement immediately. Taking proper action at the scene can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation.
East Baton Rouge Parish recorded 5,073 total crashes in 2024, including 61 fatal crashes—the highest fatality count of any Louisiana parish. Automobile collisions are among the most traumatic and unpredictable accidents. In the event of a car accident, people are often unsure whether to move their vehicle, to exit the car, and how to protect themselves and others from further injury. The attorneys at MRD have compiled this detailed guide on what to do following a car accident. Whether you are an experienced driver or a novice, these guidelines can help you remain calm and make the proper decisions to protect you and your family.
Step 1: Check for Injuries and Call 911 When Necessary
After an automobile accident, the first step should be to check the vehicle’s occupants for severe injuries. If you or any of your passengers are actively bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding.
Call 911 immediately for any of the following:
- Severe or uncontrolled bleeding
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Suspected neck or spine injuries
- Severe pain or visible deformities
Only after you’ve addressed active bleeding situations should you dial 911.
Step 2: Move Your Vehicle Out of Traffic
Yes. You should always move your vehicle out of traffic and to a safe location after an accident. If your vehicle can still be driven, move it to a safe area, such as the shoulder of the road or a neighboring parking lot.
If the vehicle is unsafe to drive, take these safety steps:
- Turn on your hazard lights immediately
- Set up warning triangles or flares if available
- Exit the vehicle carefully, watching for oncoming traffic
- Move behind guardrails when possible
- Never stand in traffic lanes
Do not wait inside the vehicle for emergency help to arrive. Exit the vehicle and try to find a safe place out of the roadway and behind the vehicle.
Step 3: Call Police to File an Accident Report
Louisiana law (R.S. 32:398) requires you to report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage over $500 to law enforcement immediately. Within incorporated cities and towns, contact the local police department. Outside city limits, call the nearest sheriff’s office or state police station.
Even if the accident appears to be minor, you should contact the police to make a police report. The police will generate a report that documents their investigation findings. Accident reports are critical in avoiding disputes between drivers regarding what happened in the accident, especially days or weeks later.
Reports often assist the insurance companies in resolving the case during the insurance claims process. Police reports typically become available within 10-15 business days through the Louisiana Crash Reports Purchase System.
Step 4: Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Collect the following information from all drivers involved:
- Driver’s full name and contact information
- Insurance company name and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, year, and color
- License plate number
- Driver’s license number
In addition to personal information, be sure to record the other vehicle’s brand and model, as well as its license plate number.
Step 5: Take Photos and Document the Accident Scene
Take photographs of property damage to both vehicles. Take at least 10-15 photos from multiple angles, including:
- All vehicle damage (exterior and interior)
- License plates of all vehicles involved
- Skid marks, debris, and road conditions
- Traffic signs, signals, and road markings
- Visible injuries
- Time-stamped photos showing weather conditions
Be sure to also photograph any other pertinent roadway elements, such as skid marks and road signs. If you need to file an insurance claim, this documentation will be essential. This information may also be beneficial if a dispute arises and an accident reconstruction expert is required to render an opinion regarding how the accident occurred.
Step 6: Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
You should always contact your insurance carrier to report a vehicle accident within 24-72 hours. There is a contract of insurance between you and your insurance company that requires you to assist in their investigation. Most insurance policies require you to report accidents within this timeframe, though specific deadlines vary by policy.
However, it is always advisable to contact an attorney before speaking with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, especially if you have sustained personal injuries in the accident. Your attorney will want to be present during any recorded statements to ensure that the insurance company does not attempt to obtain information outside of what the insurance company should collect.
Under Louisiana law, insurance companies must pay claims within 30 days after receiving satisfactory proof of loss. They must initiate loss adjustment within 14 days of notification for non-catastrophic claims.
Step 7: Get Medical Treatment for Any Injuries
If you struck your head in the accident, or you’re experiencing severe pain or headaches, seek immediate medical attention. Often trauma to the head or internal organs will not exhibit outward life-threatening injuries, such as bleeding.
Seek medical attention within 24-72 hours, even if you feel fine. Approximately 20% (1 in 5) of car accident victims experience delayed injury symptoms rather than immediate pain. Common delayed symptoms include:
- Headaches (can indicate concussion or brain injury)
- Neck or back pain (possible soft tissue damage or whiplash)
- Numbness or tingling (potential nerve damage)
- Abdominal pain (possible internal bleeding)
- Dizziness or confusion (may indicate head trauma)
Internal bleeding to the head can cause swelling on the brain, brain damage, and permanent injuries. According to medical research, some signs or symptoms of traumatic brain injury may appear immediately, while others may appear days or weeks later.
Studies show that workers who delayed medical care by 30 or more days after injuries had significantly lower likelihood of returning to work compared to those treated within 30 days. The “72-hour rule” is particularly significant in personal injury claims. Insurance companies may argue that injuries reported beyond 72 hours stem from another incident rather than the car accident.
If you continue to experience pain, especially in your neck or back, you should absolutely seek medical treatment from a highly qualified healthcare provider.
When to Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Baton Rouge
It is always advisable to hire an attorney experienced with handling car accidents after a car collision. Often physicians will uncover severe and permanent injuries to the neck or back, despite the patient believing they experienced only a mild injury.
If you’ve been injured due to the actions of another driver in Louisiana, hire the experienced attorneys at MRD. We will help guide you through the detailed process of resolving a bodily injury insurance claim. We will also give you sound advice regarding the value of your injury. Remember, the insurance company owes no obligation to compensate you fairly for your bodily injury.
With over 50 years of combined legal experience and only one trial loss in 20 years, MRD’s attorneys have helped thousands of Baton Rouge car accident victims recover millions in settlements and verdicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Louisiana?
You have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana for accidents occurring after July 1, 2024. For accidents before that date, the deadline is one year. This represents a major change to Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1—the first change in 199 years.
What are the leading causes of accidents in Baton Rouge?
According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, the three primary causes are impaired driving (24.64% of fatal crashes in East Baton Rouge Parish), speeding (contributing to 30% of Louisiana fatalities), and distracted driving. Rear-end collisions account for 35% of all crashes in the Baton Rouge metro area.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
Contact an attorney before giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters may use your words to minimize your claim or argue that you were partially at fault. Louisiana follows a pure comparative fault rule, reducing your recovery by your percentage of fault.
What is the average settlement for a car accident in Louisiana?
Settlement amounts vary considerably based on injury severity. Minor injuries typically settle for $3,000-$15,000. Moderate injuries average $20,000-$100,000. Severe injuries involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, or permanent disabilities often exceed $100,000, frequently reaching six or seven figures.
Contact MRD for Your Free Consultation
Following these measures after a car accident can help you remain calm and make good judgments. Always put your safety and the safety of others first.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Baton Rouge, don’t navigate the insurance claims process alone. The attorneys at MRD offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case. We charge one-third of recovery if no lawsuit is filed, or 40% if a lawsuit becomes necessary. We advance all case expenses, including court filing fees, expert witness fees, and medical records.
Our partners directly handle each case from start to finish, ensuring you receive experienced representation, not a junior associate. We’ve secured significant results for car accident victims throughout East Baton Rouge Parish, including a $3,225,000 jury verdict for personal injury and a $1,020,000 jury verdict in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Call (225) 303-0455 for your free consultation, or visit our office at 6700 Jefferson Hwy (Building 6), Baton Rouge, LA 70806. If our office is closed when you contact us, we’ll call you back the following day.
Most cases take anywhere from 2 months to 3 years on average, depending on the severity of injury and whether lawsuit filing is required. We’ll provide you with realistic expectations based on your specific circumstances during your consultation.