Good crash documentation is not a contest to collect the most paper. It is a way to preserve the few facts that may later become disputed: where the vehicles were, what damage was visible, who saw the collision, when symptoms began, what treatment was recommended, and what the crash cost. Start with accuracy. Save…
The easiest time to avoid a distraction is before the car moves. Set the route, choose the music, silence notifications and put the phone somewhere you will not reach for it. If a message needs an answer, stop somewhere safe before answering. A phone is only one source of distraction. Eating, reaching behind a…
A traffic ticket answers a narrow question: whether an officer had a basis to cite someone for a specific violation. It does not decide who must pay for a Louisiana car accident. When no ticket is issued, the claim usually turns more heavily on the crash report, photographs, vehicle damage, witness accounts, video, and…
A rear-end crash at a red light often looks simple from the driver’s seat. You were stopped, another vehicle hit you, and the damage should speak for itself. The claim can become less simple once the vehicles are moved and an adjuster starts asking about the light sequence, the force of impact, and when…
Opening an insurance claim and agreeing to a settlement are different events. A claim starts an investigation. A settlement ends a defined dispute on agreed terms, usually in exchange for payment. Between those points, the parties need to understand responsibility, coverage and the losses being claimed. Some vehicle-damage disputes can be resolved while an…
Bring your questions to the first meeting with a car accident lawyer. You should leave knowing who would handle the case, which problems need attention, and how the proposed fee works. The questions below are meant to start a discussion; you do not need to ask every one if it does not fit your…
A texting crash is not proved simply because a phone was somewhere in the vehicle. The important questions are what the driver was doing, when the driver looked away, and whether that loss of attention helped cause the collision. Phone records may answer part of that inquiry, but the vehicle, scene, witnesses, and application…
To obtain a Louisiana crash report, first identify the agency that investigated the collision. State Police, a city police department, and a parish sheriff may use different request systems. The driver exchange sheet or report number is usually the best place to start. Choose the request path for the investigating agency Investigating agency Where…
A collision involving a federal employee raises a question that an ordinary insurance claim does not: has the United States allowed this kind of lawsuit? The Federal Tort Claims Act, or FTCA, permits some negligence claims, but the claimant must follow the federal process and the claim must fit within the waiver of immunity….
A useful car emergency kit has two jobs. It should help you stay safe while you wait for assistance, and it should make it easier to record the basic information a crash claim may depend on later. The best kit is simple enough to remain in the vehicle and practical enough that you will…
After a car crash, there are usually several things to do at once: get medical help, arrange transportation, report the collision, and find out where the car was towed. This checklist puts those tasks in order and explains which records are worth keeping. At the scene: safety comes first Call 911 if anyone is…
Teen drivers do not need a perfect record to become safer. They need practice recognizing the moments when small choices turn into crashes: following too closely in stop-and-go traffic, looking at a phone near an intersection, or carrying too much speed into a wet curve. For families in Baton Rouge, the most useful approach…
This page helps Mardi Gras crash victims understand what to do early, what evidence matters in drunk driving cases, and which Louisiana rules can affect deadlines and fault. Mardi Gras travel can involve crowded streets and late-night traffic. NHTSA tracks thousands of deaths each year from alcohol-impaired crashes. Plan a sober ride before drinking….
An airbag injury does not necessarily mean the airbag was defective. Deployment itself can cause injuries, while a faulty inflator, counterfeit replacement, or recalled component raises a different question. Medical care and preservation of the vehicle help determine which issue the evidence supports. Tell your provider that the airbag deployed and describe any burns,…