Different terms
There are different terms used to describe vehicular collisions. The World Health Organization uses the term road traffic injury, the U.S. Census Bureau uses the term motor vehicle accidents (MVA), other terms used include auto accident, car accident, car crash, car smash, car wreck, motor vehicle collision (MVC), personal injury collision (PIC), road accident, road traffic accident (RTA), road traffic collision (RTC), road traffic incident (RTI), road traffic accident or fender bender.
According to the Louisiana State Police, more than 45,000 such accidents occurred in our state in 2008. Although no one wants to be in this number, accidents cannot always be avoided. If you or someone you love is involved in such an unfortunate situation, be informed and take the necessary steps to minimize adversity.
Accident Specialists
You will find the Civil Team at Regan & Sandhu, P.L.C. very knowledgeable and helpful, with experience in large and small cases. Together with an excellent winning record, and hands on customer care, our firm enjoys a great many satisfied clients who have been involved in car accident, motorcycle accident, truck accident, offshore accidents and personal injury cases. Our attorneys can provide you with important legal advice, file your claims, and protect you against large insurance companies who might not necessarily have your best interest at heart. We are your Accident Specialists and are here to protect you.
What to do when you are involved in an accident?
If you are involved in an accident we suggest you always consider the following:
Do not drive away from the scene of an accident:
Sometimes people panic and think that the best thing is to drive away. This is never advisable and never a good idea, even in the case of a very minor fender bender. These small collisions can in fact result in major injury or damage. Stay at the scene of the accident and take the following proactive steps to protect yourself.
First thing you should do is call the police
The local police department or the State Police must be notified as soon as an accident occurs. Call 911. The officer who will respond is the best individual to collect all information necessary from those involved in the accident. Let the officers gather the necessary documents as well as pertinent information on the vehicles involved in the accident. Once a police officer is involved, the official record is initiated, this document will help determine who was involved, what and how it happened and who is at fault. This is not something you should do on your own. Let the police do their job. Answer all questions truthfully and accurately. But remember only answer questions the officer asks you. Do not volunteer information and do not make any statement, contact Regan, & Sandhu, P.L.C. as soon as possible.
Information to collect
There is a lot of information you can compile:
We have previously suggested that you must let the police do their job and let them compile all information on the accident. But there is a lot you can do to while they do their work. Make sure you gather the following:
- Name and contact information for all individuals who were inside the vehicles in the vehicles involved in the accident such as telephone numbers, address, and email address if available.
- Don’t forget to get the drivers license and license plate numbers for all parties to the accident. Do the same for all witnesses to the accident.
- If you can, take a picture of the vehicles party to the accident as well as the scene itself. The camera in your phone will do just fine.
- Avoid any and all confrontation with others involved in the accident.
Do not neglect or postpone medical help
Get it if you are hurt:
Quite often individuals involved in a vehicular accident decide not seek medical assistance right away. But listen if you are in pain, let the paramedics at the scene help you. If the police asks you if you need medical attention accept their offer if you are in pain.
If you choose not the receive medical attention at the scene of the accident then seek proper medical attention from a licensed medical practitioner. Injuries resulting from a collision more often than not require medical attention even minor accidents.
Remember, you might require hospitalization, visits to physician’s offices, physical therapy or surgeries. Treatment can be costly.
[intlink id=”21″ type=”page”]Contact your attorney[/intlink] as soon as possible. They can help you navigate through the cumbersome medical treatment documentation necessary as well as explaining to you what you are entitled to and your rights in this important area. Accidents that involve low impact, or rear end or head on collisions can result in painful and difficult injuries, often internal injuries can also occur. Do not assume that because you do not feel pain in the heat of the accident when adrenalin is flowing that you are not hurt. Pain might appear later. Seek and accept medical assistance right away.
What happens next?
Now what do you do? The police have done their job, you have gathered the information available to you, photographs were taken, if necessary, medical attention has been provided to you. Now you need sound, legal advice. Contact Regan & Sandhu, P.L.C.; remember we know what assistance you require in the critical days following the accident as well as in the months ahead.
Do not accept quick settlements
Do not accept quick settlements from insurance companies do not accept quick checks from them. Instead let the professionals at Regan& Sandhu, P.L.C. provide you with important information. We know personal injury law and we are not afraid to negotiate for you. Timing is critical when dealing with vehicular accidents. Let our Team contact the witnesses before they disappear.
Let our Team gather the evidence and let them contact the insurance companies.
Protect yourself from criminal charges
Furthermore, Regan& Sandhu, P.L.C. can protect you in the event that criminal charges may arise as a result of the accident. If you have been arrested or have received traffic tickets or have been advised that an appearance before a judge will be necessary, remember, our Team includes experienced criminal lawyers who are well positioned to protect you in all aspects of the accident, whether it is handling your personal injury or your criminal charges.
Personalized Service
Do you have a case? [intlink id=”21″ type=”page”]Call for your free, personal evaluation of your case.
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About Martin E. Regan, Jr.
Year after year, Martin E. Regan Jr., the firm’s senior partner, has dedicated tireless efforts on behalf of the accused and produce wins for clients that a less determined advocate would have thought hopeless. Martin E. Regan Jr.’s ability to tackle and win tough criminal cases has resulted in verdicts of acquittal in many highly publicized trials.