Many Louisianians enjoy walking outside for exercise, to get fresh air, or to run errands. However, pedestrian accidents are on the rise in Louisiana and often result in catastrophic injuries.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Louisiana, you need to know what to do to help protect your health and your legal rights. The experienced Baton Rouge pedestrian accident lawyers at Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys have helped injury victims secure billions of dollars in compensation, and we are dedicated to helping you get the justice and full compensation you are entitled to.
Call (225) 999-1111 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your Louisiana pedestrian accident claim.
Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident in Louisiana
Your actions following a pedestrian accident can significantly impact your physical and financial recovery.
Taking the following steps can help protect you:
- Move to a safe location out of the flow of traffic to help avoid additional injuries.
- Call 911 for emergency medical help.
- If you do not call 911, contact the local police department to report your accident. You will want to obtain a copy of the accident report as soon as it is filed.
- Obtain contact information, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration from involved drivers.
- Obtain contact information from all passengers of the involved vehicles and from any witnesses who observed the accident. While some of this information may be included in the accident report, it is advisable to obtain it at the scene whenever possible.
- Take photographs and video footage of the accident scene. Include any visible injuries, the position of the involved vehicles, traffic lights and signs, the condition of the street, and anything else that seems relevant to your accident.
- As soon as you can, write down everything you recall about the accident while it is still fresh in your mind.
- If you did not go to the hospital by ambulance, you must promptly seek a thorough medical evaluation. Some life-threatening injuries are not immediately apparent. Being medically evaluated in the first few hours after a pedestrian accident can help save your life and protect your right to recover damages.
- Promptly consult an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Baton Rouge with a proven record of recovering maximum compensation for personal injury victims.
- Do not provide a recorded statement to any insurance company until you have consulted an attorney.
- Once you have retained an accident attorney, allow them to handle all communications with insurance companies.
- Stay off social media and ask your family and friends to refrain from posting comments or photos of you while your claim is pending. Insurance companies and defense attorneys search social media accounts looking for something to help them deny or devalue your claim. Don’t give them any ammunition to use against you.
- Follow up with all medical appointments and complete any prescribed treatment plan.
Once you have retained a reputable pedestrian accident lawyer in Baton Rouge, follow their advice about what you should or should not do until your case is resolved.
Louisiana Statute of Limitations For Pedestrian Accident Claims
A statute of limitations establishes a deadline for filing a claim to recover compensation for your damages in a pedestrian accident claim. If you miss your filing deadline, you will not be able to recover compensation.
As outlined in Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1, most personal injury claims in Louisiana have a two-year statute of limitations. That means you must file your claim within two years of your accident.
However, there are exceptions to the two-year filing deadline. You must promptly consult an experienced pedestrian accident attorney to ensure you timely file your claim.
Contact a Baton Rouge Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys Today
Our Baton Rouge pedestrian accident attorneys have the experience, skills, and resources to help you secure maximum compensation for your damages. Let us help you.
Call (225) 999-1111 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation.