If you got into a car accident that caused minor damage and injuries, you may have exchanged information with the other driver and then carried on with your day without contacting the police.
Ideally, it’s best to call the police after an accident so you have a police report to show insurers. Without that, it could be your word against the other driver’s. However, if you’re wondering whether you can file an accident claim without a police report, the answer is yes – but it could make it harder to recover compensation.
In situations like these, consulting a Baton Rouge car accident attorney can help protect your rights and guide you through the process of filing a claim, even without a police report.
Do You Have To Call the Police After an Accident in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, you must call the police immediately if you had a car accident that caused injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage.
Even if you aren’t required to call the police, you must give the other driver your name, address, vehicle registration, and driver’s license information.
What if You Don’t Call the Police?
If you don’t call the police after an accident, you risk hurting your potential car accident claim. The other driver could give you incorrect contact information or a fake name. They may change their story later when they speak with the insurance company.
Even though you technically can’t use a police report as evidence in court, it can still support your insurance claim and settlement negotiations.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
Take the following steps if you’re involved in a car accident in Baton Rouge:
- First, assess any injuries and contact emergency services if you or someone else needs immediate medical attention.
- If it’s safe to do so, move your car out of traffic to avoid further accidents.
- Call law enforcement to report the accident.
- Exchange contact information and vehicle registration information with the other driver.
- Seek medical attention for your injuries, even if they seem minor.
- Contact an experienced car accident lawyer.
- Inform your insurance company of the accident.
Can I File a Claim Without a Police Report?
In most cases, you can still file a claim without a police report. An injury attorney can help you evaluate your best course of action during a free consultation.
Louisiana is a pure comparative negligence state, which means you can recover compensation against another at-fault party even if you partly caused the accident. However, your compensation drops in proportion to your degree of fault.
For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages but a court finds you 40% at fault, you can only recover $60,000.
A police report supporting your claim that the other party caused the accident might have prevented a court from assigning you any fault at all.
Contact an Experienced Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer
If you suffered injuries in a car accident in Baton Rouge, a police report can help support your claim. The attorneys at Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your injuries. Get in touch today for a free case review.
