Fall brings changes to the daily driving routine around New Orleans and Covington. Traffic can become especially frustrating during busy commutes, holiday preparation, weekend travel, and trips across Lake Pontchartrain. On roads like I-10, I-12, and the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, a sudden slowdown can leave very little time for a driver behind you to react.
If another vehicle rear-ends your car, you may be dealing with much more than vehicle damage. A collision can leave you with neck or back pain, a concussion or other head injury, spinal injuries, lost income, medical expenses, and weeks or months of recovery.
Knowing what to do immediately after a rear-end collision can help protect your health and preserve important information about what happened.
Move to Safety and Check for Injuries
Your first priority after a collision should be safety.
If you can safely move your vehicle out of traffic, do so. High-speed roadways such as I-10 and I-12 can be particularly dangerous after a crash because other drivers may not realize that vehicles are stopped ahead. The same concern applies to any collision on or near the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.
Once you are in a safe location, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If someone appears seriously injured, call 911 and request emergency medical assistance.
Do not assume that you are fine simply because you can stand, walk, or speak normally after the crash. The adrenaline of a collision can make it difficult to recognize pain immediately. Some injuries may become more noticeable later.
If you experience pain, dizziness, headaches, confusion, numbness, weakness, or other concerning symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.
Document the Collision If It Is Safe to Do So
Once everyone is safe, gather as much information about the crash as you reasonably can.
If you are physically able and it is safe to do so, take photographs or videos showing:
- The damage to your vehicle
- The other vehicle and its damage
- License plates
- The position of the vehicles
- Roadway conditions
- Traffic signs or signals
- Skid marks or debris
- Any visible injuries
Try to capture the surroundings rather than photographing only the vehicles. Details about the roadway, traffic pattern, and location may become important when determining how the collision occurred.
If anyone witnessed the crash, ask for their contact information. Witnesses may be able to provide an independent account of what happened.
You should also exchange insurance information and contact details with the other driver, and cooperate with law enforcement when officers respond to the scene.
Just as importantly, avoid arguing with the other driver. Do not speculate about what happened or make statements such as, “I should have stopped sooner,” if you do not actually know that to be true. Stick to the facts.
Do Not Assume You Are Uninjured
One of the most serious mistakes after a rear-end collision is treating the absence of immediate pain as proof that there is no injury.
A rear-end impact can cause a sudden, forceful movement of the head, neck, and spine. Depending on the circumstances, people involved in these crashes may experience injuries involving the neck, back, head, or other parts of the body.
Some symptoms may not appear until hours or even days after a crash.
That is one reason it is important to take medical concerns seriously and follow appropriate medical advice after an accident. Medical records can also help document the connection between the collision and the treatment you receive.
If your injuries worsen over time, early documentation can be particularly important. Keep copies of medical records, bills, prescriptions, treatment instructions, and appointment information.
Be Careful When Speaking With Insurance Companies
After a collision, you may hear from an insurance adjuster relatively quickly. The adjuster may ask about the accident, your injuries, your vehicle, and what happened immediately before the crash.
It is important to be truthful, but you should also avoid guessing about details you do not know.
For example, you may not know the exact speed of the other vehicle or everything the other driver was doing before the impact. You do not need to speculate simply because someone asks you to provide an answer.
You should also be cautious about making assumptions about the value of your injury claim before you understand the full extent of your injuries and losses.
A rear-end collision may involve more than the cost of repairing or replacing a vehicle. Depending on the circumstances, an injured person may have medical expenses, lost wages, ongoing treatment needs, pain and suffering, or other losses to consider. (cosselawfirm.com)
Keep Track of Medical Treatment and Other Losses
After a crash, an organization can make a major difference.
Keep a record of your medical appointments and treatment. Save bills, receipts, prescription information, and other documentation related to your recovery.
You should also keep track of time missed from work. If your injury prevents you from performing your normal job duties, that information may become relevant when evaluating the financial impact of the accident.
It can also be helpful to keep notes about how your injuries affect your daily life. Are you having trouble sleeping? Can you no longer perform certain household tasks? Are you unable to participate in activities you normally enjoy?
These details can help create a clearer picture of what you experienced after the crash.
What If the Crash Happened on I-10, I-12, or the Causeway?
Location can matter when investigating a collision.
A rear-end crash on I-10 may involve heavy traffic, multiple lanes, sudden slowdowns, or nearby ramps and interchanges. I-12 can involve high-speed traffic and commercial vehicles, while the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway presents its own roadway environment.
Fall driving can also bring factors such as changing daylight, glare, rain, and increased travel as people move around the New Orleans and Northshore areas.
These details do not automatically determine who is legally responsible for a collision. Every crash needs to be evaluated based on its specific facts.
If there is a dispute about how the crash happened, evidence such as photographs, witness statements, vehicle damage, medical records, available video, and the police report may become important. Cossé Injury Law’s car accident practice specifically handles rear-end collisions and other motor vehicle crashes. (cosselawfirm.com)
When Should You Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer?
You may be unsure whether your collision is serious enough to speak with an attorney. If you suffered an injury, are facing significant medical treatment, missed work, or are dealing with an insurance company that disputes responsibility or the extent of your injuries, getting legal guidance can help you understand your options.
This can be particularly important when an accident involves serious injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury or significant spinal injury. These conditions may involve ongoing treatment and consequences that extend well beyond the initial emergency room visit. (cosselawfirm.com)
At Cossé Injury Law, we represent people injured in auto accidents throughout Louisiana, including New Orleans, Covington, and surrounding communities. Our attorneys work to investigate the circumstances of a crash, document injuries and losses, and handle the insurance side of the claim while you focus on your recovery.
If you were rear-ended on I-10, I-12, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, or another Louisiana roadway this fall, you do not have to figure out the next steps alone. Contact Cossé Injury Law at (504) 438-2342 to discuss your accident and learn how our team may be able to help.