(225) 263-6194
Call Us Now
Email Us Now
Driving in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
As we all drive nearly every day in our cities to get to work or other activities, it can be easy to get into the habit of not expecting a crash to occur and get on with our everyday lives. The truth is, car crashes happen every day, so being involved in one is a high probability, and one we forget easily so aren’t typically prepared for.
Car crashes happen everywhere, whether it’s the daily commute of heading to work on a busy highway or dropping our children off at school. Read on to learn more about car crashes in our city and what you can do to prepare should you be involved in one.
Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety
The Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety, or CARTS, shows data of 808 car crash-related fatalities in 2023 in the area of Baton Rouge; 501 of those were the driver, 121 were the passenger, and 149 were pedestrians involved in crashes. According to this study, multiple fatalities occur each day due to car crashes.
Were you or a loved one involved in a car crash recently? The study above discusses fatalities, so one can assume that though the numbers are high, the numbers regarding car crashes in general can be much higher.
So you are on your way to work or a doctor’s appointment and a crash occurs. What do you do? What steps should you take to ensure you are protected in the future? This article will help prepare you for the worst so you can arm yourself and understand what to do in a troubling situation.
Steps to Take Immediately Following a Car Crash
The first step to take is to assess whether your or other passengers need medical attention and to call for help. If you can move your vehicle out of the main area of traffic safely, you should attempt to do this. If you can’t safely do so, turn on your hazards and wait for emergency services to arrive.
If you can’t do the following steps, consider finding someone who may have witnessed the accident and ask that they assist you. This person may be a passenger in your vehicle, a participant in the other cars, or someone near you when the crash occurred.
Protect Yourself
Gathering evidence, such as pictures or videos, is a great place to start. Get images of the damage to the vehicles, the injuries sustained, the area in which the crash took place, and any other relevant information. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers involved, and document the cross streets or area of the city that you are in and what the weather may have been like. This information may be important later if the roads were slippery and contributed to the crash, if the area was dimly lit, if there were other issues with the roadway and more.
Seek medical attention immediately. Whether you feel the injuries are minor or not, adequate medical care following an accident is necessary. An initial exam can help rule out any injuries that may not present with symptoms immediately due to adrenaline or other matters. Soft tissue damage, for example, doesn’t always present with pain directly and could fester and worsen if untreated.
What are the Main Causes of Car Crashes?
With such a high number of car crash fatalities, you may be wondering why the numbers are so elevated. While there are several reasons for car crashes to occur, some of the top common attributes are listed below.
Distracted driving – there are reasons that the laws are becoming increasingly strict regarding distracted driving. Whether talking or texting on our phones, adjusting the radio, eating, or other reasons to take our attention off the roads, we may have all been guilty of distracted driving at one time or another. The truth is, it’s one of the main reasons why car crashes occur, and we should all try to eradicate distracted driving so we can be fully aware of our surroundings during our entire commute.
Drunk driving – while we can’t control what others do, we need to be aware that drunk driving is an issue and be cautious while driving in and around our city and everywhere we go. Give extra room, report drivers as necessary if you feel strongly about a safety concern, and remain vigilant.
Speeding – we are all in a rush to get somewhere, but speeding is one of the leading causes of car crashes across our nation. Slow down, be patient, and wear your seatbelt.
Your Strongest Ally When You Need it the Most
Being involved in a car crash may be inevitable, statistically speaking, and navigating the aftermath can feel overwhelming, no matter how severe the injuries are. You don’t have to navigate this situation alone.
You have an experienced team in your area that is competent and compassionate and is prepared to be your biggest ally while you heal. We tirelessly work for all of our clients, no matter the size of the case, and form winning strategies to ensure they get the compensation they deserve and not settle for anything less.
Contact our office at (225) 263-6194 to schedule your free assessment. Let us help you hold those accountable for their actions and help you avoid financial distress. You and your loved ones matter. Your case matters—no matter the severity.
We look forward to assisting you.
