A car accident in Baton Rouge can be a traumatizing situation. Being informed by a police report that you are at fault for it can be even more overwhelming.
The question that you now face is whether you should contest the police report, how to deal with the insurance companies, and determining the best way to move forward.
Our attorneys at Pierce & Shows in Baton Rouge Louisiana have in-depth experience helping clients after car accidents. In this blog, we’ll discuss how you can contest a police report that says you are at fault.
What to Do If you are listed as at-fault in Baton Rouge
Louisiana is an at-fault state, which means the driver who causes an accident uses their insurance to pay for the other driver’s bills from the collision.
If more than one driver is at fault, they will share the blame, and their insurance companies will decide the responsibility percentage. For example, one driver could be 30% at fault, while another driver is 60% at fault, and a third is at 10% fault. That will be the percentage their insurance companies will pay.
Being at fault also means that the other drivers can sue you for damages.
Car accident scenes are overwhelming, stressful, and hectic — especially if someone was injured. Police try to quickly gather their findings so they can clear the roads as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this urgency sometimes leads to less-than-accurate police reports.
So what should you do if the police report incorrectly finds you at fault? There are a few ways to contest the police reports findings, particularly if you have any of the following:
- Evidence that contradicts the police report and is convincing enough to make the police report seem incorrect.
- Witness statements that outweigh the police report as evidence.
- Knowledge that you are partially at-fault but not fully
Often, contesting the police report and voicing your disagreement will result in a further investigation that could lead to revised findings. At the very least, it begins to create a record of your disagreement that can be beneficial down the line.
Insurance Companies and Attorneys in a car accident case
Insurance companies want to minimize the amount that they pay out, and if you have been found by a police report at -fault in Baton Rouge, that can be even harder to navigate.
Insurance companies want to gain profit, not lose revenue, so they will do just about anything to get you to sign paperwork to close a case.
If you are disputing liability, it may make sense to hire a car accident lawyer. Retaining an experienced lawyer can be extremely beneficial when dealing with insurance companies because the insurance company won’t be able to bully them into giving in.
A lawyer can additionally help with the following:
- Understanding all the jargon of the insurance company
- Making sure you get what is owed to you from the insurance company
- Preparing all documents
- Notifying the insurance company of your accident promptly without admitting fault
- Reducing your uncertainty and increasing your confidence.
- Helping to collect and sort through evidence that refutes the police report
In Baton Rouge, Pierce & Shows has the experience you can trust to get you through an auto accident case.
Contact a Louisiana car accident attorney Today
If you’ve been in a car accident and the police report lists you as the at-fault driver, we can help. Contact Pierce & Shows today to schedule a meeting with one of our experienced Louisiana car accident attorneys.
