What to do if you are in a car accident
According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (FDMV), there are approximately 14 million drivers on the road in the State of Florida. Each year, the FDMV issues an estimated 800,000 new licenses. Additionally, new residents account for 400,000 more drivers annually. With all of these vehicles and drivers, it is not surprising that many people will be involved in a collision this year. Here is what you need to do if you are in a car accident:
Assess the Situation and Call for Help
The first things to do after being involved in a car accident is assess yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is seriously hurt, you may need to stay where you are until medical help can arrive. You should also find out if anyone in the other vehicle is injured. If people are hurt, call 911 for emergency medical care. If there are no serious injuries and you can safely leave the car do so until you can determine if the vehicle is safely positioned.
Summon the Police
If someone is seriously injured, there is a death or significant property damage, you should request that the police come to the scene. The police should document the incident and provide you with a copy of the accident report.
Wait at the Accident Site
One mistake people make when there is an accident is leaving the scene. Everyone involved in the incident needs to be there when the police and paramedics arrive. Leaving a crash could also result in you incurring fines and facing criminal charges.
Talk to Witnesses and Exchange Information
Write down the other vehicle’s license plate number and if possible exchange insurance and identification information with the other driver. If they have passengers, find out who they are and how to get in touch with them. Further, determine if there are any outside witnesses to the accident, ask what they saw, and get their contact information.
Take Pictures of Everything
If you can take pictures of the damage to both vehicles you should do immediately after the accident. The images should be from multiple angles and both up close and farther away. Also, photograph the intersection from different positions and from the viewpoints of any identified witnesses.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident. If you were able to gather the other driver’s information relay it to your insurance representative so that they may begin processing your claim. It is vital that you be honest in your recounting of the accident so that your insurance company can adequately evaluate your case and take appropriate action on your behalf.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
There are several elements to consider following a car accident. Without proper advice, you could make mistakes which could ultimately harm your case. An experienced personal injury attorney is well-versed in this area of the law and will be familiar with the stages of the process. Having a qualified attorney at your side will help you successfully evaluate and manage all of the critical aspects of your case.
If you or a loved one have been injured due to an automobile accident, we have experienced personal injury attorneys who can provide you with the help you need to understand your options. To learn more, contact Draper Law Office today at 866-767-4711 or online to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation in one of our Central Florida offices.
