Things to Do After a Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident can be a very scary and stressful time. It’s important, however, to remain calm and follow these critical steps to make the process after a car accident as painless as possible.
Ensure Everyone is Safe.
After an accident, the safety of everyone should be your number one priority. Check for any injuries on both yourself and those around you. If someone is injured, make sure call 911 immediately and request medical assistance. Move vehicles and people to the shoulder of the road or sidewalk.
Call the Police
Regardless of whether someone is injured, you should call the police any time there is an accident. If anyone involved appears as though they may be under the influence of alcohol, make sure to mention that when you call the police. A driver may offer to settle without talking to the police or contacting insurance companies, but don’t do that. Protect yourself by calling the police.
Exchange Information
Be sure to get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of everyone involved in the accident. This includes drivers, pedestrians, passengers, and any witnesses. Take some pictures of the other driver’s license and their insurance card. Write down the name of any police officer who arrives at the scene and be sure to get the police report number.
Take Pictures
Use your cell phone to take as many pictures as you can of the site of the accident, the vehicles, and the people involved. The pictures that you take as soon as possible will be the most valuable. Take pictures of damage to any of the vehicles and the vehicle license plates. Pictures of other evidence around the scene such as street signs, lights, or skid marks can also be very helpful.
Contact the Insurance Company
Make sure to call your own insurance company as quickly as possible. If you fail to act quickly, your claim could be rejected. Your insurance company can work to help you get back on the road with a rental car or a repaired or replaced vehicle.
Medical Attention
If you are injured seriously, you’ll most likely be taken directly to the hospital. But if you’re injuries do not appear serious, do not assume that you haven’t been injured at all. Don’t neglect strange symptoms, such as pain that appears several hours later. Serious injuries from car accidents, such as whiplash, don’t always show up immediately. In addition, under Florida’s no-fault insurance law, you must seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident.
Get Legal Assistance
If you’ve been in a car crash, it’s important to contact an experienced vehicle accident attorney to help you through the process. Contact the trusted lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk or call us 1-800-538-4878 to schedule your free consultation.