What to do After a Car Accident
Dealing with the catastrophe of a car accident can be extremely stressful. However, it’s important to stay calm as the steps you take immediately following an accident can be important to making sure your claim is as strong as possible. Some steps to take after a car accident include:
Safety First
If you can, move the vehicles to a safe place on the side of the road. If you have any serious injuries, call 911. Check your passengers and other motorists involved for any injuries.
Call the Police
Even if the accident appears to be minor, it is still important to contact the police. The police will document the accident in a report that can be important to your claim and can be used to help establish who was at fault. Get the name of the officer preparing the report and get a report number so that you can request a copy later.
Collect Information
Take photos of all of the vehicles involved in the accident and the scene. Gather information from others involved in the accident including:
- Drivers’ and passengers’ names and contact information
- Vehicle descriptions
- Driver’s license numbers
- License plate numbers
- Insurance companies and policy numbers
- The names and contact information of any witnesses
- Accident scene location and cross streets
- The name and badge number of any responding police officers.
Don’t Admit Fault
Even if you’re not sure what happened, it’s important not to acknowledge responsibility for the accident. Don’t apologize to anyone and don’t give any written statements to anybody except the police. Stick to the facts when talking to the police.
Get Medical Attention
Even if you feel that you were not injured, it’s important to seek medical attention after a car accident. Injuries like whiplash and some soft tissue injuries don’t present themselves immediately, and the adrenaline from the accident may cause you not to feel pain. It’s important to have any injuries documented as soon as possible.
Contact an Experienced Tampa Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you pursue any compensation you may deserve. The lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk have extensive experience with car accident claims and can help you through the process. Contact us online or call us at 800-538-4878 today to set up your free consultation.