What You Need to do After a Car Accident

After the screeching tires have come to a halt and the broken glass has settled, you may be asking yourself – what just happened? Car accidents happen every day and injure thousands of people in Florida each year. If you have been involved in an auto accident, you need to know what steps you should take following the event. The actions you take immediately following a car crash can affect the outcome of your case. The following is a list of what you need to do if you have been in a car accident.

• Get medical treatment, if necessary. The first thing you should do after an accident is determine if you have been injured. If you or your passengers have been injured, you need to seek medical attention, even if you feel the injuries are minor. Medical personnel will be able to evaluate you to make sure there are no serious injuries. You should keep copies of the doctor’s report and any medical records associated with your injuries caused by the car accident.

• Call the police and stay at the crash scene. If you do not require emergency medical treatment, you should stay at the scene of the accident until the police have come and gone. By staying at the scene, you can ensure that you get important information about the accident.

• File a car accident report with the police. Make sure that the responding police officer takes a legal accident report. Only discuss the accident with the police officer and avoid placing blame on yourself or the other driver. When you give your account of the accident, stick to the facts.

• Take pictures of the vehicle damage and your injuries. While most people do not carry cameras in their vehicles, many cell phones have the capability to take pictures. If you can, take as many pictures as possible of the accident scene and your injuries. These pictures can come in handy if you need to file a claim.

• Request contact information of those involved, including any witnesses. Try to get names, addresses and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident. You will also need to get the insurance information, license plate number and vehicle identification number from the other driver(s).

• Contact your insurance company. Many people are hesitant about contacting their insurance company following an accident. However, it is better to contact your insurance company immediately. You may even want to call the insurance company while you are still at the scene, so that the police officer can give an account of what happened.

• Consult with an attorney. An experienced Florida car accident attorney can help you recover a fair settlement for your injuries and will negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf. A lawyer can ensure that you are treated fairly and offered an acceptable settlement.

If you have been in a serious auto accident, you do not have to face the insurance companies alone. Contact the Law Offices of William K. Saron at (866) 836-4947 for expert legal advice.