What to do after an Auto Injury?
What to do after an auto accident
Clear thinking at the time of the accident and accurate gathering of pertinent auto accident information may make the difference between having to cover the medical and property damage costs on your own and receiving the compensation to which you are entitled.
First, before any personal or auto accident information is exchanged, the health and safety of everyone involved should be protected. First and foremost, any injuries should be attended to and police and medical personnel should be called. Vehicles should be moved out of the road if possible, and the entire area should be inspected for potentially dangerous conditions.
Second, those wondering what to do after an auto accident should be sure to not admit fault. They should not say they were in the wrong to anyone, including the other driver, the passengers, the police, the other driver's insurance agent, or witnesses. Your perception immediately following the accident may not be the reality of the situation.
Next, since you are suffering from an injury, make sure to get medical attention immediately. This is important even if you think that your symptoms are not serious. It is best to get a full evaluation to diagnose any hidden injury that could become even more problematic if not treated now. Under currant Florida law if you fail to get medical treatment within 2 weeks following your accident your insurance provider may not have to pay your medical bills.
Once it is safe to do so, it is vital that you acquire specific information about the accident and the other drivers involved.
The information about other drivers involved that you will need to collect will include:
• Name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Telephone number
• Driver’s license number and expiration date
• Insurance company information
• Make, model, and license plate number of car involved
• TAKE PICTURES
• Take notes - For example, take down information about the damage to your car. Write down the names of any witnesses to the accident.
CONTACT A LAWYER
As you can see, knowing what to do after an auto accident could be a huge benefit to you in the long run. For more information, contact a lawyer to discuss the facts of your case. An experienced auto accident lawyer will help you to get the compensation you deserve to pay your medical bills, repair your vehicle and make up for any lost wages during recovery.
DON"T MAKE THESE MISTAKES
Don't Incriminate Yourself:
Regardless of who you believe was in the wrong, you need to be careful not to admit fault even in the slightest when making auto accident claims. You should review your insurance policy and, if you think your claim might not be covered, talk to an attorney before making an official statement. On a similar note, you should never make statements to a representative from the other driver's insurance company without speaking to an attorney beforehand.
Don't Leave Anything Undocumented:
If you are ever in a car accident, documenting as much of it as possible helps ensure that your rights are protected. At the scene, you should take pictures from multiple angles and record or type notes about what you recall into your phone. Many accident victims are surprised to find that their memories of the event fade with time, and crucial evidence, therefore, sometimes slips away. It's also important to report the accident to the police and your insurer as soon as you can.
Filing an accident claim may seem like a daunting process, and some may choose to avoid the process altogether. If you have sustained property damage or serious injury in a wreck, speak to a qualified attorney by calling for a free consultation.
+1 407 4780074, contact us by email, or complete our contact form
We can help walk you through the necessary steps and gather all of the necessary information you need in order to present a claim. Or, if a settlement offered isn’t adequate, we can continue negotiations and/or begin the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Find out how we can help you. Call +1 407 4780074, email us, or complete our contact form, in Orlando for a free case evaluation.