Did you know that over 330,000 car accidents occurred in Florida in 2020? Over 3,000 resulted in casualties, and over 200,000 resulted in injuries.
In other words, it’s not unlikely that you or a loved one will experience a car accident (or may already have). But what should you do after a car accident?
We walk you through the process all the way, from ensuring your safety and recording information to hiring a car accident lawyer to support you. Keep reading to learn more.
Move The Car
The first thing that you need to do after experiencing a car accident is to get out of the way of traffic if you’re able to. This prevents further damage or injury and allows you to get accurate evidence to present later.
Safety is always the first priority during a car accident.
Seek Help
After the car is out of harm’s way, check yourself and the other people around you for injuries. If someone needs medical attention, make sure that you get them to the hospital, even if the damage seems minimal.
You also need to call the police, even for a minor accident. The police will take statements and help start the process of determining who’s at fault.
Collect Evidence and Information
It’s customary to exchange information with the other driver when you’ve been in an accident. You need their name, contact information, insurance information, and a description of their vehicle.
This is also when you should take pictures of the scene, your car, their car, and any damaged property. If there are witnesses, gather witness accounts of what’s happened. Take note of the police officer’s name and badge number.
This is also a good time to report the accident to your insurance provider.
Don’t say anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault to your insurance provider or the police. This can ruin your chances of collecting the damages that you deserve later on. Even the smallest statement can be dangerous, so when in doubt, say the bare minimum.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
After the on-the-scene work is done, you need to contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. Getting good car accident legal help can make sure that you don’t end up having to pay the other person through no fault of your own.
A car accident lawyer will help you navigate the confusing legal process that follows an accident. If you’ve visited the hospital or urgent care center, they’ll make sure that all medical documents are written in a way that can help your case.
They’ll help you through the process of filing a claim and advocate for you in the event that the case goes to court. You’ll be grateful for the legal help.
Get the Compensation That You Deserve After a Car Accident
Car accidents are scary, but if you know what to do ahead of time, you can be prepared to handle things the right way. Remember, stay safe, report the accident, and reach out to a car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Do you need legal help after experiencing a car accident in Brandon, Florida? We want to support you. Get in touch with us for a free consultation so we can discuss your case.