More than six million car accidents happen every year in the U.S. Luckily, the majority of accidents only result in damage to the vehicle and not the occupants. However, a third of accidents do result in personal injury to the passengers or drivers in the car, and two out of every ten accidents involving personal injury are fatal. Since in Florida we get into cars every day, it’s crucial to at least have a basic understanding of what you should do if you get into a car accident. Read on to learn more about what you should do if you get into a car accident.
10 Things You Should Do If You Are In A Car Accident
Here are ten tips from Pierrot Law on what you should do if you get into a car accident in order to protect yourself and make it easier to get the compensation you deserve from your insurance company or the other person’s insurance company, especially if injuries are involved.
- STOP: If you are involved in a car accident, you should always stop, stay, and deal with it. Driving away from the scene of an accident becomes a serious crime if somebody was injured.
- Keep the scene as is: Protect the scene and the evidence and prevent further accidents by making sure other cars and passerby stay away. Set up flares or keep your flashers on. If it’s dark outside and your car lights aren’t working, you should always remember to keep a flashlight in your car to keep you safe before the police get there while you wait by the side of the road or in your car.
- Call 9-1-1: Even if there appears to be no serious injuries, you should always call the police. A police report will help establish liability or serve as evidence of the accident when filing a claim with your insurance company, even if it’s just to prove vehicle damage. Unless they’re disruptive to traffic, the vehicles involved in the accident should stay where they are.
- Keep an accurate record: When the police get there, you should make sure you let the investigating officer(s) know exactly what happened as clearly as possible. If you are unsure of something, ask. Don’t say anything about your injuries until you receive medical attention. Some injuries don’t become apparent for hours or even days after the accident. Also, anything you say about your injury status can be used as evidence against you in court later on.
- Get pictures and video: Everyone has a camera on their cell phone these days, so if you have your phone or a camera with you take pictures of the vehicles, any visible damage, and injuries. If you’re unable to take photos at the scene, take them immediately after the accident or ask the other driver for photos.
- Get witness information: The investigating police officer will obtain this information, but you should always also get the information of anyone involved and any witnesses present at the scene. Write down their names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information (for other parties involved).
- Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, since many policies have strict time limits for filing claims and reporting the accident.
- Seek medical attention: Even if you don’t feel any obvious injuries or if your injuries appear to be minimal, you should still get medical attention. As noted before, some injuries are not immediately apparent, and you’ll want medical records for your insurance claim later.
- Stay organized: Keep all information and documents related to your accident and injuries in a file, including witness information and medical records.
- Work with an experienced attorney when necessary: In many cases, having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side will help you (or even be necessary) to get the compensation you are legally entitled to.
Contact Us Today
Pierrot Law is a top Florida personal injury and auto accident firm. If you were involved in a car accident, call Pierrot Law in Hollywood, FL for a free initial consultation today.
