Car accidents are immensely stressful, complicated, and often traumatizing. Statistics show that in the US alone there is an average of 6 million car crashes happening every year.With approximately222 millionregistered drivers on the roads, it is inevitable that accidents will happen.
We never plan for them to happen, but it is something that we should keep in mind and be prepared for. In our recent article “Car accidents: avoid at all costs, but be prepared for” we suggested 4 things you should do in preparation for a potential car accident to make the situation easier.
There are many steps to take after a car accident to ensure that you are in the best position for your health, insurance claim and legal compensation. Today we have compiled a list of 5 things that you should do post-auto accident, which we believe are the most crucial.
Table of Contents
1. Stop, protect the scene and call the police
Do not drive away from an accident, however minor it is. Especially in the dark, protecting the scene can save lives - make sure the scene of the accident is visible from a distance, so other drivers don’t get involved. Also, protect yourself from the moving vehicles by disabling your own car and waiting for help on the side of the road. If possible, move the vehicle off the road to ensure safety for the traffic.
Calling the police might not seem necessary in minor accidents, but insurance companies might be more generous to drivers who can provide a police report. So, if you don’t know your insurance policy, be safe and call the police. In case you require any legal advice, call our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer to see how we can help you.
2. Take photos and exchange information
When waiting for police and assistance to arrive make sure to collect your own copies of photos and information about the accident and the other parties involved. The police is a busy institution, hence less urgent files can get lost in the sheer amount of documents that they go through. Our car accident attorney will help you collect all the required documents needed by your insurance company. However, collecting your own copies will make things go quicker.
3. Truthfully report the accident
When making the police statement, do not speculate, exaggerate or misstate any facts - it is better to say that you don’t remember something rather than creating your own version of the events. For your own security ensure that the other persons from the accident make accurate statements too. Also, inform your insurer as soon as possible. All the statements should include the injuries that were incurred during the accident, however, it is known that some pains and injuries become apparent a few hours after the accident. In that case, immediately seek medical attention and inform your car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale.
4. Get a medical check-up
As we have stated above, it is common for auto accident injuries to show up after some time. Our practice stresses the importance of contacting a doctor immediately after an accident because in many instances injuries are zero-symptom injuries. These include conditions, such as internal bruising, trauma, or joint injuries. Additionally, if you are a commercial driver, then you must get a medical assessment to ensure your documentation remains valid.
Remember to contact our attorney. Do this to make sure crucial evidence does not get overlooked and you are treated fairly, lawfully and receive the compensation that you are entitled to. Insurance companies most likely will request a statement, so create one alongside our car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, who will give you legal support. We will also advise you on how to ensure full compensation for your vehicle, and on how to get the best medical treatment available.
With this knowledge, if an accident occurs, your adrenaline-rush kicks in and your instincts sharpen, at least the aftermath will not come as a surprise!
Most importantly, whether you experience an auto accident might be out of your control, but remember that you can still do your best to avoid it! Our car accident lawyer provides a detailed list of suggestions on how you can be safer on the road, starting from fastening your seatbelt to getting enough sleep every night.
Involved in a car accident? Schedule a Free Consultation with one of our car accident attorneys in Plantation. We are a firm comprised of experienced accident attorneys and take our clients cases seriously. Our lawyers are known in the community to provide reliable trustworthy answers, aggressive legal representation, and affordable legal services. You NEVER PAY unless YOU GET PAID. We understand you have your choice of no win, no fee personal injury lawyers.
You risk nothing by talking with us, because will not cost you anything unless we can recover for you.
Understand your legal rights when you are involved in a car accident. Contact us at 954-961-5100 for more information or to discuss your free consultation.
Attorney Rafael A. Gonzalez received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law.
While at the University of Miami, Mr. Gonzalez earned a judicial clerk position with the Honorable Judge Shelley Kravitz of the County Court House for Miami Dade County and took part in one of the largest product liability litigation cases in the United States. The case, Engle v Liggett, was against tobacco companies and resulted in a 145 billion dollar award to the plaintiffs.
Mr. Gonzalez earned his stripes working with firms in Downtown Miami and Hialeah, Florida as a civil attorney. In 2010, Mr. Gonzalez joined forces with other civil litigators as a partner in the law firm of Freeman, Mallard, Sharp and Gonzalez specializing in motor vehicle accidents.
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