What to do if You Get in a Car Wreck

No doubt, getting into a car accident is stressful and causes imminent fear regardless of who is at fault. After an automobile accident, you might experience a flood of emotions and feel confused about what just happened. However, it’s important not to let the chaos overwhelm you. Being prepared and knowing exactly what to do in such a situation can make things much easier for you. Once you’ve realized that you were in an accident, you’ll need to calm down and take a step-by-step approach to handle the situation. What happens in the next few minutes is critical for protecting your health and your finances.

What to Do If You Get In A Car Wreck

In the moments immediately following a motor vehicle accident, keep in mind that your first priority is safety. You should thoroughly check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If anyone is dealing with severe neck or back pain, avoid moving them and wait for the paramedics to arrive at the scene. These professional medical first responders know the proper way to move injured individuals without causing further harm. Are you safe? Do you smell smoke? Check your surroundings immediately to determine whether there is anything you need to do immediately to get yourself and your passengers to safety. If everything is fine, move your car out of traffic if that is possible. Turn on your hazard lights. Call the police immediately; never assume that bystanders or the person in the other vehicle has already called for help. You don’t want any delay in first responders arriving on the scene.

Things You Should Do After A Car Accident In Florida

Were you involved in a car accident in Florida? After checking for injuries and moving to a safe location, the next order of business is to exchange information with the other parties involved. By law, individuals involved in an automobile accident are required to exchange contact information with all parties involved. You should exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance company names, and insurance policy numbers. Use your cellphone to take a picture of the other driver’s license, registration, insurance card, and their license plate just for extra assurance. If the name of the driver doesn’t match the registration or the insurance policy, you should inquire about the driver’s relationship to the owner and/or policyholder. Obtaining contact information from all witnesses at the scene is vital as well. You’ll want to get their phone numbers before they get impatient and leave the scene. Be sure to ask witnesses if they have taken any photos or video and if so, get those. Witnesses can help make your case, so ask them to please write down all details they remember about the accident. Here are some additional steps you should take when you are involved in a car accident in Florida:

• Report the Accident In Florida, car accidents that have caused injuries and damage must be formally reported. If the investigating officer on the scene doesn’t file a report, you can file one online or in person at the appropriate police agency.
• Document the Entire Accident Scene Document the scene for your personal records. Do so by taking photos of the wrecked vehicles from all angles. These photos can be analyzed and used to help your case if you weren’t at fault and you want to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company or file a lawsuit. Document the full extent of the property damage and the scene of the crash. Take pictures of any tire marks that show. Make sure you take personal notes for yourself, such as whether the roads were slick from rain if any street lights were on, or whether you were using your windshield wipers or not. Be as detailed as possible when you are documenting the accident scene.
• Seek Medical Attention When you are involved in a car accident, it’s imperative to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel like you weren’t injured. After a crash, the adrenaline rush that follows may mask the pain of your injuries. What feels like minor pain, soreness or stiffness will often worsen in the days following the crash. Injuries sustained in an automobile accident can be included in an auto insurance claim. Therefore, you should get checked out by your doctor or at an urgent care facility as soon as possible, but definitely within 72 hours of the accident.

Contact Casas Law If You Get In A Car Wreck

If you get in a car accident, having legal representation can be highly beneficial. Insurance companies have lawyers to protect them, let Casas Law protect you! As experienced personal injury attorneys, we can talk with auto insurance companies on your behalf to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for the destruction of your property and the injuries that you suffered. Call us today for a FREE case evaluation. This blog is for educational purposes only, and does not suffice for legal advice. Please contact our attorneys to learn more and to schedule your free consultation.