5 Things to Do Immediately After a Car Accident
Car accidents can impact a person for a lifetime. After an accident, it is common that a person will experience injuries, lost wages, property damage, emotional distress, and many other lasting effects. At Legler, Murphy, & Battaglia, LLP, our goal is to fight for the compensation our clients deserve.
There are five (5) things we suggest car accident victims do immediately after an accident.
1. Retrieve insurance and witness information.
It is important to call the authorities to report an accident. However, wait times for the authorities to arrive on scene can vary and may often take hours. Before the authorities arrive, the other party may have already left the scene. If the authorities do not arrive on the scene, safely obtain the insurance information from the other driver. Make sure to also obtain the licenses plate number of the other driver. Obtaining insurance information is very important in order to determine if there is any relevant insurance coverage. It is also very important to obtain the contact information of any and all witnesses.
2. Take photographs.
When possible, take photographs of your damaged vehicle and any other vehicles involved. Photograph or take note of the location of the accident, such as the intersection or road names and numbers. Photographs become important in a case to demonstrate the nature of injuries. Photographs can also help paint a picture of how the accident occurred and the different factors involved in a particular accident.
3. Get appropriate medical attention quickly.
In Florida, personal injury protection coverage, also known as PIP coverage or no-fault insurance, covers medical expenses regardless of who’s at fault. It can often include lost wages. To utilize PIP coverage, a person must seek medical attention within fourteen (14) days of an accident. It is recommended that you obtain treatment at an emergency room as soon as possible following your accident. If one does not have PIP coverage, it is still important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident if a person is injured. Remember to fully explain any and all injuries and side-effects you have experienced since the accident.
4. Write down a description and timeline of the accident.
It is very important that people write down a description and timeline of what they remember about the accident. Some important information to document are answers to the following questions:
• Did any part of your body hit the inside of the vehicle?
• Were you wearing your seatbelt?
• Do you remember speaking to anyone at the scene of the accident?
• Did the other driver speak to you? What did they say?
• What did you observe about the other driver or passengers?
• What injuries or symptoms did you immediately notice after the accident?
• Where were you coming from and going to?
• Any other relevant information you remember about the accident?
5. Don’t go at it alone.
Before speaking to an insurance company, an injured victim should consult with a personal injury attorney. We will also investigate if there is any applicable insurance coverage to compensate an injured victim for their injuries. We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that an injured victim does not pay our firm unless we obtain a settlement. There are no upfront costs for a person to hire a personal injury attorney from our firm. If you are considering hiring an attorney, give our office a call at (941) 748-5599 to schedule a free consultation. We offer consultations in-person or virtually. Our personal injury attorneys are here to help you!
