When a car accident occurs, your life can change in an instant.
As you process the fact that you’ve been hit–and may be facing serious property damage losses and injuries–knowing what to do and what your rights are can feel overwhelming.
At the law offices of Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, our lawyers can help you to understand what to do after a car accident in Florida, and will work hard to protect your right to recovery.
In the meantime, review these steps, and note that what you do–and what you don’t do–can have a significant outcome on your claim.
After a car accident in Florida, taking the following steps can help to ensure that you are protected in your right to seek damages.
The first thing that you should do following an accident–after moving your vehicle to a safe location where the risk of being hit a second time is reduced and checking to ensure everyone within your vehicle is okay–is to call the police. If anyone is injured, the police will send an emergency response team to the scene of the accident, and can guide you through what to do while you wait for emergency responders to arrive. Either way, the police should still send an officer to the scene of the accident. Report your version of the crash to the police and request an accident report.
If your injuries are not so severe that you are prevented from doing so, take time to gather evidence at the scene of the accident. This includes the names of any eyewitnesses, photos of the scene, and the driver’s information. You should also write down any notes about the accident while the memories are fresh in your mind.
One serious mistake that people often make after being involved in a car accident is that of failing to seek medical treatment. Even if you feel like you haven’t been injured, it’s important to see a doctor – injuries like concussions and soft tissue injuries aren’t always immediately apparent.
You have a duty to report your accident to your car insurance provider within a reasonable amount of time – we recommend within 24-48 hours.
While hiring a lawyer may be something that seems superfluous to you, if you’ve suffered significant amounts of property damage or serious injuries, you’ll want a lawyer on your side. Your attorney will know how to navigate the claims process, what evidence you’ll need, how to present your case, and how to negotiate your settlement.
If you have more questions about what to do after a car accident in Florida and if you’ve been in a collision, reach out to our legal team at the office of Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon. We offer free case consultations for all car accident injury cases.