After a car accident in Florida, your entire focus might be on whether you and your passengers are injured and, if so, how to get to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible. And if there are injuries, that should be your priority. However, if your injuries allow it, you need to remain at the scene of the accident. You can read more at floridahomeclaim.com on what the law says about leaving the scene of an accident. While at the scene, there are certain steps you must take to ensure your legal rights will be preserved should you decide to file a legal claim. Here are some of the most important ones.
By calling 911, you can request an ambulance and get the police to come to the scene. Once the police get there, they will evaluate the situation, ask questions of you and the other driver, and prepare a police report. It is important to answer all questions directly, never speculating as to what happened or who you think was at fault. Remember that anything you say might end up being used against you. You should also request a copy of the police report.
Even if you consider your injuries to be minor or if you are convinced that you are fine, it is important to get a medical evaluation after an accident. Your doctor may discover internal injuries and bleeding which may not be immediately apparent. Also, your insurance will get the message that you care about your health.
Get information from the other driver. This should include their personal information, their insurance company and policy number, and all identifying information of the car, including its make, model, and license plate number. It is also important not to engage in chitchat with the other driver. They can also take note of your words and use them against you later on.
Take out your phone and take pictures of both cars, showing their position and damage. Also, take pictures of anything that might have contributed to the accident, such as an oil spill on the road, low-hanging tree branches, or even the weather.
Also, make notes on the time, date, and location of the accident, and write a full account of everything you remember. You may be surprised by how fast you can forget the incident once the adrenaline leaves your body. Make note of your injuries and also take pictures of them.
Getting witness testimonies can be invaluable when you file a claim. Take note of their account and ask for their contact information should you need to reach out to them in the future.
It is important to let the insurance company know about your Florida accident. Remember that they will try to pay you as little as possible, and you don’t want to give them ammunition to lower the amount. You may be better off talking to an accident attorney who will advise you when to sign documents and will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
