7 Key Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Florida

7 Key Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Florida

Car accidents are dangerous and legally complex. Here are the steps you should take immediately after a car accident to ensure your safety and protect your rights:

1. Check for Injuries

Address any immediate medical concerns. Make sure you and your passengers are uninjured and check on the passengers of other cars that were involved in the accident. If anyone is injured, call medical assistance.

Pay attention to any pain or discomfort that you start to feel after the accident. Some severe long-term injuries can take weeks or months to become noticeable. If you start to feel pain, seek medical treatment as soon as possible and speak to a lawyer about compensation for car accident injuries.

2. Remove the Cars from The Road

If the vehicles are movable, park the cars on the side of the road and turn on the hazard lights.

3. Call the Police and Report the Accident

Even if the accident seems minor, you should report it to the police. Since Florida is a no-fault state, both drivers will have to file an insurance claim which is easier if there’s an accident report on file.

4. Do Not Admit Fault

Don’t make any statements about the accident to the other driver. Avoid making any written statements (including texts or emails) that may suggest you were at fault for the accident.

5. Exchange Insurance and Contact Information with Drivers and Witnesses

Ask the other drivers involved in the accident for their names, phone numbers, insurance details, driver’s license numbers, and license plate numbers. Ask witnesses for their contact information in case they need to be interviewed to prove liability.

6. Document the Scene

Take pictures and videos of the accident scene. Make sure to get photos of the damage to both vehicles. If possible, get a photo of the position of the vehicles before the cars are moved.

Take notes on what happened while the accident is fresh in your memory. Include specific details later that may be hard to remember later like the weather and traffic conditions.

7. Consult a Lawyer Before Filing an Insurance Claim

Before you notify your insurance company of the accident, you should speak to a car accident lawyer. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible if:

• There’s any uncertainty or disagreement about who’s at fault for the accident
• Any passengers or drivers were injured
• You are served any legal documents regarding the accident

A lawyer will advise you on how to file the insurance claim and might file the insurance claim on your behalf if there are any complicated circumstances.

Don’t risk being held liable for the accident. Take advantage of a free consultation with a lawyer before giving any written or recorded statements about the accident.

If you were injured in a car accident in Florida, you can call (813) 471-4444 for a free consultation with our personal injury lawyers. We’ve handled hundreds of personal injury cases and have won millions of dollars for our clients.