What to Do After a Car Accident
Immediately following a car accident there are a few things you must do to ensure you are protecting yourself from what’s to come. Call 911, make the report of the accident, and ask for the police to come to the scene. If you are even slightly injured, ask the dispatcher to send an ambulance to get checked out right away. Go to the hospital and get yourself treated for the injuries as soon as possible. If you are not seriously injured, it is still extremely important that you seek medical attention, as your Florida insurance Personal Injury Protection, aka PIP, requires you to see a doctor for injuries within a very limited timeframe.
When possible, gather all the information from the other driver, such as license plate, insurance information, and driver license information, as well as the names and contact information of anyone else involved in the accident.
Photograph the crash, both vehicles, and surrounding road areas. Do this only if it is safe to do so. Get all angles, all damage, and photographs of any physical injuries that are visible to the eye. This will help in building your case and prevent insurance adjusters from downplaying the accident or your injuries. Gather video clips, if possible, with a walk around of the vehicles as well. Also, when possible, get photos or video of the traffic pattern and roadway where the accident took place. This will help officers, insurance, and your lawyer understand how the accident happened and how negligence played a role in the event.
It is important that you do not share the details of your accident on social media, as it will often be used against you while negotiating your case by the defending insurance company. The details of the incident should only be shared with the police, your attorneys, and with insurance as needed with your attorney from Distasio Law Firm present for that conversation and statement.