After the Car Accident: Next Steps
Nobody who drives a car in Florida expects to be in an accident. Everyone knows it’s possible. Car insurance can provide people with a sense of security. Accidents are not something anybody thinks about regularly until it happens. In a second, their life is turned upside down. The unexpected has suddenly become reality. A person’s mind will begin to race. Immediately following the accident, they’ll struggle to figure out what should be done. A person may not realize how their actions at that moment can impact the future.
Stop And Help
Even if it seems like a person is at fault for an accident, they should always stop. Leaving the scene of an accident can turn a bad situation into a personal catastrophe. If a person is not hurt, they will want to prevent any other accidents from occurring. Put on the car’s flashers and set up flares if possible. Use a flashlight to protect the scene if necessary. Don’t attempt to move the vehicles unless they’re blocking traffic. Get contact information from everyone involved in the accident. Administer first aid to the extent possible.
Call Police
Calling the police even after a small accident is important. It can provide an important legal record of statements and the policeman’s perception of the accident scene. This is something that will probably be needed for insurance purposes.
Accurate Record
If possible, it is important to tell the responding police officer exactly what happened. Include as many details as possible. If a person is unable because of an injury, they need to write it down or make a video or audio recording of their recollection of the accident as soon as possible. This will be important when discussing the accident in the future. It’s important to not guess or make a false statement to the authorities. All the facts of an accident will come out eventually.
Insurance Company
A person should also contact their insurance company as soon as possible. They should understand that an insurance company is motivated to pay their claim as quickly as they can for as little as possible. An insurance company may want the policyholder to sign a release. When this is done, a person has signed away their rights. It’s important that a driver in Florida consider contacting an attorney prior to signing any type of a release from an insurance company. A lawyer will have the knowledge and experience necessary to protect a person’s rights in an auto accident.
Maintain A File
When a person is involved in a car accident, there will be a number of documents involved. It’s important to get copies of the police report, insurance documents, as well as receipts for everything from a rental car to medical bills and more. These documents need to be kept in a single file. It is also a good idea to record the dates when the insurance company was contacted and the names of people who took the call. Also, record what was discussed during the call. These document could become very valuable during the claims process.
