South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
You never expect to be in a car accident, but unfortunately, it happens all too often. When you’re involved in a collision on the roads of Florida, knowing the right steps to take immediately following the accident can make a big difference.
Staying calm and composed will help ensure everyone’s safety and allow you to take the necessary actions. Even though your mind may be racing after the impact, focus on the basics.
Check that you and your passengers are unharmed, call for emergency help if needed, get to a safe spot away from traffic, exchange information with the other driver, and take pictures of everything involved.
The aftermath of an accident is stressful enough without adding extra hassle or complication. Following these essential tips at the scene will set you up for the best possible outcome.
Remain Calm and Assess the Situation
The first thing to do is take a deep breath and remain calm. Panicking will only make the situation worse. Assess the scene and check on the other driver and any passengers. Call 911 right away if there are any injuries. Tell the operator you’ve been in a car accident so they can send emergency responders.
- Turn on your hazard lights and move your vehicle out of traffic if it’s safe. This helps avoid further collisions and prevents traffic backups.
- Do not admit fault or sign any statements. Exchange information like driver’s license, registration, insurance, make and model of vehicles involved, time of accident, witness information, etc. Let the police determine who’s at fault.
- Take pictures of the vehicles involved, license plates, insurance info, driver’s licenses, and the accident scene. Pictures provide visual evidence to support insurance claims.
Staying calm and knowing what to do can help make a stressful situation like a car accident more manageable. Following these tips will ensure you get the necessary information and help at the scene. The details collected will be useful when filing insurance claims and police reports later.
Call 911 and Report the Accident
The first thing you’ll want to do after an accident is to call 911 to report it to the police. Even if there are no injuries, it’s important to get a police report for insurance purposes.
When on the call, provide the details of what happened, including the exact location of the accident and whether medical assistance is needed. Be prepared to answer questions about the vehicles involved, such as make, model, color, license plate number, and VIN.
Once emergency responders have been notified, turn on your hazard lights, and if possible, move the vehicles to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic. Only do so if the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to move them.
Document the Scene With Photos
Take photos of the accident scene and all vehicles involved from multiple angles. Your photos may capture important details you may not notice or remember later. Be sure to get:
- Close-ups of any visible damage to the vehicles.
- Wide shots of the overall accident scene.
- License plate numbers of other vehicles.
- Insurance information from other drivers.
- Photos of any injuries to document them for insurance claims.
Also, photograph the positions of the vehicles, traffic signals, and the surrounding area. The photos you take can help show who may be at fault and provide evidence to support your insurance claim. It’s a good idea for all parties involved in the accident to take photos. You never know what small detail could become an important piece of information later on.
Exchange Information With Other Drivers
After an accident, exchange information with the other driver(s) involved. Get their name, address, phone number, insurance details, vehicle make/model, and license plate number. Write down the details of the other vehicle, including any noticeable damage. Take photos of the vehicles, licenses, and insurance cards. Get the contact information for any witnesses as well.
The more details you gather at the scene, the better. Don’t just rely on verbal exchanging details – get copies of documentation like insurance cards, registration, etc. People can get flustered after an accident and may provide incorrect information by mistake. Having documentation helps ensure you have the right particulars to share with authorities and insurance providers.
Get Contact Information From Witnesses
Getting information from any witnesses at the scene of an accident is crucial. Their accounts of what happened can help support your side of the story if the other driver denies responsibility or the police report is inaccurate.
After exchanging details with the other driver(s) involved, look around for any witnesses and get their contact information. Explain that you want to have a full, accurate account of the events in case of disputes over liability or damages. Most bystanders will understand and provide their name, phone number, and maybe even a written statement.
Be sure to ask things like:
- Did you see what happened?
- Can you describe the sequence of events?
- Do you have any photos or video of the accident that occurred?
Having cooperative witnesses who can vouch for the facts and provide their perspective on how the crash transpired will strengthen your position. Their information and any photos or footage could prove invaluable if the insurance companies need to conduct an investigation or if legal issues arise.
Don’t Discuss Fault or Make Admissions
Whatever you do, don’t admit fault or discuss who’s to blame with the other drivers or passengers involved. Anything you say can be used against you later in court. Keep the conversation light and avoid speculating about the cause of the accident.
If the police come to the scene, don’t make any statements about what happened to them either. Politely say that you are uncomfortable making a statement now but will provide a full report to your insurance company as soon as possible. You have the right to remain silent, so use it. Even if you believe you’re not at fault, your words can still be misinterpreted or omitted.
Wait until you’ve had time to calm down and process what happened before making official statements. Discuss the details with your insurance agent first. They can advise you on the appropriate next steps and ensure your statement is as accurate and unemotional as possible. You want to provide just the facts about what occurred to avoid ambiguity.
Cooperate With Police, but Don’t Speculate
When the police arrive at the scene of an accident, provide any information requested to the best of your ability. Answer questions truthfully and to the point. However, do not speculate about the cause of the crash or assign blame. Let the police conduct a proper investigation to determine fault.
Give the officers your license, vehicle registration and insurance information. Exchange the same information and contact details with the other driver(s) involved. The police may issue citations or warnings to one or more parties, depending on the circumstances.
Your words at the accident scene can be used later in court. Only discuss facts, not opinions. Be polite, but avoid casual chit-chat.
Contact an Experienced Stuart Car Accident Lawyer
Contacting an experienced car accident lawyer serving Stuart should be one of your top priorities after an accident in Florida. The attorneys at Frankl Kominsky have been helping accident victims in Stuart and throughout Florida for over 20 years. We know how to handle the insurance companies and build a strong case to get you the maximum compensation possible.
Don’t wait to call us – we’re available 24/7 at (561) 800-8000. The sooner we can investigate your accident and speak with witnesses, the better. Evidence from the scene, like photos of the vehicles involved, skid marks, traffic signage, and witness testimony, can be critical to determining fault and securing a fair settlement.