More than six million car accidents happen every year in the United States. Fortunately, a lot of them involve only property damage, meaning only the vehicle is damaged as opposed to the occupants. However, one in three accidents includes personal injury to the driver or passengers. Out of that number, one out of every five accidents lead to fatal injuries. If you are ever the victim of an automobile accident, there are certain things to be informed about so that you can protect yourself and your interests. Read on to learn more about what you should do if you are involved in a car accident. If you are looking online for a “car accident lawyer near me” in Florida, then call Asnis Srebnick & Kaufman for a consultation today.

What To Do After A Car Accident

1. STOP – Never leave the scene of an accident, even one that is relatively minor like a fender bender.
2. Set Up Protection For The Scene – You can help to stop further accidents around you by setting up flares, or by keeping your flashers on. If it is nighttime or your lights don’t work, make sure to have a flashlight to keep you safe while you wait in your car or by the side of the road. Remember, your smartphone has a light too!
3. Call The Police – Even if there are no serious injuries caused by the crash, you should still call the police. A police report may be required to file a claim with your insurance company, even if it is only to file a claim for damage to your vehicle. The vehicles involved in the accident need to stay where they are if they are not blocking traffic.
4. Providing An Accurate Record – When the police show up, you need to tell the officers exactly what occurred at the scene to the best of your ability. If you’re not sure of specific facts, make sure the officer knows that. Do not speculate, guess, or misstate any of the facts. If you are questioned about injuries, and you are unsure, say that, rather than no. A lot of pain and injuries from motor vehicle accidents do not become apparent until hours following the collision itself. It’s crucial to make sure that any statements made by other persons involved in the accident are accurate as well.
5. Take Pictures – If you have a camera in your vehicle or your cell phone, take pictures of the vehicles and the scene. If you have visible injuries, photograph them as well, but never interfere with the police investigation.

Personal Injury Case

1. Obtain Information – Usually, the police will obtain this information, but you should still get the name, address, and telephone number of everybody involved in the accident, drivers, and passengers alike. You should also get information about their insurance. If there are witnesses, then get their contact information as well. Make sure to get the police report number from any police officers who respond to the accident as well.
2. Report The Accident – Let your insurance company know immediately, as many policies require immediate reporting and full cooperation.
3. Seek Medical Attention – A lot of injuries from motor vehicle accidents are not immediately apparent, so unless you are absolutely certain you were not injured, you should seek medical attention immediately to make sure you are ok. Also, there are new laws that require you to seek medical attention shortly after an accident or you risk losing the medical benefits available in your auto policy.
4. Keep A File – Have all your accident-related documents and information together so that the information is easy to access when going through the details of the case.
5. Protect Your Rights – You need to look for a “car accident lawyer near me” to have legal counsel for your insurance claim and case. Your attorney can advise you on issues from how to make sure you are compensated property damage and personal injuries and to get the best medical treatment available.

Contact Us Today

After a car accident, there are many things that you should do for a personal injury case. If you are looking online for a “car accident lawyer near me” in Florida, call Asnis Srebnick & Kaufman today!