Let’s face it, no one wants to think about being involved in an auto accident. However, according to the National Safety Council, there are approximately 10 million auto accidents every year in the United States. So, chances are, at some point in your life its going to happen to you. Let the Tallahassee auto accident attorneys at Nonni Homola help! Here are some things to keep in mind when you are involved in a auto accident:
5 Steps to Take After a Car Accident
1. Get Police to the Scene
Immediately after a car collision, the first thing you should do, if able, is to call authorities to get to the scene. Once on the scene, authorities will interview drivers and witnesses and usually determine which party is at fault in causing the collision. They will also collect contact and insurance information from all parties involved and make sure each party has that information before leaving the scene. Having insurance information for the other party makes it easy to contact their insurance company and report the claim. Also, having crash report from the authorities helps when the at-fault parties’ insurance company is determining fault, I cannot tell you how many times the at-fault drivers’ version of events is completely different than what is contained in the crash report.
2. Take Photographs
Again, if able, taking photos of the damage sustained by all involved vehicles is a very good idea. Having damage photos will help to establish the severity of the collision. It is also important to take photos of the vehicles in their final resting positions at the scene as those photos can help to establish which party is at fault in causing the collision. Further, if there were other circumstances that contributed to the collision, such as a bush blocking a driver’s line of sight or a defective street sign, make sure to take photos of those things as well.
3. Get Insurance Information for the Other Driver
In most circumstances, if the authorities come to the scene of a collision, you will receive a small print out from the investigating officer known as an “exchange of information.” The exchange of information will contain contact and insurance information for all parties involved in the collision. However, if authorities do not come to the scene, it is very important to get insurance information, or at least, contact information for the other involved party. Even if you don’t see any damage to your vehicle and are not experiencing any pain at the scene, that can change in a matter of hours. Further, it is also a good idea to ask for proof that the person providing the information is who they say they are. Don’t be afraid to politely ask to see identification for the other driver.
4. Report the Claim to Your Insurance Company
It is always a good idea to contact YOUR OWN insurance company as soon as possible following a collision. Reporting your claim will ensure that the claim process goes as smoothly as possible, especially when attempting to obtain medical treatment for collision related injuries. If you are contacted by the insurance company for the at-fault driver it is always a good idea to at least consult with an attorney before signing anything, especially if the insurance company is offering money for you to sign a release.
5. Get Medical Treatment
Not every auto accident will result in a permanent injury, however, it is always a good idea to at least get checked out by a medical professional after being involved in a collision. This is especially true in Florida, where auto accident victims lose their ability to make a claim for medical benefits under their personal injury protection coverage if they haven’t been examined by a medical professional within 14 days of the collision.
Contact Our Tallahassee Car Accident Lawyers Today
The foregoing list is just a short list of the things that should be done after an auto accident and is certainly not exhaustive. If you have questions about an auto accident call the Tallahassee auto accident attorneys at Nonni Homola at 850-601-1111 for a free consultation today or fill out or Free Consultation form by clicking here.
Jaeson continued his studies at Florida State University College of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 2011. Throughout his law school career, Jaeson regularly volunteered his time at Florida Legal Services, where he assisted with several projects aimed at advancing the rights of low-income families in Florida. Jaeson has recovered millions of dollars from individuals for his clients. For his efforts, Jaeson was inducted in 2016 into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. At the time of his induction, he was one of the youngest attorneys in the State of Florida to be inducted.
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