When you’re involved in a car accident, it can be a confusing and stressful time. You may be injured. Your car may be damaged. You likely don’t know what you should do next. It is important to keep a cool head and take some steps that can help you down the line if you decide to make a claim.
Call the Police
Regardless of the seriousness of the accident, you should always call the police. If someone is injured, you should obviously also call for an ambulance. When the police officer arrives on the scene, they will make a report of the accident and take down information about what happened. This report will be an essential part of any claim you make regarding your accident. Make sure to get the name of the responding officer and the police report number.
Gather Information
Depending on the extent of your injuries, there is some important information you or someone on your behalf should gather after a car accident. Get the insurance and driver’s license information form the other driver. Take down the names and contact information of any passengers involved in the accident. Gather information about potential witnesses to what occurred and make sure you are able to contact them. Check to see if any local businesses have surveillance cameras and ask them to preserve those videos for future use.
Take Pictures And/or Video
If possible, make sure you take pictures and/or video of the scene, the vehicles and those involved in the accident. Take pictures of the damage to all vehicles involved. You should also get pictures of any injuries. Pictures of the roadway and the surrounding scene can also be very helpful.
Get Medical Attention
If your injuries are serious in nature, you should obviously be transported by ambulance from the scene of the accident. However, even if your injuries don't seem serious at first, or don’t become apparent to you until after the crash, you should still get checked out by a doctor. Sometimes, due to the adrenaline or emotional trauma caused by the event or the nature of the injuries, you don't feel pain right away. A doctor can evaluate you and determine if you've sustained an injury.
Get Legal Help
If you were injured in a car accident and feel that the other driver was at fault, you should consult with an experienced car accident attorney. The attorneys at Tison Law Group have been helping car accident victims in Florida for decades. Contact the trusted attorneys at Tison Law Group or call us at 813-739-1776 to schedule your free consultation today.
