What You Should Do After a Car Accident

After a car accident, you may be overwhelmed, disoriented, and in considerable pain if you have injuries. It’s important to keep in mind that there are certain steps to take after a car crash to make sure your injuries are diagnosed and your legal rights are protected.

Our experienced personal injury lawyers at Chiumento Law, PLLC, are ready to review your accident at no charge and discuss how an experienced injury attorney can assist you. Keep reading to learn more, and contact our office at (386) 445-8900

Steps to Take After a Automobile Accident in Florida

Here are some important steps to take after a car accident to protect your health and your rights:

•  Stop the vehicle—If you are involved in a collision, you are required to stop your vehicle at the accident scene. If there are no injuries or fatalities and the crash occurred in the main lane, ramp, or shoulder of a highway, move the vehicles off the road to prevent further crashes if the vehicles can be moved safely.
• Check yourself and others for injuries – Check for injuries, even if you are not in pain. If you are in shock, you may not realize you are injured. If you require immediate medical assistance or someone else needs medical care, call 911 and ask for an ambulance for each injured person who needs immediate attention.
• Call 911 to request police assistance – Even if nobody requires emergency medical care, you should call 911 to summon the police. Law enforcement can secure the perimeter of the crash scene, redirect traffic, interview witnesses, and gather evidence. The police will compile their findings in a report, documenting the details of the accident and who was involved. If there are serious injuries, leave the vehicles in place until the police arrive. Do not leave the scene until the police tell you that you may leave.
• Seek medical attention as necessary – Even if you do not require emergency care, remember that the shock of a crash can mask the symptoms of some injuries for hours or even days. Always see your doctor for a medical evaluation after a collision to have your injuries diagnosed, and treated.
• Gather evidence from the accident scene – If possible, you should gather as much evidence from the accident scene as you can. Take photos of the damage to the vehicles and your visible injuries. Politely ask eyewitnesses for statements and their contact details. Write down how the crash occurred in your own words while it is fresh in your memory.
• Report the crash to your insurance company – Most auto insurance policies require you to report any accidents, regardless of fault. If you fail to notify your insurance company per the terms of your policy, you may risk having your insurer cancel your auto insurance policy.
• Do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company – While you should notify your insurance company, do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company without speaking to a lawyer first. If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you and wants you to sign a release to allow them to review your medical records, do not sign anything without consulting a lawyer first.
• Watch what you say to others or post online – It may be tempting to share the news of your accident with your friends on social media. But it’s a mistake to do so. Avoid posting anything about the accident or your injuries on social media. Insurance companies often monitor social media accounts. Anything you say can hurt your case. It is prudent to take a break from being active on social media while your injury claim is pending.
• Contact a knowledgeable car accident lawyer – An experienced injury lawyer can help you after a car accident by investigating the circumstances of the crash, obtaining evidence to support your claim, and working to maximize your settlement.

Talk to a Palm Coast Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident in Palm Coast and believe someone else was to blame, contact the legal team at Chiumento Law, PLLC. We can answer your questions and evaluate your case at no charge when you get in touch with us for a free consultation.