What You Should Do After Your Orlando Auto Accident
Getting into an accident can be overwhelming. It’s understandable that you feel out of sorts and confused about what to do immediately following the accident. However, the actions you take next are extremely important. Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means your own PIP coverage will pay up to $10,000 in medical bills. But what if your claim exceeds that? Then, you are entitled to bring a claim against the at fault-driver.
It’s important to protect yourself and ensure you are gathering the necessary information to help pursue a claim for compensation against the at-fault party who caused the collision. You should also contact an Orlando auto accident attorney who can walk you through the process and help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you get into an auto accident, here are some of the most important tasks you need to do after the collision.
Stay at the Scene and Contact the Police
Contacting the police and emergency medical personnel, if needed, should be one of your first steps after you’ve been in a collision. If it doesn’t pose a safety risk, you should not move your vehicle. You should also never leave the scene of an accident, even if you weren’t at fault. Leaving the scene of an accident without exchanging information could result in you being charged with a hit and run, which the other side’s insurance adjuster will use to claim you were the one at fault.
Get Parties’ Information
In addition to exchanging information with the person you were involved in the collision with, ensure you have all the witnesses’ information. Sometimes the police may not interview every single person. What if there were three witnesses, but the police only interviewed two. And, two years down the line, if your case is in litigation, neither of them can be reached. You may not need it, but it’s important to get contact information for anyone who saw the accident happen.
Get Scene Photos
If you are not severely injured, you can take photos while waiting for the police and medical services to arrive. It’s important to document the scene as best you can for your insurance company and Orlando auto accident attorney. Taking scene photos can document important elements like weather and any other conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
Take Notes About the Accident
While everything is fresh in your mind, it’s good to write down details of your accident. This should include details that led up to the accident, road conditions, etc. Your memories may fade over time, so even the smallest of details may be important later on.
Seek Medical Treatment
If you are not checked out by medical personnel at the scene, you need to see a doctor right away to document your injuries. If you wait too long to seek medical treatment, the other party’s insurance company will push back. They might say that you were not really injured in the accident or that the injuries you do have are not related to the accident since you waited weeks or a month to see a doctor.
Contact an Orlando Auto Accident Attorney
Retaining an Orlando auto accident attorney right after the accident is important. The sooner your attorney has the case, the sooner he or she can start on building a strong case against the at-fault party. If you were injured in a Florida accident due to someone else’s negligence, call Payer Law at 407-307-2979 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation.
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