What to Do if You Are Involved in A Car Accident in Florida
If you are involved in a car accident in Florida, it is important that you know what to do. These instructions can help you to preserve any claims for damages that you may have.
Focus on Safety
The first, and most important, issue is to focus on safety and get any medical attention that is needed. If you can safely pull over to the side of the road, make sure to do so as soon as possible. If there are any injuries or even any suspected injuries, make sure to call emergency services or have someone else call them. If there is the threat of a fire, make sure to move away from the vehicle. Be especially aware of oncoming traffic and use road flares or other markers to let oncoming cars know that there is an accident ahead. If you are able to help others to safety, you should do that too; however, you should not put yourself or others in harm’s way while doing so.
Report the Accident to Law Enforcement
If there is no need for medical services, you must still contact the police to report the accident in many cases. Florida law requires that the police fill out an accident report form. If you do end up filing a claim, the accident report can be very helpful and can help to preserve evidence. You should cooperate with law enforcement, but you should not admit to any guilt. Depending on the severity of the accident, the police may fill out a long form or a short form accident report.
Collect Evidence at the Scene
There may be important evidence at the scene that you want to preserve. If you are able to, you should do what you can to document and obtain that evidence. For example, taking pictures of the road conditions, any signs that may be obscured, or of the property damage to the vehicles involved.
Contact A Knowledgeable Car Accident Attorney
It is very important that you contact a skilled car accident attorney as soon as possible so they can help you preserve any claims you may have against the other driver. Especially if you are injured, you may be able to collect damages above and beyond what your insurance is willing to pay and you will want a qualified car accident attorney to make your case.
Talk to Your Insurance
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides a website that helps to explain the process for filing a claim with an insurance company. You will want to talk to your attorney before you do this and follow any instructions that they give you. You may be contacted for a settlement by an insurance agency. You should not sign anything or accept any settlement without first talking with your attorney.
Clearwater Car Accident Attorneys
If you are involved in a car accident, it is crucial that you talk to a knowledgeable car accident attorney as soon as possible. Our experienced car accident attorneys at Roman & Roman in Clearwater, Florida can help you with any claims you may have.
