The scene of a car accident can often be chaotic and cause a great amount of stress. Even in the case of a fender-bender, drivers are often frazzled and unsure of what to do. During these situations, one of the most important things to do is to stay calm. This allows you to focus on the situation at hand and handle it in the best way possible. This not only ensures your safety, but can help your future claim to be successful. In addition to being calm, it is important for an individual to follow the steps after an accident happens:
Call the Police
Even if the other driver involved tells you otherwise, contacting law enforcement is crucial after a car accident. Doing so can help keep the scene of the accident and other drivers on the road safe, as the officers can direct traffic around the collision. In addition to this, they can draft an official police report, take witness statements, and conduct any necessary chemical tests. This information can be useful to you when processing a claim with your insurance company.
Do Not Apologize
Often times, drivers are inclined to apologize to the other driver the second they step out of the vehicle after an accident. However, it is important to try and avoid doing so because it can be seen as an admission of fault. Instead, it is important to simply be polite to the other driver and contact the necessary emergency services. This allows you to avoid discussing liability with the other party altogether.
Photo or Video of the Wreck
If the scene of the accident is safe, it is important to take pictures or videos of the wreckage. This allows you to capture any broken glass, skid marks, deployed airbags, and bloodstains that happened because of the collision. It can also be helpful in certain cases to document the weather and road conditions. This can all be helpful for a future claim or lawsuit to show the circumstances that caused the accident and what happened as a result.
Record Important Details
You should not assume that the law enforcement officer on the scene will document all the necessary information for you. It is crucial to be proactive and record this information yourself. Doing so can ensure that you are prepared to file a claim. Information that should be documented can include the names of witnesses, their phone numbers, and the registration information of any vehicle involved in the accident.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
After an accident, the most important thing to do is to seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine at the moment, it is possible to be injured and not even realize it. It is also possible to experience symptoms of an injury at a later date. Emergency responders are sometimes available on the scene of the accident to conduct examinations. However, even if you receive treatment on the scene, it is important to see a doctor after the fact. This will document your injuries, including where and what time they happened, which can be beneficial in filing a claim.
Contact our Firm
If you or someone you know was injured in a car accident and wishes to speak with an attorney, contact a dedicated St. Petersburg, Florida personal injury attorney from Youngblood Law Firm today.
