Would you know what to do if you were driving in Orlando and another car runs into you? When an Orlando car accident happens, you can suffer injury, trauma and become confused. It is important to take care of things at the scene of any Orlando car accident and to protect yourself and your family afterwards. As Orlando car accident lawyers, we provide the following great suggestions for anyone involved in an automobile accident:
Stay at the Scene of the Car Accident: After a car accident you should stay at the scene until police or other law enforcement arrives. If you leave the scene of an accident, you may suffer further injury or you may prevent police from documenting important evidence that may be used in your Orlando car accident case.
Injury to Other Drivers and Passengers: When you gather yourself, check to make sure that everyone else involved in the accident is fine. Contact 911 for anyone who needs medical attention, including yourself. If suffering neck or back pain, try not to move until qualified medical personnel arrive. Never take chances with neck or back injury in a car accident. Sadly, car accident victims can suffer paralysis from neck and back injury.
Notify Police: Even if you do not believe you have an injury, if there is property damage or injury to others, you should contact law enforcement. When police arrive at the car accident scene make sure the officer files a police report. Try to get the police officer’s name and a card with the car accident case number if available.
Trust No One: Never assume the police will get all the details or complete a thorough police report of the car accident. We have found too many times that a police report failed to contain important information helpful to our clients’ car accident case. So, obtain the other drivers’ names, phone numbers, addresses, drivers’ license numbers, license plate numbers, car insurance company name and car insurance policy number. If there were passengers in the cars involved in the accident, obtain their names and telephone numbers as well.
Other Witnesses: If you can speak to anyone who witnessed the Orlando car accident. Find out it they saw the car accident when it happened or did they come upon the scene of the car accident immediately afterwards. Again, obtain their names and telephone numbers. Many people will want to help if the car accident was serious and they find someone was clearly to blame.
Photos: You should photograph damage to your car and to the other car that caused the car accident. Also, take photos of the scene and any broken glass or debris from the impact. This will be very important in your car accident case. Fortunately, most cell phones provide cameras and with email capabilities, we often receive car accident photos from our clients or their family soon after the Orlando car accident.
Careful Who You Speak With: Do not talk to anyone about the car accident other than your lawyer, your insurance company, and the police. Do not talk to the car accident lawyer for the at-fault driver and do not talk to the at-fault driver’s car insurance company representative.
Never Agree to Settle Before You Know the Extent of Your Injury: Car insurance companies may make early, low settlement offers to entice you to settle. By doing so, insurance companies can save thousands of dollars or more. You need to protect yourself and be certain that your injury has been treated and the prognosis is clear. Obviously, you should have the benefit of a car accident lawyer who specializes in these medical claims review your case with you.
If you need assistance after an Orlando car accident, do what many have already done: Order a free copy of the Florida Car Accident Book, Seeking Justice: An Insider’s Guide for the Injured. If someone has been involved in an accident, it is a great place to start.
