In the commotion and confusion that follow a car accident, it can be easy to say and do things you later regret. Knowing and understanding the key steps to take after a motor vehicle accident may help guide you through if you should ever find yourself in this situation. The experienced car accident attorneys at Ged Lawyers, LLP have been serving the Florida community since 1995, protecting the rights of accident victims and advocating on their behalf for just compensation for their injuries.
Safety first
If you have been in a Boca Raton car accident, the first thing to do is to make sure you and anyone else in your vehicle is safe. Before exiting your vehicle, turn your hazard lights on and check that the surrounding area is safe. If your car accident occurred in the middle of a roadway, watch for oncoming traffic and proceed carefully when leaving your vehicle. Determine if the other driver and any passengers or pedestrians are also safe and out of the way of continuing traffic.
Call the police
When you have been in a car accident, it is critical that you call the police to report the accident and any injuries. In many minor vehicle accidents, such as fender benders, the at-fault driver may suggest you save the time and the hassle by resolving the situation yourselves. Do not do this. Officially reporting a car accident is an important step in ensuring the information is properly documented, which is something you will need if you are to file a car accident injury claim.
Take photos of the scene
After calling the police, put your cell phone to good use and take photos of the scene of the accident, capturing lighting, weather, and road conditions. Take photos of the position of the vehicles on the road, any damage to the vehicles, and the license plate numbers. If you have been injured, take photos of your injuries.
Look for witnesses
Sometimes, a passerby may have witnessed your car accident, heard a honking car horn, or observed some other detail that can be useful in reporting your accident. But not all witnesses will come forward or stay at the scene of the accident until the police arrive. It is in your best interests to ask anyone in the vicinity if they saw or heard anything and, if so, if they can please stay to provide a statement to police. If they are unable to do so, request their contact information so you can pass that along to law enforcement officers.
Stay off social media
Tempting as it may be to hop on social media to tell your friends and followers that you have been in a car accident, it is better to stay off social media. Anything you share or post can be used in a car accident claim and may negatively impact your case.
Contact an experienced car accident injury attorney
If you have been in a car accident, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case and explore the merits of a car accident injury claim. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, our skilled personal injury attorneys have been helping Florida residents recover the compensation they deserve for their accident injuries since 1995. Our team is available to meet with you to discuss your car accident, answer your questions, and address your concerns. To arrange a free case review contacting our office at 844-443-3529 or online.
