Going through a car accident brings the person to a very overwhelming and confusing state of mind. With personal injuries and seeing your vehicle damaged, the mind stops functioning properly. This uncertainty stays even after the accident.
Keeping that in mind, we’ve created a step-by-step list of what to do after a car accident. You’ll find all the useful information in this guide, from the initial steps of calling the ambulance to some post-car accidents, things like hiring the West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer to get the maximum compensation for the physical and property damages.
#1: Look out for injuries
Right after the car accident, the first thing you should do is check yourself and see if there are any injuries. Checking is crucial because there is a possibility you have serious injuries, but you’re not feeling the pain due to a sudden collision or shock. Once you’ve checked yourself, check out the well-being of people on the passenger seats. Once done, you should ask the bystanders for help.
#2: Move to a safe place
If you can, get as far off of the road or the sidewalk as possible, ideally moving away from oncoming traffic. If your vehicle is safe to drive or if it blocks traffic, park in a legal spot and call 911. Otherwise, find shelter and then call 911. Keep in mind that underground parking garages are not considered safe places to be during a severe storm or in its aftermath due to electrical hazards or potential flooding.
#3: Call the police
Once you’ve ensured the safety of yourself and the passengers now, you should call the police. Its a legal obligation to report your accident to the nearest police stations. If you’re not injured you can visit the nearest polices station as well. Filing the accident report is vital for car accident cases. You’ll be needing this document when hiring a car accident lawyer.
#4: Contact the Car Accident Attorney
Having a contact number of a car accident lawyer on your speed dial is important these days, especially if you regularly drive in Florida. The rate of car accidents is growing rapidly, and you never know when a car accident can take place. So, if you don’t already have a car accident lawyer, you should contact the West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer as quickly as possible after the car accident. They are the best car accident lawyers in West Palm Beach, Florida. They have been helping hundreds of victims of personal injury and car accidents in getting a maximum settlement for their losses.
#5: Record Evidence
Recording the accident scene is very beneficial for the case. If it’s possible, you can just take out your smartphone and start recording the scene. Try to cover everything in the recording that includes your injuries, car damage, the place where the accident took place, the license number of both cars, or any other important details that can make your car accident claim stronger.
#6: Take Down the other driver’s information
Go to the other driver and ask him/her to show you the driver’s license and note down the license numbers somewhere or you can take a picture from your phone. In addition to that, also ask their place of residence, contact number, insurance company’s details, license plate number, and a number of their insurance policy. This information will make settling things easy for you after a car accident.
#7: Don’t make any side deals
We can tell you from experience that if there’s one thing to avoid doing after a car accident, it’s accepting cash from the other driver and agreeing not to file an insurance claim, even if they are willing to offer a good amount of money or tell you that they have no auto insurance. Now we know what you may be thinking – yes, that’s a lot of money to walk away from, but the person behind the wheel could be a criminal with nothing to lose. Avoid at all costs.
#8: Notify your Insurance Company
Once you’ve treated your injuries and come home safely after the car accident, you should call your insurance company and inform them about the car accident. Or you can call the insurance agent while you’re at the accident scene, and he’ll guide you about the important things that you need for processing the claim.
Final Takeaway:
With the confusion and stress following an accident, it’s very normal for even the most experienced driver to forget certain steps. If this does happen to you, don’t worry! It’s better to get these steps down pat now rather than when you’re already in the thick of it. By following these steps, you can ensure your safety and get the maximum claim for the damages resulting from the car accident. And in case you need any legal advice related to a car accident or personal injury, then you can contact West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer for a free consultation.
