What to do immediately after the accident

Your injuries may prevent you from completing some or all of the steps outlined here. Still, it would help if you attempted to complete the steps you can, and you should note whether other drivers involved in the accident are taking these same steps. Steps you should take after a car accident include the following: Check for injuries: Check in with each person involved to determine who's injured and provide medical care, which could consist of performing first aid or calling 911. Move victims/vehicles if necessary: You may need to move accident victims or vehicles in a dangerous location. Suppose the accident occurred at the bottom of a hill with limited visibility. Someone could come over the hill and strike one of the vehicles. In that case, you should move vehicles to the side of the road. Call 911: Florida law requires you to contact the police if you were in an accident causing injuries, death, or property damage of $500 or more. Exchange information: You must provide your name, contact information, and insurance information to other drivers involved in the car crash. Create records: Make notes about what occurred before, during, and after the accident. Write down any observations about factors that could have contributed to the accident, such as the weather or malfunctioning traffic lights. Use your smartphone camera to capture video and images of the accident scene. Take photos of witnesses and the location around the accident. Talk to a car accident attorney: Contact Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, for a free over-the-phone consultation. Your attorney will ensure you take all the steps you can and avoid making mistakes at the scene. Contact your insurance company: Let your insurance company know about the accident so they're prepared for calls from other insurance companies and can send their insurance adjuster to assess the damage

What not to do after you are injured in a car accident

Do not do any of the following after a car wreck: Leave the scene: Unless you're removed from the scene by medical professionals, you must remain at the scene until the police confirm you can leave. Accept blame: Accident victims can sue for damages if an at-fault driver's negligence caused the accident. Although Florida is a no-fault state, in civil lawsuits, drivers can share fault if more than one driver is responsible. A thorough investigation can reveal factors that aren't evident at the scene, so even if you think the accident was your fault, you shouldn't accept blame because an investigation could reveal another driver's fault. Give extra information: Give other drivers or police only what you must provide. Sign anything: Only sign documents with your lawyer present. You could sign away your rights to sue the at-fault driver or accept responsibility for an accident you didn't cause. You also shouldn't speak to another driver's insurance company. Insurance companies may try to get you to make a statement or accept partial or complete responsibility for the accident. Anything you say can be used to prevent you from pursuing a claim or reduce the compensation you receive. Suppose the insurance agent asks if you're injured. You're in shock and unaware of internal injuries, so you say you're okay. After your call, you realize you're injured and need medical care. The insurance company can use your statement to argue that you're making fraudulent compensation claims for medical bills

What to do after you receive medical care

You should follow your doctor's instructions after receiving medical care. Get all the recommended medical tests to ensure a comprehensive diagnosis after your accident. You should complete all prescribed treatments to ensure you've taken all steps to promote your recovery. This will guarantee you don't jeopardize the amount of compensation you receive from a lawsuit. Attend follow-up appointments with your doctor and keep copies of all medical records, prescriptions, and bills.

Car Accident

11/16

What to Do if You Are Injured in a Car Accident

A personal injury car accident scene with an ambulance.

Many people get behind the wheel or ride in a vehicle to travel from place to place. For some, traveling in a motor vehicle occurs multiple times most days of the week. It is a familiar part of their routine. In 2021, there were more than 7.8 million registered vehicles in Florida. That same year,...

10/16

How To Deal With At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company

Florida recorded an average of 933 traffic accidents daily in 2020, inflicting incapacitating and non-incapacitating injuries on tens of thousands of people. Although car crashes may be common, they’re anything but routine when they happen to you. In addition to potential physical injuries, you co...

10/03

Hit by a Drunk Driver?

Drunk driving accidents are frustrating and overwhelming for victims and their families. Painful injuries, missed work, and costly expenses that were not your fault are now putting stress on your everyday life. Drunk driving car crash victims have rights and legal options to pursue justice and hol...

09/15

Spinal Injuries From a Car Accident

In the state of Florida alone, there were 251,919 injuries from crashes in 2022, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLSMV). Every year in the U.S., there are roughly 17,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries, and roughly 38% of these injuries are caused by car crashes, acc...

09/08

How Long After a Car Accident Can You Claim Injury in Florida?

A smashed windshield from a car accident.

If you’ve been injured in a Florida car accident, knowing your rights and options is critical to recovering compensation for your injuries and financial losses. Missing any insurance and personal injury claim deadlines could mean losing out on compensation. At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorne...