Injured in a car accident? Do these 10 things!
Should you have suffered an injury in a car accident you may need legal counsel.
While we hope you never get in an automobile accident, the reality is driving a car in America is dangerous. The National Safety Council estimates 38,300 people were killed and 4.4 million injured on U.S. roads in 2015. Despite all the technology put in the modern car, our roads have not become significantly safer.
The advent of the smartphone coupled with our addiction of checking it regularly has made distracted driving extremely dangerous. People are often guilty of checking their cellphones and even texting while driving. Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded (2009, VTTI). Imagine closing your eyes for five seconds while driving on I-4…
There is a laundry list of reasons why accidents occur. Should you find yourself in an accident, be sure to follow these 10 quick tips!
Stay at the scene but be sure to secure your safety!
Call the police and ensure you file a report. If the other party involved wants to “handle this between us,” be sure to decline the offer.
Exchange information with all parties involved. Take pictures to avoid taking down any information in error. Be sure to collect license plates, license numbers, insurance information, names, numbers, and addresses.
Don’t apologize or admit liability!
Talk to witnesses, especially if you believe the other party was at fault. Having reliable witnesses can go a long way should the incident result in some type of legal action.
Inform your insurance company. Promptlyinform your insurance company you’ve been in an accident. Cooperate with them and tell them the truth about what happened and the extent of your injuries. Explain the facts clearly.
Keep track of your medical treatment. In Florida, its best practice that you seek medical treatment without 14 days of your accident. This is crucial to your ability to recover damages.
Take pictures. Take photographs of any damage to your vehicle as soon as possible after the accident. Photos helps your insurance adjuster determine how much you should be compensated for the damage to your car and can help in court. Pictures of your car before the accident can offer a great “compare and contrast” to show the true extent of the damage sustained in the accident.
Use caution in discussing the incident and be wary of early settlement offers.
Consider hiring an attorney. At the Kendrick Law Group, we deal with car accident cases regularly. Having aggressive representation that will advocate on your behalf while protecting your rights is crucial and can mean the difference between recovering thousands or nothing.
Safe travels and keep your eyes on the road!