Being involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault can leave you feeling shaken, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. The actions you take immediately after the crash are critical for protecting your rights and options for recovering compensation from the at-fault party.
It’s important to act quickly and follow the proper steps, even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously injured. Having the right documentation and evidence on your side from the very start can make all the difference in your ability to hold the negligent driver accountable.
Here is more information on what to do after a car accident that is not your fault and how a Davey car accident lawyer may be able to help make the process easier.
What to Do Immediately After the Crash
Here’s what you should do if you’ve been the victim of a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence:
- Call 911 Immediately: Your first step should always be notifying the police, no matter how minor the accident may seem. Law enforcement will create an official report documenting all the vital details like driver information, witness accounts, road conditions, and any citations issued. This report serves as crucial evidence.
- Seek Medical Attention: Have yourself evaluated by paramedics or go to the emergency room, even if you don’t notice any severe injuries right away. Many car accident injuries, like TBI or internal bleeding, can take hours or days to manifest symptoms. Creating official medical records is essential for linking your injuries directly to the accident later on.
- Document Everything: If it’s safe, try to gather as much evidence as possible using your smartphone:
- Take photos/videos of vehicle damage, injuries, road debris, traffic signals, etc.
- Get contact information for any eyewitnesses
- Write down everything you can recall about how the accident unfolded
- Never Admit Fault: Avoid apologizing or making any statements about who was at fault. Stick to simply exchanging basic details like names and insurance information. Anything else you say could potentially be used to dispute your version of events down the line.
What to Do Next
In the hours following the accident after you’ve been seen by medical professionals, it is generally advisable to act quickly to:
Promptly Notify Your Insurer
Report the accident to your own auto insurance provider promptly, even if you don’t plan to file a claim with them at this time. Most insurance policies require you to notify them of any accident within a certain timeframe, often around 24-48 hours.
When first reporting the accident, keep your explanation brief and stick to only the basic facts:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- The other drivers/vehicles involved
- If there were any injuries
Do not go into details about how the accident occurred or speculate on who was at fault. Avoid giving any recorded statements. Simply let your insurer know an accident happened, and you will provide more information later.
It’s important to notify your insurance company of the accident right away, as failing to do so can potentially jeopardize your ability to file a claim later on if needed. However, you do not want to make any admissions of guilt or give a statement that could be used against your interests.
Call an Attorney
If you’re able, you can call our car accident lawyers from the scene of the crash. This enables us to begin protecting your rights and building your case.
Your insurer will likely open a claim and request additional details. Before providing your full account of the accident, it’s best to first consult an experienced car accident attorney. We can advise you on what information to provide and ensure your version of events is on record accurately from the start.
Your attorney can also deal directly with the insurance companies on your behalf moving forward. This prevents you from accidentally saying anything that could undermine your claim or enable the insurer to shift blame in their favor unfairly.
How a Lawyer Can Help Protect You
Before providing detailed accounts to any insurance company or accepting settlement offers, call our Davie personal injury lawyers. Our attorneys can:
- Advise you on protecting your rights
- Investigate to prove the other party’s negligence
- Gather critical information and evidence
- Handle all communications with insurers on your behalf
- Fight for the compensation you’re owed for medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, pain and suffering, and more
Our lawyers provide free, no-obligation case evaluations for car accident victims in Florida. Our personal injury team knows how to build strong cases and go up against aggressive insurance tactics. We prepare every claim to go to trial if needed to recover the full value you deserve.
You Deserve Fair Compensation
When another driver’s reckless or negligent actions leave you injured, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burdens alone. However, the insurance companies will go to great lengths to devalue your claim or push you to accept an unjust settlement before knowing your true damages.
That’s why it’s so important to have a skilled car accident lawyer protecting your rights from day one to fight for the compensation you need to fully recover.
Don’t take on the insurance companies alone. Contact Winston Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation to explore how we can be your voice for justice and maximize your car accident claim.
