What to Do After a Car Accident in Sanford, FL

You should call 911 even if your accident seems minor. There are several reasons for this. Officers from the Sanford Police Department, state police, or another law enforcement agency can respond and make sure everyone is safe by securing the scene. They can get emergency medical help for any drivers, passengers, bicyclists, or pedestrians with serious injuries. Another thing they will do is document the accident by filling out a Florida Traffic Crash Report. This accident report will contain important information about the crash – the names of everyone involved; the make, model, and VIN numbers of the vehicles; and the officer’s account of what happened. The information can help strengthen your claim for financial compensation. That’s why you should get a copy of your accident report.

Calmly ask the other driver for some information for insurance purposes. It’s important to stay calm and avoid an argument over who was to blame – even if it’s clear to you the other driver was negligent. At this moment, you simply want to get the driver’s name and contact information, as well as insurance information – the name of the insurance carrier and the policy number. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses, as well.

You can do that simply by taking photos and videos to document the accident. This can strengthen your claim for financial compensation. Be sure to take shots of the collision from many different angles, both close up and farther away. Also, take some pictures of the accident scene, such as traffic lights, stop signs, or speed limit signs. Take some shots of any visible injuries you have. Also, get some pictures of any skid marks, road construction, or debris. As soon as you get some time, write down how the accident happened, while your memory is still fresh. Write down everything that you remember.

Get a medical exam after your accident, no matter how you feel. You may think you are only shaken up a little, but you could be injured and not yet showing symptoms. Get checked out at HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, Adventhealth Fish Memorial, CareNow Urgent Care, or Oviedo Medical Center, or see your own doctor within a couple of days. It’s important to remember that if you will be making a PIP claim, you must get medical care within 14 days of the crash.

A doctor can diagnose any injuries you have suffered and begin treatment. There will also be documentation of your injuries. This will be useful when you file a claim for financial compensation.

You have to tell them you were involved in a car accident to protect your ability to seek financial compensation. Just stick to the facts about what happened. You may be contacted by the other driver’s insurance company. An adjuster may want to ask you a few questions, or you will be asked to give a recorded statement about what happened. It all sounds harmless. But the insurance company is really trying to get you to say something they can use against your claim. Politely decline and explain that you would like to talk to your lawyer about it first.

Then contact an experienced Sanford car accident lawyer.

Following your accident, it’s likely that you have a lot of questions. Can you sue for damages? How much money can you get for your claim? What if the insurance company is blaming you for what happened? You can get answers to your questions during a free consultation with a car accident lawyer.

An attorney can review the details of the crash and go over your legal options. Then you will have more information that can help you decide what to do next. It’s best to get legal advice as soon as possible following your crash. Over time, witnesses can forget important details, and valuable evidence can be lost.

Learn where you stand. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer today.