What to Do After a Casselberry Car Accident
The odds of being involved in a car accident at some point during your life are significant. Despite this, most people are unsure of what to do when they find themselves involved in a collision. The old adage “plan for the worst and hope for the best” applies when it comes to driving, meaning it is best to know what steps to take if you are involved in a car accident.
The Casselberry car accident attorneys at Warner & Warner represent injured victims of car accidents and family members of victims who were fatally injured in a collision. We have extensive experience fighting for the rights of car accident victims, and we are committed to holding the responsible parties accountable and ensuring that you are fully and fairly compensated for all your injuries.
Seminole County Car Accident Facts and Figures
In Seminole County, there were 5,693 car crashes in 2020, according to figures published by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV). Of those accidents, 4,000 people were injured with 42 of those crashes resulting in fatal injuries. While those figures do indicate a decrease in both injuries and fatalities from the prior year, it is important to remember that the Covid-19 pandemic also caused significantly fewer vehicles to be on the roadways during the spring of 2020.
Steps to Take Following a Casselberry Car Accident
No one plans to be involved in a car accident; however, it can happen to anyone at any time. With that in mind, it helps to know what steps to take following a car crash, including:
- Prevent further injuries. After an initial collision, taking steps to prevent a secondary collision is important when possible. If your injuries are not severe, and your vehicle is operational, pull over to the side of the roadway to avoid being involved in another crash.
- Contact the police. Even if the collision seems minor, you should notify the police. Not only can the police help secure the scene and prevent additional injuries but having a police report on file may help you down the road if you end up in litigation with an at-fault party.
- Obtain contact information. Obtain identification and contact information from any other motorists involved in the collision. Ideally, ask to see a driver’s license and insurance card. This information should be included in the police report; however, it is often incomplete. If there were witnesses to the crash, obtain contact information for them as well if they remained at the scene.
- Document the scene. In today’s electronic age, almost everyone has a cell phone with a camera on it. If your injuries and circumstances allow, snap some photos of the scene of the accident. If you are unable to take pictures at the time because of your injuries or because it is not safe to do so, return to the scene as soon after as possible and take pictures. This is particularly important if a traffic light, road sign, or the physical characteristics of the scene played a role in the collision.
- Get a thorough medical evaluation. If you are not transported directly to the emergency room, go there yourself for a complete examination. Not only does this help document the accident itself but it may also catch serious injuries that do not show symptoms immediately. The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), for example, often do not show up for hours, even days, after the injury occurred.
- Contact your insurance company. Let your insurance company know about the accident as soon afterward as possible. Do not, however, agree to provide a recorded statement until you have spoken to an attorney. Moreover, if you are contacted by the other party’s insurance company do not speak to them at all.
- Consult with a car accident attorney. One of the reasons why you should consult with a car accident attorney before discussing the details of the accident with your own insurance company (or another party’s insurance company) is that Florida is a no-fault insurance state. In essence, that means that your own insurance company is responsible for covering your medical bills if you were not seriously injured. It is, however, still possible to pursue compensation from an at-fault party if you were seriously injured. Discussing the details of the accident with an attorney before discussing them with anyone else is the best way to protect yourself and retain your right to pursue all available legal options.
- Follow-up with medical treatment. After your initial medical evaluation, it is crucial that you follow up with the suggested treatment. Not only is that the only way to fully heal from your injuries, but it will also strengthen your legal case if you end up in litigation.
- Document losses. Keep detailed records of the losses you suffered because of the accident. This may include things such as medical and hospital bills, estimates for repairs to your vehicle, and a daily pain journal describing the physical and emotional trauma you suffered after the accident.
When to Contact a Casselberry Car Accident Lawyer
At Warner & Warner, our Casselberry car accident attorneys are dedicated to zealously pursuing your right to compensation if you were injured in a car accident or are the surviving family member of someone who was fatally injured in one. Contact the Casselberry car accident lawyers at Warner & Warner to discuss your legal options. Call us at 321-972-1889 or contact us online to schedule a free case review.