Ways to Manage On the Scene Auto Accidents
When managing on-the-scene auto accidents, there are two things to consider: your well-being and your personal injury case. While you want to preserve evidence by taking pictures and talking to witnesses, you shouldn’t put yourself in danger. You also should prioritize getting medical treatment above all else.
Here, you can learn about how to preserve evidence and promote the strongest possible injury case. The following recommendations are not mandatory, yet, they could help you recover compensation later on.
What Should I Do While On the Scene of an Auto Accident?
If you’re still at the accident scene (and it’s safe to do so), consider:
Staying at the Scene
Florida Statutes § 316.061 states that anyone involved in a collision must stay at the accident scene until law enforcement arrives. If you leave the accident scene, you could face a second-degree misdemeanor. Furthermore, this could hurt your chances of recovering compensation.
While at the accident scene, you should:
- Render first aid where necessary
- Move your car out of traffic (if possible)
- Call law enforcement
If the paramedics suggest that you receive medical care, heed their advice. By seeking medical care as soon as possible, you can make a firm connection between your injuries and the collision.
Gather Evidence
Gather as much evidence as you can from the scene. Supporting information may include:
- The other car’s make, model, color, and license plate number
- Photos of the involved vehicles’ damage
- Photos of your external injuries, such as lacerations
- The contact information of anyone who saw the accident happen
- A copy of the accident report from law enforcement
- The location of any traffic cameras
Anything you gather from the accident scene can support your compensation claim.
Take Notes of What Happened
Write down what happened during the accident. Notes could include the direction each car was going and if anyone violated traffic laws. Other details you should note include weather conditions, road conditions, or dangerous hazards on the road.
Many people feel overwhelmed and don’t know what to do while at an accident scene. Following these steps can help you preserve the necessary evidence to move forward with a potential case.
Give Law Enforcement All Requested Information
After a car accident, you must present certain documents to the attending police officers. This information includes your:
- Driver’s license
- Vehicle’s registration
- Proof of insurance
Limit What You Share at the Accident Scene
After the accident, your first instinct may be to apologize for what happened. However, even if you didn’t actually cause the accident, this could affect your personal injury case. The involved parties could interpret an apology as an admission of fault. This can hurt how much you can recover during negotiations.
Not Confronting the Other Driver
Emotions can run high after a collision. Even if the other driver acted with egregious negligence, you don’t want to confront them or accuse them of causing the collision. This will only complicate matters and put your safety in jeopardy.
What Should I Do After a Collision?
Your collision-related obligations don’t end once you leave the accident scene. You should also:
- Follow through with your treatment plan. You want to show the involved parties that you did everything possible to better your condition. This involves taking prescribed medications and attending physical therapy appointments.
- Limit what you share online. Sharing information online about your case could give the other party ammunition to contest it. You should avoid publicly sharing photos, videos, and statuses.
- Document your injury-related losses. You want to recover full and fair compensation for what you need. By keeping your injury-related invoices, billing statements, and receipts, you can pursue those funds.
You should also consider partnering with an Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Once you entrust them with your case, they will do everything possible to push for a fair resolution.
Contact Our Team For An Advice on What To Do After a Car Accident
After a car accident, you may not know where to turn. That’s where the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato comes in. We have decades of legal experience helping Florida car accident claimants recover compensation. Our team will file your claim, negotiate a settlement, and manage all case-related obligations. For more information, call (954) 633-8270. During your free case review, we can explore your legal options.
