Car accidents can happen in a blink of an eye. One moment you’re sitting at a stoplight or making a lane change, and then next moment the back end of your car is smashed in because someone hit you. Following that, the panic sets in and your mind starts racing, trying to make a mental list of everything you’re going to have to do because of the accident.
We don’t expect you to have this list on hand at all times in case you’re in an accident. Our hope is that with the knowledge from this following checklist, you will be able to reduce some of the pain and suffering that arises from being involved in a car accident. So, here is our list of the five steps you should take after you’ve been involved in a car accident in Florida and where to seek the best accident treatment in Florida
Step One: Take a Deep Breath
The moment you feel that hit or hear the crunch of your rear bumper, it’s easy to delve into panic mode and with it comes ragged, heavy, and uneven breathing. So before you do anything else, take a moment and to inhale a deep breath or several deep breaths. By allowing yourself to pause, breath, and focus, you will calm yourself and be able to handle the next steps.
Step Two: Call the Police & Get the Other Driver’s Information
Since you’ve been involved in an accident, you need to call the police for several reasons. One of the biggest reasons to call the police is so you can aquire official documentation about the accident. This documentation will help a car accident attorney know how much compensation to ask for when you file your claim. It also helps the car insurance company know the extent of the damage and how much of your policy covers the damage.
Calling the police is an important step, but so is getting the other driver’s contact information. If the accident was their fault, then their insurance company will need to pay for the damages to your car. If they don’t have car insurance, then it’s important to know that too.
Pro tip: Make sure the other driver is giving you the correct information. You can do this by calling the number they give you or checking the information they gave you with the details they gave the police. If the driver doesn’t have insurance, there is no guarantee that they won’t provide false information to avoid dealing with the situation farther.
Step Three: Seek Medical Attention/Take Offered Medical Attention
Even if in the moment you don’t feel injured, you should still seek proper medical assistance as soon as possible. Be mindful that adrenaline can prevent your body from noticing pain caused by your injuries. For example, some injuries such as whiplash don’t become apparent right away.
If there is no on-accident medical attention, then seek medical attention at the hospital. Having a record that you’ve seeked medical attention can be added to your claim, especially if you are in fact injured.
Injuries can range from minor to life-threatening, so your injury type can mean huge medical expenses and time out of work. Having everything documented will help a car accident attorney know how much compensation to go for.
Step Four: Start Keeping Records of Everything
As you go through the aftermath of being involved in a car accident, you must begin to attain documentation of the incident. The police report, medical bills, and more will start piling up. For that reason, it is important to keep all of it and file it together in categories. You never know what will be needed if your case goes to court, so it is important to hold onto everything.
If you’re worried you might lose something or that your documents will get mixed up, then a colored folder system that is clearly labeled can help you stay organized. If you\’re worried about losing the folders, getting one of those file folders that has dividers and expands can be useful. Those can also be labeled, help keep all your documents in one place, and allow you to get what you need with ease!