What To Do After A Motor Vehicle Accident In Lakeland: A Step-by-Step Guide
Car AccidentsIn this article, you can discover…
- What to do immediately after a car accident.
- What to document at the accident scene.
- The role of medical care after an auto accident.
What Are the First Steps I Should Take Immediately After A Car Accident?
From a legal perspective, the first steps you should take after an accident are:
Ensure Your Safety
- Ask yourself if you are hurt and if you need to go to the hospital in an ambulance. If you experience immediate pain, don’t hesitate to go to the emergency room. If you’re functional and not in severe pain, you can consider going home first and then to an urgent care clinic or chiropractor. Always prioritize your health and safety. If you have any doubts, go to the hospital.
Preserve Evidence
- If you’re safe, start preserving evidence at the scene. Take photographs of vehicle damage, tire marks, and anything else that might be important later. Here’s what to do:
- Take photos and videos of the entire accident scene, including vehicles, damage, and tire marks.
- Capture as many details as possible. There’s an old saying that every digital picture is a good picture, so take photos of everything you think might be important.
- If you’re unable to take photos yourself due to injuries, ask friends or family to come to the scene and document it for you.
These photographs can become crucial in court to help prove liability, determine the point of impact, and establish other important facts about the accident. It’s better to have more photos than you need than to miss critical evidence.
Are The Steps I Should Take After An Accident The Same Regardless Of The Vehicle Involved?
Yes, the steps are the same, regardless of the type of vehicle involved, whether that be a commercial truck, a car, or a motorcycle. Always make sure that you are safe and not injured, seek medical care if you’re hurt, and be sure to document the accident scene before anything changes.
How Do I Gather Evidence At The Accident Scene?
A smartphone is the simplest way to gather high-quality photos and video evidence at the scene of the accident. Be sure to photograph and record landmarks and perspectives in the photograph that give a sense of the location and layout of the accident scene.
In other words, if there is a tire tread in the grass next to a guardrail, try to take a photo showing both the tire tread and the guardrail. You may not always be able to do this but try to do the best that you can under the circumstances.
If you cannot take photos due to your injury, then you can ask law enforcement or friends or family who are available to come to the scene and document it for you.
What Information Should I Exchange With The Other Driver?
Obtain the other driver’s name, address, phone number, and insurance card. Also, be sure to note the year, make, and model of the other vehicle and its VIN number.
Do I Need To Seek Medical Attention Even If I Feel Fine?
If you feel fine, you don’t need to go to a hospital immediately. However, be aware that in Florida, you only have 14 days from the date of the accident to seek initial treatment to preserve your no-fault or personal injury benefits.
Make sure to visit an urgent care clinic or a chiropractor as soon as possible in the days following your accident. This immediate care helps document any injuries and pain as they develop, as not all injuries are apparent right away.
Who Should I Call Right After An Accident In Florida?
First, call law enforcement. Even if you think someone else has already called the police, it’s important to call 911 yourself. This ensures that a police report is filed and allows officers to document and clear the accident scene.
Next, consider your need for medical treatment. If you’re in pain, feel dizzy, or think you might need medical care, call an ambulance. There’s no harm in getting checked out by medical professionals at the hospital.
In most cases, your medical bills will be covered by insurance. If there is no insurance, medical bills are often forgiven or written off.
For more information on What To Do After A Motor Vehicle Accident In Lakeland, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (863) 243-6166 today.