On a daily basis in every city across the country, people risk life and limb without thinking twice about it. They hop into the car, crank up the music, turn on the cell phone, and cruise off down the road without a care. But, that casual trip to the grocery store or the usual daily commute can become a catastrophe in the blink of an eye if you are involved in an accident. For most people, that is the only time they consider what to do after a car accident.
Florida auto accident lawyer Joseph M. Maus has the expert knowledge to help you maneuver through the maze of work that needs to be done after you've been in an auto accident.
He says one of the first things to do is to be sure to get to a reputable doctor or hospital for an exam. This provides documentation for the accident victim, since people may feel stiff and sore at first, but may not realize they are truly injured. Insurance companies often do not take injury claims as seriously if they are reported a week or two after the accident when the aches and pains won't go away.
Also be wary of going to an insurance-recommended physician for your initial examination. It is in the insurance company's best interest to minimize their exposure risk, so you do not want to go to a doctor who may gloss over your injuries in order to make the claim more favorable to the insurance company.
Another thing to keep in mind when trying to figure out what to
do after a car accident (assuming you are not being carted away in an ambulance) is to be sure to get witnesses' names, contact information, and their observations about the accident at the scene. Many times memories of an incident can be dulled over time and you want to be sure to have as much information about a crash as possible in the event you end up in litigation.
So, to summarize and give you a quick checklist of what to do after a car accident:
- Call the police to report the accident.
- Never move any vehicles until you are told to by the police! (even if you are blocking traffic).
- Get information such as type of car(s), license plate number(s), and description of car(s) involved in the accident.
- Get names and contact information from anyone involved in the accident and from witnesses.
- Write down what witnesses say they saw or heard.
- Call your insurance agent to file a claim.
- Go to a reputable doctor, hospital, or clinic for a complete examination.
- Contact an attorney specializing in auto accident cases.
The list of things to think about after an accident are many and varied and best reviewed with a competent accident attorney. For more information about what to do after a car accident, contact Florida auto accident lawyer Joseph M. Maus at 1-866-556-5529 or email him today.
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