It is a well-known fact that accidents happen every day. What may not be as widely known is how to deal with the aftermath of an accident and what legal rights you have if you are injured in one. Using this guide, you will learn all about your legal rights after an accident and how to defend them so that you can get back on your feet as quickly as possible!
Find a Safe Spot
Immediately after an accident, it is essential to find a safe place. Roads and highways can be hazardous, with traffic and other drivers coming from all directions. If you are on any roadway or a public right-of-way at the time of an accident, remain there until police arrive.
If it’s not safe to stay by your car after an accident – for instance, if fuel is spilling out or vehicles are still moving – find somewhere nearby where you can stop and signal for help without being in danger yourself. A petrol station forecourt could provide this kind of place as they usually have large signs, clear areas, and multiple entry points so that people know how to get into them safely but also quickly.
Get a Lawyer
In Florida, you are legally entitled to representation from a lawyer if the other person’s negligence caused your injuries. As explained at https://www.brookslawgroup.com/, you should call an attorney as soon as possible so that they can help with all aspects of your legal rights, including medical bills and lost wages. If you hire an experienced personal injury lawyer, they will be able to accurately assess the damages you are eligible for based on Florida law.
They may offer reduced fees or payment plans to make it easier for clients who have suffered significant emotional distress due to their injuries (such as post-traumatic stress disorder) and financial difficulties related to missing work because of these accidents.
Call the Police
It’s a requirement by law that you call the police if there has been a car accident. Not only does this protect your legal rights, but it can also help reconstruct the crash and identify any hazardous conditions, such as road debris or poor visibility due to fog.
A police officer will usually take witness statements to get all of the facts from each person involved in an event like this. They’ll then decide what type of documentation is needed before they leave, so make sure you have your driver’s license with you at all times, just in case!
It’s essential not to admit fault for anything until later when we know more about who should be held accountable. Still, it might be best practice to provide contact information for both parties if possible. Don’t worry about getting in trouble for not calling the police. This is a legal requirement.
Take Pictures of the Scene
The police report can help determine the level of fault for an accident. To do so, it is imperative that you take pictures of all aspects of the scene before anyone leaves or cleans up. If applicable, these should include photos from multiple angles and closeups showing any damage on both vehicles and nearby structures/buildings.
The videos and photos captured by the phone can also serve as evidence to be used in a court of law.
Get medical attention
Your health and that of the other driver is the most important thing to consider.
Get medical attention if you or another driver involved in the accident need it regardless of who caused the crash, and call 911 as soon as possible. This could be for anyone’s injuries, from a minor scrape to life-threatening wounds such as head trauma, internal bleeding, broken bones, or loss of consciousness.
You will need to document any injuries. If you are injured, and it’s not clear who caused the crash, get medical attention before claiming with your insurance company or police officers. Be sure to note what happened on an accident report form so that you have everything documented for follow-up purposes if necessary.
Notify your Insurance
Dealing with insurance companies is something you are going to have to do after your accident. You should contact them immediately and let them know about the incident, providing as much information as possible – like who was at fault or where it occurred. It is also crucial that if you were injured in any way (physically or mentally), you notify your insurer of this, too, even if they don’t ask for it.
Accidents happen when we least expect them to do. The most important thing to do is know what to do immediately after it happens. The situation can be tense, but following the guide shared in this blog will be hard to miss the details, and getting your rights will be straightforward.
