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While accidents are very common, there are few people who truly know what steps to take after the accident to protect their rights. When an accident is caused by negligence, legal matters may be possible for the injured party to seek compensation.
However, in order for these matters to be handled successfully, there needs to be some steps taken in order to protect the rights of the victim. As such, it’s important that if you are in an accident, you take the following steps before moving forward.
1. The Information You Need to Exchange
Make sure you’re exchanging the right and accurate information with the other party. This means getting driver’s license information, contact information, and insurance information. Make sure all cards and necessary documents are valid. These are needed by your insurance company to help coordinate and determine liability.
2. Calling Your Insurance Company
Reporting the accident to your insurance company should be at the top of your mind so you can get a head start on your claim. Inform them of the situation, explain how the accident happened, and any other information that can be used to help prove the other party was at fault.
3. Speaking with Witnesses
If your crash occurred in a public area, odds are someone around saw the accident and what may have happened. Ask around to see which witnesses saw the accident and if their story matches yours. You can get their contact information which you would provide to your insurance company. This allows your provider to call the witness and get a statement on what may have happened.
4. Taking Pictures to Help Your Case
One of the more important things you can do if you’re able to is take pictures. This includes taking pictures of the area where the crash occurred, of the damage to all vehicles involved, and any injuries that you may have sustained.
These pictures can be utilized by your insurance company—as well as serve as proof to the other party’s insurance company—to show some of situation.
5. Immediate Medical Attention Is Needed
Some individuals may not feel the effects of the crash immediately. This doesn’t mean that nothing is wrong, though. Getting medical attention quickly can help you start your recovery and also get you a medical record which can be used in your pursuit of compensation and justice.
6. Getting Legal Representation
Going through the aftermath of a car accident on your own is not recommended. It can be tough to deal with the insurance company who is often looking out for themselves rather than the health of the injured party. You should hire an attorney to help you.
With an attorney on your side, you have access to experience, necessary resources, and the knowledge necessary to get through these matters. It’s important to give yourself an advantage in these matters so your rights are not taken advantage of by the insurance company and the negligent party.
At Shapiro Law Firm, P.A., our Tallahassee car accident lawyers aim to help you understand your rights and options, protecting them during the process, and pursuing the action you need to move forward. We also prioritize your success so you can feel confident every step of the way.
If someone is negligent while driving, they deserve to be held accountable for the injuries they cause. This is where our firm steps in to help. We have a passion for winning and a long-term history of helping our clients reach a successful outcome. Let us work to help you, too.
Call our firm today at (850) 629-7226 and let us fight your fight. We’re committed to the pursuit of justice on your behalf.