First Steps after a Car Accident

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, there are a number of important steps to take that will help you protect your well-being and your rights. Car accidents occur every day throughout  the U.S. and all around the world. Most accidents are avoidable and often occur as a result of someone else’s negligence while driving. Regardless of the cause of an accident, there are certain steps you should take if you are involved in an a car or truck accident. Be sure to take these first steps and then contact a Tampa car accident attorney.

What to do in case of a car accident

• Before doing anything else, make sure you and your passengers are safe. It is important to determine if you or anyone in your vehicle has been injured. If you or someone has been injured, it is important to immediately cal for medical assistance before doing anything else.
• Even if nobody in your vehicle seems to have been seriously injured, it is important to stay safe. If you’ve been involved in an accident on a busy highway or road, make sure to stay with your car and out of harm’s way until the police arrive.
• Once you’ve determined you and your passengers are safe, call 911 and calmly wait for any police or emergency personnel to arrive at the scene. Once the police and emergency officials have arrived at the scene of the accident, inform them of all areas of injury. Allow yourself to be examined by emergency medical personnel and go to the hospital for a full examination if recommended.
• When talking to the police, do not express that the accident was your fault. There are many circumstances that can cause an accident, and you may not be fully aware of all of them. You need legal advice.
• File an accident report, providing the police with your license, registration and insurance information along with a description of the accident and all helpful information pertaining to what happened.
• Exchange all necessary information with the other driver or drivers involved in the accident including names, addresses and insurance information. Also be sure to collect the names and addresses of all witnesses of the accident.
• Contact your insurance company and make the necessary arrangements to have your vehicle moved from the scene. If you are injured, do not drive away.
• Contact a car accident attorney to fully understand your legal rights for personal injury compensation and property damage.

For more information or if you have been involved in an automobile accident, our firm can help. Contact the personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Timothy G. Anderson at (877) 231-9562 for a free case evaluation.