Car accidents have become almost inevitable occurrences. You don’t need to get involved in a Florida car accident to know how harmful it can get. It is highly prevalent and also quite fatal.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recorded about 403,626 total crashes in 2019, with about 255,353 injuries resulting from these crashes. As such, you would want to know what to do when you are involved in a car accident, and you are not the one at fault.

This article explores the steps to take after such an accident. To learn more about what to do after a car accident, contact our expert car accident lawyers in Florida today.

Steps To Take After a Car Accident That’s Not Your Fault

When you are in a car crash that you did not cause, you should ensure that you take the following steps as soon as you can:

• Ensure That You Are Safe

A car crash is a very serious occurrence. The first thing to do after one is to make sure that you and all occupants of your vehicle are safe. Find out if anyone is injured, trapped, or in a compromising position. If you sense gas leaks, you should get as far away from the car as possible to avoid being in a fire explosion.

• Seek Medical Attention

This is almost as important as anything else you will do. Whether or not you perceive that you have sustained an injury from the accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. Sometimes, you would miss internal injuries because you seem physically fine. As such, a thorough check-up at the hospital is important.

If you end up receiving medical treatment for injuries resulting from the crash, you should document your doctor’s visit. Ensure that you have records of the visit and medical bills as they will come in useful in seeking compensation later on.

• Contact the Police

Calling the police is also a logical next step for any accident victim. The law requires you to report every accident on a public road to the police. While you might think this is an unnecessary nuance, it is important to do this. You can get a copy of the police report after they access the scene. The report will be handy when you get in talks with the insurance company of the at-fault party.

• Gather Witness Contact Information

While the police will certainly try to gather relevant information from the accident scene, it is in your best interests to gather witness information too. If you are physically capable, speak to the at-fault party and record their information. This should include their name, address, phone number, insurance company, etc.

You should also collect information as it relates to the car. This includes license plates, vehicle identification number, the color of vehicle, make and model, etc. If there are any eyewitnesses at the scene, you should also get their contact information.

• Contact an Attorney

You might want to speak to the insurance company of the at-fault party. This is not advisable until you speak to your attorney. This is because the insurance company will very likely be looking out for themselves and not you.

According to Florida Statute 627.7407, Florida is a no-fault state. This means that a mandatory no-fault coverage reimburses you for damages if you suffered any from injuries in the car accident.

However, there is only so much this compensation can cover. As such, you might need to get further compensation from the at-fault party either through settlement or trial.

A lawyer will advise you on what compensation is the minimum you should settle for. They will also walk you through discussions with the insurance company, so you do not indict yourself.

• Speak to the Insurance Company

After consulting an experienced car accident attorney, you can then speak to the at-fault party’s insurance company. At this point, you will have enough information to make the right decisions. Check with your attorney before you accept any settlement offers from them.

You must ensure that you do not settle for less than an amount that covers all your bills and other considerations. If you cannot settle, you might have to file a lawsuit. Predictably, the insurance company will do all it can to win. As such, you must have records of all relevant information on hand.

Contact Us Today!

If you or any of your loved ones are involved in a car accident that’s not your fault, you should contact Miami Lawyers 360. Our team of experienced car accident lawyers will ensure that you get fair compensation for your incurred damages. Schedule a free case review today.