Each year, more than two million people are injured in automobile accidents according to insurance industry reports. While driving carefully, obeying the speed limit, and staying mentally alert can decrease the chances a driver will be at fault in an accident, nothing but luck can prevent one from becoming the victim of another driver’s mistakes. Consequently, it’s important to be prepared with a plan of action should an accident occur. The following is some advice for dealing with a car accident from a Car Accident Lawyer in Hollywood FL.
The first consideration after an accident must be safety. The first safety measure is to move the car to the side of the road if possible and turn on the hazard lights to alert other drivers. A driver should also find out right away if he or she or any passengers are injured. If so, it’s important to get medical attention immediately, even if the injury doesn’t seem to be severe. A back or neck injury may only present a mild pain at first but become much more debilitating as time goes on.
The next step is to call the police even if the accident is a minor one. It is important to get a police report in the case of any injury or damage. Since neither may be immediately visible, it’s a good idea to go ahead and get the report in case it is needed. If there is any disagreement between the drivers later on, a police report can help to resolve it, and a report also expedites an insurance claim.
After notifying the police, drivers need to exchange information, which should include all personal contact information, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information. It can also be helpful to speak to witnesses and get their contact information.
As soon as possible after the accident, a driver should notify his or her insurance company. It’s important to convey all of the details of the accident as accurately as possible, as any false information could result in a denial of a claim. For additional advice, visit the Law Offices of McCullough & Leboff, P.A. to speak with a Car Accident Lawyer in Hollywood FL.
