A Tampa Car Accident Attorney Explains Possible Steps
Immediately Following an Accident
No matter how careful you are on the
road, you are still at risk for an accident every time
you drive. Yet, even though we all expect accidents
to happen eventually, they are still surprising and
stressful. The most frightening part of an accident
is the short period of time immediately following the
collision. Knowing what to do directly after an accident
will help ensure that everyone involved receives the
best care possible. As experienced Tampa
personal injury attorneys, we recommend the following
steps to take if you are involved in a car accident:
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Try to stay calm.
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If you are able to do so, call 911 from your cell
phone while checking for injuries on yourself and
your passengers. Also check for injuries in the other
vehicles involved if possible.
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If you are unsure about the need for an ambulance,
tell the 911 operator that it would be a good idea
to send an ambulance anyway, as well as police assistance.
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If someone is seriously injured, do not move him or
her unless there is imminent danger.
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For minor accidents with no serious injuries, try
to move vehicles to a safe place off the road. It’s
better to be out of harm’s way than in the middle
of moving traffic.
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Turn off the ignition and turn on hazard lights. Ask
other vehicles to do the same and check for gas leaks.
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Call your insurance company to notify them about the
accident.
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Attempt to get license and insurance information from
the other drivers involved.
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Find out if there were witnesses. Ask witnesses for
names, phone numbers, and a description of what they
saw in the accident.
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Document everything. Make notes about damage to all
vehicles and injuries. If you have a camera handy,
take pictures.
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Draw a sketch of the accident while it is still fresh
in your head. Include the location of all vehicles
and passengers involved, plus the weather conditions
at the time.
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Do not admit fault or accuse anyone. State only the
facts to the police and your insurance company.
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Get the names and badge numbers of the police officers
who arrived at the scene. Also find out which police
agency they are from (local, county, state) so you
know where the accident report will be located.
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As soon as possible after an accident with injuries,
call a Tampa personal injury attorney.
At Clark and Martino, P.A., we offer
a free consultation to those who have been injured in
a car accident. Call an experienced Tampa
personal injury attorney at 1-888-868-5615. While
we discuss your case, we’ll be able to show you
how a Tampa personal injury attorney will be able to
handle paperwork, insurance companies, and other logistics
after an accident so you can put your time and energy
toward healing.
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