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 1-866-598-9111. 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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