Many different methods exist for avoiding auto accidents, but that doesn’t always mean it is going to happen. If you have been in a car accident, it is imperative that you take the proper steps to ensure that you receive the proper care and treatment for your accident. When an accident happens, it can be difficult for the majority of people to think clearly, which is why you need the assistance of an accident law firm Gainesville. Trying to figure out what questions need to be answered and what you should be doing first can be overwhelming, to say the least.
By following the checklist outlined below, you can rest assured you won’t be taken advantage of for your claim. Make sure to keep a copy of the list with you at all times to ensure that you are always prepared. Thanks to an accident law firm Gainesville, such as Steven A. Bagen Law Firm, you will always have someone to turn to when you need them the most. Steven A. Bagen and Associates has offices in Gainesville and Ocala, serving all of Central and North Florida.
Determine the Severity of Your Injuries and the Damage Sustained
Regardless of how hard it might seem, you need to do your best to remain calm after the accident. Being overcome with panic is only going to cause others around you to panic, exacerbating an already difficult situation. Someone needs to remain calm to determine how severe the damage is and if there are any injuries requiring immediate medical attention. If no one is capable of handling that, the lives of those involved could be seriously jeopardized. You need to take the time and perform an assessment of everything in your surroundings.
File an Accident Report with the Local Police Department
Even if the accident is only a minor one, it is imperative that there is an accident report on file to legally back your claim. Don’t leave the scene of the accident until the local police department has filed a complete report. You might not realize just how important this report can be, that is until the time comes for you to prove the time, date and extent of the accident.
Only Discuss the Accident with the Police Department
With everyone being in a panic and out of sorts, it can be hard not to talk to others about what recently happened. The reality of it is that it can also lead to unclear thinking and inaccurately discussing what actually happened. Limit your discussion regarding the accident itself. Don’t admit liability or fault for what occurred. Other than your personal injury attorney, the only people you should discuss the accident with are your insurance representative and the police officer involved. When you have an accident law firm Gainesville working on your side, they can ensure you don’t say or do something that could be used against you later.
Make Sure You Have All of the Facts Surrounding the Accident
This tends to be the part that the majority of people fail to do. They often forget about this once the accident has occurred. For everyone, the reason might be a little different, but it still happens far too often in these types of cases. It is imperative that you obtain the names, phone numbers and addresses of all those who were involved in the accident. Getting a description of the other vehicles involved and their license plate numbers are also important.
Make sure you get any insurance information available from the other drivers, as well as the VIN from their vehicle. Don’t just assume that a license plate number is all you need because the majority of insurance companies are only going to record the specific type of vehicle and its VIN, not the license plate information itself. The more information you have regarding the vehicles and drivers involved, the better it will be for the accident law firm Gainesville representing you and your claim.
Call to Your Insurance Provider
As soon as the accident occurs, you want to make a call to your insurance provider. Using their 800-number, call them at the scene of the accident, if possible. Also, place the call with the police department in case there is additional information needed about the accident. Depending on the situation, the police officer might be able to provide your carrier with more accurate information than you can. Since many people are upset after an accident, it can be hard to relay information properly.
Letting a police officer step in and speak to the insurance company will help to simplify the process for you. Not only will this save you a lot of time, but it will save you a lot of hassles and headaches later on as well.
