north palm beach Car Accident
What To Do If You’re Involved
Although there are nearly seven million car accidents across the United States every year, being involved in one is unexpected and frightening. In addition to enduring pain from injuries and damage to your vehicle, the scene of a car accident is the beginning of a long road back to recovering your health, property, and well-being.
The first steps you take following an car accident can be important in determining the outcome of your car accident claim. Although the situation is stressful, try to keep a clear head and follow these post-accident guidelines:
- If your vehicle is still in motion, bring it to a stop immediately after your auto accident. Stop your vehicle in a place where it isn’t a danger to other drivers. If necessary, call a towing service.
- If you and others in the car accident are injured, call 911 for medical help. You should stay at the scene until help arrives.
- Cooperate with law enforcement officers at the accident scene by providing your driver’s license, vehicle registration and contact information, when asked. You aren’t required to answer questions about who is at fault. Exchange contact information to anyone else involved in the accident.
- Contact law enforcement when a car accident involves injury, death, hit-and-run, driver intoxication or property damage that appears to be more than $500. The responding officer will prepare a written report of the event.
- If a police officer files a report, you don’t need to complete a separate report. If a car accident report isn’t filed by law enforcement, then you should file a report within ten days of the accident to the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, Traffic Crash Records Section, Tallahassee, FL 32399.
- Contact a car accident lawyer such as Vastola & Associates, to assist you in determining whether personal injury and property damage claims should be filed.
If your accident involves damaging a parked car or other type of property with your automobile, you should try to find the car’s owner and report the incident. If you can’t find the property’s owner, attach a note with your contact information on the damaged car. You should also report the accident to law enforcement.
For more information on car accidents in Stuart:
- Common Misconceptions about Auto Accident Litigation
- Common Injuries from Auto Accidents
- Important Information for Drivers
- What should you do if you are Seriously Injured?
- Who is At Fault? Motor Vehicle Accident Liability
- Stuart Car Accident
If you’re in an automobile accident, it’s important to follow state guidelines in reporting the event and addressing safety and injury issues. Failing to follow Florida law after a car accident can lead to the revocation of your driver’s license, criminal charges, or other penalties.
