Your first priority after being involved in an accident is to make sure you, your loved ones and anyone else involved in the accident is safe.  If there are injuries stay in the vehicle unless your car is in a position of danger or a risk of fire.  Try to stay calm, the decisions you make while at the scene can significantly influence your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.

Then in all cases, no matter how small the damage or injuries or whether you are in Melbourne, Titusville, Orlando, Cocoa Beach or Vero Beach, you should take the following steps:

Report the accident to the police, then exchange your insurance information with the other driver involved in your accident. This is a requirement of the law and one of the most important things you can do following an accident. If you fail to obtain the other parties information your insurance company may hold you responsible for all damages, even if the accident was not your fault. It can be hard not to talk about the accident to the other driver while obtaining their information, however this can often lead to trying to make the person at fault feel better while waiting for the police to arrive, such as telling them you aren’t really hurt or it wasn’t their fault.  Avoid doing this, and again stick with just the exchange of information.  When the police arrive, they will collect statements from the drivers and potential witnesses and create a report using the facts, evidence and statements from third parties. The police report is useful to insurance companies in making a determination of liability in your claim. Even in a minor accident it is important to make sure there is a legal accident report. Do not leave the scene until a police report is made. 
Take photographs of the scene of the accident. Try to show the position of the cars, broken glass or car parts in the road, the presence of skid marks and all damage to the vehicles. Don’t worry if all you have is your camera phone. The important thing is to be able to provide visual evidence to the insurance company investigators who are tasked with piecing together the cause of your accident. If photographs support your version of events, a finding of liability in your favor is highly likely.

Obtain the contact information for all people who witnessed your accident. Insurance companies place great weight on the accounts of unbiased third parties in making determinations of liability. If you can find several witnesses who support your version of events, it will be difficult if not outright impossible for insurance companies to make a finding against you.

Call your insurance carrier and advise them that the accident happened.  However do not give a recorded statement to them at this time.  Just give them enough information to file a claim. 

Even if you just feel a little sore and bruised, you should go to the emergency room. The adrenaline of being in a collision may be blocking out pain, and some back and neck injuries won’t be immediately apparent. Your health and safety always need to be your top priority.

After visiting the emergency room and being diagnosed and treated, you should call an attorney to make sure that someone with the experience and knowledge needed will be looking out for your interests against the other driver and their insurance companies.  The attorneys at Hayworth, Chaney and Thomas have over 50 years of combined experience to help protect you and get the compensation that you deserve.  You can call us anytime at 877-727-0502 for a free consultation.