Post-Accident Tips
Insurance Coverage
Needs
Make Sure You Have A Minimum of
$100,000 Bodily Insurance Coverage, and Minimum Under insured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage STACKED
of $100,000.
Keep Important Paperwork at the Ready or
in Your Car
Glove compartment, center console,
or wherever you are most comfortable with storing them (e.g. wallet or purse), you should have the
following items with you:
- Auto insurance card
- Registration card (or keep this in
your wallet or purse in case your vehicle is ever stolen)
- Notebook and a pen or pencil so that
you can write down any particulars after the crash – including eyewitness information
(very important).
What To Do At the
Scene
The following are suggestions only for those
persons who are not seriously injured in an accident. All injured persons should, to the
extent possible, stay where they are and not move until emergency medical personnel arrive and
evaluate them.
For those who are not injured, however, here are
some suggestions:
1. Call
Police – Often, people let the other
driver leave the scene on a promise that they will make good on the accident they caused. The
problem is that many people provide fraudulent insurance and contact information or tell a
different story of the accident later -- blaming you.
Stay at the scene of the crash until law
enforcement officers have arrived and, if their investigation is going to take considerable
time, notify them that you plan to leave. You should note the names of the officers in your
notebook and make sure that he/ she takes down your version of what happened for the traffic
crash report.
2. Report
Injuries - If anyone is injured and
needs medical attention, then call 911 and request an ambulance. At a minimum, if you feel any
pain or discomfort, then tell the investigating officer and request medical
attention.
If you fail to do so, the crash report will state
“no injuries” even if you are hurt. Insurance companies love this statement in a traffic crash
report. The insurance company later accuses you of lying about your injuries if they are not
reported on the crash report.
3. Do Not Admit Fault or
Apologize – While many drivers are sorry
any accident happened in the first place, if you apologize or admit fault in causing the auto
accident, then you be held responsible. This is true even if you were not at fault. Cooperate
with the investigating law enforcement officer by stating only what you observed and
experienced. Do not provide your quick snapshot of legal conclusions based on your experienced
viewing of Law and Order, CSI, or other legal dramas.
4. Identify
Witnesses – Do not rely upon the
investigating law enforcement officer to protect you by taking down witness information. In
most instances, the traffic officer will not develop this information. Obtain witness
information yourself as well as asking the investigating officer to record this information on
the traffic crash report.
5. Take
Photographs – Use your cell phone or
disposable camera you keep in the glove compartment (another tip) to take photos of the scene,
of your injuries, and the vehicles. Also, get photographs of your vehicle while being repaired,
especially when bumpers and body panels are removed which show the true impact you and your
vehicle received. Finally, always be sure to note the time and date the photos were
taken.
What to Do When You Get Home or Out of the
Hospital
-
Report the Accident to your
Insurance
-
-
If you wait too long, then your
insurance company may deny coverage for your claim. Be sure you get a claim
number and the name and telephone number of your adjuster.
-
Before you call, review your
insurance policy to make sure you know your bodily insurance coverage, as well
as uninsured/under insured insurance coverage. You should probably create and
maintain a list of questions for the insurance company and the other driver’s
insurance company.
-
DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING YOU DO NOT
COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND
-
-
BEWARE OF ANYONE YOU DO NOT
KNOW SEEKING TO OBTAIN YOUR INFORMATION
-
-
Once involved in an auto accident,
you may be targeted by “friendly” adverse insurance adjusters, e.g. the
at-fault driver’s insurance company, as well as unscrupulous solicitors for
doctors, lawyers, and auto body repair shops, all seeking to “take care of
you.” These people are looking to trying to exploit you.
-
Recorded
Statements
-
CAUTION:
Insurance Company
Tactics
The at-fault driver’s insurance
company wants to take advantage of your shock, injuries, and inconvenience. They may try to
negotiate with you when you are at your lowest point. They will certainly try to pay you as little
as possible.
If the at-fault driver’s insurance
company contacts you to try settling your case, then you probably want to call and check with an
attorney before talking to them or signing anything. If you do not contact an attorney, and instead
sign the insurance company’s paperwork, including a release of claims, then may be waiving any
claims you may have in the future if your injuries are permanent and serious.
Contact an Experienced Accident
Attorney
If you have been permanently
injured in a car crash, auto accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident, and the other driver
was at fault for the crash, then contact an experienced accident
attorney at our personal injury law firm to help protect your rights and evaluate your
claim. Your case will be handled personally by an accident attorney, your questions will be
answered.
If we agree to handle your
accident injury claim, then know we will move your case forward.
We're Here to Help - Throughout Florida and
Beyond
For dedication and experience, contact our personal injury law
firm. We proudly serve deserving clients and their families who are seeking to overcome the
challenges of serious personal injury and wrongful death throughout Florida and beyond in other
States.
Locally, we are also proud to serve our neighbors throughout
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Coral, Charlotte County, Clewiston, Collier County, Desoto County, Englewood, Felda, Fort Myers,
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We provide aggressive, prompt, and ethical advocacy on behalf of
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