Sometimes, unusual circumstances and mishaps can disrupt our daily routine and leave us completely shocked. A car accident is one such circumstance. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s very important to consult a car accident attorney Melbourne FL to seek compensation for damages to your vehicle, health or emotional peace.
However, before you consult an attorney, you need to focus on some important things. Below are safety protocols you should take immediately after a car accident.
Safety Comes First
When you’ve met with an accident, you should stop and make sure all the passengers, including yourself, are completely safe. If someone’s hurt, you should immediately call an ambulance. While contacting concerned authorities, you should stay in touch with the other party. While the other party will have to give his/her contact information to the Police, having their information can help you with further correspondence.
You should ask for the person’s name, contact number, address, license number, name of the insurance company and other details. In case you have a camera phone, you should take picture of the scene of accident to strengthen your case.
Statistics and resources of Florida drivers can be found here.
Contact Proper Authorities
Once you’ve ensured everyone’s safety, you should call 911 and the Police. You should immediately report the accident. Moreover, when you’re waiting for the Police to arrive, you should call your family members and tell them about what’s happened. You should let them know you’re safe and there’s been no harm to your safety.
When you’ve talked to the Police and taken the other party’s information, you should call your insurance company to gather information about various reports and forms. Last but not the least, you should call a car accident lawyer and narrate your side of the story.
Don’t Panic If It’s Your Fault
At times, accidents happen and there’s nothing you can do to avoid them. If the accident was your fault, you should talk to the Police in the presence of your attorney. You should tell your side of the story and stick to all the facts. You also need to be unbiased and take responsibility for your actions.
You should also notice the other driver when he/she speaks to the Police. Sometimes, both the parties are equally involved, and therefore, your notes about the driver’s perspective may come in handy during a trial. If you get a ticket from the Police, you should sign it. If you refuse to sign, you can also be arrested.
Consultation with Your Attorney
While consulting a Melbourne or Titusville car accident attorney, you should get all your questions answered. Some key topics you should discuss include compensation for damages, chances to receive social security benefits, experience regarding similar lawsuits, compensation for future medical expenses, documents required by the attorney and so on. You should be completely honest with your attorney. This will help him build a case in your favor.
Consultation with Your Insurance Company
As mentioned earlier, you also need to call your insurance company after the car accident. You need to convey the date, time and other events related to the car accident. This information will be vital for making a claim. You should ask upfront about the compensation you can expect, documents required by the company, and schedule an appointment with the insurance agent.
These were some of the factors you should keep in mind once you’ve met with a car accident. Just make sure you don’t panic and follow these steps. You need to get a hold of yourself and consult a car accident attorney before the situation gets out of control.
If you have been a victim of a car accident injury in Melbourne or Titusville, contact the board certified experts at Nance Cacciatore for a free consultation.
