Ask Milly Because She Knows – Today’s Question – What should I do immediately once I have been in a car accident? Here are my Top Tips
Getting into a car accident is a scary and traumatic experience. Everything seems to move at hyper-speed and you are fine one minute and in absolute danger the next. The roads can be treacherous and we have seen a steady rise in the number of car accidents as the population of Florida continues to increase rapidly. Most of the times, you don’t even see the impact coming. There is no way to prepare at that moment and you may wind up injured and/or bewildered, so let’s go over a couple of things you really need to know. If God forbid, you are in a car accident, stay as calm as you can and remember these 12 tips on what to do immediately after you have been in a car accident.
1. First things, first, assess yourself for injury, make sure you are stable, able to function and not in a compromised position before you even attempt to move.
2. Assess anyone else in your car for injuries. Remember check yourself first, you can’t help anyone if you are hurt and shouldn’t move.
3. Call 911 – get the police there as quickly as possible. You may need a referee between you and the other driver. Also, police patrol personnel are familiar with car accident scenes and can properly assist in assessing who is at-fault from evidence that you may not be aware of or able to comprehend in your weakened and traumatized condition.
4. Assess the other driver for any injury but again, only if you are sure you should get out of the car and move around first.
5. Get the other driver’s personal information including name and address as well as their insurance policy information. Get the other vehicle’s license plate number.
6. Assess the damages to your vehicle and any other vehicle(s) involved in the accident.
7. Contrary to what many think, if you are blocking traffic, and you are able, you must move your vehicle. If you cannot move it then ask for a tow truck or other assistance in moving the vehicle so that it does not block traffic.
8. Look around to see if there are any witnesses to the accident and ask them to stay put so that the police can take their statement.
9. Take photos of any damage to your car and the other car and take photos of any skid marks or other signs of the accident on the roadway or anywhere near the crash site.
10. Call your own insurance company to “report” the accident so that a claim can be established.
11. Make a medical appointment or go the emergency room or walk-in clinic to be evaluated and establish an emergency medical condition.
12. Call 1-833-Ask – Milly – don’t give statements to any insurance company, yours or theirs, until you call me to represent you and protect your rights. Your own insurance company will try to trip you up on the initial phone call. They will do whatever they have to do to avoid paying and they have lots if tricks up their sleeves. I will advise you in this regard.
I started my career as an insurance defense attorney, so I know what they don’t want you to know and I know how to stand up for you and help make you whole again after a devastating car accident. Print out this blog and carry it in your glove compartment. Put it right there next to your insurance policy information so you don’t have to worry. An accident can happen in the blink of an eye and each moment after is precious as far as protecting your rights. A store in the direct line of the accident may have video surveillance cameras that prove you were not at fault. How the skid marks appear on the road is often a clear indicator of who is at-fault. Please do not go through this alone. I’m here for you and I care and I will fight for you with everything at my disposal. The more information you bring me, the better your case is going to be. I’m Milly Athanason and I’m your personal injury attorney, check me out at www.athanasonlaw.com.