If you have been injured in a car accident in the greater Tampa Bay Area, now is the time to act, and to secure the representation of an attorney. We are here to help you navigate the process, which is riddled with potholes so to speak. Professional assistance is critical but below you will find a quick checklist of what we recommend you do as soon as possible if you can’t contact an attorney right away.
Whether it is our office or another PERSONAL INJURY attorney you choose, please consider getting and asking for help. We know that this is a challenging time for you and those who love you.Contact 911 as soon as you can. Try to find somewhere safe to pull over and call 911. If you feel you need to be evaluated by a doctor, get to one as soon as possible, even if that means going by ambulance which we know can be frightening. Many times, however, doctors in the ER find things that you did not know were even going on after an accident. They are trained to find and treat your injuries. If you feel you can get home and then go to your PCP or have someone take you to a doctor that is, of course, another option. Don’t do anything that puts you or your passengers at risk after the crash. Exchange Information and Take Pictures and Videos of the scene, the cars, the traffic patterns, the signal lights and the person who hit you if possible. If the adverse driver seems intoxicated in any way, try to get videotape of him or her as long as it does not create distress at the scene. This could be very valuable evidence later in your case. Try not to forget to gather this evidence if possible while you still can. The police normally gather insurance information and talk to both drivers. However, if you see or know of any witnesses try to get their contact information so we can have one of our investigators talk to them later during the discovery process. If you can take a picture of the driver's license with his or her permission that would also be helpful. Any witness driver's licenses should also be photographed if possible, of course, if they consent. Also take photographs of any property damage to your car as well as property damage to the other driver’s car. Obviously you should file a Police Report Many times drivers who cause crashes don't want to involve the police. They offer everything from cash on the spot to promises of future repairs to your vehicle. Do not be duped by these tactics. Remember that in Florida drivers are required to report any action resulting in injury, death or property damage exceeding $500 dollars. Keep in mind that many times damage to your vehicle is not visible and passing that threshold of $500 occurs rather quickly. When the police arrive at the scene make sure that you give them all the information that you can, provide them your contact information, and get a business card from them if at all possible which should have the officer’s identification and information on it for later use. Seek Medical Care from a Professional Once everything settles down at the scene, try to seek medical care from a professional to preserve evidence of your claims and injuries. This can include visiting a hospital, an urgent care facility or even your family practitioner so that you can be physically examined by a medical professional. Of course, the doctors will create a treatment plan to make sure that your injuries are dealt with thoroughly and professionally. Obviously, try to keep copies of all of your medical records and the names of your medical providers so that our office can get copies of all of your medical records for use in your claim at a later time. Insurance companies need to have access to your medical records to see what your injuries are comprised of. Report the Accident to Your Automobile Insurance Company It's critical that you contact your insurance company as soon as possible to let them know about the accident after the crash itself occurs. Even if you think that the other driver was at fault, you still have an obligation to tell your insurance company so that they cannot use the lack of knowledge of the claim as a basis to deny your claim. You can contact our office before that process occurs so that we can notify your insurance company on your behalf. Understand that your insurance company many times will record your call. It is our recommendation that you contact an attorney before any recorded statements are taken of your rendition of the accident or your injuries. Many times insurance companies ask questions in a way that makes your case minimal and disposable. You want to avoid communicating with your insurance company without at least speaking with an attorney to understand your rights, obligations, and any pitfalls you may be facing.