If you are ever in a serious wreck, knowing the steps to take after an Orlando car accident can have a big impact. Keeping your wits about you after a sudden shock like a vehicle crash might be challenging, but keeping certain principles in mind can be of great benefit to you.
Even if you make mistakes, an experienced car accident attorney at The Florida Firm can probably mitigate any damage you might have done to your case. At Colling Gilbert Wright, we are well-known for our legal skills and aggressive advocacy for our clients. We are honored that most of our clients come as referrals from former clients or other professionals we have worked with in the past—a vote of confidence we take seriously and strive to earn every day.
What Are the Most Important Steps to Take Immediately After a Wreck?
If you are badly hurt and have lost consciousness, stay where you are and do nothing until emergency medical services (EMS) arrive. The same advice applies if you remain conscious but believe you have significant injuries.
If you do not think you are badly injured and can exit your vehicle safely, check on others involved in the wreck and administer first aid if needed. Contact the police if no one else has called them.
Lock your dashcam if you have one, and if your vehicle needs to be towed, remove the SIM card. Note the exact time, location, and weather conditions; take photos of the crash scene and all the damage to the involved vehicles, and make a written or recorded note of your perception of what happened. All this information can be valuable when our Orlando attorneys investigate the wreck.
Get Professionals Involved Quickly
The most important step you must take after a crash is to get medical attention immediately. Take an ambulance if EMS offers transport to the hospital, even if you are afraid your insurance will not cover it. Otherwise, find someone to drive you to an emergency room or urgent care center, and take this step even if you do not feel that you have serious injuries.
Failing to get a prompt medical screening can lead to two problems. First, you may have injuries that are not yet producing symptoms but require identification and treatment. Second, the medical record generated on the day of the crash connects your injuries to the accident and can provide proof that the injuries you complain of are real.
You should also contact an Orlando lawyer immediately after the crash. When you report the accident to your insurer, you will be asked to make a recorded statement. You should never do so before talking the incident through with an attorney. You may decide to let a legal professional handle all the early communication with your insurance company.
Say as Little as Possible
Everything you do or say after an auto accident is potential evidence in a compensation claim. You must keep this fact at the front of your mind until your claim is resolved.
At the scene of the accident, do not discuss how or why the crash occurred with anyone, including the responding police officers. You can and should answer their questions factually without giving your opinion about why it occurred. Be cautious even when texting family, friends, or co-workers about the crash.
Avoid posting anything about the wreck on social media. In fact, it is best to avoid social media entirely if you can, because even posts that have nothing to do with the crash could haunt you later. For example, if you are claiming compensation for whiplash but post videos of a night out dancing soon after the crash, the post could undermine your claim.
Be Candid With Your Attorney
Although saying nothing is the best policy with everyone else, be frank when talking to your attorney. The insurance companies for the other involved parties will be looking for evidence that you were at least partially at fault.
Florida Statutes § 768.81 reduces or even eliminates other parties’ liability to you if you were partially at fault for the wreck. Our skilled lawyers from The Florida Firm in Orlando can counter these attempts effectively if they know that you may have some responsibility for the crash.
Ready to Take the First Step? Call Our Attorneys After a Car Accident in Orlando
Following the steps to take after an Orlando car accident helps us present the strongest case for compensation, if the circumstances permit. We never take money from you until we win your case, so reach out to our team at Colling Gilbert Wright today.