Nobody plans to get into a crash. But having a plan of action if you ever end up in a collision can make coping with the tragic incident a little more tolerable.
Taking careful actions can help build a solid personal injury claim if the time comes. Specifically, here are four things to do if you or a loved one wind up on the side of the road in disarray or disbelief:
- Speak, but speak selectively: You don’t want to leave before checking if the other driver needs immediate medical help and exchanging contact information with them. It can also be helpful to take notes from anyone who may have witnessed the crash and offer your side of the story to a police officer. However, don’t admit fault, even if you are partially to blame.
- Snap pictures: Collecting as much evidence as possible will benefit a compensation case. One of the easiest ways to do this is to take photos with your phone, documenting the scene, the damage to each vehicle and any visible injuries.
- Signal for help: Public safety officials will be able to file an official report of the crash and help coordinate care for anyone critically injured. It’s also lawful to call for help in most Florida crashes.
- Stay put: If you are mobile, moving your vehicle away from the traffic flow is best to prevent a chain-reaction crash and further protect yourself. But don’t travel too far away from the scene to the point where it may look like a hit-and-run took place.
The details that lead to each personal injury incident vary case-by-case. So, after getting a medical examination, no matter how minimal your injuries seem, it’s essential to consult an experienced personal injury attorney to know what to do after reaching safety.