Florida Personal InjuryPerkins Law Firm

What to do when you have been in a car

crash…

What to do at the crash scene #1

– At one time or another, we have all been faced with the unexpected and unwelcomed automobile collision.

– There are several things that you need to do (if possible), as soon as you can after the crash occurs:

• Move your vehicle (if possible) to the side of the road, and call 911 to report the incident. In Florida, the law enforcement agencies who will respond to the call, will either be the City Police, the County Sheriff, or Florida Highway Patrol. *You may wish to make note of the responding agency, in order to obtain a copy of the crash report from them, when prepared.

• Call your automobile insurance company and tell them what happened. *Remember, most automobile insurance companies require that their insured (you) report any and all collisions, within a specified period of time (normally 24-48 hours after collision/if possible). If you do not report the crash within the timeframe specified in your insurance policy, you may risk having your automobile insurance company reject any claim for property damage, personal injury, or other coverage(s) on your policy.

What to do at the crash scene - #2

• Take photographs at the scene – be sure to include:– Photos of Your vehicle – front, back and sides (under carriage if there is possible

frame damage); be sure to photograph any damage to the interior of your vehicle, or damage to any property being transported inside your vehicle.

– Photos of The other vehicle(s) in the collision.– Photos of The intersection or collision location ~ as roadways and intersections can

change over time. Taking photographs of the crash location will also verify the weather and lighting conditions at the time of the collision, which may also be factors.

– Photos of The people operating the other vehicle(s) involved in the crash. The appearance of the other driver(s) may change over time, and their mental and physical conditions at the time of the crash, may also be factors.

– Photos of all people at the crash scene as you may not be sure who everyone is, and they may end up being a witness for you, or against you. Having a photograph of their appearance at the crash scene may become an important tool later on with regard to your claim.

*Remember, a photograph can be worth 1,000 words – and will preserve the scene, the vehicles, and the individuals for future use in the property damage claim or in any personal injury claim.

What to do at the crash scene #3

• Get the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the crash, for future contact if needed.

• Take Notes! If you have been injured, ask a friend to take notes for you. Although you may be worried and in pain, the facts and circumstances surrounding a collision can strengthen your claim if you elect to pursue a claim in the future. Any statements made to you by anyone involved in the collision, will be very important in the future (particularly if they admit fault for the crash). Specifically, you want to note the time, place, and people present at the collision scene. Be sure to make quotes of statements or conversations you hear at the scene, and you should continue to make notes for yourself with regard to any injuries sustained, any mobility restrictions, damage to your vehicle, and the impact to your home and work life which results from any injuries sustained in the crash.

• Preserve any and all Evidence If you are hurt in the collision, it is important to obtain and preserve any and all evidence that may help your claim in the future. It is also important to act promptly since people tend to forget “key details” relating to events, and collision scenes/intersections may change over time.

*Often times, recollections will change as to what happened, and witnesses can be invaluable in proving liability, as well as the mechanism of injury for personal injury claims.

What to do after you leave the crash scene*

Meet with a Personal Injury Attorney It is very important to talk with a Personal Injury Attorney as soon as possible after a crash. He or she will explain your legal rights, and will

provide information that you need to know right away after a collision, as you will be contacted by the insurance companies for the other driver(s) in the crash, and you should know what you are legally required to disclose, and what information insurance companies are

NOT entitled to obtain.

Why retain Perkins Law Firm?• Todd R. Perkins, Esquire is the owner and Senior Partner of Perkins Law Firm in

Bradenton, Florida.• Perkins Law Firm is conveniently located on U.S. 41, just North of the Sarasota-

Bradenton Airport, at 6703 14th Street West, Suite 212, Bradenton, Florida. Phone: 941-739-1405

• Todd R. Perkins, Esquire is a Member of the American Bar Association, the Florida Bar Association, the Manatee County Bar Association, and admitted to practice in all Florida State Courts, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the United States Supreme Court.

• Perkins Law Firm has reliable and personable Personal Injury Paralegals who are available from 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., on Friday.

• Clients come first at Perkins Law Firm – and both the Attorney and his Paralegals “go the extra mile” for all of their personal injury clients.

• Perkins Law Firm handles Personal Injury cases on a Contingent Fee Basis – meaning, if no recovery is made, the client owes no fees or costs. There is no hourly fee rate for Personal Injury cases, and clients are encouraged to call often with any and all questions or concerns they have.

• Perkins Law Firm handles Personal Injury Claims anywhere in the State, with Offices in Bradenton.

Why retain Perkins Law Firm?

• Perkins Law Firm will work around your busy schedule to assist you in all aspects of your Personal Injury Claim.

• Perkins Law Firm will handle every aspect of your claim, from the giving of recorded statements, through the demand stage of your Personal Injury claim, and if no settlement is reached, Perkins Law Firm will handle every aspect of your claim in litigation, through Civil Jury Trial and verdict.

• Todd R. Perkins, Esquire is your #1 Personal Injury Advocate.• Todd R. Perkins, Esquire takes weekend appointments, with advanced scheduling.• Perkins Law Firm has a 24-Hour Phone Number (941) 739-1405, 7-Days per

week.• Todd R. Perkins, Esquire went from being a Union Pipe Fitter – to being a

Personal Injury Attorney, so he understands how “blue collar workers” feel when their lives are disrupted by the negligence of others.

DO NOT DO THIS – AFTER A CRASH!

Do not move your car unless it is safe to do so. Do not leave the scene of the crash until a law enforcement

officer tells you to do so. Do not throw away anything that could possibly be

evidence, such as a broken part from your vehicle, or something that broke inside your vehicle.

Do not discuss fault with other parties to the crash. Do not apologize to anyone after a crash, as this may be

interpreted as an admission of guilt. NEVER sign any releases or settlement agreements without

meeting with a personal injury attorney first.