What Should I Do After an Auto Accident?Written by: Jose Francisco – Miami Injury Lawyer

After an automobile accident, the ensuing moments can be highly stressful for everyone involved. There are many important concerns that should be addressed following an accident. Below is an overview of those concerns.

First and foremost should be the safety and concern for any injured individuals. If one or more individuals begin experiencing pain, then immediately call 911 to alert paramedics to your location. After calling 911, it is important to call the police to notify them of the accident.

Besides contacting the police, it is also important to document the accident. Use a camera or a phone that has camera capabilities to take photographs of any damage to your vehicle and any other vehicle that was involved in the accident. Also, take down the names, phone numbers and addresses of any witnesses, passengers and individuals involved in the accident. Try to avoid discussing the accident with other drivers or witnesses. If you admit liability, this may be used against you later. If the police complete an accident report, make sure to carefully read it for it accuracy before signing it.

After you return home from the accident, write down some notes and diagrams of how the accident occurred. Try to reconstruct the chain of events and how each vehicle was positioned before and after the accident. Also, contact your insurance agent and report the accident. Your insurance company may investigate the accident, take statements and inspect damage to the vehicles involved in the accident as part of their claims process. In order to protect your rights, you may want to contact an attorney prior to giving any statements to your insurance company. An experienced attorney can help explain the claims process and make sure you do not get taken advantage of by the insurance company.

Many times serious injuries do not manifest symptoms until days after the accident. It is important to remember that if you begin experiencing pain following an accident, then seek medical attention promptly. If you begin experiencing an injury, especially a serious one, you may want to consider contacting an attorney with personal injury experience in automobile accidents to preserve your rights.

It is also important to be wary if an insurance company contacts you and offers to settle your claim. As many injuries reach their greatest discomfort weeks or months after an accident, you shouldn’t settle a claim until you are fully compensated for all your injuries. If an insurance company provides you documents to sign, consult an attorney before signing those documents pertaining to any settlement.