Being involved in a car accident can be an overwhelming situation. However, you must remain mindful of following certain procedures in the events that come afterward. This is because doing so will only help you in the long run when it comes to your car accident claim with your insurance company and your potential personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. Read on to discover what common mistakes you should avoid when filing your car accident claim and how a seasoned Pasco County, Florida car accident lawyer at Wendy Doyle-Palumbo, Esq. can guide you in the right direction.
What steps should I follow immediately after my car accident?
You may be tempted to leave the scene of your accident as soon as possible, so as to put this devastating experience behind you. However, doing so would be a mistake, as there are pivotal pieces of information here that you must collect for your car accident claim. With that being said, below are the steps you should follow immediately after your car accident:
- Call the police: an officer will come to the scene to conduct an accident report and to call for medical attention.
- Capture the scene: you should take photos and videos of your injuries, your car’s damages, and any hazards that played a role in your accident. Ask the same of witnesses.
- Collect contact information: you should ask the other party for their name, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance company name, insurance policy number, etc. Ask similar of witnesses.
- Attend medical treatment: you should attend the ambulance that arrived on the scene. You should also go to the hospital afterward and schedule follow-up appointments with your physician as needed, and collect medical records and bills along the way.
What are common mistakes to avoid when filing a car accident claim?
You do not want to make the mistake of leaving the scene of your accident too early. And in addition, you will want to avoid making any of the following mistakes when filing your car accident claim:
- Discarding your medical records or medical bills.
- Exaggerating your injuries to your physician or insurance company.
- Talking about your injuries on social media.
- Missing the deadline for filing your car accident claim.
With all that being said, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is proceeding without legal representation from a competent Pasco County, Florida injury lawyer. Our team will protect you and ensure that your insurance company is not taking advantage of you. So, whenever you are ready, schedule an initial consultation with our firm.