
For many, the most overwhelming part of being involved in an accident is not the initial collision, but rather the aftermath and dealing with insurance. As such, if you are involved in an accident, having a clear understanding of what information you are required to exchange is critical. Additionally, you should familiarize yourself with the importance of working with a Broward County auto accident attorney to discuss your legal options. The following blog explores what you should knwoabotu these difficult matters.
What Information Should I Exchange After a Collision?
After a collision occurs, it’s incredibly important to gather the insurance information of all parties involved in the accident. Doing so is not only a legal requirement, but it’s imperative to ensure you can file a claim to fight for the damages you are entitled to. It’s also important to understand that even if it seems clear that the other party is at fault, both drivers are required to exchange insurance information. As such, you should collect and provide the following:
- Full name
- Address and phone number
- Insurance carrier and policy number
- Vehicle information, like the make, model, year, color, license plates, and VIN
In Florida, you are legally required to contact the police to report an accident in the event of injury or death, property damage exceeding $500, or when the vehicle needs to be towed. However, regardless of the circumstances, you should contact the police as they can help ensure you receive the correct information from the other driver while also directing traffic around the accident to help prevent further damage.
If the driver responsible for the accident flees the scene without providing their insurance information, you should not follow. Though you may want to ensure you get the justice you deserve, you should remain at the scene, call the police, and give the operator as much information about the other driver as possible.
What Other Steps Should I Take to Protect Myself?
Once you have obtained the necessary information from the other driver, you can take additional measures to protect yourself. Generally, one of the most important things you can do is seek medical treatment. Even if you feel okay, your injuries may be masked by the adrenaline in your body. Additionally, if you delay medical care, the negligent party can use it against you to reduce the value of your damages by claiming you failed to mitigate damages.
If you are physically able to, you should take photos and videos of the accident scene. This includes the damage to both vehicles, road conditions, any visible injuries you’ve sustained, and the weather conditions, as this can all provide valuable insight into the cause of the accident.
Finally, following the accident, you should contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Unfortunately, many assume they can navigate these matters on their own, which is far from the truth. In reality, you’ll find that navigating a car accident claim without legal guidance can be incredibly difficult. As such, the team at the Finizio Law Group is ready to assist you through this process to fight for the compensation you deserve. When you need help, our team is here. Reach out today to discuss your circumstances with a member of our firm.