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Auto accidents happen every minute of every day in a nation as large as the United States. Just in Florida alone there are over 1,000 auto accidents daily. At O’Neil Injury Law, we believe that an everyday accident doesn’t have to derail your life. With the right steps, you can protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Insurance companies and at-fault parties often try to minimize payouts, leaving you with less than you deserve. That’s why taking the right steps immediately after an accident is crucial. Let’s dive into the five steps that can make or break your claim.
If you are in accident the first thing you should do is to move to a safe spot near you. Most times, auto accidents occur on busy roadways. The secondary danger after being in a car, truck or motorcycle accident is being struck by traffic around the accident scene. If possible, move your car out of the roadway. You will want to put your hazard lights on. If the car is unable to be moved, then you should move to the side of the road to avoid danger.
Now that you are in a safe location you should call 911. Get police there to document the accident and emergency medical help if there are injuries. Remember, a police report is critical to your claim.
After the police and medical crew wrap up their responsibilities, you can leave. When you leave the accident scene it is a good idea to go to the ER and get checked out. Many injures are not felt at immediately after the accident because adrenaline is pumping. Once that adrenaline wears off you can end up in serious pain. It’s a race against the clock to get diagnoses with any internal injures which may not be obvious at first.
Contact an attorney in Melbourne, Florida who specializes in auto accidents. They will guide you through the next steps you should take. At O’Neil Injury Law, we have seen many cases and dealt with every major insurance company there is. We are experts at handling this situation and guiding you along your way.
Document Everything at the Scene
Think of the accident scene as a puzzle—every piece of evidence helps build your case. What to do: Take photos: Capture vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries.
Exchange information: Get the other driver’s name, contact info, insurance details, and license plate number.
Talk to witnesses: Collect names and phone numbers of bystanders who saw the crash. Their statements can corroborate your version of events.
Remember, their other party’s insurance company and attorneys will try to minimize their involvement. It’s easy to argue against words but photo evidence is really hard to argue against.
Florida is a No-fault State
If your accident occurs in Florida, then you have no-fault coverage. This means that your insurance will cover the cost of everything right away so that you can get repairs to your vehicle and be seen by medical professionals.
Florida is one of about 12 states with a no-fault auto insurance system, meaning you deal with your insurance company initially and worry about recouping damages later. A qualified injury attorney will be your best bet at recovering the most funds possible.