Automobile accidents are just a fact of life, unfortunately. The state of Florida has over 15 million drivers on the road. This large number of people behind the wheel means that accidents are bound to occur. It is a mathematical certainty. Knowing what to do immediately after an accident is a good bit of knowledge to have in your toolkit.
An auto accident may be the most jarring event that will ever happen to you. It is scary and can be deadly. If you are in an accident, it is a good idea to do these things in order:
- Try to remain calm. Being panicked does not help at all.
- Assess the situation. Do you need to apply tourniquets or perform emergency first aid?
- Move away from danger. Get off the road and avoid traffic.
- Call the authorities. You will want to document the accident and have an official record of it.
- Call an attorney.
The last one may seem like an optional instruction but in our professional opinion, it is not. Regardless of the damage or whose fault it is, it may be a good idea to contact an attorney in order to protect yourself. Everything is done through the court system after the car accident and an attorney is your liaison into this world.
Car Accidents in Florida Statistics
In 2023, 391,428 crashes occurred in Florida. 250,037 people were injured in crashes and there were 3,331 deaths. As you can tell by this number, that is a very large group of people affected by auto accidents. Contacting a licensed auto accident attorney in Florida if you are in an accident is a must.
You may entitled to damages of which you are not aware. Not only that, but the attorney will assess the long term damages from your accident and sue to make you whole. Going at it alone is simply ill-advised. Remember, we only get paid if you win a settlement or judgement. The vast majority of cases never reach the courtroom and are settled out of court.