Florida welcomes around 140 million visitors a year. Many people visiting the sunshine state hire cars to get around, so they can visit attractions like the Florida Keys. Yet crashes are common. Florida recorded 397,620 crashes in 2022, which involved 678,783 drivers. That’s around 1,089 crashes per day. Alcohol was a factor in 5,262 crashes, 388 of them fatal.Â
Being in a car accident while traveling can be scary and overwhelming. When you are far from home in an unfamiliar area, it can be challenging to know how to handle the situation properly. Following some key steps can help make the claim process smoother.Â
Assess the Situation
According to the Melbourne car accident lawyers at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law, the first thing you need to do after a car accident is assess the situation. Make sure that you and any passengers are uninjured. If there are injuries, call emergency services right away. Even if the injuries seem minor, the adrenaline of the accident may mask more serious conditions, so it’s better to err on the side of caution.
If both vehicles are drivable and there are no injuries, move the cars off the roadway onto the shoulder or a safe nearby location. This will help prevent secondary accidents and allow traffic to continue flowing. Turn on your hazard lights and set up road flares or warning signs if you have them.
Check on Other Driver
After ensuring that you and your passengers are alright, check on the condition of the other driver. Ask if they need medical assistance and call emergency responders if necessary. Even if the other driver was clearly at fault, restrain any urge to be confrontational or angry – your top priority should be making sure that everyone involved gets the help they need.
Exchange Information
If the police do not come to the accident scene, be sure to exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver. Get their name, phone number, insurance details, and driver’s license number. Also provide them with your own information. If there are passengers in the other vehicle, get their contact information as well in case they need to make an injury claim later.
File a Police Report for your car Accident
Even if emergency responders did not come, report the accident to the local police department. Call the non-emergency number and provide details like location, parties involved and a description of what happened. Ask the police if they can file an official report of the incident. Having a formal report is useful when filing insurance claims later.
Notify Your Melbourne Insurance Company
Contact your auto insurance provider as soon as possible to inform them that you have been in an accident. Provide details like the date, location, other driver’s information and a brief description of damages and injuries.Â
Notify the Rental Car Company
There are 3,362 car rental businesses in the US. If you are in an accident while driving a rental or hire car, you will need to notify the rental car company in addition to the steps mentioned above. Complying with rental company policies is important for ensuring you handle the incident properly according to the terms of your rental contract.
Talk to a Florida Car Accident Lawyer
It is wise to contact an attorney after being in an accident away from home. A lawyer in the area where the accident occurred can help protect your rights, deal with local laws and procedures, communicate with insurance companies, and make sure you get fairly compensated. They can handle complicated legal processes so you can focus on recovering from the accident.
Being in an auto accident far from home can easily ruin your trip. Following these key steps can help ensure everyone involved gets proper medical care while also documenting the incident through police reports and insurance claims. Staying calm and focused on the critical tasks will allow you to handle the situation safely and effectively.