What To Do Immediately After A Car Accident In Florida
Here are five tips:
1. Call the Police: File a Report
If you are involved in a car accident in Florida, you are legally obligated to file a report with the police if any person was killed or injured; the accident was a hit-and-run; the driver was drunk; or there was at least $500 worth of damage to the property.
Filing a police report is often a good way to create a record of the accident, and it can also help with insurance claims and any potential legal proceedings. If you are not able to file a report yourself, you may need to ask someone else to do it for you.
2. Assess Your Physical Health and That of Your Passengers
While on the phone with the 911 operator, you should look around to determine if you or any of your passengers are injured. If you are injured, you will need to seek medical attention right away. You need to tell the 911 operator the extent of injury (if any). If any of your passengers are injured, you will also need to make sure they receive medical attention.
Once you have ensured that everyone is safe and has received necessary medical attention, you can then focus on the damage to your car and the accident scene.
3. Move Your Car to a Safer Location if Possible
When you are in a car accident, it is important to take steps to protect yourself and other drivers. If you are able to move your car to a safer location, please do so. This will help avoid the risk of a secondary accident with oncoming traffic. If you are unable to move your car, please stay in the car and wait for help to arrive.
If you cannot move but one or more of your passengers are okay, you may instruct them to use reflective emergency triangles or flares to warn other drivers of your presence. You may also ask a willing passerby to help you with this.