10 Tips To Remember After An Orlando Car Accident

Auto accident statistics in this country indicate a slow but steady growth for accidents year after year. These accidents result in over 41,000 deaths and around 3 million injured annually. For example, there were 6,356,000 auto accidents in 2000. In 2005, the number of accidents had climbed to 6,420,000, with 2.9 million people injured and 42,636 killed. Increased traffic on our roads and highway, coupled with the distractions of mobile telecommunication devices and other factors, means that drivers are increasingly at risk for an auto accident.

In the immediate aftermath of an auto accident, whether it is a fender bender or a more serious accident with injuries, it can be very difficult to think clearly. However, the decisions you make immediately after an auto accident can have lasting consequences. It is essential to know which steps to take first, what to avoid and how to keep a clear head so that you can help yourself and others.

1. When you've witnessed or been involved in an auto accident, call 911 and alert the authorities. The sooner emergency response personnel receive a call, the sooner they arrive at the accident scene. When the emergency responders arrive, let them do their jobs by staying out of their way unless they ask for assistance.

2. Do not move the vehicles unless it is a minor collision and traffic signs instruct moving off the road. Otherwise, ask a bystander to alert oncoming traffic to protect the crash site and avoid more accidents until law enforcement agents arrive.

3. Check yourself for injuries. Make an honest assessment of your own condition. In the minutes after an auto accident, your adrenaline can mask the severity of your injuries, and you can make what may seem to be minor injuries much worse.

4. After you have checked yourself for injuries, look after others who sustained injury. Do not try to move them unless they are in immediate danger. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Auto accident victims frequently have head and neck injuries. Attempting to move them can worsen the injury.

5. If you are able, gather the contact information of everyone involved in the accident and any accident witnesses. Write down names, license plates, driver's license numbers, addresses, home and cell phone numbers, car insurance companies and policy numbers, and other pertinent information for the drivers involved and their passengers.

6. If you have a digital camera in your car or a cell phone with a camera, take pictures of the accident scene, including vehicles, weather and road conditions, the road or intersection where the accident took place from every direction, including signs or stoplights, and anything else that seems pertinent.

7. Answer the questions of the law enforcement officials honestly. Do not exaggerate details. If you don't know or can't remember the answer to a question, be honest and state that.

8. If you are relatively uninjured and do not require medical transport to a hospital, call your auto insurance agent and report the claim. Depending on the circumstances, they may or may not ask a battery of questions about the accident and will probably ask you to visit their office the next day or soon thereafter. You may have to report the accident to an answering machine if it is after business hours, but make sure to leave your name, your policy number, the time of the accident and where it happened and a brief explanation of the accident.

9. It is very important not to admit fault of any kind when talking with accident victims and witnesses. Whether you feel the accident was your fault or not, in the heat of the moment, you can say things that have lasting consequences.

10. If you suffered any injuries, you should consider contacting an experienced auto accident and personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies are notorious for asking people to settle claims on the spot and you could sign away your right to pursue future damages.

Following these steps can make a huge difference in how quickly you and others recover from the accident physically and monetarily. The cost of medical treatment, lost wages, replacement vehicles, and all the incidental costs can be high. Keeping your cool immediately following an auto accident is crucial, whether you are a party to the accident or a witness. A clear head can make a huge difference in your life and the lives of others.