In the event you become involved in a Florida car wreck, the decisions you make immediately afterward can impact you, either positively or negatively, for many months to come. One of your most important decisions should be to stay where you are until law enforcement officers arrive and give you permission to leave. If you leave too early without talking with them, you could face charges of leaving the scene of an accident or even hit-and-run, both of which are crimes in Florida.
Quickly assess yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call 911 on your cellphone if any of you shows signs of injury, particularly one to the head. Give the operator your location and request immediate emergency medical assistance as well as law enforcement assistance. If you and your passengers appear to be okay, survey all other drivers involved in the crash and their passengers for injuries. Even if everyone appears to be fine, call 911 anyhow and request law enforcement assistance.
Exchange information
While waiting for officers to arrive at the scene, exchange the following information with each driver involved in the crash:
- Name, address and phone number
- Driver’s license number and state
- License plate number and state
- Insurance company name and phone number
When speaking with the other driver(s), remain as calm as possible and do not engage in any speculation as to what happened or which of you may have been at fault for the accident. Never indicate in any manner whatsoever that you could have caused it. This is an admission against interest that could come back to haunt you later in the event someone decides to sue you.
Take pictures
If your cellphone has the capability to take photos, take pictures of each vehicle involved in the accident. Make sure your pictures include the following for each vehicle, including your own:
- Make and model
- License plate
- Signs of new damage from the accident
- Signs of prior damage
Also take pictures of the accident scene. Pay particular attention to such things as skid marks, poor road conditions and any nearby traffic lights, signs or barriers. If the accident occurred at night, photograph any nearby street or other lights, especially any that are not working properly.
Make a police report
When officers arrive, get each officer’s name and badge number. Answer their questions truthfully, but again, do not engage in any speculation as to who or what may have caused the accident. In fact, be quite careful in what you say to them. Never, under any circumstances, admit or imply that the accident was your fault. Remember, you have a constitutional right against self-incrimination. Do not volunteer any information that anyone, including officers, could use against you later as part of a civil or criminal court proceeding.
Ask the officers for their police report number and how, when and where you can obtain a copy of it. Also ask them how much you will need to pay for the report and if you must pay this amount in cash so you will be prepared when you go to pick it up.
Call your insurance company
Finally, call your own insurance company and report the accident. Remember, however, even though you faithfully pay your premiums on time, the company is not your friend when it comes to paying claims, yours or anyone else’s. Again, never indicate in any way that you caused the accident. Instead, tell the representative that officers are on the scene and conducting an investigation. Give him or her the police report number so that (s)he can obtain a copy himself or herself.
Unfortunately, as distressing as a car crash is, it may represent only the first step of what could become a long drawn-out series of events that could include acrimonious litigation. As stated, the decisions you make immediately after an accident and the way in which you conduct yourself can determine how well your life proceeds for many months to come.