But if you are.... There
are steps you should take......
Report the accident
to the police as soon as possible after the
accident.
Do not move your
automobile from the position it came to rest
in after the accident, unless otherwise advised by the
police, or safety considerations require its removal.
Exchange information
with the other drivers, including year, make,
model, license and ownership of automobile. Obtain the
address and telephone number of each driver, their insurance
company and policy.
If there are witnesses
to the accident, obtain their names, addresses,
and telephone numbers.
If you are injured,
even if only to a minor degree, seek and obtain
the best available health care.
Report the accident
to your automobile insurance company as soon
as feasible whether or not you believe you were at fault.
If you have been injured, request that your insurance
company provide you with forms to apply for medical
and wage benefits as needed.
Do not give any
statements to representatives of insurance companies
other than your own. Specifically, do not discuss
the circumstances of the accident or your injury or
otherwise provide a statement over the telephone or
in person to insurance company representatives, without
the benefit of legal counsel.
If your automobile
was damaged and you believe that you are responsible
for the automobile accident, make a claim under
your automobile insurance policy for repair or replacement
of your automobile (collision coverage) subject to the
applicable deductible, and for the costs that you incur
in obtaining temporary transportation while your automobile
is being repaired (rental reimbursement coverage).
If your automobile
was damaged and you believe that the other driver was
responsible for the accident and you do not
have collision and / or rental vehicle reimbursement
insurance coverage or you would prefer not to make a
claim against your insurance company, due to the necessity
to pay a deductible, consider making a claim for the
repair or replacement of your automobile and / or rental
vehicle with the other driver's insurance company. Do
not communicate with the other driver's insurance company
without the benefit of legal counsel.
If you have been
injured and require medical attention, you
should make a claim under your automobile insurance
policy for payment of health care expenses and reimbursement
of lost wages, if any, regardless of whether or not
you were at fault. Other forms of insurance may be used
to supplement health care expenses and wage loss not
covered by your automobile insurance policy.
Obtain photographs
of visible bodily injury, the accident scene and automobiles.
Make sure to photograph all visible damage, tire skid
marks, obstructing vegetation, traffic control signage,
and defective conditions in the roadway, if any.
Retain all documentation,
including the traffic accident information sheet provided
by the police, estimates for the repair of your automobile,
charges incurred for your rental automobile, if any,
and all expenses incurred in connection with health
care that you receive.
If you have any questions, please feel free
to contact me.
George M. Stark, P.A.
Attorney at Law
(813) 221-6889 Tampa
(813) 991-6161 Welsey Chapel
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