The Reality of Highway Accidents

We’re not trying to frighten you or to make you nervous. If you’re a safe and attentive driver, you’re doing your part to remain safe. With that said, part of being a responsible driver is to be prepared should an accident happen, and we’re here to give you the tools to make sure you are.

Staying Safe in the Immediate Aftermath

Once you’ve taken stock of how everyone is doing, call 911 immediately. This is crucial even if everyone seems to be completely fine, as highway safety professionals will need to direct traffic in order to keep everyone else on the highway safe. If it’s safe to do so, stay put until the police arrives. If staying put would place you in danger, move to the side of the road or a safer location as soon as you can.

The most important thing to do is seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident, even if nobody seems to have any serious injuries. Car accidents–especially high-speed ones–can cause a great deal of physical stress, and shock may prevent you from feeling the full extent of any injuries for minutes or hours. See a doctor to make sure you’re not missing anything potentially life-threatening.

Documentation on the Scene

• Any damage done to your vehicle
• The license plates of every car involved
• Any injuries sustained by yourself or others

It’s also a good idea to take note of the badge numbers of the officers who arrive at the scene. If possible, ask them if they have the number of your accident’s police report available. If so, write that down. If not, contact the police station within a few days and ask for the report based on your information and the officers’ badge numbers.

Protecting Yourself Once You’ve Left the Scene

Be sure to document all of the expenses you incur in the face of an accident, including towing and impounding, mechanics’ fees, insurance deductibles, missed hours from work, and medical expenses. Keep thorough records and ledgers of everything.

Highway accidents can carry a huge financial impact, and they put you in greater physical risk, too. If you were involved in an accident and were not at fault, this increased risk plays a part in your legal outcome: you could be entitled to a larger settlement due to the increased risk you were placed in. This is why it’s so important to speak to a trustworthy attorney in the aftermath of an accident–especially if you were not at fault. Don’t bear the financial, physical, and emotional burden of a highway accident on your own. Speak to a legal professional so that you’re aware of your options and equipped to take the action you need in order to get justice.

What to Do Now

• Police reports
• Witness statements from any passenger or passersby, if possible
• Copies of all expenses associated with the accident, from mechanics’ bills to medical bills.
• Mechanics’ reports on the condition of your car and needed repairs
• Documentation of missed work/reduced paychecks due to the accident
• Additional expenses incurred as a result of the accident, including childcare, pet boarding, physical therapy, counseling, etc.

Documentation is your best friend if you’re interested in seeking justice, and so is a great attorney.

Be sure to speak to a lawyer who has a successful track record of advocating for families in Tampa Bay. It’s also a good idea to make sure that they are a contingency-based attorney, meaning you don’t get charged a dime unless your case is won. You deserve the peace of mind that comes with getting justice, and a great attorney will do their best to make sure you get it.