This article offers advice from a Stuart, FL personal injury and car accident attorney, Tim Nies, on steps to follow after a Stuart car accident.
Seek medical attention right away.
The first step to follow after a Stuart FL car accident is that if you do not require EMS transport from the scene, make an appointment with your primary doctor right away, or go to the ER or an urgent care center. There are multiple urgent care centers in Martin County, Florida, such as Cleveland Clinic Urgent Care, Treasure Coast Urgent Care, and many others. Remember, you may not feel the effects of the crash until some time after the crash. This is why I highly recommend getting checked out by a medical doctor, even if you are just feeling sore. Further, the medical providers can bill your auto insurance company (PIP).
While at the scene, if you are able to, take photographs and videos of the scene of the crash, of your vehicle, and especially of other vehicles involved in the crash.
Photographs and videos will play a critical role in an auto accident trial before a Martin County jury. Take photos and videos of all areas of the vehicles. Before your car is repaired, make sure you have first spoken with a personal injury attorney.
Take photographs of your injuries if possible.
For instance, if you have bruising from the seatbelt, take photographs of the bruising. Your attorney will use these photographs to prove you were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the automobile accident and to show the force of the impact. This is particularly so in rear-end collisions.
Contact your insurance carrier to report the motor vehicle crash.
However, do not speak with an insurance company representative from the other driver’s motor vehicle insurance company. It is best to speak with a Stuart personal injury attorney first before contacting your auto insurance company.
Keep up with your doctor appointments and follow the advice of your doctor.
One of the most important steps to follow after a Stuart Car Accident is obtaining medical care and following up with your doctor. For instance, if your doctor prescribes physical therapy to attend following the motor vehicle crash, attend the sessions as directed. Missing medical appointments may impact your case.
Contact a Stuart, Florida personal injury lawyer to discuss additional steps to follow after a Stuart car accident.
The last step to follow after a Stuart FL car accident is to seek legal advice. It is beneficial to retain a Stuart injury attorney early on to offer advice, obtain medical records, speak with witnesses to the automobile crash, and conduct an investigation. Your Stuart, FL accident attorney may also speak with the other driver’s insurance company as well as your own.
For more information on steps to follow after a Stuart car accident, contact our lead personal injury attorney, Tim Nies, of Van Riper and Nies Attorneys, at 772-283-8712 at any time for a free consultation. Our Stuart personal injury law office is located at 900 SE Ocean Boulevard, Suite 140-E, Stuart, FL 34994. From our Stuart office, we represent clients injured in auto accidents in Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, Jupiter, Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Fort Pierce, and Vero Beach, Florida.