Orlando Car Accident Lawyers

What to Do After a Car Accident 

Taking these steps can put our attorneys in a stronger position to help you secure compensation. Furthermore, the sooner you are able to reach out to our office, the sooner we can assist you with all of these important steps. 

Contact the Police

In the high-traffic corridors of Southwest Orlando, municipal boundaries dictate which law enforcement agency responds to your crash. If your collision occurs on the local segments of Interstate 4 or near the theme park exits, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) will typically handle the dispatch and report logging. 

However, if the crash takes place on local arterial roads within the city limits, such as the busy commercial intersections along Sand Lake Road, Kirkman Road, or Universal Boulevard, the Orlando Police Department or the Orange County Sheriff's Office will manage the scene. 

Noting exactly which agency arrives is critical, as you will need to contact their specific regional records division to secure your initial driver exchange forms and official crash reports.

While waiting for help to arrive, refrain from moving your vehicle unless leaving it poses a greater safety risk. Move to a safe area and stay out of traffic.

Seek Medical Care

If you feel even the slightest bit injured, accept medical care. You may not realize you're injured until the next day or later, and a doctor or medical staff may catch injuries, such as a concussion, early on. If you don't want to ride to the hospital in an ambulance, have a friend drive you for a complete examination.

Collect Contact Information

Collect the names, phone numbers, addresses, license plate numbers, and insurance information from everyone involved in the collision, along with information from any potential witnesses who might testify on your behalf.

Photograph the Accident Scene

If you have a camera, photograph the accident scene from all angles. Any injuries you or your passengers sustained should be photo-documented as well. We may be able to use these photographs as evidence.

Take Notes 

Write down details about your car accident, such as the events leading up to it and the weather and road conditions. Memories fade, so these notes play an important role in your injury claim. Document the extent of your injuries, any pain you experience, treatments received, and any missed work.

Request a Police Report

The police report will contain notes regarding your accident, including when it occurred, the weather conditions, and the location of the scene, along with the officer's opinion on fault. All of this is information that can help when negotiating with the insurance company or at trial. The police report is typically given a high degree of credibility, as an objective and informed observation of the accident scene.