Steps to Take After a Car Accident

When a crash happens, your brain goes foggy fast, and that’s normal. In this guide, we discuss what to do right after a car accident to protect your rights and your compensation.

What to Do After a Car Accident in A First Minutes

The first minute sets the tone for everything that follows. Keep calm and do the following:

1. Check for injuries and call the police.
2. Move to safety if you can; turn on hazards.
3. But Stay at the Accident Scene.
4. Ask for police and get the crash report number before you leave.
5. Exchange info with other driver and witnesses.
6. Start collecting evidence: photograph everything (vehicles, plates, road, skid marks, signs, weather, injuries).
7. Speak in facts. Avoid apologies, guesses, or blame.

Florida law decides when you must stay, report the accident, when police must file a long-form report, and what counts as “leaving the scene.” Because leaving the accident scene is a crime in case of injury or death (under §316.027), and property damage (under §316.061).

In Florida, you must report any crash with injury or death, or with apparent property damage of $500+ to law enforcement “by the quickest means of communication.” That’s the driver’s duty under §316.065(1). If no officer takes a report at all, the driver must file a written self-report within 10 days on a state-approved form.

If You’re Hurt in the Accident, Do This

The next few minutes can protect your health and make sure your injuries are actually reflected in the police and EMS records.

1. Stay still if you have neck/back pain, numbness, severe headache, or dizziness. Don’t try to “walk it off.” Ask someone to call 911 and wait for EMS.
2. Say every symptom to officers and EMTs, even “minor” ones (seatbelt bruising, headache, ringing ears, nausea, vision issues, tingling, pain with movement) so they’re documented.
3. Ask that your pain complaint is noted in the crash report; get the report number before you leave.
4. Give EMS a quick medical snapshot: meds, allergies, conditions (e.g., blood thinners), pregnancy.
5. Don’t self-drive. Accept transport or arrange a ride; concussion symptoms can escalate.
6. Preserve evidence: photograph visible injuries, bag damaged clothing/personal items, and avoid washing off marks until photographed.
7. Grab your records: ask for discharge papers and imaging copies (or portal access).

Speak up, get it written down, and don’t risk moving injuries. With your symptoms documented at the scene, you’re ready to collect the right information from the other driver.

Exchange Info at the Scene

If you are able to move securely, you can do advanced steps after the accident already to protect your rights. You’ll use this to open claims, find witnesses, and prove who owned/insured each car.

Get from the other driver (photos work best):

1. Full name and phone/email
2. Driver’s license (front) and license plate number
3. Car Insurance information(company, policy number, claim phone). Do compare the name on the license with the insurance card.
4. Vehicle: make/model/color, VIN (door jamb or insurance card)
5. Registration (if handy)
6. For commercial vehicles: company name, unit/DOT #, employer contact

Also capture:

1. Get witnesses’ information: names, phone/email, a one-line summary of what they saw; ask them to wait for the officer. If they can’t, record a quick voice memo or text from them. Note nearby cameras (businesses, doorbells).
2. Police agency & report/incident number
3. Tow truck/company info (if any)

Do photograph documents instead of hand-copying. hose details unlock coverage and speed up claims.

Never tell anyone at the scene that the car accident was your fault. Don’t tell anyone that you aren’t injured and don’t apologize. Any of these statements could come back to haunt you if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit later.

Reporting the Accident to Insurance

Report to your own insurer as soon as possible. Ideally, the same day or within 24 hours. Most policies require “prompt” notice, and Florida PIP benefits flow through your policy, so early notice helps. If you’re in the ER or can’t call, do it as soon as you’re able (or we can report for you).

Who to notify:

• Your insurer: file a claim (property damage and PIP).
• The other driver’s insurer: optional. Let us handle it so you don’t give statements that box you in.

What to provide (keep it lean):

• Date/time, location, vehicles/plates, police report number, and known injuries.
• Photos you’re comfortable sharing (we can curate these).

What to avoid:

• Recorded statements before legal advice.
• Guesses about speed, fault, or injuries.
• Blanket medical authorizations for the other carrier.

Ask for the adjuster’s name, claim number, and email so you can follow up in writing. Tell your insurer quickly with just the essentials, route adjusters to us, and skip recorded statements until we’re on the line. You might do a simple statement that would be enough:

“Hi, I’m reporting a crash. Here are the basics and the police report number. I’ll provide a formal statement after I’ve spoken with my attorney. Please note all communication can go through my attorney at [firm number/email].”

See a Doctor Within 14 Days

Florida’s PIP law gives you benefits, but only if you start care within 14 days and keep simple proof of your treatment.

• Qualifying providers include ER, urgent care, MD/DO, IME, chiropractor, and dentist.
• Soft-tissue and concussion symptoms can be delayed. Go anyway.
• Keep receipts, discharge notes, and a simple symptom log.

You protected your health and preserved PIP. With care underway, it’s time to control the conversation with insurers so you don’t step on landmines.

Special Situations

Edge cases need fast, specific actions so you don’t lose proof or coverage.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Call 911. Photograph damage, note even partial plates and vehicle details, and ask nearby businesses for video. If you carry UM, it can step in.

Uninsured/Underinsured Driver (UM/UIM)

We evaluate both policies. UM/UIM can cover medical bills, wage loss, and pain/suffering when the at-fault driver’s policy comes up short.

Parking-Lot/Minor Fender-Bender

Document like any crash. Call police if there are pain complaints, DUI suspicion, a wrecker is needed, or a commercial vehicle is involved.

Call a Lawyer After a Florida Car Accident and Here’s How We Help

After a crash, your energy is better spent on healing, so we take the heavy lift from day one. Within the first 24–72 hours, we:

1. Shield you from adjuster tactics and control any statements so your words aren’t used against you.
2. Coordinate medical care inside the 14-day PIP window, track bills/records, and set up follow-ups.
3. Secure evidence fast, and send preservation letters when needed.
4. Manage property damage (repairs/total loss), help with rental, and push for deductible reimbursement when you weren’t at fault.
5. Identify all coverage (at-fault BI limits, your UM/UIM, med-pay, and any commercial policies), so no money is left on the table.

As your case progresses, we:

• Build the medical proof (diagnoses, imaging, treatment plans) and document lost wages, including PTO/FTO used because of the crash.
• Value your full claim calculating medical bills, future care, wage loss, property damage, and pain and suffering, and negotiate from evidence, not guesswork.
• Keep you updated and only settle when it makes sense for you.

Small choices after a crash have big consequences. Take the right steps early to protect your health, your benefits, and the value of your claim. If anything feels uncertain, call us first: our car accident lawyers across Florida, serving West Palm Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Fort Myers, Port St. Lucie, are ready 24/7 to step in, deal with insurers, and move your case forward. Focus on healing; we’ll take care of the rest.