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NOT YOUR FAULT… Unfortunately, accidents happen every day throughout Miami and a majority of them are caused by another’s reckless or careless actions. This is not your fault. If this happens to you, then you need to know what to do to protect yourself and rights.

Below are some steps to keep in mind if you are in an accident that is not your fault.

Right After the Accident: Check for Injuries
Take a breath (you cannot help anyone if you are stressed or frantic). Then, check on those involved—including yourself. If you have injuries that are severe or life-threatening, get immediate medical attention. The same goes for all other drivers and passengers.

Make Sure You Are Safe
Make sure everyone is as out of the way as possible to prevent further damage or injury. If the vehicles are in the middle of the roadway, move them out of traffic if you can. Otherwise, don’t mess with the location of the vehicles. Preserving the accident scene is important, too.

As Soon As Possible: Call the Police
The laws on reporting an accident vary slightly by state, but fleeing an accident scene is a crime everywhere.

While Waiting for Police: Gather Information
If police come to the scene, they will get information from both you and the other driver(s). However, it is not a bad idea to also collect this information yourself.

Gather the following:

• Name, phone number, and address of all drivers
• Insurance company name and policy number for all drivers
• Pictures of the accident scene, injuries, and vehicle damage
• Contact information from any witnesses

Even though the at-fault driver is responsible for reporting a car accident to their insurance company, they may not always to this. By gathering the information yourself, you will help prove the accident happened and have the document that show the resulting damage. This information is also helpful when you file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance.

Tell Your Insurance Company
In an ideal world, you would simply report the incident and the at fault driver’s insurance company would promptly compensate you for all of your damages. Unfortunately it is rarely as easy as it should be. Insurance companies (even yours) are for-profit businesses that are always looking to reduce their bottom line.
You should expect some pushback from the at-fault driver’s insurer. They may:

• Offer you a much lower settlement amount
• Try to blame you for the accident in whole or in part
• Deny your claim altogether

To help protect yourself, let your insurance company know about the accident. At the very least, it will establish good faith with them and alert them in case the other driver’s insurer denies all responsibility for your accident. If you are worried about doing or saying the wrong thing, a car accident attorney can help you do this.

Get Medical Treatment
Once you leave the scene, see a doctor as soon as you can. You should do this even if you feel okay as some car accident injuries, such as whiplash, take time to develop. You might not feel them right away, but a checkup by a doctor can ensure proactive treatment.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Good or bad, insurance companies typically offer lowball offers and dispute your compensation. You will have to fight for your rights to get full compensation. This is where we can help.