What to do in a Fender Bender?

Fender Bender

Adolphe Law Group Wants You To Know

You’ve gotten into a fender bender—yikes. A fender bender is a rear-end collision and is quite common. In fact, data shows that 1.7 million rear-end collisions occur each year and cost $871 billion!

But while they’re fairly common, it doesn’t mean that this is not something to be taken seriously. Since fender benders don’t typically cause serious injuries, many people think: is it okay to just exchange contact and insurance information?

The short answer is no. Sharing just your contact and insurance information is not enough. At Adolphe Law Group, our Florida personal injury lawyers have worked with so many clients who have been involved in accidents where the other party is dishonest or unwilling to settle. Therefore, documentation and hard proof of what happened are necessary.

So, if just exchanging your contact information isn’t enough, what should you do in a fender bender? As professional auto accident attorneys at Adolphe Law Group, we recommend the following steps for fender bender:

What to Do in a Fender Bender (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’re in a fender bender, follow these 5 essential steps:

1.Stop the car and pull over

In most states, it’s against the law to leave after there was an accident, so make sure you get out of the way and turn your hazard lights on.

2.Call the police so they can file a report

This information may be essential in court later on or for your insurance claim. Another reason you should call the police is so they can get emergency care if needed and protect the accident scene.

3.Exchange information

Try not to say too much to the other party, as you don’t want any of your words to be twisted around. It is important, however, to collect each other’s personal contact information (name, address, phone, email) and driver/insurance information (license number, insurance information, make and model of the car). If there are eyewitnesses, collect their information too.

4.Call your insurance provider

Report the accident to them and use the information from the police report to back up your claim.

5.Get legal help

If things cannot be resolved through this process, you may need legal help. This is especially important if you have been injured in an accident. Call us at Adolphe Law Group to speak to one of our personal injury lawyers who can manage the details of your case.

These tips are important if you caused the accident but even more important if you did not. If you get into a fender bender and the other person insists that it’s okay just to share contact information, be very wary. Some people will not want to have to pay for damages caused by their reckless driving and give you false contact information.

To be safe, involve the authorities and get a police report completed. Then you have some hard proof of what happened should there be a need for legal action. Our personal injury lawyers at Adolphe Law Group will be able to advocate for you and get the justice you deserve.

If you want to talk to an accident attorney in Lake Worth, contact the Adolphe Law Group. We are here for you and will fight on your behalf!

10 Things to Do After a Car Accident

Driver sitting on the roadside after a car accident with damaged vehicles in the background

1. Stay at the Scene

The drivers and passengers should remain at the scene. Even though the accident might initially look like a minor collision because of no immediate obvious injury, it is important to stay and correctly assess the damages. Examine all the people involved in the car accident and ensure that they can breathe and move properly. If a person experiences serious pain, do not move them before medical help arrives. If people are injured, it is important to wait for the police and provide all the necessary information about the accident. Fleeing the scene is called “hit-and-run” and might have serious legal consequences like suspension or cancellation of your driver’s license or even imprisonment.

2. Stay Where You are/or Safely Pull Over

If you can safely keep your car where it is, don’t move it unless it is causing major traffic problems. If you have to move your car, safely pull over to the shoulder of the road.

3. Check for Injuries

Make sure that you and your passengers are OK. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 or have someone else call 911 immediately.

4. Call the Police and File a Report

No matter what, call the police and insist they come out and write a police report. It does not matter if the accident was big or small or if people were or were not injured. You want the police to interview everyone involved and document what happened. This will prevent people from trying to change their story later. Do not forget to get the police report number and the responding officer’s name and badge number.

5. Take a Lot of Pictures

If you’re physically able, take pictures immediately after the crash. It’s the best time, and it may be the only opportunity that you have. Take pictures of your car, the other person’s car, the position of the cars, any skid marks, road signs, and the surrounding area. Take pictures from different angles and distances. You want your pictures to be able to tell the story of exactly what happened and how bad the crash was.

6. Talk to Witnesses

If there were any witnesses to the accident, write down their names and their contact information.

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7. Exchange Information

Drivers that were involved in the accident should exchange valuable information like names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, insurance details, and phone numbers. If other passengers were involved, you should collect their information too. Document the accident thoroughly because this might help you prove what happened in court should you or the other party file a lawsuit.

8. Get Medical Care

Many people that have been involved in car accidents report that the pain was excruciating a day or two after the accident. The immediate shock can mask or delay serious symptoms of physical or internal injury. With this in mind, anyone involved in an accident should go to the hospital and require a detailed examination. For example, spine and head injuries can be extremely serious but not immediately apparent. If someone was dazed, confused, or unconscious after the accident, they should be immediately taken to the emergency room.

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9. Keep Detailed Files and Reports

It’s very important and highly recommended to own a file that includes all the relevant information like the names and addresses of the other parties, dates of medical visits, and claim numbers from the insurance company. The insurance company will assign a specialist that will be investigating the accident; you should add his name to your file. Document any other relevant information or details. Any data that could help the case should be kept together for easy access and will help you remain organized and clear about the matter.

10. Find a Good Lawyer Right Away

Talk to a good Florida personal injury lawyer before talking to the insurance companies. Definitely do not sign anything or provide a recorded statement without talking to a lawyer first. A good lawyer will bring you peace of mind and give you the best chance at a maximum settlement. Call us at Adolphe Law Group, where we have over 40 years of combined experience representing injured clients.