Immediately following your involvement in a car accident, you may feel embarrassment and shame, not wanting any more people to witness it besides those already present. However, you cannot and should not neglect dialing 911, so that a dispatcher may send a law enforcement accident to the scene. To reemphasize, there is little to no excuse for not doing so. Without further ado, please follow along to find out the importance of calling the police and how a proficient Tampa car accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can help you better understand the major players for your personal injury claim.
What is the significance of calling the police after a car accident?
Most significantly, a police officer responding to the scene of your car accident may lead to them filling out an official accident report. That is, this report details the makes and models of the involved vehicles; statements from involved drivers and eyewitnesses regarding the accident event; and an officer’s expert opinion on who or what was the catalyst of this accident event; among other things. Overall, the information disclosed within this report may be groundbreaking evidence for your potential, future personal injury claim. This is why you should ask an officer for a copy of it while you are still at the scene.
Importantly, you should not view calling the police as an option of yours, but rather as your obligation. This is because, in the state of Florida, it is technically illegal to leave your car accident unreported if any of the involved parties were injured or incurred property damages. Otherwise, your motives may be questioned as a hit and run, which may prompt serious fines and criminal charges. In the end, it may even disqualify your civil claim.
What is the importance of calling medical attention to the scene of your accident?
A police officer at the scene of your car accident may soon ask if you would like to receive medical attention. With this, they may dispatch an ambulance with emergency medical technicians and paramedics to the scene. You must consent to this for two reasons, the first one being your physical health. Upon the impact of your car collision, you may have incurred serious bodily injuries that have not yet risen to the surface. So, first responders may give you an initial evaluation and then transport you to the emergency room for further medical examinations.
Secondly, receiving medical attention straight away is for the betterment of your potential, future personal injury claim. This is because the date of your medical records and bills may match the date of your car accident. Further, this may prove your argument that your injuries directly resulted from the defendant’s negligence in your accident. In conclusion, a talented Tampa auto accident lawyer can help kickstart your legal action today. Our team at Merricks Law Group, P.A. will happily take on your case.
