After a fender bender, you and the other driver may hop out of your vehicles to inspect the damage. It may be a huge relief to see that there is no damage, and you may feel fine. While it’s tempting to get back in your vehicle and drive away, you should make sure you take all the necessary steps to protect your legal rights.
Often, minor fender benders still produce injuries. If you don’t exchange information or report this accident, you will wind up paying for your injuries out of pocket. When you weren’t the one to cause the accident, that’s certainly not fair.
Call the Police to Report Your Fender Bender
In Florida, you must call the police to report an accident with injuries or fatalities. You don’t have to report an accident that has no visible damage, but it can protect your rights later on, especially if you discover an injury.
Once the police arrive, they will fill out an accident report and take statements from each driver. You may find that you have no injuries, which would be the best possible scenario. However, if the other driver caused the accident and medical tests reveal you have a brain injury or whiplash, you can then hold them liable for your injuries.
Exchange Information with the Other Driver
If there is no damage, you don’t have to call the police, though doing so serves as better protection of your rights. Whether you call the authorities or not, you are required by law to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. Do not apologize or blame the other driver and simply keep this interaction quick.
Get Evidence
Even if there is no visible damage on either vehicle, you should take photos of both cars. Videos can also help you pan around the area to show any weather elements or conditions that could have contributed to your fender bender. You may also get contact information for any witnesses who saw the accident.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Many people in fender benders worry about contacting their insurer because they fear that their insurance premiums will rise. In Florida, rates are high enough and it is a huge concern for most drivers. While you may not want to tell them what happened, you should always contact your own insurance company after any accident, no matter how minor.
In the event that the other driver tries to claim they are injured, they will contact your insurer. If you have not let your own insurance company know, it could cause serious problems for you down the road.
Go to a Doctor
Even in a minor accident that has no property damage, it is possible to have injuries. You likely will not need to go to the emergency room, but you should go see your doctor as soon as possible to check your health.
Delayed onset of injury symptoms is quite common since adrenaline can mask your injuries. You may not notice you’re injured until your doctor runs some tests. Car accident victims in minor collisions like this have had internal bleeding, organ damage, whiplash, brain injuries, and nerve damage. You will want to make sure you are checked for these injuries and get treated for them immediately. These medical records will document your injuries, serving as crucial evidence for your injury claim.
If you do not seek medical attention, your injury could worsen. You will also be vulnerable to having your claim rejected by the insurance company.
What Kind of Damages Can You Recover in a Fender Bender?
If you pursue a car accident claim against the other driver, you may be able to seek damages for a variety of things. However, it will depend on your medical records and prognosis. You may also be able to recover compensation for your lost wages or changes to your employment if you had to miss work.
It is important to understand that even car accident victims in minor accidents can suffer emotional trauma. If you are terrified of getting into a car after the accident, it is important that you seek treatment. You may need an attorney to show how this has affected your mental health and seek damages for you.