What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale

After a Fort Lauderdale crash, check for injuries, assess responsiveness, and move to a safe location; use hazards and warning triangles.

Call 911, giving your exact location, the number of vehicles involved, details about any injuries, and any hazards present, while following the dispatcher's instructions.

Document the vehicles, damage, license plates, VINs, skid marks, conditions, and injuries; exchange complete contact information, license, and insurance details with the other parties involved, and gather witness information.

Seek medical care within 14 days to protect your PIP benefits.

Notify your insurer without speculating on fault, and consider reaching out to the Law Offices of Anidjar and Levine for complex issues—more steps can optimize your outcome.

For further assistance, visit a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer.

Key Takeaways

• Check for injuries, ensure everyone is responsive, move vehicles to a safe area if operable, and turn on hazard lights with warning triangles.
• Call 911 immediately; report location, number of vehicles, injuries, hazards, and follow dispatcher instructions until responders arrive.
• Document the scene with photos of vehicle positions, damage, plates/VINs, road conditions, and gather witness contacts and brief statements.
• Exchange full contact, driver's license, and insurance details; request the incident or case number from law enforcement before leaving.
• Seek medical care within 14 days to preserve Florida PIP benefits, keep all records, notify your insurer, and consider a Fort Lauderdale attorney.

Check for Injuries and Move to Safety

Act quickly but deliberately. First, assess yourself for pain, bleeding, or restricted movement, then scan your passengers. Check responsiveness by speaking calmly, tapping a shoulder, and observing breathing. If someone is unresponsive but breathing, keep them still, support the head and neck, and watch for changes. If there's immediate danger—traffic, fire, or smoke—guide mobile individuals to a safer location away from lanes.

If the vehicle is operable, move it to the shoulder or a nearby safe pull-off. Turn on hazard lights, set the parking brake, and use reflective triangles if available. Secure perimeter by positioning warning devices upstream of the scene, creating space for approaching drivers to react. Avoid standing between vehicles or in blind curves. Provide simple reassurance to those who are anxious, and prioritize children, older adults, and anyone with visible injuries. Document visible hazards with quick photos only when it's safe, then continue monitoring conditions and injuries.

Call 911 and Report the Crash

Once everyone is as safe as possible, contact 911 immediately to report the crash, even if the damage seems minor. In Fort Lauderdale, prompt reporting guarantees first responders arrive quickly, secure the scene, and evaluate anyone who may be injured. Your call activates vital public safety resources and creates an official record that supports later requirements.

When speaking with the dispatcher, stay calm and provide details clearly. State your exact location, nearby landmarks, the number of vehicles involved, and whether there are apparent injuries or hazards, such as leaking fuel or blocked lanes. Answer questions directly, avoid speculation, and follow the dispatcher's instructions until officers and medics arrive.

When law enforcement reaches the scene, continue to stay calm and cooperate respectfully. Provide details that are factual and consistent, including your identification and a brief account of what you observed. Request the incident or case number before leaving. This documentation supports accountability, protects all parties, and upholds community safety.

Document the Scene and Exchange Information

Start by methodically capturing the scene before vehicles are moved, focusing on details that preserve an accurate record of what happened. Use your phone to take photos of vehicle positions, skid marks, debris, nearby traffic controls, weather and lighting, and any visible injuries. Photograph license plates, VINs on dashboards, and close-ups of each point of impact. Record the time, exact location, and roadway direction for each vehicle.

Next, exchange information calmly and completely. Request the other drivers' full names, phone numbers, addresses, driver's license numbers, and insurance carriers with policy numbers. Verify accuracy by photographing licenses and insurance cards. If service workers or bystanders stopped to help, respectfully collect witness contacts, including names, phone numbers, and brief statements about what they saw.

Document damage to surrounding property, such as guardrails or landscaping, and note any hazards that could have contributed to the collision. Preserve your notes in a single folder, label files clearly, and back up all digital records immediately.

Seek Prompt Medical Care Under Florida's PIP Rules

With the scene documented and information secured, your next priority is timely medical evaluation under Florida's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) rules. Florida PIP covers a portion of reasonable and necessary care, but strict Medical Deadlines apply. You must seek treatment within 14 days to preserve benefits, even if you feel stable. Soft‑tissue injuries, concussions, and internal strains often emerge later; prompt evaluation protects your health and strengthens the record of causation.

Schedule an examination with an emergency department, urgent care, or licensed physician the same day, and describe every symptom. Request copies of diagnostic studies, provider notes, and treatment plans. Consistent follow‑up demonstrates cooperation and medical necessity.

Act decisively, serve your well‑being, and maintain clear records from the start.

Notify Your Insurer and Consider Consulting a Local Attorney

Pick up the phone and notify your insurance company promptly, providing a factual account of the crash, the parties involved, and any known injuries or property damage. Stick to observable details, avoid speculation, and note the claim number and the adjuster's contact information. If the insurer requests a recorded statement, schedule it after you've reviewed your notes, and never guess about medical status or fault.

Notify insurer obligations often include short deadlines, so act quickly to protect coverage. Share photos, police report numbers, and witness information, which helps the claims process move efficiently for everyone affected. If another driver's carrier contacts you, limit discussion to basic facts and refer further inquiries to your representative.

Consult attorney guidance early, especially with injuries, disputed liability, or significant vehicle damage. A Fort Lauderdale attorney can preserve evidence, manage communications, and explain Florida deadlines. This professional buffer lets you focus on recovery while ensuring your rights and benefits remain fully protected.

Conclusion

After a crash in Fort Lauderdale, you'll protect your health and rights by following a clear plan. Prioritize safety, call 911, and document the scene thoroughly. Seek prompt medical care to preserve claims under Florida's PIP rules, even if symptoms seem mild. Notify your insurer quickly, provide facts, and avoid speculative statements. When injuries or liability are contested, consult the Law Offices of Anidjar and Levine to evaluate coverage, deadlines, and evidence. For more assistance, consider reaching out to a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer. Taking decisive, informed steps helps secure your recovery and future claims.