5 Steps to Take After an Accident

At Suarez and Montero Car Accident Attorneys, our clients know they can trust our team  of highly experienced and well-informed car accident attorneys to deliver the type of  aggressive legal representation needed to take on insurance companies. If you’ve been  in any type of vehicular accident, here are 5 steps you can take: 

Step 1: If the accident was investigated by a law enforcement agency, get a copy of the  accident report. Generally, the law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction where the  accident occurred will have investigated the accident and prepared a report. Where there  is a question concerning whom to contact for the accident report, it may be necessary to  confirm the precise location of the accident to determine if it occurred inside or outside  the boundaries of a particular municipality or county. Any extra effort put forth to obtain  the accident report will be worth the trouble. Accident records are full of useful information  and leads. The formats for accident reports vary from state to state but contain similar  detailed information. For each vehicle involved in the accident, the report will include the  name, date of birth, telephone number, and address of each driver along with information  concerning each driver’s license and any restrictions to it. Details concerning the vehicles,  including make, model, vehicle identification number, body style, and license plate  number, are generally included. Identification of the owner of the vehicle, who may be  someone other than the driver, and the name, address, telephone number, and other  relevant data concerning the owner’s insurance carrier are also contained in the report.  

Step 2: Document the damage to the vehicle. Take plenty of photographs. Sophisticated  camera equipment is not necessary. Neither are the services of a professional  photographer. Plan to share several of the more dramatic photographs with the insurance  company when settling the claim. Do not rule out the possibility that there is damage to  the vehicle that is not apparent to the naked eye. Have a mechanic inspect the  undercarriage of the vehicle for damage to the frame that may not be observable in a  photograph. Check out the mechanical functions of the car so that, after it has been  repaired, it is operating as it was prior to the accident. Have your mechanic take notes for  future reference and to assure clear communications 

Step 3: Photograph any visible evidence of injuries. Expensive camera equipment and a  professional photographer are not necessary. Place a ruler along the injury in the  photograph to document the length of any contusions or abrasions. Have at least one  photograph of the injured party holding the front page of a newspaper to avoid any  question concerning when the photograph was taken. Additionally, Photograph the scene  of the accident. Try to capture skid marks, gauge marks in the asphalt, signs, objects that  may have obscured the vision of a motorist and any other physical evidence that could  be relevant to the accident. 

Step 4: Investigate the identity of any witnesses. Obtain statements from all occurrence  witnesses who support your claim. Record what the witnesses have to say after getting  their permission to do so. The best private investigators are trained to take statements. It  is possible to have the facts presented in a statement in a light most favorable to your  claim. 

Step 5: If the party who caused the accident received a traffic complaint, track the course  of any court proceedings involving the citation. If liability is clear, usually the responsible  party will simply pay the fine and plead guilty or otherwise accept responsibility for the  violation. Get evidence concerning the disposition of the traffic complaint from the court  where the case was disposed of. If the cited party should challenge the traffic complaint,  plan to attend the hearing and find out what is said under oath. 

Call our Experienced Accident Lawyer in Miami Today  

Our skilled Miami car accident attorneys will work around the clock to hold the appropriate  parties responsible for your injuries. We will fight to make sure that you get the maximum  amount of compensation owed to you. Let us review your case and discuss your legal  options. Our attorneys are ready to provide proven legal representation in pursuing your  claim and stand ready to protect your rights. We are available 24/7 to give you a free, no  risk case consultation. 

We serve clients throughout Florida including those in the following areas:  

Miami-Dade: Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead,  Kendall, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Tamiami, and Westchester.  

Broward: Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Weston;  and Palm Beach County including Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach.