Earlier this week, a crash between two police cruisers in Coral Gables stopped traffic. Officials said two police officers were responding to a call early Monday morning when the call got cancelled and one of the officers wound up crashing into a parked police vehicle at a residence. It happened in the area of U.S. 1 and LeJeune Road. Both cruisers were towed away. Thankfully, neither officer was hurt. The crash is under investigation.
What to Do After an Accident
Being caught up in an automobile accident is terrifying. Legal issues are probably not the first thing that comes to mind in the aftermath of an accident. Even so, the steps you take directly after a crash, can considerably change the outcome of your car accident case. That is why it is very important to take certain steps after a car accident. Below you’ll find 5 important steps you should take after a crash.
Call the Police: To start, in most states (including Florida), certain accidents that cause property damage, injury, or death require that the police be called. But in reality, you should always call the police because if the police do not conduct an accident scene investigation and issue a police report, liability issues may arise between you and the other driver(s) involved in the accident. When you obtain a full copy of the police report, it can help us determine who was actually at fault for causing the accident. In many cases, police officers issue citations to drivers who violated traffic laws. Additionally, police report usually have a diagram of how the accident likely took place.
Seek Medical Attention: If you have any symptoms after an automobile crash, you should get checked out at an emergency room or by your primary care physician just to make sure everything is alright. Remember, Florida is a no-fault state which means that while your personal injury protection coverage can cover the costs of some of those initial medical bills and treatment, you need to see a medical professional within 14 days of the accident in order to have those expenses covered under PIP.
Protect Evidence: After a crash, it is important to take pictures of the scene and any property damage in order to have it available if a lawsuit or car accident claim becomes necessary. You should take photos of the accident scene and take photos of the placement of your vehicle in relation to the other vehicle(s) involved in the crash before having them towed or moving them.
Locate Witnesses: Make sure you obtain the phone numbers of anybody who witnessed your accident. Look around to see if you see any pedestrians or if there are any shops nearby who may have video surveillance of the crash. In most cases, it is tough to get a witness to stick around and wait for the police to arrive. If you can’t convince them to stick around, try to see if they are willing to give you their contact information so that you can reach out at a later time.
Obtain Driver’s Info: This is a big one. If you can’t get the other driver’s key information, it will be difficult to find the information later on when reporting the claim to your insurance company. Make sure you get the other driver’s: name, license plate number, car registration number, automobile insurance company and policy number, and address for the driver. The good news is that all of this information will be listed on the police report which is another reason you should definitely call the police after an accident.
Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer in Miami Today!
After an accident, we understand that there are many questions and concerns about what to do next. Although nothing can undo the pain and suffering that victims and family members go through after a car crash, a skillful car accident attorney can help. At the Law offices of Suarez & Montero, we pride ourselves on being responsive to our clients’ needs and providing expert legal representation when it matters most. There are many law firms that provide special assistance for brain injury cases in South Florida, but remember, the lawyer you hire to handle your case in the State of Florida should know your rights and be skilled. Our extensive experience with all types of personal injury cases gives us the unique ability to think creatively and utilize the law to help safeguard our clients’ rights and help our clients determine when it is best to settle or when it is best to continue to fight in court. Remember, we operate on a contingency fee basis, in other words, the consultation is free, and you don’t pay a single cent, unless we win your case. Once we are hired, one of our lawyers conducts a systematic and comprehensive investigation into your case to decide the future course of action that your case deserves. Our lawyers will provide, efficiency, experience and knowledge, to get the attention your case deserves. 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.
