WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN FLORIDA?
Car accidents are scary. Period. They can be life-changing events that can leave victims traumatized and dealing with injuries.
Oftentimes, victims are forced to face the conseuquence of these accidents on their own. It may seem unfair, like there is no one in your corner. After all, these insurance providers are not your friends. They are mainly concerned with their profits and decreasing their liabilities, not with your best interests.
That is why if you are involved in an accident, you must be ready and take a few critical steps right away to ensure your interests are preserved.. Not only may what you do right after an accident affect your wellness, but it can also damage your legal case. In this blog, we’ll go through the critical actions to take following a car accident injury in Florida.
Safety measures
Another vehicle driving into the scene of an automobile collision is not uncommon. When another vehicle slows down to inspect an accident, a negligent driver behind them collides with them, driving both automobiles into the original accident site. By ensuring that neither you nor the other parties are in danger of a second mishap, you may reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others. If the collision was small and no one was harmed, move the vehicles off the road to prevent impeding traffic. You may also reduce your chances of getting involved in an accident by being cautious while approaching an accident scene. Slow down but keep an eye out for cars coming up behind you and in front of you.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention and call 911
When a major car accident happens, call emergency services immediately for medical attention. Severely injured passengers or drivers will be treated on the spot and immediately transported to the nearest hospital. Those who are fortunate enough to walk away from an accident may believe they do not need medical attention. They disregard any bumps, bruises, or physical pains as minor injuries and do not seek medical help. However, some injuries may take days or weeks to manifest, so it is important to be evaluated immediately.
Stay at the scene of the accident and dial 911. If the motor vehicle collision resulted in injuries or property damage totaling more than $500, the parties must file a report. When officers arrive, provide your information to them. However, do not admit fault or make potentially incriminating statements to or around the officer or other driver.
If no officer arrives, you must self-report the event to the local police precinct.
It is critical to report an accident and obtain an official accident report. At the site, the police will undertake their investigation, which will aid in insurance payouts or a personal injury lawsuit. The cops will assist you in filing an incident report, but make sure you get a copy. This report will be important in negotiations with the insurance company. Otherwise, it is your word against theirs.
DO NOT admit blame to anyone. Do not apologize for anything. The words “I’m sorry” after an accident will be used against you.
Take photographs
Photographs can be quite useful in proving driver irresponsibility. The sooner these photos are taken, the more correctly they will depict the collision site. Don’t only take photographs of the damage to the cars; images of any injuries you or any passengers sustained, as well as pictures of the surrounding environment or cause of the accident will be just as useful.
Inquire about information. Look for a witness.
Make a note of anybody who was involved in the vehicle collision and their contact information. This information contains their name, address, phone number, license plate number, make and model of vehicle, and, most significantly, their insurance information. Don’t forget to acquire the passengers’ information as well.
Look for a witness that was not in either vehicle and get their information. This witness could be crucial in the event there are disputed versions of what happened.
Contact a Miami Car Accident Attorney
Car accidents are terrifying. You may be in shock after an accident and overwhelmed with everything going on.
However, if you were not at fault and wish to hold someone accountable for your damages, this step is important. After calling emergency services and making sure you are safe, call a local attorney.
This is important for several reasons:
- Your recollection of what happened will be fresh.
- Your attorney can take steps to solidify evidence in your case by visiting the scene with an expert, requesting opposing parties preserve evidence, take statements of witnesses, etc.
- Ensure you receive treatment within certain statutory periods.
- Open claims with insurance providers immediately
As I mentioned earlier, insurance companies are not your friends. They intentionally offer low settlements knowing that most claimants won’t know any better, resulting in you receiving less than you require to pay for your injuries.
This is why you have to contact a Florida attorney as soon as possible to help you start building your case.
With over twenty years of experience, Jaime “Mr. 786Abogado” has helped thousands of clients in their time of need after an accident receive the maximum compensation for their injuries.
