What You Should Do After a Florida Car Accident
As much as no one wants to think about it when climbing behind the wheel of a car, vehicles have the potential to be dangerous and when collisions occur, tragic results often follow. In 2018 alone, there were more than 250,000 injuries from car accidents in the state of Florida. As no one predicts or anticipates being in a car accident, it is important to understand what to do should you find yourself involved in one. Without understanding and undertaking foundational steps, proving fault later on against a negligent party can be difficult.
Alert authorities and stay at the scene until they arrive. No matter how minor you think a collision may be, you should be aware of the fact that leaving the scene of a car accident in the state of Florida is a crime. If you are involved in an accident, call 911 and wait for first responders and police to arrive, who you should ask to file an accident report.
Use your cell phone to your advantage. If you’re medically able, pull out your cell phone and take pictures and videos of as much of the scene of the accident as you can. Try to record any skidmarks, impacted guard rails, and vehicle damage. In addition, use your phone to collect the name and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident as well as to record a short description of what he or she saw.
Get medical attention. People are sometimes hesitant to accept emergency care at the scene of the accident when they don’t feel that their injuries are severe which is understandable. However, keep in mind that even if your injuries seem minor or you do not initially think you are injured at all, there are many injuries that may not produce symptoms for days or even weeks. Obtaining an immediate medical exam will help find any latent injuries as well as serve as documentation that can later help validate the circumstances of your claim.
Contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Though it may seem tempting to try to navigate the system alone, you should not hesitate to reach out for the legal assistance you need. Unfortunately, a simple action such as missing a time limit or producing the wrong evidence at the wrong time can inadvertently reduce or even eliminate your entitlement to the compensation you could have received. Your chances of avoiding this are much better with competent legal help.
We Can Help You Choose the Right Steps
Knowing where to begin a personal injury claim can be overwhelming and challenging for anyone who has been injured in a car accident because of someone else’s negligent behavior. During this difficult time, many people choose to seek legal help as soon as possible. It helps immensely to have someone on your side who understands what you are going through and can guide your next steps. As the Miami personal injury attorneys at Payer & Associates, we will fight for you and ensure that you receive the compensation that you need and are entitled to. We can begin helping you take steps toward a successful claim as soon as you contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.061.html
https://www.payerandassociates.com/understanding-bicycle-accidents/
