Key Highlights
- A common question we get a lot is what to do after a car accident? After a car accident (do the following): don’t get hurt, call for help, gather all evidence. Speak to Florida’s best car accident attorneys ASAP if your injuries were serious or there are problems with the accident and/or with your car insurance coverage.
- Even though Florida is a no-fault state, you are able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if you sustained serious injuries.
- Even minor car accidents will typically create long-term medical and/or financial problems.
- Sometimes, after a car accident, the insurance companies don’t provide the amount of money that you deserve for an accident; this is where hiring the best car accident lawyer can make a big difference in your outcome.
- The evidence collected from the accident scene (photographs, witness statements, and police report) is usually the most important factor in how a car accident claim turns out.
What Do Car Accident Lawyers Do in Florida?
Many people living in Florida may not know how quickly a simple fender bender can become an expensive and complicated legal issue. Insurance companies will typically move quickly after an accident to minimize their payment, dispute any car wreck claims and injuries, or blame someone else for the accident. This is where a car accident lawyer can assist you.
A lawyer for car accidents in Florida will investigate the automobile accident, obtaining important evidence, and collaborate with physicians to assist in building an effective compensation claim regarding medical expenses, wages lost, future treatments, and pain & suffering. Even when you suffer a car crash injury due to a minor accident, it is common for those injuries to advance in severity with time; therefore, commencing your legal process ASAP is vital.
I am Alex J. Kompothecras of Alpha Law Group in Florida. Many times insurance delays claims, which can give the insured an opportunity to discredit the claimed injury, dispute the value of the claim, or deny the claim altogether. The Alpha Law Group protects our clients’ rights to enforce all of their legal rights through our full-service legal representation of victims of this conduct.
Critical Steps and Documentation to Gather After a Car Accident in Florida
The guidelines for what to do immediately after a car accident are based on laws on car accidents like Florida’s no-fault insurance laws and their regulations concerning the documentation of the accident. If you take the necessary actions immediately after the car crash accident, it may assist you in getting compensation for your injuries and possibly pursuing a valid claim against the persons involved in the accident.
Critical Immediate Steps
Here’s what to do immediately after an accident:
- Stay at the scene: It’s against the law to leave the scene without exchanging information.
- Check for injuries: If anyone has been injured or is unresponsive, call 911.
- Move to safety: If such action is safe to do so, try to get vehicles out of traffic to avoid creating more danger and/or injuries.
- Report the accident: In accordance with Florida law, all car accidents involving injury or death, or with property damage greater than $500, must be reported.
Information to Exchange & Document
Here’s what you need to gather as crucial evidential material:
- Take pictures of cars in place (if it is safe to do so).
- Names, addresses and phone numbers for the drivers involved
- Driver’s license numbers
- Insurance company names and policy numbers
- Vehicle information (year, make and model), including license plate number
- Witness contact information
- Document evidence found at or near the scene (e.g., tire marks, road conditions, and traffic signals).
What to Do After a Car Accident Not Your Fault
Your legal standing is improved if the accident isn’t your fault. You need to do everything in your power from the very start that you can. You must report it to your insurance company, regardless of who caused the accident. In Florida, the insurance company will first process your claim through PIP coverage and then assign liability afterward.
If you have more serious damages and/or the insurance company pushes back on your claim, you may also be entitled to recover compensation for damages above PIP coverage such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical expenses. If you have serious injuries or you think that the insurance company will undervalue or deny your claim in any way, consult with an experienced car accident injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your right to full compensation for your injuries.
What to Do After a Car Accident Your Fault
You may be wondering whether your making a claim admitting fault for your car accident means you can’t get money from the other party. The answer is yes; it will affect your ability to recover damages. However, you will still have other rights. The first thing to do after a crashed car is to call the police. Then, stay there and work with law enforcement. You should contact your insurance agent as soon as possible. Avoid contact with the other driver with regard to compensation. If you speak directly with the other driver, your claim may be complicated by the conversation with him/her.
What Not to Do After a Car Accident
The most common way that people hurt their case is not taking the right action after a motor vehicle accident. The mistakes you make after the accident can have just as much of an impact as the action(s) you take. Do not leave the scene of the accident since this could result in some severe criminal charges. Also, do not post any information related to the accident on social media, do not apologize because this will give the appearance that you are admitting liability.
In addition, never ignore or deny any medical symptoms or fail to call the police even in very minor accidents. These types of actions will cause problems with your claim in the future. The best rule to remember is that if it isn’t documented, it doesn’t count and therefore will not be part of your claim.
Car Accident Lawyers Near Me: When You Actually Need One
Individuals who have been involved in an auto accident will generally begin searching online for terms associated with their car accident. They will begin looking for representation after experiencing the serious anxiety and confusion associated with that auto accident if they want to get help in finding a lawyer. If you have sustained injuries due to the automobile accident (even if it was not that significant), if it is unclear who was at fault, or the other driver’s insurance company is delaying or denying your claim, you need to consult with an attorney as soon as possible for further assistance.
If you do not have legal representation during these time-sensitive matters, they can become complicated very quickly. A reputable and experienced car accident law firm will conduct a full and thorough investigation of the crash, correspond with all parties and insurance companies, accurately calculate all damages you are entitled to, and file a car accident lawsuit if necessary to protect your rights to receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Common Car Accident Injuries
A small accident is well capable of causing lasting effects. Common injuries from motor vehicle accidents are:
- whiplash injury
- back injury
- spinal injury
- concussion or brain injury
- soft tissue injury
- internal injury (sometimes symptoms develop only after time passes)
To find out what is considered to be a crash injury, you may visit the CDC link.
Case Study: Securing Lifetime Care for a Florida Catastrophic Injury Victim
By Attorney Alex J. Kompothecras, Alpha Law Group
A 42-year-old construction worker in Florida sustained a severe spinal cord injury from a vehicle accident at his job site and is permanently paralyzed and unable to ever again live independently or work. The contractor who employed him initially denied any responsibility, claiming there were pre-existing conditions present prior to the accident and disputed the client’s need for long-term care.
Our team immediately launched into a full investigation by identifying all potential sources of liability and gathering police accident reports, medical records, eyewitness accounts, and all records of safety inspections that were performed on the work vehicles prior to the accident. In addition we worked closely with both life care planners and vocational economists to quantify the lifetime damage of this incident, which included costs for health care services, rehab services, home modifications, and lost income over the client’s lifetime.
The total amount of damages incurred totaled over $4.5 million.
After we provided the insurer with all of the expert backed evidence needed to complete a full and final review of the case, the insurer accepted partial liability and paid a full settlement value of $554,000 in addition to providing the client with structured financial assistance for an extended period of time to cover any future costs associated with the accident.
Result
After reviewing the evidence and finding that the insurance company was liable, the client was able to obtain a large settlement which covered the cost of future medical care as well as lost wages and long-term financial needs providing stability, security and protection well into their future.
When to Call a Car Accident Injury Lawyer
A lawyer can ensure your auto accident claim accurately reflects your injuries, not just what the insurance company says. Call a car accident injury lawyer if you:
- Experience with persistent pain after a car accident
- Had a claim denied by your insurance company
- Sustained a catastrophic injury from an auto accident
- Are deciding who caused the accident
- Facing high medical costs from your accident
Speak With a Florida Car Accident Lawyer Today
Insurance companies don’t typically want to pay large amounts of money when the injury is serious and will usually try to limit the payout.
A Florida car accident attorney can assist you in preserving evidence and getting the most out of your claim, especially following a serious car accident. The lawyers at Alpha Law Group provide legal representation for accident victims throughout the state of Florida. Please contact us by calling (941)-304-1500 for a free consultation today.
FAQs
Can sleep apnea be caused by a car accident?
Yes, in some isolated instances. traumatic head, neck, and/or brain injuries caused by a motor vehicle collision can disrupt the functioning of the body’s airway or neurological systems, causing the onset or worsening of sleep apnea symptoms.
Can tendonitis be caused by a car accident?
Yes, the result of impact at the time of the crash (e.g., force) or repetitive motion may cause inflammation of the tendon, leading to tendonitis days later.
What are delayed symptoms after a car accident?
The term “delayed symptoms” often refers to common delayed injuries due to an auto accident, including neck pain, headaches, dizziness, low back pain, and other soft tissue injuries (e.g., bruises, contusions) that can occur up to 72 hours after the crash.
How long does inflammation last after a car accident?
The time it takes for inflammation to heal will vary based on how severe your injury was, how quickly you received treatment/follow-up care, and if physical rehabilitation is needed. Inflammation can generally last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
Where to go after a car accident?
Even if the injuries seem mild, you must get immediate emergency medical care (emergency room or urgent care). Many times your injuries become worse as time goes on, and it is important you have early medical documentation of the initial injury for use in any potential legal claim you may pursue.
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