Car Accidents
Legal Support for Car Accident Injury Claims
Top 6 Things to Do Immediately Following a Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience for anyone. You may be in shock and confused about what happens now. Your actions immediately following an accident are very important, especially if you plan to hire a car accident lawyer and pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.
Try to remain calm and remember that the steps you take in those moments can help protect your rights and strengthen your case. To help you maximize your potential compensation, here is a look at the top six things to do immediately following a car accident in Florida.
1. Contact the Police or Call 911
If you suspect more than $500 in property damage, the other driver fled the scene, or you have any minor injuries, you should contact the police immediately following the collision. If anyone has serious injuries, your first call should be to 911, which will also notify the police.
2. Take Scene Photos
Documenting the scene of the accident is very important. If you can do so safely and your injuries aren't severe, take scene photos. You should collect information about the involved vehicles, document damages to each car, and get images of the surrounding scene. Take pictures of any skid marks, license plates, and debris. Look around for any other details that could be important, such as landscaping blocking a street sign, wet roads, construction zone, etc. If you choose to hire an auto accident attorney and pursue an injury claim against the at-fault party, these photos can be vital during the investigation.
3. Exchange Information with All Parties
Do not leave the accident scene without exchanging information, no matter what the other driver says. If the other driver wants to go without exchanging contact information, call the police. If anyone stopped to be a witness, get their contact information as well.
Be very cautious what you say at the scene to anyone, as someone may construe it as admitting fault. Even something as simple as "I'm sorry" or "I didn't see you" can be taken out of context and used against you.
4. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If your injuries aren't severe enough to require emergency transport from the scene, you should make a doctor appointment as soon as possible. Even if you don't think you are seriously injured, you need to get checked out by a medical professional. Not all injuries are visible to the naked eye. You could have internal injuries from the impact.
If you wait to seek medical treatment, the other driver's insurance company will try to use that against you. If you wait three weeks to see a doctor, the insurance adjuster will argue that something else happened after the accident to cause your injuries and their insured is not liable.
5. Contact Your Insurance Company
Your next call should be to your own insurance company to report the claim. Don't wait too long. Your insurance policy terms may require you to report the accident within a certain amount of time. For example, Florida is a no-fault state. That means your first source of compensation for your injuries is through your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. You must seek treatment within 14 days, or your insurance company may deny reimbursement for your treatment.
If the other driver's insurance company contacts you, be very cautious about what you say. Do not agree to give a recorded statement without being represented by a car accident lawyer. The insurance companies are hoping to record you saying something they can use to place more liability on you.
6. Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Miami, Florida
The other driver's insurance might lead you to believe that hiring an attorney now is a bad idea. However, the sooner you retain a skilled Miami car accident lawyer, the sooner we can start protecting your rights. Hiring an attorney at the onset of a personal injury claim is preferable. The reason is because it's easier to preserve evidence, track down witnesses, and ensure the insurance companies are treating you fairly.
Why Choose Lady Law?
You have hundreds of personal injury firms to choose from, so why hire Lady Law Group? When you retain us, you will work directly with a Miami car accident lawyer as soon as you call us. We are a women-led firm with years of experience representing injured clients just like you. We know the tactics that insurance companies use to reduce the value of your claim or try to put fault on you unfairly. We will protect your rights and walk you through the entire claims process from start to finish. If you suffered injuries in a Florida car accident, contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.