Auto collisions can result in life-changing consequences. Between property damages, long-term injuries, and the possibility of accidental death, many collisions here in Florida require the services of a qualified attorney who can recover expenses and hold responsible parties accountable for their actions. Follow these simple steps after a car accident in Florida to protect your best interests and ensure your safety.
Article Summary
- An attorney can work to represent your best interests after a serious auto collision.
- A personal injury lawsuit can work to recover the expenses attributed to your case.
- Contact an attorney as soon as reasonably possible after an auto collision.
What Happens After a Car Crash in Florida: Immediate Safety Measures
Car crashes are always unpleasant, but there are some critical steps to take following the immediate aftermath.
- Ensure your own safety: Should you be able to, get to safety immediately following an accident. Shut off your vehicle, move it to the side of the road if you can, and turn on your hazard lights.
- Check for injuries: Inspect yourself and passengers for injuries. Look to minimize further harm at the scene of an accident.
- Call 911: If you are able to, call 911 to report the accident. If you are unable to, request that a passenger or an onlooker call 911 on your behalf.
- Contact an attorney as soon as reasonably possible.
Safety remains the absolute most important factor following an accident. Attempt to ensure your own safety and wait for additional help to arrive.
Documenting A Car Accident in Florida
Whether or not you are the at-fault party to an accident, it is always in your best interests to document what has occurred at the scene. If you are able to, take photos of the accident scene, including damage to your vehicle, damage to other vehicles, and any other property damage that may have occurred.
Take notes regarding your own account of the accident while also gathering information regarding witnesses. Should others have witnessed the accident, request to hear what they saw, and take their contact information down for future reference. Take as detailed notes as possible, including the time of day in which the accident occurred, what you saw, and information regarding the driver, including their license plate and insurance information.
Contacting Authorities & Reporting an Accident
Not all accidents or collisions require you to contact law enforcement, as minor fender benders do not require the assistance of law enforcement or paramedics.
According to Florida law, those who have been part of an auto collision or accident must contact law enforcement if an accident has resulted in injury, death, or $500 dollars worth of property damage. Should you fail to report an accident by calling 911, drivers involved in an accident can fill out a "Driver Report of a Traffic Crash" form directly on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) website.
Insurance Notification and Claims
Insurance companies play an important role in protecting drivers from the risk of being part of an auto collision. The costs you pay for coverage per month afford you the opportunity to make a claim for insurance benefits. Insurance companies will do their own independent assessment of your case, determining a settlement amount that is in accordance with their own research.
Florida residents should look to report a recent auto accident to their insurance company as soon as reasonably possible, generally 48 hours after the accident occurred. Delaying the notification process can complicate the claims process. Your insurance policy will articulate any deadlines for reporting a collision.
In some cases, an insurance company can attempt to offer a low settlement amount or deny your insurance claim entirely. In these cases, an attorney can help you navigate these hurdles and ensure you receive a settlement amount that is in line with your insurance policy.
Legal Considerations: How An Attorney Can Help
An attorney can assist car accident victims and liable parties in a number of different ways.
In some cases, an attorney can work to hold an insurance company responsible for their policies, pushing back on denied claims and ensuring that you receive a settlement that you are entitled to. The conversations you have with your insurance company can be complex to navigate, and as such, an attorney can represent you and also guide you throughout every detail of the process.
In other cases, an attorney can hold negligent parties responsible for the injuries you have experienced through no fault of your own. A personal injury attorney can facilitate a lawsuit on your behalf, recovering damages attributed to your accident. Many car accidents come with severe and life-changing injuries, calling for years of specialized medical care and rehabilitation services. As such, a personal injury attorney can secure a settlement that considers the long-term impacts of your injuries.
Finally, an attorney can also represent your best interests should you be facing a personal injury lawsuit related to a car accident. For any occasion, if you are unsure as to whether or not you require the services of an attorney, your best option is to partake in a free consultation with a law firm to better understand your options and the role an attorney can play in your case.
Additional Reading Materials
Gerber Law regularly publishes helpful insights on personal injury matters of all kinds. Visit our blog for more information, and click the links below for more information:
- Sarasota Car Accident Lawyer
- Florida Truck Accident Evidence
- Florida Pedestrian Accidents
- Settlement Times For Florida Car Accidents
What’s At Stake With Florida Auto Collisions
The costs of a serious auto accident are high, especially if you have sustained serious injuries. The immediate medical expenses are often unaffordable for the average person, while the long-term costs can be staggering. Personal injury attorneys can work to hold parties accountable for their negligence, recovering costs via a lawsuit.
Drivers in Florida have a legal responsibility to drive safely and follow the rules of the road. At times, if a driver fails to follow these guidelines and injures another party as a result, they can be exposed to a personal injury lawsuit.
Recoverable expenses can include so much more than your immediate hospital bills, but also rehabilitative services, damages to your personal property, and lost wages. In many cases, the average person can’t afford the long-term costs associated with their accidents, and as such, hiring a personal injury attorney remains your best option for recovering the appropriate expenses related to your case.
Statute of Limitations & Florida Car Accident Legal Advice
Early legal intervention is a crucial element of any personal injury case. While clients can wait up to two years to file a lawsuit against a negligent party, it is recommended to contact an attorney in the immediate aftermath of a collision. Reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible gives them time to properly formulate your case, gather relevant evidence, and determine what a fair settlement amount would be.
Don’t hesitate, and instead, exercise your legal right to exceptional representation as soon as possible.
Personal Injury Representation From Gerber Law
In the event you are seriously injured during an auto collision here in Florida, reach out to a personal injury law firm as soon as reasonably possible. In the event you are unable to, request that a close friend or family member reach out to a law firm on your behalf.
Gerber Law offers free consultations to new clients curious to learn more about their legal options following a serious collision. The road to recovery from your auto accident is likely long and difficult, and a lawsuit can work to recover the expenses and ensure you can live a fulfilled life. Many accidents can limit your ability to work, making it incredibly difficult for you to support your family.
An attorney can investigate the circumstances of your case and determine an appropriate settlement amount that considers the long-term impacts of your injuries. Leave this complex work to those who have a historically long track record of success in such matters, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve, as outlined by Florida’s personal injury laws.
We represent Floridians from all walks of life, offering legal services on a contingency basis. This means anyone can utilize our services with limited upfront costs. We are not paid unless your case is a success.
Contact Gerber Law today and speak with a representative to better understand your legal options. There is no risk for you simply to speak with us; begin the process now.
