What to Do After a Car Accident (Checklist)
There are a few things that you should do following a car accident in Florida including:
1. Stop
Florida law requires that you stop at the scene of an accident. Regardless of the extent of the damages, pull over and evaluate everyone’s condition. Be sure to call for help if anyone needs immediate medical care. It’s not important yet to determine who’s at fault. Always pull over if you’re involved in a Florida car accident to avoid criminal charges.
2. File a Police Report
Florida laws require you to file a police report if any damages are valued at over $500. Even if you’re not sure of the total value of damages, it may still be a good idea to file a police report for the accident. It’s not always easy to calculate an accident’s value without consulting a licensed mechanic. A police report can also give you evidence if you need to file a claim.
3. Capture Evidence
While evaluating the scene of the accident, take note of any evidence to collect. Photographs can be useful to your case and can help the insurance company determine who’s responsible for the accident. Take photographs of the area around the accident, all vehicles involved in the accident, and any injuries. Other evidence that you may collect includes video evidence, witness statements, or a copy of the police report.
5. Receive Necessary Medical Care
Even if you and your passengers don’t require immediate medical care, it may be worth it to get a medical evaluation after leaving the scene of the accident. Some injuries may not show up right away. If you do begin to notice aches and pains later, it will be difficult to connect it to the accident. Waiting to receive medical care can also lead to certain conditions getting worse.
Reporting the car accident to the local police should help you cover some of these steps. For example, the police may dispatch an EMS to provide any medical care or transportation. They’ll also take note of certain evidence and may even determine who’s at fault for the car accident.
The police will also likely call for a tow truck if either of the vehicles involved in the car accident is not driveable. You can notify your insurance company from here that you were in an accident.
When to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
After reporting the car accident and receiving the medical care that you may need, you may consider contacting a car accident lawyer. A lawyer may be especially beneficial if your injuries are likely to cost you a lot in medical bills and lost wages. It’s also not uncommon for the insurance company to try to deny your claim, which is another good reason to contact a lawyer. They can advocate on your behalf if there are disputes as to who’s at fault for the accident.
Car accidents can be expensive. If someone else is to blame, it’s only right that they cover your costs. We’ll fight for you to get you the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and move on following a car accident.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients injured because of an accident in Coconut Creek, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and throughout Florida. Call (954) 525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Plantation, and Pompano Beach, FL.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.