Steps to Take After a Florida Car Accident
Even if you are a safe driver, you can still get into an accident while driving. It all depends on the other drivers that are sharing the road with you. Millions of motor vehicle accidents occur in the United States each year. Some of these accidents are not a huge deal and might involve one vehicle bumping into the back of another vehicle while causing some minor damage. However, some of these accidents are extremely traumatic and can lead to life-threatening injuries for those involved. You should know exactly what to do if you are ever in an accident that was caused by another driver.
Look at Your Injuries
Be aware of any potential injuries that you might have. Ask your passengers how they are feeling. If anyone has severe injuries, the first thing you should do is make a call to 911. You will need to have an ambulance come out to the scene of the accident to assist with the injuries.
Contact Police in Your Area
You should make a call to the local police to let them know about the accident. It is important to contact the local authorities because you want to have a copy of the police report that provides details on what happened.
Get Details From the Driver
If you feel comfortable enough to do so, speak with the other driver to get his or her name, number, and insurance information. However, if you feel like you are not safe based on the way that the driver is acting, you should stay in the car until the ambulance gets there or the police arrive. If you can safely get out of the vehicle, begin taking pictures with your phone or any camera that you might have on you at that moment.
Keep Thoughts to Yourself
You may naturally feel the need to apologize for the accident, but you should avoid saying anything other than asking the other driver for his or her information. If you make any statements that would make it seem like you were the one who caused the car accident, the other driver could quickly use those statements against you and that is not what you want to deal with.
Start the Claims Process
Complete a claim with the insurance company. You need to make sure the insurance company is going to cover the cost of various expenses, including the cost of the damage caused to your vehicle, the medical expenses you might have, and any money you are losing out on because of your injuries. You might feel more comfortable completing the claims process with help from an attorney. You will likely need to get in touch with your own insurance company. The company that provides insurance to you might be able to compensate you for the time being.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
When an insurance company is giving you trouble and is refusing to accept your claim or compensate you, you might want to hire a personal injury lawyer. The lawyer can handle the claims process and contact between different insurance companies. It is good to have a legal advocate on your side, especially when you need to worry about healing from the injuries that you have.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Motor Vehicle Accident Case in Florida Today
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a motor vehicle 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 a car crashes in Pembroke Pines, Tamarac, West Park, 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.
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.