Fort Lauderdale is a major city in Florida that has a wide diversity of commuters, from residents traveling 1-95 to get to work, to tourists heading into Port Everglades for a cruise. Invariably, people get into car accidents. Sadly, some victims fail to understand the full extent of their losses and often settle for far less than their car accident claim may be worth. Simple mistakes and innocent oversights can become costly, in some cases, in the thousands of dollars.
In this article, our auto accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale discusses the seven most costly mistakes you should avoid.
Mistake #1: Not Calling the Police After the Accident
If you have been in an auto accident, you need to call 911. Depending on where the accident took place in Fort Lauderdale, either the Fort Lauderdale Police, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, or the Florida Highway Patrol will respond. They will render aid and generate a police report on the accident.
For one thing, it’s the law. Under Florida Statutes § 316.065, you must report the accident if anyone was injured, someone died, or there was $500 or more in property damage. Failure to report the accident or leaving the accident scene before law enforcement arrives carries heavy penalties.
More importantly, your police report is an important piece of information when pursuing compensation through an injury claim. The insurance companies will want to see it. Without a report, the insurers could devalue or outright deny your claim. Your Fort Lauderdale car wreck attorney can handle obtaining a copy and use it to validate your claim.
Mistake #2: Delaying Medical Treatment
Immediately after an accident, you may feel fine, but that sensation may soon fade as the adrenaline in your system subsides. Never make assumptions about your health. As soon as possible, see a doctor. Allow them to run all the tests they advise. Under Florida Statutes § 627.736, you must see a doctor within 14 days of the accident if you wish to use your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
If you wait to see a doctor or even skip appointments during treatment, the insurance companies can use that against you. They can argue that you were as injured as you claimed. Your Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney can use current and immediate medical documentation to protect your right to fair compensation.
Mistake #3: Admitting Fault or Apologizing at the Scene
After an accident, it is not the time to be modest or humble. For one thing, you do not have a complete picture of what occurred in your accident. All you know is what you experienced. There could be additional factors that contributed to your accident, factors that will only be discovered during a thorough investigation.
When you speak with the police and the insurance companies, keep your statements short and to the facts that you know. Don’t make assumptions or incriminations. Don’t say that you are fine or feel okay. Insurers will use these innocent comments to reduce the value of your claim. They will exploit Florida Statutes § 768.81, Florida’s modified comparative negligence rules, to place a greater degree of blame on you than what may be warranted.
However, our car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale will investigate your accident, collect and preserve evidence, and present a strong claim based on the facts.
Mistake #4: Giving a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
Furthermore, when you do speak with insurers, they will ask for a recorded statement. Politely decline. This is a common tactic they use. You have a right to decline.
An auto accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale with our firm can step in and handle all communications with the insurers on your behalf, protecting you from saying something that they can use later against you.
Mistake #5: Accepting the First Settlement Offer
Another benefit of hiring our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys is learning the true value of your case. Everyone experiences financial pressure after an accident. Medical bills are coming in while your savings are going out. It’s tempting to accept any lifeline the insurers throw you, but accepting an early offer could cost you.
Insurance adjusters want to close claims fast and save their companies money. Once you sign a settlement, you release them from any future responsibility.
Your attorney, on the other hand, can assess your immediate and long-term impacts on your health and family.
Mistake #6: Failing to Document Evidence Properly
While at the accident scene, and if your injuries permit, you can start collecting evidence for your personal injury claim. Take photos of the vehicle damage, the surrounding area, and your injuries. Ask the driver for contact and insurance information. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information.
Then, start a file and collect everything related to the accident, such as medical bills, repair estimates, and your pay stubs. You could even start a journal on your recovery.
Our Florida car accident lawyers can help you to preserve and organize this evidence for your claim.
Mistake #7: Waiting Too Long to Contact an Attorney
Probably the most significant mistake victims make is waiting to contact an injury lawyer for legal representation. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, you typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the statute of limitations expires on your case, you will lose any opportunity to seek fair compensation.
If you contact a lawyer early, though, they can protect your rights and secure evidence before it is lost or destroyed.
Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato to Protect Your Claim Today
If you have suffered injuries in a Fort Lauderdale auto accident, call our law firm today at (844) 643-7200 for a free consultation. Learn more about your rights and avoid the mistakes that could cost you thousands in your recovery.