After you were in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, you did the responsible thing. You called 911, gave a report to the responding officer, exchanged information with the other driver, and then went to the emergency room to get medical attention. However, there are several follow-up tasks to complete after a car accident in Fort Lauderdale.
In this article, ourcar accident lawyers discuss some of the essential steps car accident victims should take to protect their health and rights.
Document Everything Even After Leaving the Scene
While at the accident scene, you should write down everything you remember, such as the direction you were driving, signs and signals, what you saw, and your actions. You should also note the time, what the weather was like, and what you saw other drivers doing.
The responding officer will take your information, the other driver’s information, and their own assessment to generate a police report. You need to save any report numbers they provide and ask when and where you can obtain a copy of their police report.
If injuries permitted, you could take pictures of the accident scene and the vehicles. In addition, you could take pictures of your injuries from the accident and as they heal over time.
You should also hold on to any damaged or destroyed personal items, such as clothing, glasses, and mobile devices.
Our accident attorneys also advise keeping a journal of your recovery. Gather any medical records and doctors’ notes. Track your progress, whether any symptoms improve or worsen, the prescriptions you have taken, and how you feel emotionally. Then, be sure to discuss these with your doctor.
Notify Insurance, But Be Mindful of What You Say
Florida is a no-fault state, which means you must carry and file an insurance claim with yourpersonal injury protection (PIP) policy first. UnderFlorida Statutes § 627.736, you must see a doctor within 14 days, and depending on the terms of your policy, contact your insurer to file a claim, typically within 30 days.
When you speak with your insurance company, stick to the facts as you know them. Save your claim number and any contact information from your adjuster.
Also:
- DoNOT speculate or make assumptions.
- DoNOT admit to fault.
- DoNOT agree to give a recorded statement.
AFort Lauderdale personal injury attorney can explain your rights and help protect them.
You Must Continue Your Follow-Up Medical Care
After your initial diagnosis, you should keep all your follow-up appointments and follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Be sure to watch for any delayed injuries or symptoms, such as neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and numbness, and discuss them with your doctor.
Our personal injury lawyers also recommend keeping a file of the following documents:
- Medical bills
- Diagnoses
- Treatment plans
- Work restrictions
Track Any Expenses and Losses as a Result of the Accident
In your recordkeeping, you should also collect any related expenses you incurred due to the accident, such as:
- Medical expenses, in addition to doctors’ bills, such as prescriptions, medical devices, physical therapy, and transportation costs to appointments
- Lost income while recovering, the reduction in hours you did work, or any bonuses and benefits you missed
- Repair costs for your vehicle, or the replacement of a totaled vehicle, and rental car expenses
- Childcare or household help is needed due to your injury
Be Sure to Preserve Any Digital Evidence You Have
If you took pictures with your cell phone or have a dash cam, be sure to save the files to a hard drive or cloud storage. However, you should also save any emails and text messages related to the accident.
This includes any correspondence you have with the insurance companies. In fact, take notes of any phone calls you receive from them as well.
Avoid Social Media Until Your Claim Is Resolved
Insurance adjusters are looking for every opportunity to deny or devalue your personal injury claim, and that includes exploiting the posts you make on social media. Until you resolve the car accident claim with the insurance company, our Florida car accident lawyers advise clients to stay off social media for the time being.
Something as innocuous as saying you feel fine or a photo of you smiling could be used to argue against the severity of your injuries.
Understand Your Legal Rights to Fair Compensation
Before you agree to any settlement from the insurance company, you should know the damages you have suffered. Your settlement should cover your losses. If you accept a settlement, you will be asked to sign a release agreement, which means you may not go back to the insurers and ask for more later.
It is vital to know the full extent of your injuries and their long-term impact on you and your life.
You should also be aware of the statute of limitations on your case. UnderFlorida Statutes § 95.11, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Without the right to sue, you will have no leverage over the insurance company, and they will only pay what they feel your claim is worth.
Consider Speaking With the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato
When you are ready, we suggest calling us for a free case consultation. The car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale with the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato understand what you are going through and can help you through the claims process.
Call today at (844) 643-7200 to learn more.