A Practical Checklist for Car Wrecks and Fall Claims in Boynton Beach

Table of Contents

Suffering a serious injury following an accident can turn your life upside down. Whether you were hit making a turn at Boynton Beach Blvd and US 1 or slipped in a pool of water at a Publix, there are certain practical steps you should take to ensure your healthy recovery and protect your right to fair compensation.

The personal injury attorneys in Boynton Beach with our law firm discuss those actions and how they can help you avoid making a costly mistake. Though the type and cause of the accident may differ, these steps are universal.

Common Personal Injury Accidents in Boynton Beach

Of the many clients we have helped in Boynton Beach, we frequently aid clients who have suffered injuries in one of two major types of accidents: auto accidents and falls.

An auto accident is a broad category that can include such things as:

Our auto accident attorney in Boynton Beach often sees that these accidents are due to distraction, reckless behavior, speeding, impaired driving, and failure to obey traffic signs.

Slips, trips, and falls typically happen due to the following dangerous conditions:

Uneven floors
Tripping hazards
Pooling water
Poor lighting
Broken stairs and handrails

Clear reporting and documentation of these accidents is essential when victims are seeking compensation to cover their pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Wreck or Fall

After any car accident or fall, your immediate actions can make a significant difference. Our Boynton Beach personal injury lawyers advise clients to do the following:

Seek medical attention immediately: Do not make assumptions about your health; certain injuries can be masked by adrenaline and not be immediately apparent.
Call 911 or report the incident: For a car accident, you will want local law enforcement to generate a police report; for a fall, inform the property owner or store manager and ask for a copy.
Document the scene: Take as many pictures as you can of the accident scene, vehicle damage, hazards in the area, and your injuries.
Gather witness information: Ask witnesses for their names and contact information; their statements can corroborate your own or add new details.
Avoid admitting fault or speculating: When you speak with the police, the property owner, or the insurance companies, stick with the facts as you know them; absolutely do not admit fault or speculate about the accident.
Keep copies of all medical records and bills: As you receive them, keep a file of all receipts and bills related to the accident.

Our Boynton Beach injury attorneys also recommend keeping any damaged clothing and property, as well as a journal during your recovery. In it, record your pain levels, medications, and emotional state daily. You can also keep a photo journal of your injuries as they heal.

How Delays in Medical Treatment Can Weaken Your Claim

If you wait to see a doctor after your accident, you could be placing your life in danger. Without a proper medical examination, you may not know you have any internal injuries until a few days later.

Legally, the insurers will also use the delay as an argument that your injuries were the result of something other than the accident. This issue includes your medical treatment. You do not want any gaps in your treatment, so do not skip any appointments.

Understanding Liability in Car Accidents and Falls

Now, whether you are injured in a car accident or fall, negligence still applies under Florida law, but insurance is slightly different.

For car accidents, the negligent driver is liable, but Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system. You would first seek coverage of your medical expenses and lost income through your personal injury protection (PIP) policy. You can step outside that coverage if your injuries meet the serious injury threshold.

For slip and fall cases, the property owner is responsible for any unsafe conditions on their property, but the issue then becomes proving when the property owner should have known about the condition and what actions they took to address it.

Your injury attorney in Boynton Beach will also explain how comparative negligence applies to your case, how it can impact your compensation, and what they will do to protect you from insurance adjusters blaming you for your own injuries.

When to Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Boynton Beach

It might be wise to consult with a Boynton Beach auto accident attorney or slip and fall lawyer if you are dealing with any of the following:

Serious injuries: If you have suffered serious injuries, like traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage, broken bones, or internal organ damage
Disputed fault: If there is any question regarding who was at fault, if there is more than one party involved, or if the insurers are placing a greater degree of blame on you
Insurance delays or low settlement offers: If the insurance company is slow to respond or is offering an inadequate settlement

With a local attorney from our firm, you can expect legal assistance and guidance through the claims process. They can:

Investigate the accident
Collect and preserve evidence
Identify all liable parties
Determine your complete range of damages
Negotiate a fair settlement
Represent you at trial if a settlement cannot be reached

Avoiding Common Claim Mistakes

You should also avoid these common mistakes:

Do not post about the accident on social media
Do not give a recorded statement without legal advice
Do not accept a quick settlement offer

Your Boynton Beach car accident lawyer or slip and fall attorney will help you understand the full value of your claim and protect you from these mistakes, but you must contact them before the statute of limitations runs out.