Essential Steps to Follow After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale
There are a few steps to follow after a car accident in Fort Lauderdale that can help if you decide to pursue compensation from the party that caused the accident. Make sure everyone is in a safe location away from the flow of traffic and call for medical attention if anyone is injured or may be injured. Notify local law enforcement that an accident has happened, even if there are no major injuries or property damage.
If possible, exchange contact information with other people involved in the crash for insurance claim purposes. If you think you may have suffered injuries because of the crash, call for medical help as soon as possible. Receiving prompt medical help will ensure your injuries are taken care of and create a record of your injuries if you decide to seek compensation. For more help call our personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale.
Filing an accident report in Fort Lauderdale
Once the police arrive at the accident scene, tell them everything that you remember as best you can. Many accidents happen in the blink of an eye, so you may not be able to share the exact details. Do your best and be honest. It is best to avoid guessing or speculating about what happened.
If you are in doubt about something, you can wait to speak with our law firm before you make an official statement. If you were severely injured or feeling rattled after the accident, it can be hard to think clearly. Tell the officer if you are feeling uncomfortable or overwhelmed due to the crash.
You have 10 days from the date the officer completes an investigation to submit a traffic crash report, per Florida Statute § 316.066.
Documenting the accident
If you can take pictures following the accident, capture images of the scene of the accident, the vehicles involved, and your injuries. Do not interrupt any police efforts to investigate the accident while you are taking photographs, however.
If you need to go to the hospital to treat your injuries or are being treated by paramedics, have someone else at the scene take photographs. You can also take photos of the vehicles and your injuries after the accident.
Another good practice is writing down what you remember. As the days go by, you may not remember as many details about the accident, or you may get confused about certain things. A written record can memorialize your experience so that you do not have to worry about remembering every detail.
Making an insurance claim
You should also notify your auto insurance company about the accident as soon as you can. Most policies state that an insured motorist must report an accident as soon as they can to receive benefits. This will also give you a chance to confirm the benefits that may be available to you, including any coverage for medical expenses.
Your insurance company will probably ask you to make an official statement about what happened. Before you make a recorded statement, you may want to hire a lawyer from our team. This will help you feel confident and prepared before you make your statement.
Steps to Take If You Are Injured in a Car Accident
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention If Your Injuries Need Treatment
Your first priority after any type of accident must always be your and others’ physical safety. After the initial shock of the accident, check to see whether you or others need medical treatment if you are able to do so. Call 911 if necessary.
Even if you seem “fine” after an accident, it is a generally good rule of thumb to see your primary care physician for an exam to make sure you do not have any underlying injuries, such as internal bleeding or a strained muscle. Going to the doctor can also begin a paper trail for your accident, as you will have documented proof that your injuries required medical treatment and that you sought treatment within a reasonable time frame of the accident.
Step 2: Report the Car Accident to Law Enforcement and the Car Company
Most states require parties involved in a vehicle accident to report the event to law enforcement if injury, wrongful death, or extensive property damage occurred. You can report the accident at the scene if you are physically able to do so or after you seek medical treatment for your injuries. Having an official crash report for the accident serves as key evidence since it will contain the following:
- The date of the accident
- Where the accident took place
- Who was involved in the accident
- Who was deemed at fault for the accident, according to the reporting officer
- Additional notes by the reporting officer, such as the cause of the accident or injuries/damages present at the scene
If you or a loved one was renting a vehicle, you will also need to report the accident to the vehicle company. If you purchased insurance through the vehicle company, a representative will instruct you on how to file a claim with their insurer. Otherwise, if you were hit by a car, you may request the name of the vehicle company when reporting your accident to your insurer.
Step 3: Collect Information About the Accident for Evidential Purposes
After an accident, you will also want to collect information to build your case, especially if you are claiming the other driver’s negligence caused the collision. States like Florida follow a comparative negligence rule (Florida Statutes § 768.81), so the other driver in your case may attempt to assign partial blame to you to reduce the amount of compensation owed to you.
As such, you’ll want to have as much evidence to support your claims, such as:
- Driver’s licenses of involved parties
- Insurance information of involved parties or the vehicle company name
- Contact information, such as phone numbers and email addresses
- Names and contact information of any witnesses nearby willing to testify for your case
- Location details of the accident, such as street names or building numbers
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
If you cannot get any of the information because you were too injured, that is okay. Your Florida car accident attorney may be able to retrieve this evidence for you.
Step 4: Consider Working with a Car Accident Lawyer to Build Your Case
Over 2 million vehicle accidents resulted in injury in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Yet, many people don’t know where to begin to seek compensation for their damages, aside from reporting their accident to their insurer. However, a car collision attorney from our team can advocate for the financial awards you need to recover from your damages.
When you hire an attorney to build your case, you can focus on recovering from your injuries instead. Some services they can provide you include:
- Calculating the value of your damages
- Investigating your car accident and gathering evidence for your case
- Filling out legal paperwork and submitting your case by Florida’s statutory deadline named in Florida Statutes § 95.11 if the collision occurred in this state
- Handling communications with relevant parties involved, such as insurers and other attorneys
- Counseling you on legal decisions, such as whether you should accept a settlement offer
Your attorney will also represent you in court if you decide to follow through with a lawsuit. Additionally, if you have more questions about your case, you can speak with a member of our team.
Step 5: Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato to Get a Free Case Review
Now that you know the steps to take if you suffer injuries in a car accident involving a car, feel free to start your legal journey by hiring a personal injury lawyer today. If you or a loved one was injured in a vehicle accident in Florida, our legal team at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato wants to represent you.
How our Lawyer can help you after your accident
There are many reasons why you may want to consult with a lawyer from our firm after you are involved in a car accident. The stress of the accident, painful injuries, and major disruptions in your life can make it impossible to find the time to research your legal rights.
Your lawyer will handle many aspects of your case, including:
- Gathering evidence to show the other party acted negligently
- Reviewing insurance policies and helping you make claims
- Determining who owes you compensation
- Filing your case with the appropriate court
- Conducting depositions and gathering additional information from the other parties
- Preparing you for any court appearances
- Negotiating a settlement if you want to pursue one
- Preparing for trial
- Keeping you informed about your case’s progress
- Explaining complex laws and how they apply to your situation
- Answering your questions as they come up
You have limited time to pursue your case for compensation after a car accident. In Florida, lawsuits arising from car accidents must be filed within four years from the date of the accident, according to Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a). Act sooner rather than later if you are interested in pursuing financial recovery.
Call now for a free consultation
If you want to learn more about what steps to follow after a car accident in Fort Lauderdale or pursuing compensation, call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato now. We offer a free consultation so that you can ask questions about your potential case and how you can work with a lawyer from our team. The consultation is free, and there is no obligation to proceed. Dial (954) 633-8270 to get started today.
