Car accidents can cause damage to your normal life such as physical injuries, financial problems, and
death. When involved in such accidents, sometimes we do things and say words carelessly that may affect the
case. To avoid this kind of thing in the future, we must get ready for the things that we must do and don’t when
such accidents happen.
What are the common mistakes people make when dealing with car accidents?
There are some common mistakes that people make when it comes to car accidents. One of the biggest is don’t underestimate your injuries. There are internal injuries that you won’t feel until it’s too late. Get medical attention as soon as you can. Also, you have a limited amount of time to take legal action for a car accident. Waiting too long to reach out to a lawyer or file a lawsuit can result in you not being able to receive full compensation. Once the statute of limitations expires then you lose the chance to file a claim.
In Florida, the statute of limitation for car accidents is four years. Even though you have that length it doesn’t guarantee all of the evidence will be available at that time. Security camera footage can get taped over, witnesses can forget essential details and evidence might get lost over time. Time is of the essence with these cases and it’s best to do everything as soon as possible.
How do reckless actions in dealing with car accidents affect your case?
There are some actions that can end up hurting your case if a settlement needs to be made. If you leave the scene of an accident it will hurt, you because it will count as a hit-and-run. The only exception to moving your vehicle would be if your vehicle is in the middle of the road and is disrupting the flow of traffic. Another thing is to not apologize or admit blame. Even if it’s tempting to apologize for the accident you do not want to do this. It can end up biting you in the end because you admitted to the crime and can be held legally and financially responsible in the end.
What are the do’s and don’ts after a car accident in Florida?
When it comes to car accidents you need to be careful about your actions because it can either help or hurt your case. If you do get into a car accident, make sure the first thing you do is call the police and report it. After you call, if you have the ability to, get out of your vehicle and check on the other car. Make sure they are okay and exchange information with them. You would also want to take pictures of the scene and any damages to your vehicle and the other parties. After you receive all of the necessary information to file a claim you would want to contact your insurance company and let them know about the accident. After all of that, you would want to seek medical attention even if you don’t think you have any injuries.
You want to get a medical professional’s opinion and anything they report will be added to the police report and any important document.
There are some actions that can hurt your case and would be best to avoid. Don’t admit you’re at fault or apologize because it can be used against you. By admitting fault, you can be legally and financially responsible for the accident. Another big thing is to NOT LEAVE THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT. You can be charged with a hit-and-run if you decide to leave. Last but not least, do not make an insurance statement. You do want to start a claim but don’t give a statement because it is a legal statement that can affect your settlement.
Why do we need to follow the do’s and don’ts after a car accident?
It would benefit you in the end if you follow the do’s and don’ts. Any neglect of any of the steps or negative actions could end with you paying hefty fines or facing a possible jail sentence if it goes to trial. The best thing to do after an accident is to play it safe and don’t do anything that can hurt you in the end. Know who you are talking to and keep track of everything like claims, police reports, and evidence that would be needed for a case.
What are the benefits of following the do’s and don’ts after a car accident?
By following the do’s and don’ts you can increase your chances of being compensated for any damages and expenses. You would want to cooperate as much as you can but make sure you aren’t doing anything that will bite you in the end. Be smart in your decisions and don’t be reckless in your actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
If there is no insurance to cover any of the damages caused to a vehicle then the responsible party would have to financially compensate for all expenses.
When you get into a car accident the first thing you want to do is call the police. After you make the call you would want to check on any other parties involved in the accident and get their information. Next thing you want to do is contact your insurance company to notify them about the accident. The last thing you should do is to seek medical care.
Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that if you are in a car accident and need medical attention, then your personal insurance will be charged for the expenses. If the recipient doesn’t have insurance, then they would have to personally have to take care of the financial responsibility. They would have to talk about possible payment arrangements with their health care providers.
In Florida it is illegal to drive without insurance. If you are caught without it then you can have your license, license plate and tags suspended. Along with that you would have to be financially responsible for any damages caused to another party and their vehicle. In normal cases, if you are involved in a car accident then your insurance company would be financially responsible. In this case there is no insurance company to take care of it. Along with paying for the other party, you would have to be financially responsible for your own vehicle and expenses.
There are different penalties when it comes to DUI cases. Depending on the factors and how many penalties you have gotten over your driving career, your penalties can vary between lenient or very serious. If a person is seriously injured, then you can be charged with a misdemeanor and serve a year sentence. If a death to an individual or unborn child occurred due to a DUI related accident, then it becomes a felony and you can face a minimum sentence of five years in prison.
What are the things to avoid to claim fair compensation from a car accident?
Make sure you didn’t do anything on the don’ts list when it comes to accidents. Ask yourself these questions, Did I make sure I took enough pictures of the scene? Did I get all of the other party’s information? Were the police called immediately after the crash? Was my insurance called? And did I receive any medical attention? You would also want to make sure that you are present at the scene until the police have collected their information and left the scene. If you leave before they arrive you can be charged with a misdemeanor for a hit and run, even if you weren’t the responsible party.
Where should you go if you are involved in a car accident in Florida?
One of the first places you should go if you are involved in an accident would be the hospital. You want to get a medical evaluation as soon as possible to see if there are any internal damages. Any discoveries can be added to the police report and insurance claims.
Who to contact and trust if involved in a car accident in Florida?
If you are involved in a car accident you would want to contact your insurance company as soon as possible when you get into an accident. Make sure you file a claim but do not give an official statement to them. You would also want to contact an experienced car accident attorney. They can help you get the proper documents and tell you what necessary items you would need for a case. Any evidence provided will be reviewed and help to prove your innocence as well as prove that you were the injured party.
Had a Car accident in Florida?
When it comes to car accidents you want to be responsible in your actions and remember the do’s and don’ts. Make sure the police are contacted immediately after the accident occurs and make sure other parties are okay. After that, you would want to alert your insurance company too so you can make a claim and then seek medical attention as soon as possible. When you make your insurance claim do not make an official statement or admit guilt for the accident because you can be legally blamed for the accident. The best thing would be to avoid any actions that can end up hurting your chances of receiving any compensation.
If you or your loved one are in need of information on The Do’s and Donts after a Car Accident, call us at 407-930-8912 to speak with a qualified legal professional or fill out the contact form on this page. We’re available 24/7, we offer free initial consultation and payment plans. In addition to our Orlando location, we have offices in the following cities across the state of Florida:
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