Every day Florida residents climb into their vehicles to go to work, school, or out for the errands and activities that make up our daily lives. No one ever expects an accident, yet nearly 60,000 car accidents occurred in Florida in 2023 with 229,644 injuries and 3,007 fatalities.
The aftermath of a car accident in Florida is traumatic and confusing, especially if you’ve experienced painful or frightening injuries. If you’re too seriously injured to move safely, you may be able to do little other than wait in place for help to arrive. However, if you can move about safely or hand your phone to someone else to use for you, it only takes minutes to document critical evidence that can help you recover financially from the accident as well as physically.
There’s nothing worse than the sound of breaking glass and crunching metal. The trauma of a car accident stays with victims for a very long time, and some car accident injuries may be life-altering. After an accident, it could be dangerous to move and risk causing further injury. Never leave the scene of an accident, but if you’re in a dangerous location and can move safely, move out of the flow of traffic and remain on the shoulder of the road away from traffic. Then, do the following:
Most accident victims don’t realize how critical it can be to take down the contact information of eyewitnesses to an accident. Often, those at the scene of an accident lend a hand and then disappear. Some eyewitness names never make it onto the police report. Eyewitnesses to a car accident in Florida can be the most reliable evidence of the at-fault driver’s liability in places where there are no traffic cameras.
During the rush of adrenaline after an accident, victims may not realize they are injured, or they may notice obvious injuries and overlook other injuries with minor symptoms that may worsen during the hours or days after the accident. Common injuries in Florida car accidents include:
After an accident, it’s best to accept emergency transportation to a hospital or to make arrangements for transportation to an emergency room. At the hospital, be sure to tell the doctor about every symptom, even if it seems minor. Ask your doctor for a detailed medical report of your injuries, the doctor’s recommendation for treatment, and your prognosis for recovery. Then, obtain a copy of the medical report for your records.
The days after an accident are often painful and filled with sleepless nights and days of medical treatments. You could be facing temporary or permanent disability depending on the severity of your injuries. It’s important to follow all of your doctor’s instructions. Make it to every appointment and fill every prescription. Keep all of your doctor bills and receipts for related expenses. Be sure to take the following important steps:
Insurance companies are rarely on the victim’s side after a car accident no matter how compassionate they sound on the phone. Instead, they prioritize their profits over paying out on damages like medical expenses and property damage. By knowing what to do after a car accident in Florida, you can maximize the compensation available to you later.
Florida drivers must carry at least the minimum required car insurance which includes $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and $10,000 in property damage liability coverage. After a Florida car accident, drivers must file a claim for damages against their own insurance policy in accordance with the state’s no-fault insurance laws. Only in cases of severe or catastrophic injuries can accident victims file lawsuits against a negligent driver or other liable party in a car accident. A successful lawsuit against an at-fault driver can bring compensation for damages including the following:
When a victim’s damages far exceed the $10,000 limit of their PIP car accident coverage in Florida a personal injury lawsuit can help car accident victims recover compensation for their damages.
Insurance companies often use specific tactics to avoid paying out on large claims. After your car accident in Florida, avoid the following common insurance company tactics that benefit their profits rather than your payout:
It’s always best to direct all communication with insurance adjusters to your Florida car accident attorney. The car accident attorneys at Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann won’t hesitate to handle all communication with the insurance companies for you. Our car accident lawyers are located in Sarasota and Bradenton. Contact them today for a free case evaluation!
