What do I do now? That’s probably the first thing you’ll be thinking once you get out of your car and assess the damage caused by the other driver’s negligence.
This short article will go over what you should expect to do following a car accident, so you can rest assured that everything is under control.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that there were more than 5.5 million car accidents in the U.S. last year and over 2 million injuries related to those accidents. South Florida is considered one of the most dangerous places to drive in America. Every year, there are more than 44 accidents per 1,000 drivers. With this many cars on the road, it’s not hard to imagine how difficult it is to avoid an accident. Luckily, we’re here to help answer your questions about what you should do after an accident has happened.
So why do people keep having accidents? It can happen for many reasons:
Lack of sleep
Texting while driving
Using your phone while driving
Speeding
Impaired driving
Not signaling lane switches
You can reduce your chances of an accident by being aware of what you’re doing behind the wheel so be sure to buckle up, obey traffic laws (including speed limits) and avoid distractions like cell phones or food.
The list of serious injuries from auto accidents is extensive. The most common include:
Broken bones
Concussions
Head trauma
Spinal cord injuries
Bruises and cuts
Mental Health PTSD
Driving Anxiety
Eating at the wheel
Roadway debris such as glass can also cause lacerations or deep cuts to the skin. And then there are those who suffer from psychological trauma following a collision such as post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety disorders. Focusing on these types of injuries will help to illustrate how an accident can change your life in an instant – it is important to know what steps you need to take after being injured by someone else’s negligence so that you are prepared for what comes next.
Florida also has what is known as no-fault car insurance coverage. This means that your own personal injury protection (PIP) benefits will be available to pay for medical bills and lost wages regardless of who was at fault for the accident. The other driver’s auto insurance company will be responsible for paying their PIP benefits to you. They can still deny payment for any reason they want, but if they do not pay or contest the claim in court then you are entitled to 100% of your PIP benefits from them. You may also have rights to sue them in court if they refuse to pay or contest your claim.
The FIRST step after your car accident should be to seek medical attention
The first step you should take after being in a car accident is to seek medical attention. Car accidents can cause some serious injuries that require immediate treatment. Even if you feel fine when you get out of the car, you may still have some internal injuries that are more severe than they seem. If possible, it’s best to wait until at least an hour after the accident before going to the hospital because some injuries may not be apparent until then. The emergency room staff will ask you questions about what happened during your accident so they can make sure there are no signs of life-threatening conditions such as head or neck trauma, shock or other internal bleeding.
Helping you find experienced legal counsel for your potential car accident case
The next step is to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Once they are aware of the situation, they will be able to help determine what steps need to be taken next. This process can vary in length depending on how severe the accident was and who was at fault for it. If it is determined that you were not at fault for the accident, then this should be easy–your insurance will cover all expenses related to your vehicle’s damage or loss. We are not a law-firm, but rather a client representative firm guiding you through all the hoops after getting into a car accident.
Do I need to pay upfront fees for your services?
No, you don’t have to pay anything upfront for our services. We simply refer you to experienced attorneys and guide you toward the right path. You only pay when your legal counsel wins your case and recovers money for you. This means that once your legal counsel has proven liability (that the other driver was at fault), they will send him or her a demand letter along with evidence of liability. They will then work on negotiating an out-of-court settlement with them. If they refuse to settle out-of-court and instead want to go to court, your referred law firm will file your case in court as soon as possible so that you can get your day in court as quickly as possible.
Your legal counsel will likely want to review your police report and any evidence you have gathered
If you have not already done so, it is important to gather any evidence from the scene of the accident before it is too late. The police report will include all of the necessary information about what happened, but in addition to that you should take photos of any damage to both vehicles as well as anything else that may be pertinent such as eyewitnesses or traffic cameras. Keep in mind that this process can be stressful, so if possible find a friend or family member who can help you with gathering evidence. Once you have gathered all of your evidence it’s time to consult with an attorney. Most attorneys will want to review all of your information including your police report and any other evidence before deciding on which course of action they think would be best for you.
Once the lawyer has reviewed your case, they will sit down with you for a free consultation!
A free consultation with a lawyer is your best chance to find out if you have a case worth pursuing. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions that have come up after reading this article. These consultations are designed to help both of us understand more about your situation so that we can advise you on what to do next. If this sounds like something you would like to pursue, then please call our office at 305-633-2858 or send us an email at info@thenofaultgroup.com.
How long does it take to get the money from my car accident case?
We can’t predict how long it will take for your case to be resolved. The timing varies based on the complexity of your case and the type of insurance coverage you have. Some cases are resolved in as little as two months while others can take up to two years. If you are in need of legal counsel and have been injured by another driver’s negligence, please contact us today.
Florida Statute of Limitations
Florida law requires that any lawsuit related to personal injury must be filed within two years of the date of injury. However, if you have been injured in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence (such as driving under the influence), then you have only one year from the date of your accident to file a suit for your damages.
Do I have to settle right away or do I go to court?
If you were in an accident with someone who was at-fault for the collision, you have to decide whether you want to settle your case or go to trial. If you feel like it’s worth it to try and get more money from going through trial, then go ahead. However if not then sometimes it’s best to just settle because doing so can take much less time than going through a trial. But if you do want to go through with it, then make sure that you’ve got enough evidence so that your case is strong enough.
What if the other negligent driver has no insurance?
If you were in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance, you may have to pay for all of your damages out-of-pocket. You can use your car insurance as secondary coverage if the other driver’s insurance company won’t cover them. Your car insurance will also help cover any damage done to your vehicle. You can file a claim with their insurer even though they weren’t at fault for the accident.