Auto accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including driver negligence, defective vehicle components, poorly maintained roads, or badly installed parts. Moreover, substandard medical care can sometimes aggravate the damage caused by the initial auto accident. Do you know what to do if you have been injured in an auto accident?
What To Do After An Auto Accident
It is important to call 911 immediately following your accident and not to assume that somebody else will. If you are unable to make the call yourself, then ask a witness to dial it for you. Inform the dispatcher that you need police and medical assistance, and if possible, let them know the condition of not only yourself and the passengers in your vehicle, but the condition of the other people involved. This will let the dispatcher know what type of help to send.
While you are waiting for the police to arrive, it is imperative for you to take pictures of the scene of the accident including, but not limited to:
- Photos of your injuries or the injuries of others
- Both close-up shots and panoramic shots of the damage from the accident
You will also want to include any environmental factors that could’ve had an effect on the accident, such as rainy and slick road conditions, or traffic signs such as a yield sign.
Do not speak to the other driver. Emotions can be very high and there is a potential for conflict. But you also risk saying something that could be later used against you. Statements such as “I didn’t even see the other driver”, “I was looking straight ahead”, or “they came out of nowhere” may seem like innocuous statements, but they could have an impact on your case. Instead, stick only to what you need to say to the other driver. By law you must exchange the following information:
- Your name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Auto insurer and policy number
- If requested by the other driver, your driver’s license
It is also imperative that you seek medical attention right away. The sooner you do, the sooner you will have the relief that you deserve. Then, call the Florida Injury Law Group to schedule your free consultation and to find out what critical steps you must take next .
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident caused at least in part by someone else’s negligence or by a defective car product, then you may be able to receive financial compensation. Compensation can help cover the costs you incurred for the medical care you required, the wages that you have lost or may lose in the future as a result of the injury, as well as for your pain and suffering. Consulting with an experienced Fort Lauderdale accident attorney is the best way to assess your chances of receiving such compensation.
Even if you were partly responsible for the auto accident, you may still be able to recover compensation for the part played by others. While you are expected to limit the damage that you suffer, as much as you can (for example by getting the recommended medical treatment for your injuries), Florida law does not bar you from seeking compensation in such situations.
As the injured party, in a case involving negligence you would be required to prove several things: that the other person or entity responsible failed to act as a reasonable person would have under the circumstances; that the other party’s negligence was the cause of your injuries; and that you did suffer harm as a result of that party’s negligence. You would need to collect evidence to back up your claim–enough to show that it is more likely than not that your version of each of the elements noted above is correct. You would also need to present evidence detailing the financial losses that you have suffered, and “translating” non-monetary losses (such as pain or loss of enjoyment caused by the injury) into financial terms. Consulting a seasoned auto accident lawyer is a key component to receiving compensation from a car accident.
In some auto accident injury cases it can be difficult to determine precisely who was responsible for the car accident. In addition, the law might protect some parties, such as governmental agencies, from being sued. In almost all cases, disputes are likely to arise over the degrees of fault, the extent of the injuries, or the proper amount that would compensate one for pain and suffering. Consulting an experienced Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Attorney about the particular facts of your case should help you pin down what roadblocks might arise on your path to recovery, and what evidence and arguments will have to be presented in order to surmount such roadblocks.
If someone you love was killed in a car accident, you may also have a claim for compensation for “wrongful death.”
If you have any further questions or if you have been injured in an auto accident and would like to speak to one of our Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Attorneys, please call us or contact us here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Accidents
If you need answers now about your Fort Lauderdale auto accident, then you can speak to an attorney by calling us at 954.793.4170. However, here are some answers to questions people often ask us at Florida Injury Law Group.
What am I responsible for in my personal injury case?
While our knowledgeable attorneys will fight aggressively for you, there are some things that you can do to help your personal injury case. Here are just a few of them:
- Stick to the treatment plan prescribed by the physician who diagnosed your injuries.
- Document your injuries and recovery in a journal. Take pictures of your recovery as well, such as images of you trying to walk at physical therapy or the stages of healing on your skin.
- Call us before talking to the insurance company. You do not want to be saying anything to the insurance company without your lawyer present.
- If you receive any bills or notices that are related to your case, then send them to our office right away.
What is a statute of limitations?
Because injuries can heal or be aggravated over time, it’s important to file a personal injury claim as soon as possible. A statute of limitations is how long a person has to bring forth a personal claim to collect damages from a defendant. After that point, no matter how strong the evidence is, no court will hear the case. The reason why auto accident attorneys recommend seeking medical help right away is so the insurance company cannot use your delay to argue for a reduced settlement. The statute of limitations in Florida is 2 years, but you want to call Florida Injury Law Group today to schedule your consultation.
How An Auto Attorney Helps You
An auto accident attorney will be able to use their resources in order to build you the strongest case possible. First, they can call in a team of expert witnesses who can testify on your behalf, and make it a lot harder for the defendants to challenge your case. These are authorities in fields such as medicine, physical therapy, accident reconstruction and mental health. Auto accident attorneys will also request depositions from witnesses of your accident.
When you call Florida Injury Law Group, we schedule a free consultation with you to discuss the details of your case. Call today to get started on a full and fair recovery.