29 Aug

Most common mistakes Florida drivers make after an accident

Florida Law Group Car Accidents, In the News, Tips

If you were injured in an accident, don’t make these critical errors, especially if you live in Florida! 

Did you know that Florida is one of the top ten most dangerous states for drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians? It has the second highest number of pedestrian deaths, the fourth highest number of motorcycle fatalities, and has 23% more car accident fatalities than the national average. It also has the highest number of uninsured drivers. Accidents are common in Florida, due to the congested nature of our state (especially metropolises like the Tampa Bay Area), the high number of tourists, the high number of elderly retirees, and the distracted driving laws (which are now changing). 

We hope you are never in an accident, but if you are, we want to give you the tools you need to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your financial assets.

Why is it so important to avoid post-accident mistakes?

Anyone involved in a collision has certain legal rights. Your car insurance will typically take care of any vehicle-related damage, but if you are seriously injured, your insurance company may try to settle with you for less than what you deserve. Legal intervention is usually necessary even for minor injuries sustained, and with the right Florida car accident attorney, you have a great chance of recovering full compensation. 

However, your claim may be weakened if you there are certain things you neglect to do. You have legal rights, but you also have responsibilities as a victim that can make or break your case! 

Here are the top 5 common mistakes that Florida drivers make directly following an accident:

Not calling the police

Always, always call the police when you are in an accident, even if it seems minor.

 Many people think that if there is no noticeable damage to the car, and if everyone is mostly unharmed, that they can just exchange insurance and contact information and that will be sufficient for making a claim. Or they will exchange no information at all, assuming that the whole incident will quickly be forgotten. 

However, it is important in car accident claims to have documentation, which insurance companies often require. Having a police report provides this official documentation and also prevents either party from changing their story or giving you false contact/insurance information, which happens often in car accident cases and can make insurance claims or further litigation very messy. Even if no one seems hurt, your injuries may not present themselves at the time of the incident, but several days later you may find yourself in chronic pain from whiplash or a head injury that initially went unnoticed due to adrenaline. 

Not reviewing the police report

Having a police report is essential, but police are human, and have many responsibilities and distractions when an accident occurs. It’s possible for them to make errors on the report. You can be assured that insurance will look for anything to discredit you so that they can settle for less than full compensation. Review the police report when it is given to you and make sure everything is correct!

Not taking pictures of the scene

You may need evidence to help prove your case, especially if there are conflicting stories, if the other driver was recklessly negligent beyond mere carelessness, or if you or a loved one sustained life-changing injuries. After you call the police, this is the first thing you should do. Always take pictures of the crash scene – the cars (outside and inside), the surrounding areas, different viewpoints, etc. Make sure to also photograph your injuries, because the police will likely not do this. And because insurance investigations can take a long time, keep them backed up so you and your lawyer can access them at a later date. 

Not getting an immediate, thorough medical examination

Some people wait weeks or months to see a doctor following an accident. This can really hurt your case; as we mentioned, insurance companies will look for anything to discredit you. If you wait to get treatment, even if your injuries are severe, they can point to that as a sign that your injuries were not severe enough for you to seek medical attention right away. Visit a doctor as soon as you can after an accident, and keep any documentation you receive from that visit. Make sure the doctor knows about any aches and soreness that you have, even if it seems minor. It is completely normal to develop pain days or weeks following an accident, so go back to the doctor if you start experiencing new symptoms. 

Not hiring an attorney to settle your claim

Insurance companies can be intimidating, and the claims process is frustratingly complex. It requires a legal expert. There is solid data to prove that those who have worked with a seasoned lawyer recover more money in damages than those who attempt to recover damages on their own with no counsel. Don’t try to settle your claim by yourself. While you focus on healing, contact a reputable attorney who knows the local courts and can advocate for your best interest! Many people mistakenly think that hiring a lawyer is too expensive for them. However, most law firms work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not pay them anything unless they recover damages for you, and that will come from the settlement you are awarded, not from your own pocket. 

The Florida Law Group has over 100 years of collective experience litigating for car accident victims! We know how serious car accidents can be, and we also know exactly how to navigate the claims process (or if need be, the local courts) to secure victory for our clients. We are in the top 1% of law firms in the nation, and have won numerous awards and distinctions for our ability to get verdicts for people whose lives have been changed by negligent drivers. today for a free case evaluation!

If you were injured in an accident, don’t make these critical errors, especially if you live in Florida! 

Did you know that Florida is one of the top ten most dangerous states for drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians? It has the second highest number of pedestrian deaths, the fourth highest number of motorcycle fatalities, and has 23% more car accident fatalities than the national average. It also has the highest number of uninsured drivers. Accidents are common in Florida, due to the congested nature of our state (especially metropolises like the Tampa Bay Area), the high number of tourists, the high number of elderly retirees, and the distracted driving laws (which are now changing). 

We hope you are never in an accident, but if you are, we want to give you the tools you need to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your financial assets.

Why is it so important to avoid post-accident mistakes?

Anyone involved in a collision has certain legal rights. Your car insurance will typically take care of any vehicle-related damage, but if you are seriously injured, your insurance company may try to settle with you for less than what you deserve. Legal intervention is usually necessary even for minor injuries sustained, and with the right Florida car accident attorney, you have a great chance of recovering full compensation. 

However, your claim may be weakened if you there are certain things you neglect to do. You have legal rights, but you also have responsibilities as a victim that can make or break your case! 

Here are the top 5 common mistakes that Florida drivers make directly following an accident:

Not calling the police

Always, always call the police when you are in an accident, even if it seems minor.

 Many people think that if there is no noticeable damage to the car, and if everyone is mostly unharmed, that they can just exchange insurance and contact information and that will be sufficient for making a claim. Or they will exchange no information at all, assuming that the whole incident will quickly be forgotten. 

However, it is important in car accident claims to have documentation, which insurance companies often require. Having a police report provides this official documentation and also prevents either party from changing their story or giving you false contact/insurance information, which happens often in car accident cases and can make insurance claims or further litigation very messy. Even if no one seems hurt, your injuries may not present themselves at the time of the incident, but several days later you may find yourself in chronic pain from whiplash or a head injury that initially went unnoticed due to adrenaline. 

Not reviewing the police report

Having a police report is essential, but police are human, and have many responsibilities and distractions when an accident occurs. It’s possible for them to make errors on the report. You can be assured that insurance will look for anything to discredit you so that they can settle for less than full compensation. Review the police report when it is given to you and make sure everything is correct!

Not taking pictures of the scene

You may need evidence to help prove your case, especially if there are conflicting stories, if the other driver was recklessly negligent beyond mere carelessness, or if you or a loved one sustained life-changing injuries. After you call the police, this is the first thing you should do. Always take pictures of the crash scene – the cars (outside and inside), the surrounding areas, different viewpoints, etc. Make sure to also photograph your injuries, because the police will likely not do this. And because insurance investigations can take a long time, keep them backed up so you and your lawyer can access them at a later date. 

Not getting an immediate, thorough medical examination

Some people wait weeks or months to see a doctor following an accident. This can really hurt your case; as we mentioned, insurance companies will look for anything to discredit you. If you wait to get treatment, even if your injuries are severe, they can point to that as a sign that your injuries were not severe enough for you to seek medical attention right away. Visit a doctor as soon as you can after an accident, and keep any documentation you receive from that visit. Make sure the doctor knows about any aches and soreness that you have, even if it seems minor. It is completely normal to develop pain days or weeks following an accident, so go back to the doctor if you start experiencing new symptoms. 

Not hiring an attorney to settle your claim

Insurance companies can be intimidating, and the claims process is frustratingly complex. It requires a legal expert. There is solid data to prove that those who have worked with a seasoned lawyer recover more money in damages than those who attempt to recover damages on their own with no counsel. Don’t try to settle your claim by yourself. While you focus on healing, contact a reputable attorney who knows the local courts and can advocate for your best interest! Many people mistakenly think that hiring a lawyer is too expensive for them. However, most law firms work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not pay them anything unless they recover damages for you, and that will come from the settlement you are awarded, not from your own pocket. 

The Florida Law Group has over 100 years of collective experience litigating for car accident victims! We know how serious car accidents can be, and we also know exactly how to navigate the claims process (or if need be, the local courts) to secure victory for our clients. We are in the top 1% of law firms in the nation, and have won numerous awards and distinctions for our ability to get verdicts for people whose lives have been changed by negligent drivers. today for a free case evaluation!