What to Avoid After Being Involved in a Car Accident
Close to 400,000 Florida car accidents happen every year. For victims of these accidents, the ability to recover compensation for their medical bills in a personal injury claim is contingent on their actions following the accident. Knowing what to do – and what absolutely NOT to do – after being injured in a car accident is critical if you want to have a good chance of getting the full value of your claim.
What Should I NEVER Do After A Florida Car Accident?
As a top car accident law firm, Your Damage Lawyer has seen hundreds of car accident victims sadly lose out on compensation they otherwise would’ve received for their injuries due to avoidable mistakes. Here’s what you should avoid doing after a Florida car accident in order to protect your claim.
Drive Away
By panicking and leaving the scene of an accident, you’re not only failing to collect key evidence for a future claim, you could be committing a felony. In Florida, abandoning the scene of a crash involving injuries or death is -at minimum – a third-degree felony, carrying a 5-year prison sentence.
Even if you were not the at-fault driver in a crash, leaving may completely eliminate any chance you have at recovering compensation for your injuries, sticking you with all the medical bills caused by another’s negligence. Plus, it’s difficult to determine liability if you leave, and you could potentially open you up to criminal consequences.
Discuss the crash with anyone who isn’t the police (or your lawyer)
Never talk about the crash with anyone else involved in the scene other than law enforcement. Statements made to the police are an important piece of evidence for filing a claim, and many statements are likely privileged. However, any statements you make to other people involved in the scene, or to your insurance company, could be used against you or to minimize your claim. Never tell the person “I just didn’t see you,” or “I’m so sorry,” – in court, these statements could be used against you.
Forget to collect information
The aftermath of a crash can be confusing and traumatizing, but you should keep your head and get the information of all parties involved, including any witnesses at the scene. Make sure to get their name, address, driver’s license number, cell phone number, license plate number, and insurance information. Your own insurance will need this, even if you’re just filing PIP.
Underestimate your injuries
Adrenaline after a crash can mask injuries for hours, so even if you think you’re fine, you should get checked out as soon as possible after an accident. Plus, the longer you wait to get checked out, the more likely your insurance company will try and say your injuries were caused after the accident. Getting examined by a medical provider right after a crash protects not only your physical health, but your chances of recovering money paid for medical bills in a personal injury claim.
Isn’t Florida A No-Fault State?
Although Florida is a no-fault state for car accidents, PIP often doesn’t come close to covering medical bills for serious injuries. If your injuries were significant, proving liability becomes essential for stepping outside the no-fault system and filing a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company.
DO Contact A Florida Car Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a car accident, working with a Florida car accident attorney is your best chance of recovering compensation for your injuries. Call Your Damage Lawyer for a free initial consultation today.