(When) Do you have to call the police after a minor car accident?

The process following an automobile collision can become frustrating, drawn out and confusing. Not taking the proper steps when involved in an accident could leave you exposed to complications and delays in the different processes following the crash. Contacting the police after any collision is one of those very important and necessary steps. Think of it this way, if you were involved in a fight but nobody was around to witness the fight, the explanation of this fight would end up being a “he said” “she said” argument. With no independent witnesses around to confirm the accounts fight, the two parties could essentially endlessly argue that the other side was at fault.

What To Do After A Personal Injury Accident?

Being in an auto accident can be a scary situation for most people. There are many things that go through your mind such as does the person that just hit me have adequate insurance, do I have adequate insurance, what do I do about my vehicle, should I call the police? It is always best to call the police immediately after an auto accident. Even if the other party tells you that they want to work out the damages with you directly and do not want the police involved, you should always call the police to protect yourself and your interests. If you do not have a crash report documenting your accident, it is hard for the insurance companies to determine liability, especially if the other party who hit you does not accept fault or changes their story when speaking with the insurance adjusters. This could result in time-consuming and costly lawsuits later down the road. Usually, a police officer can determine who is at fault from interviewing all parties involved in the accident and any independent witnesses that saw the accident happen. Police officers can also sometimes determine liability based on where the damage is to each vehicle.

How do I choose a car accident lawyer?

After an auto accident or a slip and fall, you may have several questions and find yourself searching the internet for answers. The internet is full of answers, some not as accurate as others. You may also find yourself discussing your claim with a friend or family member who may have their own input, which again may not be accurate information. Each personal injury claim is unique and some are more complicated than others. This is the number one reason why you should never rely on the information from someone who is not an expert in the personal injury field. Family members and friends like to help but their situation may have been greatly different than yours so what happened with their claim may not be applicable for yours. The only way to really know how to move forward with your claim is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can discuss your claim and your situation to see what the best plan of action would be.

Brevard County Accident Injury Attorney

After experiencing an accident in Melbourne, the last thing you want is to have an attorney at hand that doesn't know how to represent you adequately. You want a reputable Melbourne law firm that will fearlessly fight to acquire maximum compensation on your behalf. That is precisely what Trial Pro, P.A. does. Our Melbourne lawyers hold a strong reputation for winning cases, and we do everything in our power to deliver the results you're expecting.

Trial Pro P.A. is proud to advocate for victims all over the state of Florida, including our office in Brevard County. Our dedicated experienced personal injury attorneys handle a range of legal matters, from employment disputes to auto accidents claims. We can use our knowledge and legal skills to help you not only achieve a favorable outcome, but relieve the legal burden from your shoulders as well. Our entire team understands how challenging and confusing litigation can be, which is why we are here for you through every step of the process. Serving all areas of Florida including Orlando, Apopka, Oldsmar, Cape Coral, Union Park, Golden Gate and more!

What should you do if you are involved in a car or truck collision in Brevard County, FL?

Before anything else, assess the physical health condition of yourself and any occupants and provide any kind of help you are competently capable to handle. Do the exact same for the occupants of the other motor vehicles. Without delay call 911 to report the wreck and provide whatever information they need. At that time find a secure spot for yourself and passengers and wait at the collision site with your vehicle till the law enforcement arrive. You should not talk about the particulars of how the crash occurred with any other motorists or passengers at the crash site, as any statements you make in that matter can be used against you in a future suit. You are required to cooperate with the investigating police agency, and statements included in the police report can not be used against you in a later civil court proceeding other than if you are contesting auto accident. If you are physically able to do so, photograph the damages to your car and all other automobiles involved in the car accident, and take photos of any visible personal injuries on you. Additionally, contact your insurance company and report the collision asap soon after these initial activities.

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort to any degree, you should advise the responding police officer so they can dispatch medical professionals to evaluate the situation. When talking with emergency personnel either on the accident scene or at the emergency room, it is vital to state all of your complaints. Even if there is one major problem and other minor concerns, there is no way to determine if any of these problems will emerge as more harmful, so you must log all of your issues. If you choose not to seek medical help at the accident scene and instead decide to pursue medical attention by yourself, you must do so immediately following the crash. This is both for your personal health and well-being as well as to make sure you meet certain statutory requirements regarding vehicle insurance coverage. Most motorists and occupants sustaining injuries are entitled to personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage benefits of up to $10,000 toward payment of medical expenses associated with the car accident. That being said, pursuant to Florida Statutes, unless you get medical treatment and the medical provider records you have suffered an "emergency medical condition" or EMC, your insurance benefits will be seriously reduced. Once you seek medical attention and the healthcare provider points out in your record that you experienced an EMC, you are entitled to pursue the entire $10,000 benefit under either your PIP insurance or a family member's PIP insurance. Be certain to log all of your activities as you move forward. It is also vital to document any out of pocket bills related to the accident. This includes lost time from work if you are not immediately in a position to return to work, as you can recover from the at fault motorist not only medical bills and expenses, but also time you miss out from your job if your traumas prohibit you from conducting your work duties.

Need to File Injury Claim after an Accident? Talk with our Expert Brevard County Personal Injury Accident Lawyers Please call our office so we may discuss your case with you - 800-874-2577

Once you have dealt with these initial activities, you should get assistance from a trial attorney in Melbourne Florida focusing on car accidents immediately. Time is of the essence, as there are insurance matters that need to be immediately resolved, there is evidence that must be preserved like photographing the involved cars, getting a shot the collision place, finding and interviewing witnesses, and examining and taking measurements of the collision scenario. As time passes, these types of evidence become harder if not hardly possible to obtain. Witnesses move and eventually lose memory of specific facts and physical evidence like skid marks, fragments from the motor vehicles and damage to any segment of the road or structures edging the roadway also begin to disappear completely, and once they are gone, there is no way to recover the same information. An attorney will also identify all insurance coverage providers that have any connection to the automobiles or people associated with the traffic collision, and they will negotiate directly with the insurance adjustors so you do not have to. Your lawyer or attorney should also submit claims for early and ongoing lost incomes, property damage to your car or truck, and any other accident damages you suffer in the early days and weeks following the collision and moving forward from that aspect until your dispute is settled. In picking an attorney, look into the lawyer and law office's number of years in practice, and be certain the attorney is a trial lawyer or attorney. Fla lawyers handle personal injury legal matters on a contingency basis, so there is no issue about paying the attorney until and unless the attorney recovers money for your accident injuries. The lawyers' fees for Fla attorneys addressing accident lawsuits are regulated by the Florida Bar and consistent with all lawyers throughout the state. Again, get initial medical attention before all else-- that is essential-- but after that the faster you speak with a lawyer, the faster the attorney can initiate positioning the pieces into place to get fair and full payment for your personal injuries and damages.

In the few days or weeks following the accident, the insurance provider for the at-fault motorist may get in touch with you. If you have retained a lawyer, simply advise them of the name and contact information of the law firm, and do not provide any additional details. If you have not retained an attorney, you should talk to an attorney prior to giving any information and facts or statements to the insurance provider. Insurance agencies are notorious for trying to quickly settle claims for lesser than full value, thus making the most of their experience and knowledge by speaking an accident victim into agreeing to a considerably smaller sum of money than the victim would typically be entitled. This is common with the auto insurance industry, and once they persuade the injured party to accept money, the victim in most cases is legally prevented from seeking his or her insurance claim. The most effective way to stay away from allowing the insurance company to deprive you of fair compensation is to retain an experienced law firm who has been down that road many times before.

To talk with an accident legal professional - Get in touch with us at (800) 874-2577 for a no obligation consultation regarding your Brevard County accident case.

No Fees Unless We Win

At Trial Pro, P.A., our accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means our experts cover the costs of reviewing, building, negotiating and litigating your case. We do not bill you a thing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. If we do not win your lawsuit, you will pay us nothing.

With offices in Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Naples, Brevard County, Melbourne Florida and Fort Myers.

Our Brevard County injury legal professionals also provide free assessments to evaluate the particulars of your claim and determine if you have a case. Arrange a Free Consultation

If you or someone else you love has been impaired as a result of someone else's negligence or carelessness, you need a highly regarded lawyer on your side who is familiar with the policies and regulations in The Sunshine State.

Our Brevard County injury attorneys are experts in tort litigation and have been recognized by our peers for our accomplishments. A few of our lawyers have been listed as Super Lawyers and prominent litigators for their victories on behalf of our clients.

We have recovered desirable judgments and settlements that contributed in assisting our clients in in Palm Bay to bounce back from their personal injuries or the loss of a loved one. Let us help you recover the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to for your personal injuries.

Brevard County Accident Injury Attorney

What should you do if you are involved in a car or truck collision in Brevard County, FL?

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