(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.

Collier County Accident Injury Attorney

After experiencing an accident in Naples, 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 Naples law firm that will fearlessly fight to acquire maximum compensation on your behalf. That is precisely what Trial Pro, P.A. does. Our Naples lawyers hold a strong reputation for winning cases, and we do everything in our power to deliver the results you're expecting.

If you are reading this, you or someone you know may have been involved in an accident in Collier County, Florida. Accidents can happen anytime and can significantly affect your life. You may be unable to work, pay bills, or take care of everyday tasks due to the severity of your injuries sustained in the accident. As frustrating as this may be, know that you are not alone and that Trial Pro, P.A., is here to help you navigate the legal system and pursue the compensation you are entitled to.

Trial Pro, P.A., is a highly experienced accident injury law firm representing numerous clients in Collier County, Florida. Our team of dedicated attorneys and legal professionals understands that accidents can be devastating and life-changing. We are passionate about advocating for our client's rights and pursuing the best possible outcome for their case. We have successfully represented clients in all types of accident injury cases, including:

Car accidents
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Boating accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Slip-and-fall accidents
Dog bites

We take a personalized approach to every case we handle, as we understand that no two accidents are the same. We prioritize thoroughly investigating the accident and gathering all necessary evidence to strengthen your case. We also work with medical professionals to understand the full extent of your injuries and how they may affect your future.

When hiring an attorney in Collier County, choosing someone knowledgeable in local laws and with a track record of success is essential. Trial Pro, P.A., has represented many clients in Collier County and is well-versed in the court system and legal proceedings. We are committed to giving our clients aggressive representation and will not back down against insurance companies or opposing parties.

Strict statutes of limitations in Florida determine how long you have to file a lawsuit after an accident. That is why contacting an attorney immediately after your accident is crucial. Our Trial Pro, P.A. team will guide you through the legal process and ensure all necessary deadlines are met.

Our attorneys are available to speak with you 24/7 and offer free consultations. We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not get paid unless we win your case. This lets our clients focus on their recovery without worrying about legal fees.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident in Collier County, Florida, do not hesitate to contact Trial Pro, P.A. We are here to fight for your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.

Trial Pro P.A. is proud to advocate for victims all over the state of Florida, including our office in Collier 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, Union Park, Fort Pierce, Clearwater, Dr. Phillips, Suntree and more!

What should you do if you are involved in a car accident in Collier County, Florida?

First and foremost, determine the physical condition of yourself and any passengers and provide any type of guidance you are competently in a position to perform. Do the very same for the occupants of the other vehicles. As soon as possible call 911 to report the wreck and provide whatever relevant information they require. Then find a secure spot for yourself and passengers and wait at the collision site with your motor vehicle until the law enforcement get there. You should not talk about the specifics of exactly how the collision developed with any other motorists or passengers at the crash site, as any statements you make in that regard can be used against you in a future lawsuit. 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 except for if you are disputing car accident. If you are physically able to do so, photograph the damage to your automobile and any other motor vehicles involved in the car accident, and take pictures of any visible personal injuries on your person. Also, call your insurance policy company and report the accident asap immediately after these initial activities.

If you are experiencing soreness or discomfort to any degree, you should advise the responding police officer so they can dispatch medical professionals to assess the situation. When talking with emergency personnel either on the crash scene or at the healthcare facility, it is essential to state all of your injuries. Even if there is one serious problem and other simple issues, there is no way to determine if one of these issues will emerge as more serious, so you must document all of your problems. If you choose not to seek medical assistance at the collision scene and instead decide to pursue medical attention on your own, you must do so as soon as possible following the crash. This is both for your personal health and well-being along with to ensure you meet certain statutory requirements regarding motor vehicle insurance coverage. Most car drivers and occupants suffering personal injuries are entitled to personal injury protection (PIP) insurance benefits of up to $10,000 toward payment of medical expenses linked to the accident. Nevertheless, according to Florida Statutes, unless you seek medical treatment and the medical provider records you have suffered an "emergency medical condition" or EMC, your insurance benefits will be significantly reduced. Once you seek medical attention and the healthcare provider shows in your record that you suffered an EMC, you are entitled to seek the entire $10,000 benefit under either your PIP insurance or a family member's PIP insurance coverage. Be certain to record each one of your actions as you move forward. It is also essential to document any out of pocket expenses related to the car accident. This includes lost time from your job if you are not immediately in a position to come back to work, as you can recover from the at fault vehicle owner not only medical bills and expenses, but also time you miss out from your job if your injuries restrict you from doing your work duties.

Need to File Personal Injury Claim after an Accident? Talk with our Expert Collier County, FL Injury Accident Lawyers To schedule your free initial appointment Contact Trial Pro today - 800-874-2577

Once you have dealt with these initial tasks, you should seek assistance from a trial attorney in Collier County focusing on car accidents immediately. Time is essential, as there are insurance issues that must be promptly resolved, there is evidence that must be preserved just like photographing the involved cars, capturing on film the collision scenario, finding and speaking with witnesses, and inspecting and taking measurements of the accident scenario. As time goes by, these types of evidence become harder if not impossible to obtain. Witnesses relocate and over time lose memory of certain facts and physical evidence such as skid marks, fragments from the vehicles and damage to any part of the street or structures abutting the road also start to disappear completely, and once they are gone, there is no chance to recoup the same information. A lawyer will also identify all insurance companies that have any connection to the cars or people involved in the accident, and they will work directly with the insurance adjustors so you do not have to. Your attorney should also send claims for early and ongoing lost wages, property damage to your auto, and any other accident damages you suffer in the initial days and weeks following the accident and moving forward from that aspect until your dispute is settled. In picking an attorney, check out the lawyer and law firm's number of yrs in practice, and be certain the lawyer is a trial attorney. Florida lawyers manage personal injury legal matters on a contingency basis, so there is no worry about paying out the attorney until and unless the attorney recoups money for your accident injuries. The lawyers' fees for Florida attorneys dealing with accident claims are controlled by the Florida Bar and consistent with all attorneys throughout the state. Again, get initial medical attention first and foremost-- that is essential-- but from there on the quicker you seek advice from a lawyer, the sooner the attorney can embark on positioning the pieces into place to get fair and full settlement for your lesions and damages.

In the few days or weeks following the crash, the insurance company for the at-fault motorist may get in touch with you. If you have retained an attorney, just simply instruct them of the name and contact details of the lawyer, and do not provide any further facts. If you have not retained an attorney, you should talk to a lawyer prior to giving any information and facts or claims to the insurance provider. Insurance providers are well known for seeking to rapidly resolve claims for lesser than full value, thus taking advantage of their experience and knowledge by speaking an accident victim into agreeing to a significantly smaller sum of money than the victim would typically be entitled. This is common with the insurance coverage industry, and once they persuade the injured party to accept money, the victim ordinarily is legally forbidden from seeking his or her claim. The most effective way to avoid allowing the insurance company to deprive you of proper compensation is to retain an experienced lawyer who has been down that road many times previously.

To speak to a personal injury attorney at law - Contact us at (800) 874-2577 for a no cost assessment regarding your Collier County personal injury case.

No Fee Unless We Win or Settle!

At Trial Pro, P.A., our collision lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means our experts cover the expenses of researching, constructing, negotiating and litigating your insurance claim. We do not bill you a single thing unless our legal professionals recover compensation on your behalf. If we don't win your lawsuit, you will pay us nothing.

Our Collier County injury lawyers also provide free evaluations to examine the aspects of your claim and determine if you have a lawsuit. Schedule a Free Examination

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of someone else's negligence or carelessness, you need a highly regarded lawyer by your side who is familiar with the statutes and laws in FL.

Our Collier County personal injury attorneys are skilled in injury lawsuits and have been recognized by our peers for our success. A few of our legal professionals have been mentioned as Super Lawyers and notable litigators for their victories in behalf of our clients.

We have recovered favorable verdicts and compensations that were instrumental in aiding our clients recoup from their injuries or the loss of a loved one. Let us help you recover the max amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Personal Injury Cases Frequently Asked Questions