(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.

Fort Myers Accident Injury Attorney

After experiencing an accident in Fort Myers, 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 Fort Myers law firm that will fearlessly fight to acquire maximum compensation on your behalf. That is precisely what Trial Pro, P.A. does. Our Fort Myers 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 Fort Myers. 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, Avalon Park, Lake Nona, Arcadia, Heathrow, Paisley and more!

What should you do if you are involved in an automobile accident in Fort Myers, FL?

First and foremost, determine the physical health condition of yourself and any occupants and render any help you are competently able to perform. Do the very same for the occupants of the other cars. Right away call 911 to report the crash and provide whatever facts they need. Then find a safe location for yourself and passengers and wait at the collision site with your motor vehicle until the police get there. You should not go over the details of how the accident developed with all other motorists or passengers at the collision 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 other than if you are disputing car accident. If you are physically able to do so, photograph the damages to your automobile and all other motor vehicles involved in the collision, and take pictures of any noticeable personal injuries on you. Additionally, contact your insurance carrier and report the collision asap right 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 healthcare professionals to assess the scenario. When speaking to emergency personnel either on the accident scene or at the medical facility, it is vital to state all of your personal injuries. Even if there is one significant problem and other minor issues, there is no way to establish if one of these issues will end up being more significant, 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 as soon as possible following the collision. This is both for your personal health and well-being as well as to make sure you meet certain statutory requirements regarding auto insurance. Most drivers and occupants sustaining personal injuries are entitled to personal injury protection (PIP) insurance benefits of up to $10,000 toward payment of medical expenses related to the collision. However, pursuant to Florida Statutes, unless you get medical treatment and the medical provider reports you have sustained an "emergency medical condition" or EMC, your insurance benefits will be severely limited. Once you seek medical attention and the medical provider indicates in your record that you experienced an EMC, you are entitled to get the entire $10,000 benefit under either your PIP insurance coverage or a family member's PIP insurance. Be sure to log all of your actions as you move forward. It is also vital to record any out of pocket bills related to the car accident. This includes lost time from work if you are not immediately able to come back to work, as you can recover from the at fault driver not only medical bills and expenses, but also time you miss from your job if your traumas restrict you from conducting your work duties.

Need to File Personal Injury Claim after an Accident? Talk with our Expert Lee County Personal Injury Accident Attorneys Call us Today for a FREE no obligation consultation - 800-874-2577

Once you have addressed these initial tasks, you should look for representation from a trial attorney in Ft. Myers focusing on car accidents immediately. Time is of the essence, as there are insurance issues that need to be immediately addressed, there is evidence that must be preserved like photographing the involved cars, capturing on film the collision scenario, locating and questioning witnesses, and assessing and taking measurements of the accident location. As time passes, these forms of evidence become harder or even impossible to secure. Witnesses move and eventually lose recollection of specific details and tangible evidence just like skid marks, fragments from the automobiles and damage to any portion of the roadway or structures edging the street also begin to vanish, and once they are gone, there is no way to recover the same information. A lawyer will also identify all insurance carriers that have any link to the car or trucks 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 damages to your vehicle, and any other incident damages you sustain in the initial days and weeks following the crash and moving forward from that point until your claim is settled. In choosing a lawyer, check out the attorney and law office's number of yrs in practice, and be certain the lawyer is a trial attorney. Fla attorneys manage car accident 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 personal injuries. The lawyers' fees for Fla attorneys handling personal injury lawsuits are regulated by the Florida Bar and consistent with all lawyers throughout the state. Again, get initial medical attention first and foremost-- that is vital-- but from there on the faster you speak with a lawyer, the quicker the lawyer can embark on laying the pieces into place to obtain fair and full payment for your lesions and damages.

In the days or weeks following the crash, the insurance company for the at-fault driver may reach out to you. If you have retained a lawyer, simply advise them of the name and contact details of the attorney, and do not provide any further facts. If you have not retained a lawyer, you should talk to an attorney prior to giving any data or claims to the insurance provider. Insurance providers are notorious for attempting to quickly settle insurance claims for lesser than full value, thus making the most of their expertise and understanding by speaking a crash victim into receiving a significantly smaller sum of money than the victim would typically be entitled. This is typical with the insurance coverage business sector, and once they persuade the injured party to accept money, the victim generally is legally forbidden from pursuing his/her claim. The absolute best way to stay clear of letting the insurance carrier to deny you of proper settlement is to retain an experienced lawyer who has been actually down that road many times previously.

To speak with a personal injury legal representative - Call us at (800) 874-2577 for a free assessment concerning your Ft. Myers accident litigation.

No Fee Unless We Win or Settle!

At Trial Pro, P.A., our traffic collision lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. This means we cover the costs of researching, building, negotiating and litigating your insurance claim. We do not charge you a single thing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. If we don't win your suit, you will pay us nothing.

Our Ft. Myers injury legal professionals also offer completely free consultations to study the specifics of your case and determine if you have a case. Set Up a Free Assessment

If you or somebody else you love has been injured because of someone else's negligence or carelessness, you need a renowned attorney on your side who is knowledgeable with the policies and laws in FL.

Our Cape Coral, Port Charlotte, Lehigh Acres, injury legal professionals are skilled in tort litigation and have been acknowledged by our peers for our successes. A few of our attorneys have been listed as Super Lawyers and prestigious litigators for their accomplishments in behalf of our clients.

We have recovered desirable verdicts and compensations that contributed in assisting our clients recover from their personal injuries or the loss of a loved one. Let us help you recover the max amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Fort Myers Accident Injury Attorney

What should you do if you are involved in an automobile accident in Fort Myers, FL?

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