(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.

Lehigh 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.

Trial Pro P.A. is proud to advocate for victims all over the state of Florida, including our office in Lehigh. 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, Rio Pinar, Campbell, Aloma, Lockhart, Melbourne Florida and more!

What should you do if you are involved in a motor vehicle crash in Lehigh, FL?

First and foremost, evaluate the physical condition of yourself and any passengers and render any kind of help you are competently in a position to perform. Do the exact same for the passengers of the other automobiles. Right away call 911 to report the wreck and supply whatever relevant information they require. And then find a secure spot for yourself and passengers and wait at the crash site with your vehicle till the police arrive. You should not explain the specifics of precisely how the accident took place with any other motorists or passengers at the collision site, as any statements you make in that aspect can be put to use against you in a future litigation. You are required to cooperate with the investigating police department, and statements included in the police report can not be used against you in a later civil case other than if you are contesting auto accident. If you are physically able to do so, photograph the damage to your motor vehicle and any other motor vehicles involved in the car accident, and take shots of any visible personal injuries on your person. Additionally, call your insurance policy carrier and report the accident asap immediately 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 healthcare professionals to evaluate the situation. When speaking to emergency crews either on the crash scene or at the hospital, it is important to state all of your complaints. Even if there is one serious complaint and other minor issues, there is no way to determine if any one of these issues will emerge as more harmful, 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 as well as to make sure you meet specific statutory requirements regarding vehicle insurance coverage. Most vehicle drivers and occupants sustaining personal injuries are entitled to personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage benefits of up to $10,000 toward payment of medical bills related to the collision. However, pursuant to Florida Statutes, unless you seek medical treatment and the medical provider documents you have sustained an "emergency medical condition" or EMC, your insurance benefits will be significantly reduced. Once you seek medical attention and the healthcare provider indicates 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 sure to document all of your actions as you move forward. It is also crucial to document any out of pocket expenses related to the accident. This includes lost time from your job if you are not immediately capable to return to work, as you can recover from the at fault vehicle owner not only medical bills and expenses, but also time you miss from your work if your injuries restrain you from performing your work duties.

Need to File Personal Injury Claim after an Accident? Talk with our Expert Lehigh, Florida Injury Accident Lawyers. Call Today for a conference with an experienced attorney and go over your legal needs and questions - 800-874-2577

Once you have addressed these initial actions, you should find representation from a trial lawyer in Lehigh specializing in accidents immediately. Time is of the essence, as there are insurance matters that have to be promptly resolved, there is evidence that must be preserved like photographing the involved motor vehicles, capturing on film the accident scenario, finding and interviewing witnesses, and examining and taking measurements of the crash location. As time passes, these forms of evidence become harder or even hardly possible to get. Witnesses move and as time pass lose recollection of precise details and physical evidence like skid marks, fragments from the vehicles and damage to any portion of the street or structures edging the street also begin to disappear, and once they are gone, there is no chance to recover the exact same information. An attorney will also identify all insurance policy carriers that have any association to the cars or people included in the accident, and they will deal 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 losses you suffer in the first days and weeks following the traffic collision and moving forward from that issue until your dispute is resolved. In picking a lawyer, check out the lawyer and law firm's number of years in practice, and be certain the lawyer is a trial lawyer or attorney. Florida lawyers work with personal injury matters on a contingency basis, so there is no worry about paying the attorney until and unless the attorney recoups money for your accident personal injuries. The lawyers' fees for Florida lawyers handling car accident lawsuits are controlled by the Florida Bar and consistent with all lawyers throughout the state. Once again, get initial medical attention first and foremost-- that is crucial-- but after that the quicker you speak with a lawyer, the sooner the attorney can start positioning the components into place to get fair and full compensation for your injuries and damages.

In the days or weeks following the collision, the insurance company for the at-fault driver may reach out to you. If you have retained an attorney, just simply advise them of the name and contact information of the lawyer, and do not provide any further information. If you have not retained a lawyer, you should seek advice from an attorney prior to giving any information or statements to the insurance provider. Insurance agencies are well-known for trying to quickly resolve cases for a lot less than full value, thus capitalizing on their expertise and knowledge by talking a crash victim into receiving a considerably smaller sum of money than the victim would typically be entitled. This is typical with the insurance industry, and once they convince the injured party to accept money, the victim ordinarily is legally forbidden from seeking his/her claim. The best strategy to prevent helping the insurance provider to deprive you of fair settlement is to retain an experienced attorney who has been down that road many times before.

To talk to an accident legal professional - Get in touch with us at (800) 874-2577 for a no-obligation evaluation regarding your Lehigh injury suit.

We Don't Get Paid Unless You Recover

At Trial Pro, our personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. This means we cover the expenses of investigating, constructing, negotiating and litigating your case. We do not charge you a single thing unless our legal professionals recover compensation on your behalf. If we do not win your suit, you will owe us nothing.

Our Lehigh personal injury lawyers also offer completely free consultations to study the details of your insurance claim and establish if you have a case. Set Up a Free Examination

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

Our Lehigh injury attorneys are skilled in tort lawsuits and have been acknowledged by our peers for our success. Some of our legal professionals have been named as Super Lawyers and distinguished litigators for their achievements in behalf of our clients.

We have recovered desirable verdicts and settlements that contributed in aiding our clients recoup from their personal injuries or the loss of a loved one. Let us help you recover the max amount of compensation you are entitled to for your personal injuries.

Lehigh Accident Injury Attorney

What should you do if you are involved in a motor vehicle crash in Lehigh, FL?

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