According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 34,050 motor vehicle crashes in 2020, resulting in 268 fatalities and around 19,000 injuries. If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident, contacting a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney is crucial to learn more about your rights as an injured victim.
Victims of such accidents face multiple kinds of troubles, from a financial burden to a damaged vehicle, greedy insurance companies, and navigating the legal process. While experiencing such problems, injured victims often forget to seek legal help or sometimes never consider doing so.
Since accidents occur frequently, it is crucial to have a car accident attorney who can help you instantly. People residing in cities with a higher ratio of vehicle accidents, for instance, Fort Lauderdale, should consider seeking legal help.
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What Should You Do After A Car Accident?
Necessary Actions To Take After A Car Accident
Here are some steps to protect your car accident case.
Contact The Police
Immediately, call 911 and inform them about your accident. This will alert police officials and other medical teams to reach the accident scene as early as possible. The law enforcement authorities also file a police report which contains the officer’s opinion about the cause o the accident. Such information can add weight to your car accident claim.
Get Medical Treatment
Seek medical assistance if you incur any injuries. Getting treated will maintain a proper record of the damages resulting from the accident.
Exchange Contact Details
It is essential to exchange your contact details with the other driver. These details include information such as; name, license, insurance, and contact details.
Collect Evidence
Take pictures of the evidence that will be helpful later on. Photograph vehicle damage, license plate, intersections, traffic patterns, injuries sustained, and other necessary information to establish a fault.
Contact Your Attorney
In most accident cases, insurance companies try to reduce liabilities by providing victims with a low settlement offer. Usually, this offer covers a small amount of what is required. An experienced attorney can build your case and assist you in filing and establishing fault.
What Actions Should You Avoid Doing After An Accident?
After having a car accident, many accident victims panic immediately, and they tend to make mistakes that work against them.
Not Reporting the Accident
When people don’t get serious injuries, they often exchange their information with the other driver and go on their respective paths. However, it is only sometimes best to do so.
Sometimes, victims get internal injuries that may take a few weeks to manifest. It is crucial to report your accident asap and get a police report to avoid any issues.
Acquiring Settlement
Generally, insurance companies try to offer accident victims settlement offers that are below par with the actual need to recover the losses. Only agree to any settlement offer after discussing first with your car accident attorney.
Going in without legal help can put you at a disadvantage and lead to lower settlement offers.
Why Should You Hire A Car Accident Attorney?
A car accident attorney will assist you in the recovery process and prevent greedy insurance companies from taking advantage of you and your vulnerabilities. There are several reasons you should consider hiring a car accident attorney, including the following.
Dealing With The Insurance Company
Usually, insurance companies do not follow fair paths and exploit accident victims by offering unwanted settlement offers. In such cases, an attorney will protect your rights and aggressively fight for fair compensation.
Filing Important Paperwork
Filing lawsuits or accident injury cases require a lot of paperwork, and an attorney can handle all legal and administrative tasks. Such paperwork or forms demand great concentration to fill in the critical information so that your case proceeds and you receive the necessary results.
On the other hand, if there’s any mistake in providing the correct information, your case might take more time which will delay the compensation you need.
Detailed Investigation
Car accident attorneys are experienced in doing detailed investigation procedures. In their investigation process, they include forensic teams, accident recreation teams, and other experts to unveil all parties that are liable for such accidents. An impartial investigation can help determine the other party’s fault and ensure swift justice.
Not Missing Deadlines
Your car accident attorney will always ensure that you complete all crucial deadlines, for instance, the statute of limitations. These are deadlines that accident victims must abide by or lose their right to recover compensation.
The statute of limitations varies from state to state, and certain exceptions can put a pause on such deadlines. If you’re unsure whether you have time to file a claim, reach out to an experienced car accident attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need To Hire A Car Accident Attorney Even If I Am Not At Fault?
Hiring a car accident attorney is a very critical step if you want to get the necessary compensation you deserve. Experienced attorneys will assist you in demonstrating fault after getting involved in a car accident.
Plus, an attorney can also defend your claims regarding insurance. They will thoroughly review your accident reports, witness statements, and other information to determine the other driver’s fault and hold them accountable for the damages.
How Much Time Does A Car Accident Lawsuit Take?
The time it takes to complete a lawsuit depends on the accident’s severity. Generally, such cases take up from a few months to 1 to 2 years. This duration involves various determining factors, such as whether the fault has been accepted, the cost of medical treatments, the insurance companies involved, and the loss of income.
Getting into an accident is a traumatic situation to experience, and injuries from these accidents can affect your whole life and sometimes result in permanent disabilities. When you get injured in a car accident, consulting an experienced car accident attorney is the most critical step you should consider. Achieving success requires a lot of energy, time, and the proper evidence. A skilled attorney can help you and look out for your best interests.
