Auto Accidents

Auto Accidents

Car accidents are one of the most common injury claims and are often a sudden life-changing experience.  Not only is the process to file and pursue a claim overwhelming, victims are often burdened with the reality of not having reliable transportation at the fault of someone else.  This can be very stressful, especially for those who are parents, college students, or simply just a part of the working class. On top of suffering from pain due to an injury after an accident, many victims also experience a wage loss while accumulating medical bills.   A lot of times, insurance companies will delay in issuing a rental car due to a lengthy investigation. This investigation can sometimes take longer than usual when the injured party fails to retain an attorney. It is important to get legal counsel involved after an accident in an effort to make the process as less stressful as possible.

There are several aspects to an auto accident claim that many people aren’t aware of; in Florida there are usually 3 parts to a claim: property damage, bodily injury, and personal injury protection-also known as PIP.  Our firm is here to assist in each phase of your claim to make the transition after an accident as less stressful as possible. After an accident it is best to do the following:

  1. Call the police and make an official report: Do not rely on an unofficial exchange of information. Many drivers give false information which can sometimes make recovery impossible. In the event that you do not have the time to wait on authorities, always call the insurance companies on site and verify the other party’s insurance before leaving the scene;
  2. Get witness statements when possible: Many times the other party will admit fault at the scene, but will sing a different song once they speak with their insurance company. This can cause a delay in establishing liability until the insurance company receives the official police report or can gather more information to help them reach a liability decision.
  3. Take photos: Take photos of all vehicles involved, your injuries, the scene, and pictures of the party where possible. The more evidence you have, the easier it is to prove your case.
  4. DO NOT GIVE A RECORDED STATEMENT: It is okay to file a claim with the insurance company, but is always encouraged that you do not provide a record statement without consulting an attorney first. In the event that you did provide a statement, it does not mean you don’t have a case. However, it is always best to limit directly with insurance companies as much as possible.
  5. Seek medical attention: Florida’s No-Fault law (PIP) requires that medical treatment be sought within 14 days of an accident by a qualified health provider. You may qualify for up to $10,000 in benefits from your PIP provider if you meet the requirements set out under the statute. It is important to note that sometimes you feel fine immediately after an accident, and the pain may not set in until after the 14-day period. It is imperative that you at least receive a medical evaluation within the 14 days to avoid denial of your PIP claim in the future.
  6. Call us at 407-710-0130: It is important that you seek legal counsel as soon as possible. It is never a good idea to try to handle your claim on your own as most clients end up weaving a tangled web that your attorney will have to detangle. Allow us to investigate and handle your claim at no cost to you unless you win. You will never have to pay any money to us upfront and we will work to ensure that each aspect of your claim is handled as quickly as possible.