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WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT IN FLORIDA
Let a Sarasota car accident lawyer help you
A lot of Florida drivers don’t know what to do after being in a car accident, especially if they were injured in a crash. The car accident lawyers from our Sarasota legal team have the experience and knowledge to help you come up with a clear plan so you aren’t left to figure things out on your own during this stressful time. Farrow & Pulice want to help you. Contact us for a free case consultation.
Even a seemingly minor car accident can have serious physical, emotional, and financial repercussions that can last for years. Having a clear plan of action in place and knowing what to do after a car crash can give you the tools to protect your rights and hold those who are responsible for your injury accountable.
The car accident lawyers from Farrow & Pulice recommend you take the following steps after being in crash:
- Remain safe: Put your hazard lights on, set out warning cones, and move your vehicle to the shoulder if possible. The last thing you want to do after being in a crash is get injured by oncoming traffic or experience a collision with another driver.
- Contact the police: Call the police to investigate the car accident and to provide you with a police report. Be careful not to say too much to the authorities about the crash. We strongly recommend you do not admit any responsibility or any wrongdoing. Doing so could negatively impact your ability to receive fair compensation down the road.
- Get medical attention immediately: Florida’s statute of limitations imposes a deadline for reporting your personal injuries called the “14-Day Rule.” This means a crash victim with an injury has 14 days to seek initial services and care after their crash. Be sure to get care from a qualified health care professional such as a doctor, dentist, chiropractor, ER tech, or EMT within two weeks of your crash, or you could lose your right to compensation.
- Take pictures of the accident: To preserve your legal rights and gather evidence, take pictures of the scene, including any vehicles involved in the crash, skid marks, debris, distance to traffic signals, and any other relevant evidence.
- Write down your recollection of the events: To better remember what transpired, record information like the weather, your observations of the other driver (for example, if they appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and caused a drunk driving accident), missing signs, road construction and other information about what occurred before, during, and after the crash.
- Exchange insurance and contact information: Make sure you have the other driver’s insurance information to provide to your attorney and insurance agency.
- Contact your insurance company: Try not to say too much about your crash or admit any wrongdoing. Just like with the police or other driver, anything you tell them could be used against you to try to say the car accident was your fault.
- Consult an attorney: A qualified car accident lawyer from our Sarasota law firm can advise you on your legal rights, handle insurance companies, and put your best interests first. Let us get to work for you to make things right.
Contact a car accident attorney from Farrow & Pulice to learn more
If you don’t know what to do after a crash, our knowledgeable car accident lawyers can help. Our Sarasota legal team has over 60 years of combined experience and knows how to win cases for Florida crash victims. Contact Farrow & Pulice at 866-408-1220 for a free case evaluation.
