FLORIDA MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT LAWYER

Handling the aftermath can become difficult and overwhelming, especially with emotions skyrocketing and injuries present. Although you may be in distress, you need to make sure that the initial steps after an auto accident are handled correctly before you hire an attorney. It is extremely important to handle the situation with caution to prevent yourself from saying or doing anything that may result in interference of the compensation to which you may be entitled.

Here are a few tips to help guide you through the primary steps following the accident:

• Get to safety

If it is possible to move your vehicle, make sure to move off the road to an area where you will be out of additional harm’s way. If your vehicle cannot be moved, put your hazard lights on so that everyone knows you will not be moving out of the way anytime soon.

• Call the police and file a car accident report

If the car wreck has resulted in property damage, physical injury, or fatality, the police need to be called. Once the police have arrived at the scene, request that a car accident report is filled out.

• Do not take responsibility for the accident

Be cooperative and respectful but, refrain from apologizing or admitting blame right away. It might not be immediately apparent who was at fault since memories are probably still vague and blurry. You don’t want to admit legal liability without truly understanding what just happened.

• Collect as much information as possible

Try to obtain as much information from the accident scene, including the name, contact information, and insurance information of the driver(s) involved. It is also important to gather the contact information of any witnesses, including names, phone numbers, and addresses. Don’t forget to take pictures of the accident scene.

• Report the auto accident to your insurance company

Call your insurance company and inform them that you have been in an accident. Report the extent of your injuries to your insurance company as well. Do not accept the initial offer made to you by your insurance company without consulting with your car accident attorney first.

• Keep a record of your medical treatment

Keep track of all medical professionals that you have visited and/or received treatment from. You should also request copies of all the medical reports and medical bills. These documents will need to be kept as proof of your medical expenses to your insurance company.

For more information, here is an article about:

7 Steps You Should Take After a Car Accident for a Successful Claim.

Determining the monetary value you are entitled to receive after a car accident is difficult and is ultimately a decision made by your insurance company after thorough evaluation of your specific case. Car insurance companies consider a wide variety of factors when calculating the costs for repairs, injuries, and pain and suffering.

Damages resulting from a car accident are divided into two categories, which are special damages and general damages. Special damages are those that are associated with economic suffering, including medical bills, vehicle damage repair costs, and lost wages as a result of not being able to work. General damages cover suffering that is not directly associated with specific economic harm. These damages typically include pain and suffering, physical and mental impairment, decreased quality of life, and emotional distress.

Since the expenses are usually documented, it is generally easier to prove special damages to the insurance companies. The cost of vehicle damage and repair is usually calculated by a mechanic and the quote is sent to the insurance company for review. The cost of medical treatment is generally calculated from the medical bills and receipts collected.

Pain and suffering is significantly more difficult to prove and therefore calculate due to the lack of material evidence. That is why it is important to document the smaller details, such as how your daily life has been impacted from the injuries sustained. Make sure to note of any days you have missed from work or school due to the injuries, as well as any daily activities you can no longer do.

It can be challenging to prove all the expenses you deserve compensation for on your own. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, call 1-800VINCENT now for a consultation with an attorney in the 1-800VINCENT network. Vincent will refer you to an expert auto accident attorney who may be able to recover monetary compensation to reimburse:

• Medical treatment
• Continuing medical care and treatment
• Surgery
• Rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Prescription medication
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning ability
• Vehicle repairs
• Pain and suffering

 The eligibility to receive monetary benefit from insurance companies is dependent on being able to prove that the other driver’s negligence resulted in the car accident. Every operator of a motor vehicle has a legal duty to drive responsibly. This includes obeying all traffic laws and driving carefully to minimize the risk of harm to others while on the road.

Texting and driving, driving under the influence, speeding, or failing to obey traffic signals are only some of the ways in which a driver may be at fault. If possible, documenting the details of time, speed, and distance right before the collision can also be used to justify the fault of another driver. If there were any witnesses, you should collect their contact information and ask them to report their observations to the police on the scene.

Along with proving the driver’s liability, you must also prove the extent of your injuries to be compensated fully. Therefore, all medical evidence, including all medical evaluation reports and bills, should be collected and preserved. The insurance companies will require objective evidence of your physical injuries, so it is important to keep track of any accident doctor appointment you have attended, any treatments you have received, all diagnostic tests that have been completed, and any medications that have been prescribed to you. If you decide to hire an auto accident attorney at 1-800VINCENT the accident lawyer will collect all the evidence needed to support your case and use the gathered information to maximize the full amount to which you may be entitled to.

Florida operates under a comparative negligence system, which means that more than one driver can be liable in the same case. If proven at trial, the recovered amount will be reduced by the amount to which you are negligent. Determining legal liability in an auto accident can also be difficult and unclear. In this case, car insurance companies will often argue that the collision was low impact or that the physical injuries resulting from the car crash were present before the time of the collision. In situations like these where the facts of the case are not always clear-cut, you may need a trustful car accident lawyer to ensure that the compensation you are eligible to receive is maximized. At 1-800VINCENT, we can match you with an expert accident attorney who is knowledgeable on how to combat such common defenses.

Whiplash, neck, and back injuries are only some of the common types of injuries that result from a car crash. However, injuries sustained from a car accident vary from person to person and can range anywhere between minor sprains to fatality. Considering that 2,443,000 injuries were reported out of the 6,296,000 crashes reported in the U.S. in 2015, it is evident that car accidents are one of the top causes of personal injury.

In the case of serious or rare injuries, 1-800VINCENT can connect you with a trustful personal injury lawyer who is experienced in more specialized personal injury claims that result from a car wreck. We know that the effect physical injuries have on the quality of your daily life and the rest of your life ahead of you is what matters most. You shouldn’t have to worry about paying for the treatment necessary for your health, especially when it was caused by someone else’s recklessness.

Insurance companies usually place a limit on the number of therapy sessions, doctor’s appointments, or diagnostic tests they are willing to cover. In some cases, insurance agencies prematurely declare that an injury has healed. 1-800VINCENT can connect you with a car accident attorney near you who will work to obtain the full compensation you truly need to cover all your medical expenses and to get your life back on track.

Automobile insurance varies individually and ultimately depends on the driver’s financial situation, state laws, and personal preference. In the state of Florida, laws are in place that requires all resident motorists to obtain a minimum amount of liability coverage. Although having the minimum level of insurance will not be enough to cover your expenses if you are at fault, the minimum coverage will cover damages to the other party. The minimum coverage in Florida includes personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) insurance.

Personal injury protection (PIP)

PIP is meant to cover the expenses of physical injury or death. If the car accident was found to be at your fault, your personal injury protection (PIP) will cover the medical expenses of those of the other party who has been injured in the accident, up to the coverage limits of the policy. If someone was killed due to your responsibility, then your insurer will make a payment to the family of the deceased.

Property damage liability (PDL)

PDL is meant to cover the expenses of the damage you have caused to the other driver’s vehicle or property. If you are at fault, your insurer will need to make a payment to the other person to pay for the costs of repair to their vehicle or property, such as a fence or home.

It is recommended by many insurance professionals that you purchase insurance that covers far more than the legal minimum to ensure that you will be covered in the case of a car accident. If you are unsure of the details of your car insurance coverage, call 1-800VINCENT to be referred to an attorney after a car accident who will clarify and explain your insurance policy and coverages to you.

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