If you have suffered a car accident in Miami, it is important that you take the right steps following the crash. By taking the right measures in the wake of the accident, you can improve your odds of receiving the compensatory damages you deserve. Here are a few general things you should do after suffering a crash.
Stay on the Scene
This is critically important for virtually any car accident. Unless the accident involved little to no property damage or injuries, it is always imperative that you stay on the scene. Leaving the crash scene reflects poorly on you and can be used by a liable party to argue against your compensation claim later. If injuries are involved, leaving the scene may even have you declared as a felon by the authorities.
Report the Crash
If you are conscious and physically able, make a 911 call to report the car accident as soon as possible. This applies to minor accidents as well.
Seek Medical Attention
A car crash can result in injuries ranging from minor to critical. It is important to get medical attention at the earliest following the crash. Even if you feel like you are okay, you must not refuse medical help offered by the first responders and paramedics. This is for a number of reasons.
First, many internal injuries are not obvious right away. You may feel like you are fine but a day or two later, different internal complications from the crash may surface. Second, your refusal to get medical attention may be used as an argument against your compensation claim. The insurer or the liable party may argue that you have no injuries or only minor injuries, and then use this line of defense to reduce the amount of compensation you are paid.
If you can move around after a crash, make sure you also try to help any other parties that are more seriously injured.
Exchange Information with Other Drivers
Florida is a no-fault state, so in the case of most crashes, your own insurer will cover your damages. That being said, you will still need details about the other parties involved in the crash. So if you are involved in an accident, make sure you jot down key details about the other drivers.
These include the make, model, and year of the vehicle, name and license details of the other driver, as well as their insurance information. You may also reciprocate this by providing all these details to the other drivers when asked for them.
Talk to the Police
When the law enforcement personnel reach an accident scene, you will be required to provide a statement. It is generally a good idea to stick to the facts when giving the statement. Try not to blame anyone or admit any kind of fault. However, you must know that anything you say in a statement can’t be used during a personal injury lawsuit.
Gather On-Site Evidence
When you file a car accident compensation claim, you will be required to submit the relevant evidence. You can start collecting this evidence right after the crash. At the scene, you can take photos of the vehicles involved in the crash, any visible damage on the vehicle, skid marks or debris on the road as well as the final resting position of the vehicles. Evidence may also include photos of the surrounding landscape.
Speak to the Witnesses
Sometimes, an insurer may dispute your compensation claim. This is more often the case when you are seeking damages from a liable party. When this happens, witnesses of the crash play a key role in substantiating your version of the events. So make sure you glean the names and contact details of any witnesses who were present at the accident scene. If you hire legal help, an attorney can then contact these witnesses on your behalf and seek their testimony to support your claim.
Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney in Miami, Florida
If you have been involved in a car accident in Miami, Florida, it is important to consult a qualified lawyer at the earliest. A good attorney will help you gather evidence, meet other requirements, and seek the compensation that you deserve without losing time.
Here at the Englander Peebles Law Firm, we specialize in helping car accident victims get the maximum amount of compensation. In doing so, we negotiate with the insurers, file against a liable party, and even go to trial when the need arises. So you can rest assured that we do all that we can to defend your right to compensation. Reach us today for a free case evaluation.