Important Steps to Take After a Serious Car Accident

Each year, an average of over 400,000 car accidents occur in Florida, with many of these resulting in injuries and/or severe vehicle damage. For the victims involved in serious accidents, the effects can be profound and long-lasting, ranging from physical pain to emotional distress to lost income. After the trauma of an accident, it can be difficult to know what to do as you try to heal and navigate any resulting legal and financial challenges.

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Here are a few of the most important steps to take after a serious car accident:

• Call 911 if you are able. Regardless of how you feel immediately after the accident, it’s crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible since some severe injuries—including traumatic brain injuries—may not be apparent right away. This step is particularly important in Florida, where state law requires anyone who owns a car to carry at least $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. While PIP insurance is intended to cover a portion of medical expenses and other costs resulting from a car accident, you may lose your right to coverage if you do not seek medical care within 14 days. Another benefit of calling 911 (or having someone else do so on your behalf) is that the police will arrive and take a report, which will serve as important documentation when dealing with insurance companies and potential lawsuits.
• Make notes of anything you remember about the accident. As soon as you’ve received medical care and your condition has stabilized, make notes documenting anything you can remember about the accident, such as the road and traffic conditions, what you were doing in the moments before it occurred, and anything you may have noticed about the other vehicles involved. In addition, take photos or videos of your injuries and damage to your vehicle.
• Keep records. Start a file in which you keep any documentation pertaining to the accident, such as medical bills and records, a copy of the police report, communication with your insurance company, and correspondence with your employer documenting time you’ve had to take off work and lost wages.
• Contact a personal injury attorney. Even if you were partially at fault in the accident, you may still be able to recover damages for medical expenses, vehicle repair, pain and suffering, or lost wages. Working with a personal injury attorney is the key to maximizing the damages you’re able to recover and protecting your rights when dealing with insurance companies and the other parties involved.

At Leighton Panoff Law, we have extensive experience representing victims of serious car, truck, and other vehicle accidents. With a long history of securing some of Florida’s highest personal injury verdicts, we will guide you through each step of your case while aggressively advocating on your behalf. Call us at 888.988.1774 to schedule a consultation!