Do you know what you should do in the days following a car accident in Fort Lauderdale? We recommend that you:
- Get medical assistance as soon as possible
- Follow your prescribed treatment plan
- Refrain from giving a recorded statement
- Keep all information between you and your lawyer
- Call the police to file a crash report
- Consider partnering with a car accident lawyer in Broward County
These steps will help you receive the medical assistance and financial support you need.
See a Doctor As Soon As Possible
If you are involved in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, your first priority should be seeking medical assistance for yourself or anyone else who may have been injured in the accident. If your injuries are severe enough, you will likely be transported to the nearest emergency room by ambulance. Even if your injuries do not appear serious to you, you should see a doctor immediately to rule out any hidden injuries and prevent long-term damage to your health.
In the days following a car accident, you might start to experience symptoms you had not previously noticed. Hidden injuries from a car accident can include internal bleeding, sprains and fractures, and back injuries. Have a thorough examination by a health care professional and keep copies of your medical records to support your claim.
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Follow Through with Your Prescribed Treatment Plan
It’s not enough to visit a health care professional immediately after getting hurt. You need to follow your treatment plan as instructed by your doctor. This may involve:
- Going to physical therapy
- Taking certain medications
- Refraining from physically demanding activity
- Taking time off work
- Using assistive devices, such as wheelchairs
- Making lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking
By following through with your treatment plan, you show the involved parties that you did everything possible to reach maximum medical improvement. You can also prevent the other party from saying that you made your injuries worse by neglecting medical care.
Refrain from Giving a Recorded Statement
In the days following a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, the liable insurance company may ask you to give a recorded statement. This is not your chance to share your side of the story. Instead, it’s the insurance company’s chance to get you to admit fault.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- You do not have to give a recorded statement.
- Anything you say can jeopardize your claim.
- Your lawyer can give the insurance company the information it requires.
When the insurance company asks for a recorded statement, consult with your lawyer. They can give more information about what measures could benefit your case.
Keep All Information Between You and Your Lawyer
Nobody needs to know about your case except you and your lawyer. Anything you post online or share with a third party could hurt your case. For instance, suppose that you post about the accident to social media. Even if your account’s on private, the claims adjuster could use your posts to contest some aspects of your case.
You want to build the strongest possible claim. So, we ask you to refrain from talking about it until it’s over.
File a Crash Report With Fort Lauderdale Police
If you are involved in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, call the police to the scene of the collision immediately. Florida Statutes § 316.066 requires that a police report be filed within ten days of an accident if:
- Anyone in either vehicle is injured or has died
- Either vehicle is seriously damaged
- Either vehicle requires towing
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident
- A commercial vehicle was involved
The investigating officer must file a report within ten days of the accident. Obtain your copy as soon after that date as possible.
Supplement Your Crash Report
While your crash report is an important document, other information available at the accident scene may bolster your claim and help your lawyer appropriately assign liability. In addition to your crash report, gather helpful information at the scene, including:
- Witnesses’ contact information
- Pictures of the accident scene
- Pictures of your car from all angles
- Pictures of the at-fault driver’s car, if possible
Because the state generally limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit to four years, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), you should start compiling information and preparing your claim as soon as possible.
Consider Partnering with a Car Accident Lawyer in Broward County
Pursuing compensation after a car accident isn’t easy. It requires communicating with multiple parties, understanding your losses, and protecting yourself from bad faith insurance practices.
Instead of burdening yourself with legal matters, let our team handle them. You can trust us to manage everything your case requires, including:
- Gathering evidence
- Calculating the cost of your damages
- Interviewing witnesses and expert consultants
- Filing your case within Florida’s statute of limitations
- Evaluating your coverage options
- Proving negligence
- Establishing why your accident happened
You can trust us to render services that meet your unique situation. You can learn more about partnering with a car accident attorney during your free case review.
With Legal Help, You Could Recover These Losses
With the help of our South Florida legal team, you could recover:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income and other employee-related benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Property damage expenses
- Transportation/rideshare costs
- Funeral expenses
You may recover other losses than those listed here. We’re committed to recovering everything you deserve.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to Explore Your Legal Options
What you do in the days following a car accident in Fort Lauderdale can help support your compensation claim. If you or someone yo love was injured in a car accident, contact the personal injury team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine by calling (954) 525-0050. Get responsive legal care that goes the extra mile to get the compensation you deserve.
