After a car accident in Fort Myers, FL, you should ensure your safety, call the police, seek medical treatment, and consult a personal injury lawyer. Taking these steps can benefit your insurance claim and personal injury case.
A Fort Myers car accident lawyer can guide you through the process in the aftermath of a crash so you can maximize compensation for damages and protect your rights.
Are There Steps You Can Take After A Fort Myers Car Accident?
A car accident can cause severe injuries and leave you dazed and confused. Knowing what to do next can help you protect your rights and health. You should take the following steps after a car accident in Fort Myers:
- Ensure your safety: Check for injuries to yourself and any passengers inside the vehicle. Check on the other driver if possible. Finally, move your vehicle off the road and find a safe place away from traffic if possible.
- Call the police: You should contact first responders by calling 911. The police will investigate the accident and draft a report that includes the drivers’ names, witness statements, and their assessment of what happened.
- Exchange information: You should exchange information with the other driver, including names, contact information, and insurance.
- Document the scene: You should take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, and license plates. Photographs preserve the scene because it will disappear when authorities clean it up.
- Collect witness information: You should gather contact information from witnesses so your lawyer can obtain statements from them. Witnesses can be crucial evidence in a car accident case, but their memory can fade the longer it takes to get statements.
- Seek medical treatment: Visit the emergency room or an urgent care clinic as soon as possible after a car accident. Symptoms of severe injury can take time to present. A medical professional can diagnose and treat your injuries and then document them in your records.
- Notify your insurer: You should contact your insurance company to inform it of the accident and provide as much information as possible.
- Do not admit fault: You should NOT admit fault after an accident. Avoid making any statement to the police or insurers that they could interpret as admitting fault. Let the investigation assign blame.
- Consult an attorney: You should consult a personal injury lawyer after a car accident. A lawyer can protect your rights, investigate the crash, and collect evidence to support your claims. An attorney can also fight to reduce your percentage of fault.
What Is The Percentage Of Fault In A Car Accident?
Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means your percentage of fault for the car accident can determine how much compensation you can recover. For example, if the court finds you 30 percent at fault for the accident, you can receive 70 percent of the compensation the court awards you.
However, you may not recover compensation if you were 51 percent or more at fault.
How Can You Determine Fault For A Car Accident In Fort Myers?
Law enforcement will investigate the car accident to assess who is at fault, but a lawyer will also analyze and collect evidence, including:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Traffic camera footage
- Expert opinions (e.g., accident reconstruction or medical)
- Photographs
- Blood alcohol content (BAC) testing
The evidence your Fort Myers personal injury lawyer collects can help determine if the other driver’s negligence is the cause of the accident, so you can hold them liable for your injuries and damages.
What Can A Fort Myers Car Accident Lawyer From Our Firm Do To Help You?
A Fort Myers car accident lawyer from our firm provides responsive legal help to serve your needs so you can regain control of your life. They will:
- Help you access top-notch medical care.
- Assist you in finding a professional to repair your vehicle.
- Schedule appointments for you.
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
- Send you frequent case updates.
You focus on healing. Your lawyer will fight for the compensation you deserve. If necessary, they will take your case to trial and represent you in court if that’s what it takes.
What Damages Can You Claim After A Car Accident In Fort Myers?
A Fort Myers car accident attorney can help you claim three types of damages in Lee County:
- Economic damages: Medical bills, lost income, transportation, child care, home modifications, property repair and replacement, physical therapy, counseling, and household services.
- Noneconomic damages: Pain and suffering, physical and intellectual disabilities, disfigurement, mental anguish, emotional trauma, lost companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful death damages: Funeral expenses, medical bills, lost income, and loss of your family member’s companionship and support.
There were 120 fatal crashes in Lee County in 2024, per the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. A Fort Myers wrongful death lawyer can help you during this painful time so you can get justice for your loved one.
Is There A Deadline To File A Lawsuit In A Car Accident Case?
Yes, you only have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in a car accident case, per Florida Statutes § 95.11.
You could lose your right to file a lawsuit if the statute of limitations in your case expires without taking legal action. A Fort Myers car accident lawyer can help you meet the deadline in your case so you can have your day in court.
Learn More About The Steps You Should Take After A Car Accident In Fort Myers
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine team strongly recommends taking these steps after a car accident. Don’t delay medical treatment because you risk further injury and harm to your case. A Fort Myers car accident lawyer from our firm can provide you with legal options and help you fight to maximize your settlement.
Contact us today to learn more or for a free consultation.
