What To Do After An Auto Accident

Florida's roads are busy. Between the millions who call the state home and the millions more who visit on a daily basis, there are a lot of vehicles moving from place to place. That increased number of vehicles means that the risk of being involved in an accident is increased as well.

If you're involved in an accident in Florida and are injured, it's important to remember that you do have rights. Being injured can lead to serious problems in your life, and it's vital that you take the right steps following any accident to help yourself get the recovery that you deserve.

There are a few steps that you'll need to keep in mind following an accident. These include the following.

Take Photos

If you're seriously injured this obviously won't be an option, and your health and safety should always come first. But if your injuries seem to be minor or if you have someone close by who can, getting some photos of the accident scene is worth doing. It can help an accident attorney show that you weren't at fault for the accident.

Get Medical Attention

Even if you don’t' feel like you're injured, it's still in your best interests to seek medical attention after an accident and be sure. You only have a week under Florida PIP coverage law to see a doctor, after which time any medical treatments related to the accident won't be covered by insurance.

Additionally, many medical issues may not be immediately apparent after an accident. Major and minor injuries may take hours or days to manifest. Getting seen by a professional is important.

Get Additional Info

Any extra information you can obtain following an accident is important, too. Names and insurance information of the other party, name of the officer filing the accident report, witness names, and more can all help you if you need to show that you're owed compensation for your injuries. Keep track of this information and keep it handy.

Don't Immediately Accept Settlements

It's a good idea to talk to a professional before you accept settlement offers that insurance companies and others may offer to you. The reason is simple - a settlement offer that is initially made will often be far lower than what you're really owed.

A lot of different things can have an impact on your settlement amount including things like current medical bills as well as future potential medical bills, future potential lost wages, lost wages, and more. Simply put, you need to be sure you're being given a fair settlement offer before you accept it. A professional accident lawyer can make sure this is the case.

Speak To A Lawyer

That settlement factor is only one reason that you need to speak to a professional Florida accident lawyer following an accident. From knowing what your options are to showing the insurance companies that you're serious about getting what you are owed and beyond, having an attorney on your side lets you reach the best possible outcome for your case.

It also makes it easier to recover. Since your accident lawyer is taking care of the legal side of your accident, you can focus on physical and mental healing instead of the stresses that can come from seeking compensation. Simply put, if you're injured, you need to get professional help not just from medical staff, but from a legal team as well.

If you'll keep these tips in mind following an accident, you should be able to move towards a full recovery - financially as well as physically. Sometimes it's a hard road, but it's one that the right pros can help you travel.