Take These Steps If You Are Injured in a Car Accident

Posted by David Lipcon on May 11th, 2021

If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver in South Florida, seek medical attention immediately, and then contact a Miami car accident attorney as quickly as possible. You are entitled by Florida law to compensation if a negligent driver injures you, but you will have to prove that the other driver was negligent, and you will need an attorney’s help.

Of course, no attorney will be at a car accident scene to advise you, so even before you speak to an attorney, you will need to take some steps to protect yourself legally. When an accident happens, summon medical help and the police at once. Exchange your personal contact and insurance information with the other driver. Take as many photos as you can, and try to obtain the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses.

When Should You Contact a Car Accident Lawyer?

Not all auto accidents and injuries in Florida generate personal injury claims, but if you and your personal injury lawyer agree to move forward with legal action, your photos and the statements of the eyewitnesses can be powerful evidence on your behalf. Do not wait to contact a Miami car accident attorney. Your attorney should speak to the witnesses before their memories fade, and he or she should examine the evidence in the case while it’s still fresh.

What happens after a car accident in Florida is more complicated than what happens in most other states. The “14-day rule” requires you to have a medical examination within 14 days of a car accident or you will not be compensated. And because Florida is a “no-fault” auto insurance state, you may pursue legal action against a negligent driver only if the injuries you sustained are permanent, include extensive or permanent disfigurement or scarring, or include the permanent loss of an important bodily function.

What Will the Right Attorney Do on Your Behalf?

A Miami personal injury attorney will review the facts and explain how the law applies in your case. If you qualify to bring a personal injury claim, your attorney will negotiate for the maximum amount that is available to you. If your claim cannot be settled in out-of-court negotiations, your attorney will take the case to trial, explain your side of the story to a jury, and explain to the jurors why they should order the payment of your compensation.

The liability and personal injury laws in Florida are complicated and sometimes harsh. If you are injured in traffic by a negligent driver, you must have a medical exam within 14 days, and you must obtain legal advice and representation immediately.

Personal injury lawyers in Miami, Florida work on a contingent fee. This means that your first legal consultation is provided with no cost or obligation, and if you proceed with legal action, you pay your attorney nothing until and unless your attorney recovers compensation on your behalf.

If a negligent driver injures you in south Florida, get the medical and legal help you need immediately. A Miami car accident lawyer will hold the negligent party or parties accountable and bring your car accident case to its best possible resolution.