If you are injured in a car accident, you need to know your rights and take steps to protect them. Sometimes, car accident victims with legitimate claims against their insurance carrier or another party make mistakes impacting their ability to recover compensation.
Due to the complexities of these cases, it is wise to find and hire a personal injury attorney in Florida who can answer your questions and provide support throughout the legal process.
Knowing what the most common mistakes are can help you avoid them. Keep reading to find out what they are.
Failing to Call the Police After the Accident
You may think that there is no need to contact the authorities if the damage is minor. It could also be that the other person involved in the accident asks you not to.
However, it is wise to have a police record of the accident. If you file a lawsuit, this will be helpful.
A police record can also be used as evidence for your personal injury claim. Having an officer at the scene will give you peace of mind that you have the information needed before leaving the accident scene.
Failing to Take Pictures While at the Scene
You should not count on your ability to remember what happened that caused the accident or what the scene looked like later on. Your insurance company will likely require more tangible evidence even if you can remember what happened. The best way to get this evidence is by taking photos of the accident site to use later if you file a car accident lawsuit.
You can use your phone to take pictures or videos of the accident scene. When you combine this with other evidence, like a reconstruction of the accident scene and witness statements, it can help you have a strong case that proves the severity of your injuries.
Failing to Seek Medical Treatment Immediately
After an accident, you may feel fine. However, you should realize that the shock of a car accident activates your body’s “fight or flight” response. This means that aches and pains that may have occurred will be masked and hidden. Because of this, you may not realize your injuries’ severity.
If you do not seek medical treatment immediately, your hidden injuries may worsen and become life-threatening. You can avoid this by seeking a full medical evaluation as soon after the accident as possible.
Another benefit of this is that you have documentation of how severe your injuries were. This will be beneficial if you file a lawsuit.
Failing to Use Your PIP Insurance Coverage
All Florida drivers must have PIP (personal injury protection) coverage. PIP covers medical costs after an accident and is paid no matter who is at fault. You can receive a percentage of your lost wages through PIP, too.
To receive these benefits, you must seek treatment within two weeks (14 days) of the accident. If the two weeks pass and you have not received medical treatment, your PIP claim will be denied.
If you do not know if you are hurt, you should get a medical evaluation to be sure.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney to Help with Your Claim
If you are involved in a car accident, be sure to avoid the mistakes described here. Doing so will help you protect your right to recover compensation for your injuries and losses.
Most personal injury attorneys offer clients a free initial consultation that you should take advantage of. During this meeting, you can find out if you have a viable claim that is worth pursuing legally.
