At some point in our lives, we’ll all have to deal with the aftermath of a car accident. Thankfully, most accidents are minor. Unfortunately, there are times when your accident causes serious bodily injury. If this is the case, you owe it to yourself to contact a Miami accident attorney as soon as possible.
Here, we’ll explain what you should do after a car crash. We will also discuss how important it is that you call 911 immediately after the collision.
There Are Three Things You Must Do After a Car Accident in Miami, Florida
The catch-22 when it comes to car accidents is that nobody ever teaches us what to do after the fact. Yet if you don’t take certain steps after your car crash, you may lose your chance to demand damages.
Our car accident lawyers in Miami also tell their clients to do the following three (3) things immediately after their car wreck.
- Call 911. It doesn’t matter how minor the crash is, you need to call the police. The dispatcher will send a team of officers to the scene. They will do an investigation of the accident. They will also put their findings into their accident report.
- Go to the hospital. One of the biggest mistakes you can make after your motor vehicle accident is to refuse medical treatment. Not only are you jeopardizing your health, but you’re risking your chance of receiving compensation for your injuries.
- Call an experienced Miami accident attorney. Even if you decide later on that you want to handle things on your own, you reach out to an attorney. We suggest that anybody injured in a car crash contact our office as soon as possible.
If you do these three things, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to recover damages from the other driver. Of course, your car accident lawyer in Miami will need to prove that the other driver was at fault. But their chances of being able to do this increase significantly if you take the steps outlined above.
Always Call 911 Immediately After the Crash
There are several reasons why your Miami accident attorney advises clients to call the police after their crash. Not only will the police investigate the accident, but they’ll also gather critical evidence. This is evidence your car accident lawyer in Miami will need to prove your case.
In addition to gathering evidence, the police officers will check to see if the other driver was under the influence at the time of the collision. They will also talk to witnesses to see what they saw.
Not only will they take their statements, but they’ll also get their contact information. Your Miami accident attorney will need this information if you need to file a lawsuit.
Go to the Emergency Room and Have a Doctor Examine You
You may wonder why it’s so important to go to the hospital, especially if your injuries are minor. One of the major reasons you need to do this is that you have no idea how serious your injuries really are.
Another reason you need to see a doctor is that they’ll document your injuries. If you expect to demand damages, you’ll need to prove that you were physically injured.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Miami
It is a good idea that you talk to a Miami accident attorney. If the insurance company thinks you aren’t represented by counsel, they may try to take advantage of you. They may deny your claim, hoping that you’ll walk away. Or they may try to convince you to accept a settlement much lower than what you deserve.
If you would like know more information about how you Miami accident lawyer can prove distracted driving, view this page.
If you retain a seasoned car accident lawyer in Miami, this won’t happen. They will make sure your claim is handled properly from the start. They’ll also make sure that any settlement you accept fairly compensates you for your injuries.
Your Miami Accident Attorney Needs to Prove Fault
In order for you to collect damages from the other driver, your Miami accident attorney needs to prove fault. This means they need to prove that the defendant was negligent.
Negligence requires that your car accident lawyer in Miami demonstrate the following.
- The other driver owed you a duty of care. All drivers owe a certain duty of care to other motorists and pedestrians. At a minimum, they must obey all local traffic laws.
- You must prove that the defendant breached this duty of care. One way to do this is to prove that they were issued a ticket at the scene. Another way to do this is by submitting proof that they were arrested for DUI by the police at the accident scene.
- Your Miami accident attorney must prove that you were injured. This usually requires proof that you were physically injured, hence the need for your medical records. Of course, your attorney will also demand other damages such as property damage or pain and suffering.
- You must demonstrate that the other driver’s breach of duty caused your injuries. This is usually the hardest part of your case. Proving fault is the one thing your car accident lawyer in Miami and the insurance carrier will disagree on.
Your Miami Accident Attorney Will Need Certain Information Contained in the Report
If your car accident lawyer in Miami has to prove negligence, they’re going to need the police report. This report will contain vital information that will help prove your case.
Some of the information contained in the police report includes the following:
- Names, contact information, and insurance information for the drivers
- Description of the accident scene
- Statements made by the drivers involved in the crash
- Witness statements and witnesses’ contact information
- Description of road conditions
- Information as to whether any tickets were issued at the scene
- Notations as to whether either driver was arrested for DUI
Without this information, it will be very difficult to prove your case. Furthermore, it will be nearly impossible for your Miami accident attorney to get this information after the fact. Once the scene is cleared, they’ll have no way to track down this information.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers in Miami As Soon as Possible After Your Car Wreck
A lot of car accident victims don’t see a problem with agreeing not to call the police after their crash. They agree to exchange insurance information with the other driver and go about their business. As any Miami accident attorney will tell you, this is a big mistake.
Your car accident lawyer in Miami is going to need a copy of the police report to prove your case. As explained here, without the report, it may be impossible for your lawyer to get the evidence needed to prove liability.
We suggest you contact our office today and schedule your free, initial consultation. Take the time to find out if your claim has merit. Since your initial case review is free of charge, you have nothing to lose.
