Car accidents are traumatic events that cause extensive injuries and property damage. If you have been involved in a car accident before, you may be stunned and unsure of what to do in the sudden aftermath. When the other driver is to be blamed, you always have the right to hold them liable for your medical expenses, loss of labor, and other physical and emotional damages.
It is your words and actions at the scene that could jeopardize your rights in a particular claim. Our car accident attorneys from Abercrombie, P.A., explain the top five mistakes at crash sites to avoid.
5 car accident mistakes to avoid
If you have ever been involved in a car accident in Florida, we strongly recommend contacting our experienced car accident lawyers immediately. The best thing you can do is speak with our attorneys directly from Florida. At Abercrombie, P.A., our legal practitioners, as required by Florida Law, offer consultations on a contingency basis to anyone who has been involved in or injured in an accident. Here, we will discuss the five biggest mistakes to avoid when facing fatal car accidents. They include failing to seek immediate medical attention, admitting or apologizing at the scene, negligence in gathering evidence, and several others.
Failing to seek medical attention immediately
According to our car accident attorneys, the most critical mistake we find individuals make after a car accident in Florida is to seek medical attention immediately. According to Florida law, there is a 14-day rule that you should seek immediate medical attention. Within 14 days of a car accident, you can receive benefits to help recover from the injury through your personal injury protection (PIP) or no-fault insurance coverage. If you fail to do so, your PIP claim will be denied, and you will need to pay out of pocket or from your medical expenses.
Under this 14-day rule, you have exactly two weeks from the date of your accident to receive initial services and care. Any sort of medical attention will meet this requirement as long as it is received from a qualified healthcare provider. If you even believe that your injuries are minor or non-existent, some injuries don’t manifest symptoms for hours or weeks. Seek medical attention immediately, as you not only protect your health but also create a critical record of your injuries for potential insurance and legal claims.
Admitting fault or apologizing at the scene
The chaos that follows a car accident is natural, and it helps diffuse tension and express sympathy. However, if you admit fault or apologize at the scene, it can be misconstrued as an admission of liability. It could potentially harm your case down the road. Instead, focus on the matter at hand and never exchange valuable or sensitive information with the other party involved. Do avoid discussing fault until you have consulted with our legal practitioners.
Neglecting to gather evidence
Evidence is critical in establishing fault and proving the extent of damages in a car accident case. Failing to gather evidence at the scene, such as the photographs of the vehicles involved, contact information of witnesses, and a copy of the police report, does weaken your case. If you can take proactive steps to document the accident scene as thoroughly as possible, it will better support your legal claim.
Delaying contact with an experienced car accident attorney in Florida
In Florida car accident cases, time is a critical factor. Therefore, delaying contact with a qualified car accident attorney can be a costly mistake. An experienced legal practitioner provides invaluable guidance right from the outset, advising you on your rights, communicating with insurance companies on your behalf, and building a strong case to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.
Accepting settlements from insurance companies without consulting an attorney
Insurance companies do offer quick settlements in an attempt to minimize your payouts, often before the full extent of your injuries and damages is known. Therefore, accepting a settlement without consulting with a car accident attorney results in inadequate compensation that fails to cover both your future and current expenses. An experienced car accident attorney from Abercrombie P.A. will perform the negotiation with the insurance companies on your behalf and make sure that any settlement offer is fair and just.
Concluding Thought
Our car accident attorneys offer free car case evaluations to all victims and their families. If you decide to hire us, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t have to make any upfront payment. In fact, you don’t owe us anything unless we obtain money on your behalf through a settlement claim or court award. According to Florida Law, we only collect compensation on your behalf, and in return, you pay us a pre-agreed-upon percentage of your claim’s total value.
Abercrombie P.A. has spent a decade winning over revenues in compensation for most of the personal injury victims, including those who are involved in car accidents. We serve injured car accident victims from Florida. Connect with us to schedule a free consultation today.
