Do you know what to do after a Ft. Lauderdale car crash? Seek medical help – then seek out an expert in personal injury
At the scene of a car crash, it may be difficult to assess what happened, especially if you have been seriously injured. The driver at fault, the extent of injuries – both personal and to physical property – all of it sometimes takes a back seat to what is of the most immediate concern: getting yourself and passengers and anyone else who may have been injured, medical attention. When the ambulance pulls away, and the tow wreckers have done their job, bits and pieces of the car crash accident scene disappear so that, in a few days, there may be no evidence of a car crash left.
That’s why we write blogs, to inform the public and encourage people to go out for justice. Everyone should know ahead of time what to do in the event of an accident.
Right after the arrival of the police and ambulance, the police will fill out a report based on events witnessed by bystanders as well as the drivers and vehicle passengers, taking into consideration in what direction both vehicles were heading and what led to the crash. A citation will be issued, depending on whether a law was violated. Did a driver fail to yield? Run a red light? Drive carelessly or recklessly? All of this information will be compiled into the police report, as well as the damage sustained to one or both cars.
Hand in hand with what the police collect with their report is the evidence that you can gather at the scene. This is where it is important to understand that, despite the fact that you may be rattled from just being hit by a car, the gathering of evidence to help your case is of the utmost importance, and could be critical to any future claims you may file against the other driver. You should get photographs of your car and the scene and talk to anyone who may have witnessed the accident. If you can’t have a full discussion with witnesses at the scene, make sure to receive their contact information.
What not to do: Never admit to anyone that you were at fault – there are many measurements of fault used by insurance companies and others – don’t box yourself into a hole that you may not have been in to begin with.
In the days following your accident, you will file a claim with insurance companies, who will determine pain and suffering in calculating what you may be owed in terms of compensation. How do insurance companies reach their conclusions? Several factors are used, including, obviously, how severe the injury is, along with the medical treatment you received, both immediately after the accident and in the days and weeks that follow. Insurance companies will also consider how long it will take you to recover or if you will need long-term care.
But you’re not in the clear yet. In order to be rewarded compensation you will need to prove that you have suffered physically from the accident, which has led to loss of income and medical bills. This will include issuing documentation to insurance companies that includes all of your medical records and bills stemming from the accident, plus opinions from medical experts on your injuries and physical condition.
While you certainly can try on your own to negotiate with insurance companies, it’s not advisable. There are many nuances and variables that go into how the insurance companies arrive at their decision and sometimes, the insurer can be difficult and unwilling to release compensation funds. It’s best to contact an expert Ft. Lauderdale personal injury litigation attorney, who has navigated all of the twists and turns of motor vehicle compensation claims and knows the best route to take for you.
You’ve had one accident that has caused physical injury – don’t risk another problem with getting the compensation you are owed. Know your rights.
