Car Accident Injury Resources: Who To Contact If You Are Injured

Car accidents can be traumatizing and can leave drivers and passengers with severe, even life-altering injuries. The cost of medical bills, lost wages, and property damage caused by an accident often leaves victims struggling financially while they attempt to recover from injuries. Even injuries that seem minor at the time of the accident can worsen over time.

Car accident victims may be left wondering what they should do after an accident. Should you see a doctor even if your injuries do not feel serious? Should you contact a car accident attorney? Who is liable for the costs of the accident? These are important questions to answer if you have been involved in a car accident.

DOCS4PI provides car accident victims in Florida with the tools they need to ensure they get the medical attention they need and their rights are protected after a collision. We can connect you with the best car accident doctors and personal injury attorneys in your area. In this article, we will discuss what you should do after an accident and why it is important to speak with medical and legal experts after your accident.

Seek medical attention.
Call #1-888-DOCS4PI (888-362-7474).

What To Do After A Car Accident in Florida

There are a few things you need to do after you have been involved in a car accident. The first is gathering evidence at the scene of the accident. This information will help you later if you need to file a claim with your insurance provider or against the at-fault party. Take the following steps after an accident while you are still at the scene:

• Check for injuries: The first thing to do after a crash is to check to see if you or anyone else involved in the accident have suffered noticeable injuries if you are able to. Be sure to call for emergency medical services right away if needed.
• Call the police: You will also need to call the police to report the accident. You should always report a car accident, even if the other party begs you not to call the police. Police will collect written statements from the drivers and any witnesses.
• Get names and contact information: Be sure to collect the names, contact information, and insurance information from any other drivers in the accident. You should also get the names and contact information of any witnesses and first responders on the scene.
• Take pictures: The more photo evidence you can provide, the better. Take photos of the scene, the vehicles involved, and any injuries. Photo documentation can support an injury claim later on.
• Do not admit fault or apologize: Admitting to fault or apologizing to the other party for the accident can hurt your chances of being awarded compensation, even if you were not at fault.
• Contact your insurance provider: Finally, be sure to contact your insurance provider to have an insurance adjuster assigned to your case.

Seek Medical Attention Right Away

You should never delay seeking medical attention after a car accident. In Florida, car accident victims only have 14 days from the date of their accident to seek medical attention if they wish to be covered through their personal injury protection (PIP) policy. Additionally, it will be harder for you to file an injury claim against the at-fault party if you waited to get medically evaluated.

It is important to visit the hospital or a car accident doctor even if you do not feel you have been injured. Many car accident injuries may not seem bad at first but worsen with time, especially after the rush of adrenaline an accident causes. Internal injuries or traumatic brain injuries can lead to extensive treatment later on but may not present symptoms within the 14-day window following an accident.

Seeking immediate medical attention after a crash is important for the following reasons:

• A doctor will run diagnostic tests to check for any injuries including internal injuries or traumatic brain injuries
• You can be kept under observation in the hospital if you have suffered a traumatic brain injury
• Doctors can prescribe medication for injuries or begin treatment if necessary
• Car accident doctors or the hospital will provide medical documentation that serves as evidence of your injuries for insurance companies
• Doctors can testify in court to the severity of your injuries and to the cost of current and future treatment you will require

Florida Is A “No-Fault” State

Florida is a “no-fault” state when it comes to car accidents. What does this mean? This means that neither driver in a collision is held at fault. Instead, every Florida driver is required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) policy up to $10,000 and a property damage liability (PDL) of up to $10,000.

Understanding PIP And PDL Insurance

Personal injury protection helps cover your medical expenses and lost wages after a car crash regardless of who was at fault for the accident. A PIP policy covers 80% of reasonable and necessary medical expenses after an accident up to $10,000. PIP insurance can also cover 60% of lost wages if you are unable to return to work because of your injuries.

Florida drivers are also required to carry a $10,000 property liability damage coverage. Your PDL policy protects you up to $10,000 for any damage caused to another person’s property by your vehicle.

What If Your Medical Bills Exceed What Is Covered By PIP?

Personal injury protection is certainly a helpful insurance policy to have when it comes to a car accident. However, serious car accident injuries can require long-term treatment or can leave victims permanently disabled and unable to return to work. Severe accidents can even lead to the wrongful death of a driver or passenger.

The overall costs of all of the economic and non-economic damages of a car crash can frequently exceed what is covered by a PIP policy. If you were injured in a car accident and your PIP policy is not enough to cover your medical bills and other damages, you can file a personal injury claim with the at-fault party’s insurance for compensation.

Nobody should have to pay for financial, emotional, mental, and physical damages caused by another person’s negligence. A car accident attorney can help you reclaim damages after you have been injured in a collision.

Should You Hire A Florida Car Accident Lawyer? 

Many people wonder if they should hire a lawyer to handle their injury claim following a car accident. The answer depends on the nature of your accident and whether or not you would benefit from legal representation. If you have been involved in a minor accident and nobody was injured, you can probably resolve the matter without the need for a lawyer. However, people who have suffered serious injuries in an accident may benefit from having a lawyer on their side.

There are many misconceptions about personal injury attorneys that prevent people from hiring an attorney, even though they would benefit from professional legal counsel. So, let’s clear the air of common misconceptions regarding personal injury lawyers and learn how an attorney can help car accident victims.

Personal Injury Attorneys Are More Affordable Than You Think

People usually choose not to hire an attorney to handle their injury claim because they believe it will cost too much money. This is a common misconception. The reality is that many personal injury attorneys offer their services on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee basis means you do not owe your lawyer anything unless they win your case.

With this structure, your attorney will typically take a previously agreed-upon percentage of your awarded settlement as their payment. Be sure to ask a lawyer if they operate on a contingency fee basis and what their fee will be before deciding to them.

Even if you decide not to hire an attorney, it is always a good idea to have a lawyer evaluate your case. Most car accident lawyers offer free case evaluations. During your evaluation, your attorney will let you know if you have a strong case to pursue, what your legal options are moving forward, and inform you of your rights.

You Are Not Suing The Driver Directly

Some people may choose not to hire an attorney or to even file an injury claim because they believe they are going to financially ruin the other driver in an accident. In reality, you are filing a personal injury claim against the other driver’s insurance provider. These companies have the resources and ability to provide the compensation you are owed after an accident.

Attorneys Earn Their Clients Higher Settlements On Average

There are numerous benefits to hiring a personal injury attorney to handle your case. One of them being, injury victims who hire professional legal representation are awarded larger settlements on average than victims who choose to represent themselves.

An experienced car accident attorney offers their client a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the state and local laws that govern car accident claims. Your lawyer will be able to guide you through the entire process of pursuing an injury claim. Additionally, they can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and represent you in legal proceedings.

Need Help Finding A Car Accident Doctor Or Attorney In Pinellas Or Broward County?

DOCS4PI helps people get the professional services they need after being involved in a car accident.

If you have been injured in a collision, our network of trusted doctors will be able to provide the medical treatment you need. We will connect you with a doctor that specializes in car accident injuries. They will be able to help you start your recovery and can provide medical documentation as evidence of your injuries.

If you have been injured due to another driver’s negligence, we will connect you with an experienced personal injury attorney who is ready to fight for your case. Don’t hesitate after a car accident, call us today (888) 362-7474 to get the help you need.