You were driving in Plantation, FL, and got into a collision. Now what?
If you suffered injuries in a car accident, you need to take steps that can help you protect yourself and your right to compensation.
Learn more about what you should do first following a car crash by contacting our Plantation car accident lawyers at Scarfone Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys.
What to Do at the Scene of the Accident
Protecting yourself after a car accident starts at the scene of the accident.
1. Contact the Plantation Police Department
Always call the police to report an accident, even if it appears minor. The officer will arrive at the scene and write a report that documents the conditions of your car accident and will be an important piece in your case.
2. Take photos, if possible
Take the time to take photos of the accident scene if you can safely move around the scene. Photos can help establish what caused the accident, preserve visual damage to your vehicle, and even illustrate the extent of your injuries. However, do not place yourself in danger to take those photos.
3. Avoid accepting liability
Do not make any statements to the police or to the other driver that could sound like you accept liability for the accident.
4. Prioritize Medical Care for Your Injuries
The injuries from a car accident can prove catastrophic. The Plantation area has several options for medical care, including Plantation General Hospital and the North Broward Hospital District. You can also go to a chiropractor or urgent care near you.
If you have any injuries from your car accident, go to a medical provider such as a hospital, urgent care, or chiropractor to have your injuries evaluated.
Getting Your Medical Care
When you arrive at the hospital, let the doctors in the emergency room know that you sustained your injuries in a car accident.
1. Use your PIP insurance
Under Florida law, drivers must carry personal injury protection insurance, which provides coverage for 80% of the first $10,000 of medical expenses after a car accident.
2. Document your injuries
If you haven’t already, record and photograph your injuries. Photos can help serve as evidence as you later move forward with an injury claim.
3. Keep track of all medical bills
You may have more medical bills than you think coming in after a car accident. Not only do you have the emergency room visit to consider, but you may also have to attend multiple follow-up appointments as your injuries heal. Furthermore, you may have other procedures, like surgery, to treat your injuries or therapy appointments to deal with.
Keep track of all your medical bills in one easy-to-access location so that you can put them together more easily when the time comes to file your claim.
4. Follow Your Care Provider’s Instructions
Your care provider will issue a treatment plan that includes any treatment you need to help you recover from your injuries and activities you may need to avoid during the recovery process.
Follow your care provider’s instructions carefully. If you ignore those instructions, the insurance company may claim that you limited your own recovery or worsened your own injuries, which could limit the compensation you can recover as part of your claim.
Call Scarfone
As soon as possible after your car accident in Plantation, you should get in touch with a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer at Scarfone Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys can offer a number of advantages as you manage your car accident claim.
1. We handle the insurance company
Instead of contacting the insurance company yourself, let your lawyer deal with the insurance company for you. We can help you avoid any allegations that you may have caused the accident and can fight to help ensure that you get the full compensation you may deserve for those damages.
2. We answer questions about your compensation and coverages
Florida insurance regulations can prove complicated to navigate since you may need to start by using your PIP insurance before you can move forward with a claim.
In the case of catastrophic injury or permanent disability, however, you may still have the right to compensation with a lawsuit. We can help guide you through that process, including offering insight into what you can expect during settlement negotiations or a trial.
3. We do the hard work
Often, after a car accident, the insurance company will come back with a low settlement offer — one that does not really include all the damages you suffered because of the accident.
After we put together your demand package, which will include all the damages you sustained because of the accident and the compensation you expect as a result, we prepare for a negotiation period. During this time, we deliberate with the insurance company for a resolution.
Contact a Plantation, Florida, Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you suffered injuries in a crash, do not handle your claim alone. Call Scarfone Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys today to learn more about your rights and how you can protect yourself after a car accident. Request your case consultation today.
Car Accident Case FAQs
Do I need a lawyer to deal with a car accident claim?
If you suffered injuries in a Plantation, Florida, car accident, you need a lawyer to help manage your claim. A lawyer can give you more information about the compensation you deserve and provide you with vital support as you learn about your rights.
Where does compensation come from after a car accident?
In Florida, you can seek compensation from other parties for your injuries when the damages exceed the protection offered by your PIP coverage. Talk to your lawyer about the extent of your damages and the areas of compensation you can include in your claim, like your lost wages and your pain and suffering.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Plantation, Florida?
After a change to state statutes in 2023, the Florida statute of limitations allows up to two years from the date of an accident for injury victims to file a claim.