[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”]A Motor vehicle accident in South Florida is a huge possibility statistically, in fact it is demonstrated that your risk of being involved in a road collision in Coral Gables or another part of South Florida is actually quite high. In 2019 alone, more than 3000 motor-vehicle related deaths were reported in the State.
What’s worrying is that this number continues to increase. In the first half of 2020, more motor-vehicle related deaths were reported in Florida compared to the same period of 2019. There was also an increase in the number of people who suffered serious injuries due to a car accident. Many of these people could not work for weeks and some for months due to their injuries. Needless to say, this impacted their livelihoods. [/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evXE9_GRGs0″ thumbnail_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.6)” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” width=”65%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” border_width_all=”2px”][/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]While you’d like to avoid being on the same boat as these people, the statistics tell us that the chances of that happening are minimal. The next best thing you can do is find out what you should be doing if you are ever involved in a motor vehicle accident in Coral Gables or another location in South Florida? Lucky for you, we provide the answers right here. Do the following in the exact order specified if you get involved in a motor vehicle accident in South Florida.
1. Check If Anyone is Injured and Get Help If Required
Before doing anything else, check if anyone is injured, and if required, get help as soon as possible. Since you are likely to be in a state of shock for a while after the accident, it may take you some time to notice that you—or another person involved in the crash—is injured.
If the injury is serious, call 911 as soon as you become aware of what has happened. Unless it affects the flow of traffic, don’t move your car from the crash site. This is because moving your car may remove any evidence that could later help you in your insurance or personal injury claim.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]2. Call the Police and Let Them Know What Happened
Regardless of the nature or severity of your injuries, you should call the police and let them know what happened. This is because reporting an accident to the Florida Highway Patrol or Police is required by the state law in Florida if the accident results in death or injury.
It is not mandatory to notify the police about every car accident that occurs in Florida. However, you need to call the police right away if you’re involved in a collision or hit-and-run that has resulted in personal or property loss of $500 or more.
Reporting a car accident to the police is crucial, even if it happens to be a minor one. This is especially important if you’ve suffered an injury, and the accident is due to the negligence of the other party involved.
3. Gather Any Evidence That You Can
After you call the police and inform them about what happened, take pictures at the scene of the accident or gather any evidence that can strengthen your case before the police or another party removes it. Taking pictures of the accident scene or making a video of the crash site will help you greatly if and when you claim damages.
4. Get the Contact Information of the Other Driver Involved in the Motor Vehicle Accident
Exchange your phone number and any other important contact details with the other party involved in the accident. However, avoid interacting with the driver beyond this. Do not confess your mistake or say something that could be misinterpreted as an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
5. Contact Your Lawyer
After you have gotten medical treatment for any injuries, reported the accident to the police, gathered all the evidence that you find, and exchanged contact information with the other party involved, the next step would be contacting an injury lawyer within your proximity, such as an Injury lawyer in South Florida, including Coral Gables, Miami, Hialeah and Doral.
Filing a lawsuit for a car crash in any part of Florida is relatively easy due to the State’s no-fault rule. Despite this, you could face a lot of problems in successfully filing a personal injury claim and getting fair compensation for your injuries if you decide to go solo.
If you are in Coral Gables or another part of South Florida, you must seek legal assistance from an injury lawyer in South Florida who has handled similar cases in the past. Doing this will significantly increase your chances of successfully filing a lawsuit for a car crash, especially when you’re sure that you’re not the one at fault for the accident.
6. Contact Your Insurance Provider
Once you have talked to an experienced injury lawyer in South Florida and taken their advice on how to pursue your case, you can get in touch with your insurance provider to begin the insurance claim process. Call your insurance company to tell them what happened and find out what is needed to get file an insurance claim.
Contact the insurance provider as soon as you can after the accident. Your insurer will evaluate your case to assess the severity of the damage and identify the guilty party. Based on this evaluation, the insurance provider will make an insurance payout.
Final Word Regarding Motor Vehicle Accidents
There is physical, financial, and emotional pain attached to a motor vehicle accident. While making a claim for damages and getting the due compensation won’t undo the wound and pain of the accident, it’ll at least alleviate some of your financial responsibility. If you are ever involved in a motor vehicle accident in Coral Gables and need legal assistance to file a damage claim successfully, then the injury lawyers at Diaz Law are only a call away.
We have some of the most experienced personal injury lawyers in South Florida who will guide you through the claims process to help you get fair compensation for your injuries. You can find out more by getting in touch with us today. Visit here for more information on what to do and how we can help. Be safe out there![/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
