You’re driving to work on a Monday morning like any other day. You take the usual route and hit a traffic jam. You start to get stressed because you’re going to be late for your meeting. Suddenly, there’s a loud crash, and the car in front of you has hit the car in front of it. You slam on your brakes just in time and avoid being in a car accident yourself.
Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of people in Florida are involved in car accidents every year. While some minor accidents cause no injuries, others can be much more serious, resulting in damaged property, injuries, and even fatalities.
At DiBiaggio Law, we know that nobody plans to be in a car accident, but it’s good to know what mistakes to avoid if it happens to you. In this blog, our car accident attorney team shares seven of the most common mistakes to avoid after a car accident. If you or a loved one have been in a car accident, DiBiaggio Law is here to help. Call us at (561) 473-9800 to schedule your free consultation, and let us help you take back control after your accident.
1. Fleeing the Scene of the Accident
Though it may be tempting, leaving the scene of a car accident is a serious offense in Florida. If you are involved in a car accident, stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe. Next, exchange information with the other driver, including your name, contact information, and insurance information. If you leave the accident scene without exchanging this information, you could be charged with a hit and run.
2. Failing to Report the Accident to the Police
If you’ve been in a car accident, contact the police and file a report, even if the damage appears to be minor. The police report can be beneficial when filing an insurance claim and provide valuable evidence if you take legal action.
3. Refusing to Get Medical Attention
Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, seeing a doctor as soon as possible after a car accident is essential. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not present themselves immediately. If you wait too long to seek medical attention, you could jeopardize your health and make it more difficult to prove that your injuries were caused by the car accident.
4. Failing to Gather Evidence
If you hope to receive a fair settlement from the insurance company or take legal action against the at-fault driver, gather as much evidence as possible after an accident. This includes taking photos of the damage to both vehicles, exchanging contact information with witnesses, and keeping track of all medical bills and other expenses related to the accident.
5. Giving a Statement to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
The other driver’s insurance company will likely contact you after the car accident and try to get you to give a recorded statement about what happened. Do not do this without first talking to a car accident attorney. Your attorney can advise you on what to say, as the insurance adjuster will seek any information to deny or reduce your claim.
6. Accepting a Quick Settlement from the Insurance Company
After a car accident, you may be tempted to accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company, especially if your car needs repairs and you’re eager to put the whole ordeal behind you. However, insurance companies are notorious for lowballing initial offers, so it’s always best to consult with an accidents attorney before accepting any settlement.
7. Choosing Not to Speak with an Attorney
Many people choose to handle their car accident claim without involving a car accident attorney, but this is usually not in your best interests. An experienced accidents attorney will fight for your rights and ensure that you receive a fair settlement for your injuries and damages. Plus, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you won’t have to pay anything upfront for their services—you’ll only owe attorneys’ fees if they can resolve your case successfully.
Don’t put off consulting an attorney until it is too late to file. Many cases only allow you a short time frame to file your claim.
Bonus: Sharing Accident Details on Social Media
One of the first things people want to do after a car accident is to tell everyone about it. It’s only natural to want to share your story, but there are a few good reasons why you shouldn’t post about your accident on social media. Insurance companies are increasingly using social media to investigate claims. If you post pictures or details about the accident online, the insurance company can use that against you to deny or reduce your claim.
Remember, anything you post on social media can be used as evidence against you. Even if you’re sharing your story with friends and family, it’s best to be cautious about what you say. So next time you’re tempted to share your story online, remember that it’s best to keep quiet.
Call DiBiaggio Law in West Palm Beach, Florida, If You’ve Been in a Car Accident
At DiBiaggio Law, we understand the challenges that car accident victims face. You may be dealing with serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and the stress of being unable to work. The last thing you need to worry about is how you will pay for a lawyer. That’s why we offer a free consultation to car accident victims in Florida. We’ll review your case and give you our honest opinion about whether we think you have a case. If we take your case, we’ll do so on a contingency basis, which means you won’t owe us anything unless we recover compensation for you.
With 30 years of experience, we understand the complexities of the legal system. We have a successful record of obtaining compensation for our clients for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Our experienced car accident attorney team will fight for you. Call us at (561) 473-9800 or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation. Let us be your voice through this challenging time.
Copyright © 2022 DiBiaggio Law. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
DiBiaggio Law
605 Belvedere Road, Suite 17
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
(561) 473-9800
https://dibiaggiolaw.com/
