Have you ever been driving down the busy streets of Miami and been distracted by the beautiful beaches and palm trees? Unfortunately, this happens far too often and distractions lead to motor vehicle accidents. In the aftermath of a car accident most people feel confused, anxious, and uncertain of what to do next. The good news is, you do not have to handle your case on your own. Miami Car Accident Lawyers, Shamis & Gentile, P.A., are devoted to representing the rights of people who have been hurt in a car accident.
What you do and say immediately following an accident may make or break your case. The amount of compensation a victim may recover partly depends on how the victim handles the aftermath of crash. Miami Car Accident Lawyers, Shamis & Gentile, P.A. lists out simple steps to show you what you should and should not do after being involved in a wreck.
- Offer Help – First and most importantly, make sure everyone is safe. If anyone has been hurt offer reasonable assistance. This usually means getting safely away from oncoming traffic, checking on other parties involved in the crash, or calling an ambulance.
- Identifying Information – When it is safe, you should begin gathering as much information as possible. Exchange names, addresses, and vehicle insurance information with all driver’s involved. Use your cellphone to photograph the accident and damage involved. Take notes of the license plate number, the weather conditions, and the road conditions.
- Call the Police – The law says you must immediately report a crash if there appears to be more than $500 worth of damage (Fla. Stat. 316.065(1)). In this day and age almost all repairs cost over $500, so it is good practice to report all accidents. Also, your insurer may need a police report even if there were no serious injuries.
- Seek Medical Attention – No matter how minor your injuries seem, make sure to get medical care because you never know how badly you might be hurt. For example, injuries like whiplash do not manifest until several days after the trauma. Furthermore, failure to undergo a medical evaluation may hurt your case. Failing to undergo medical treatment may make it more difficult to establish the extent of your injuries and to show that they were caused by the crash.
- Retain a File – It is imperative to keep all accident related documents and notes. These documents include police reports, notes from doctors, or medical bills. These documents are a key component to the success of your claim. Keeping notes about your injuries along with these documents will help maximize your compensation.
- Call an Attorney ASAP! – Your first non-emergency call should be your car accident attorney. By calling an experienced attorney you will put yourself in the best position to protect your rights and defend your case. At Shamis & Gentile, P.A., skilled Miami car accident lawyers will help make the legal process as stress-free as possible by taking your case seriously and making sure you receive as much compensation as possible.
Miami Car Accident lawyers, Shamis & Gentile, P.A.
Call us now at 302-479-2299 to get a free consultation. There are no fees or costs for anything unless we are able to recover for you. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We are here to help! Even if you do not have a case we will happily discuss your matter and give you our opinion on your best next steps. These situations are most likely new to you! Don’t be taken advantage of.
