Know What to Do After an Accident Occurs

All drivers should be aware of the important steps that should be taken

With more than 200,000 motor vehicle accidents occurring every year in Florida, the attorneys at Larson Johnson, PL believe that every driver should know their responsibilities and what you should do in the wake of an auto accident.

Report the traffic accident

You should always notify to the proper authority – the local police department, sheriff or the Florida Highway Patrol depending on the location – of any car and motorcycle accident if there are injuries or property damage.

The investigating officer will file a report and charges against any driver that they find violated traffic laws. The courts will hear the case and decide on any penalties but often require the completion of a Traffic Collision Avoidance Course (TCAC), a Florida traffic school course on safe driving techniques that can be done online, in a classroom or with a video.

Get medical help

You should always be examined by a medical professional after car crash. Often the shock and adrenalin in the wake of an accident can mask injuries or their severity. This is especially true of head and brain injuries where symptoms may not present immediately.

Traumatic brain injuries, sometimes called closed head injuries, are life changing with medical bills and long-term effects that can be devastating. Early diagnosis is important. This type of injury affects basic functions that coordinate motor skills, memory and actions such as breathing, heart rate, body temperature and all five senses. Often difficult to recognize, these injuries can cause headaches, lack of concentration, memory loss and personality changes.

Report the accident to your insurance company

You should timely report a motor vehicle accident to your insurance company. However, contact us before giving any statements or recorded interviews. The attorneys at Larson Johnson, PL can help protect your rights.

Protect your rights

We believe that Florida’s complex insurance issues are most effectively handled with an attorney’s assistance. Without knowledgeable guidance, you can inadvertently compromise or even forfeit certain benefits to which you are entitled.

You should hire a lawyer immediately to protect your rights if you are injured and intend to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. The sooner we are involved, the better able we are to preserve evidence, investigate the accident. It also enables physicians and other expert witnesses to evaluate the injuries sustained by yourself or a loved one.

According to Florida law, you have four years to file a lawsuit related to traffic accident assuming your claim meets the required permanency threshold . This statute of limitations starts the day of the accident and weekends and holidays are included in the count. After four years, you may be barred from bringing your case to court regardless of how strong it is. The Statue of Limitations may be five years if pursuing as uninsured motorists claim. Contact the lawyers at Larson Johnson to obtain specific information concerning your claim.

Get a free consultation and the help you need today

If you have been involved in a serious auto accident in Florida, Larson Johnson, PL can evaluate all aspects of your case, help you cut through the red tape involved in filing a claim and make sure that you are fully compensated for all damages allowed under Florida law. Contact us online or call us 813-867-2055 at now for a free initial consultation with the highly qualified representation you deserve.