The suddenness of a car accident can be shocking enough to cause you and other involved drivers to panic and think irrationally. It’s times like these where your actions can make the aftermath either difficult or easy. Most drivers have a general idea of the process that follows an accident, but what are the things you should never do?
Not Seeking Medical Treatment
In the hours immediately following the accident, you may feel okay, however you have no idea what complications can develop in the coming days, weeks or even months. Therefore, speaking to your healthcare provider is crucial because this not only provides a paper-trail, it also provides evidence that you pursued medical attention after the accident. After an accident, time is of the essence so get medical care quickly.
Not Filing a Police Report
While it takes a number of days for the official police report to be completed and filed, make sure that you never leave the scene without the police officer’s card which contains the name of the responding police department and accident case number. Keeping all records in one place is essential in building a case if a claim is pursued or a lawsuit is filed.
A common statement is “it was minor and I was in a hurry.” We’re all so busy these days, but it’s important to take the necessary time to contact the authorities and file a police report.
Leaving The Scene
In a minor accident where damage appears to be non-existent and everyone seems unharmed, leaving shouldn’t be a problem, right? Wrong. Failing to remain at the scene can result in more trouble than you can bargain for. In Florida, leaving a crash site is a crime and you can potentially be charged with a failure to stop and render aid charge. To prevent this, play it safe and wait for authorities to arrive.
Waiting Too Long To Seek Legal Help
Did you know that a “statute of limitations” applies to car accidents and other personal injury cases? This means that you have a strict time limit for pursuing compensation. Specifically, you have only two years from the date of the injury to bring a claim — otherwise you will forever lose the right to bring the matter to court.
While two years is the absolute maximum amount of time you have, the fact is that you should actually obtain legal representation as soon as possible after the crash. Why? Because witnesses may move away, tire tracks may wash away, and other essential evidence may quickly disappear.
Don’t Panic – Contact An Auto Accident Attorney
At Probinsky & Cole, we are dedicated to helping clients protect their rights and options after a car crash.
Our Sarasota auto accident attorneys want to help injury victims seek the maximum compensation to which they’re entitled. Let us provide a free consultation of your potential case and explain how we may be able to help you.
