If you have been involved in a car accident in Boca Raton, it’s essential to take the right steps to ensure your safety and rights. If your injuries are severe, a Boca Raton car accident attorney can help you seek proper compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other losses. Here is what you should do after a car accident in Boca Raton, FL:
Ensure Safety & Seek Medical Attention
It’s important to remain calm after a car accident and check yourself and others for injuries. Regardless of who is hurt, it’s important to call 911 for emergency medical assistance. If you are able and it is safe to do so, move your vehicle to the side of the road to prevent further collisions and wait for emergency services to arrive.
Seek medical attention even if you do not have visible injuries. Some injuries do not display immediate symptoms, especially because of the adrenaline rush of the moment. Seeking medical attention isn’t only imperative to prioritize your health, but it will also help you later to pursue a claim.
In Florida, you must seek medical attention within two weeks following an accident to have your medical costs covered by your PIP coverage. Failing to do so may bar you from using your PIP insurance.
Contact Law Enforcement
You must contact a law enforcement agency to report the accident in Florida, primarily if it resulted in injuries, property damage exceeding $500, or fatalities. Calling the police to the accident scene will also help your case later as an investigation will occur, and a police report will be issued, which you can later use for insurance purposes or other legal proceedings. You should also notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as you can and follow their instructions.
Document the Accident & Gather Evidence
If you are able, you should take photos or videos of the accident scene. Capture the damage to all vehicles, your injuries, road conditions, and anything else that may be of use for insurance claims or legal proceedings.
If there are witnesses, get their contact information as well as that of the drivers involved in the accident scene. It’s important to gather evidence as soon as you can because you will need to defend yourself against allegations or prove fault.
Consult With an Attorney
Contact a Boca Raton car accident attorney immediately if you wish to pursue a claim. Even if you weren’t seriously injured in your car accident, if you sustained extensive property damage, you can still file a claim against the at-fault driver/s so that you can recover some compensation for your losses.
A lawyer can help you understand your legal options and obligations. They will aid you throughout the legal proceedings, help you gather evidence or negotiate with the other parties and insurance companies, and build up your case.
Since Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system, if you are assigned enough percentage of fault for the incident, you may lose your right to seek compensation. Because of this, you should work closely with an attorney to ensure that you aren’t barred from this right and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and other damages.
