In 2019 alone, Florida had 400,847 car crashes, with 3,330 fatalities and 254,358 injuries in those auto collisions. Every day, the state deals with over 1,000 car accidents. According to experts, the most common cause of auto accidents is drunk driving, while the second leading cause is distracted driving.
It is not a secret that Florida is one of the states with the worst car accidents in the United States. Therefore, if you are in the state, it is extremely important to be careful whenever you’re behind the wheel. However, regardless of how cautious you are, you can’t control other motorists on the road.
If you get into a car accident in Florida, you need to know what to do. In this article, we have listed the dos and dont’s when you get into an auto collision in the state.
What To Do
• Stay Calm – Stop at the scene of the accident and stay calm. Failure to stop at the event of an accident is considered a felony in the face of injury or death and a misdemeanor should there be property damage.
• Gather Evidence – Take photos or videos of the scene. Get the contact details of the other party along with witnesses in the area if there are any. Those will serve as your evidence when you file a claim and should the case go to trial.
• Contact The Insurance Company – Get in touch with the insurance provider and tell them about what happened. Keep in mind that not all insurers will help you get a fair claim, in which case you will need the assistance of a lawyer.
• Reach Out To An Attorney – A car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. Therefore, it’s vital to contact one, especially if you have no experience in dealing with insurance providers.
What Not To Do
• Don’t Admit Guilt – At the scene of the accident, it’s important that you don’t say anything that can be used against you, especially if you’re guilty. Never admit to this; otherwise, you will lose a fighting chance.
• Don’t Blame The Other Party – It is never wise to blame the other party, especially if the both of you have sustained injuries. Blaming and getting hysterical at the scene will not do anyone any good. In fact, that could only make things worse. Keep calm while you wait for authorities and seek medical attention.
• Don’t Accept A Low Insurance Settlement – As mentioned, insurers will often provide you with a lowball offer, and if you’re not experienced with the process, you may receive insufficient compensation. That is why you need legal assistance to ensure that you’re getting the right compensation.
Those are some of the things you need to remember when you get into a car accident in Florida. It is essential that you stay calm, gather evidence, and, as much as possible, hire an attorney to help you throughout the process. Dealing with an insurance company when you have little experience may be tedious, and you may end up with a terrible offer. Don’t let this happen to you, and seek legal assistance immediately.