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It’s easy to feel overwhelmed during and after a car accident. A car accident is a significant event, and you may not know where to start. The first step you should take is filing a claim with your insurance company.
Your claim may become more complicated and may turn into a lawsuit. Follow this list of do’s and don’ts to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve.
Do Document Everything That You Can
Once you get involved with the insurance companies, you need to document everything you can. Take notes on every phone call that you have, including names of who you spoke to, what time the call took place, and what was said on the call.
You also want to document your medical journey, appointments, transportation and transportation costs, and your experiences of pain and suffering. Every minute of suffering needs to be documented. Those minutes could equate to damages during your claim.
Don’t Talk to Strangers
Be careful who you talk to and what you say during this claim. Other insurance companies may try to call you and get a recorded statement. Witnesses may call you pretending to be nice to get you to say too much. What you are trying to avoid here is taking the blame for the accident.
Don’t talk to anyone regarding your claim. Have a lawyer handle any phone calls or mail related to your claim.
Do File Your Claim Soon
Florida statute § 95.11 gives you two years to file your claim. If you are filing for wrongful death, you also have two years to file the claim.
Get the ball rolling as soon as you can.
Call a Lawyer
As soon as you are able, call a personal injury lawyer to help you with your claim. The more serious your injuries, the more important it is to be represented by an attorney. If you try to handle this on your own, you may not get the compensation you deserve.
At Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers, we can help you to get the compensation that the law allows for you. We know that your life is turned upside down. We’ve been helping car accident victims turn their lives right side up again for years. Call our Florida car accident attorneys today at (850) 706-4434 for a free review of your claim.
FAQ
Do I have to go to court if I file a claim?
That depends. Every Florida car accident case is different. The likeliness of the case ending up in court will depend on how severe the injuries are and how amenable to settling the other party is. If you have severe injuries, you may want to push for a court to decide the amount of your pain and suffering, mental anguish, long-term medical bills, and lost wages.
I don’t think I was injured. Should I see a doctor anyway?
You should always see a doctor after a car accident, even if you feel great. Even if you aren’t presenting with anything, a doctor will conduct a thorough post-car accident exam to test for any damage that may have occurred. You may also be in pain without realizing it, as adrenaline can mask the pain during a car accident. You may wake up the next day, or even months later, with a serious problem that needs attention. Always see a doctor right after so that you know any issues incurred are a result of that accident.
How can I win the case if I don’t remember what happened?
Preserving your memory is another reason we wouldn’t want you talking to too many people. It’s easy to get confused during and after an accident. The documentation you have from medical and other sources is going to tell your story. If you have been injured, you have a claim. Call us, and we will help you best handle your claim.