From Collision to Compensation: What to Do After a Car Accident.

What to do After a Car Accident

Mastering the Post-Accident Maze: Your Definitive Guide to Navigating the Aftermath

In the wake of a car accident, the whirlwind of emotions and confusion can leave even the most level-headed individuals feeling disoriented. This comprehensive guide serves as your compass, leading you through the intricate journey of what to do after a car accident. With over two decades of experience, we’ll unravel the complexities and provide you with a roadmap to confidently traverse the post-accident landscape.

The Crucial First Steps: Navigating the Immediate Aftermath

Steadfast Composure: Navigating the Shockwave

As the echoes of a collision fade away, an air of shock and confusion often takes its place. The deployment of airbags can envelop the vehicle in a haze of dust, occasionally sparking concerns of a fire. In these critical moments, maintaining composure is paramount. Draw a deep breath and gather your senses before springing into action.

Assessing Injuries: Prioritizing Safety

Amidst the chaos, prioritizing safety becomes a mandate. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. It’s important to note that shock can mask pain immediately after an accident, sometimes leading to delayed symptoms. If anyone complains of pain or discomfort, dial 911 without hesitation for immediate medical attention.

Summoning Authority: Involving Law Enforcement

Irrespective of the accident’s severity, involving the police is a non-negotiable step. The police report becomes a foundational document, chronicling the incident’s details for impartial documentation. When the responding officer arrives, provide a composed account of what transpired, including any injuries or discomfort experienced.

Unveiling Florida’s Rear-End Collision Rule

Florida boasts a distinctive legal principle for rear-end collisions: the driver behind is typically deemed at fault. If you find yourself at the receiving end of a rear-end collision, it’s pivotal to apprise the attending officer of this fact. This rule plays a pivotal role in the determination of liability.

Photographic Chronicles: Capturing the Visual Evidence

Photographs stand as potent allies in the aftermath of an accident. Capture detailed images of all vehicles involved, both inside and out. Document the positions of the vehicles post-collision, as well as any skid marks or road damage. These visual cues contribute significantly to reconstructing the accident’s sequence and gauging the impact’s severity.

Essential Post-Accident Procedures: Documenting and Discerning

The Invaluable Police Report: A Window into the Incident

Securing a copy of the police report is akin to gaining access to a vault of information. This report holds the names and insurance particulars of all parties involved, alongside the officer’s observations. Take the initiative a step further—gather contact details from witnesses, enriching your repository of evidence.

Communicating with Your Insurer: A Delicate Dialogue

Informing your insurance company about the accident is a necessary step. However, enlisting the support of a seasoned legal team during this communication is advisable. Their expertise ensures your correspondence is calculated and strategic. Be prepared for communication from the other driver’s insurance company as well. Often, their goal is to solicit admissions that could potentially undermine your claim. Particularly when injuries are involved, the guidance of a Car Accident Lawyer becomes invaluable. They emerge as your advocate, guarding your rights and orchestrating a comprehensive claim encompassing medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress.

Harnessing the Power of Contingency: Partnering with a Personal Injury Attorney

One distinctive feature of Florida’s legal landscape is the ability to secure legal representation through a contingency arrangement. Under this agreement, your attorney’s fees are contingent upon successfully obtaining compensation on your behalf. When navigating the complexities of insurance negotiations, particularly within the realm of personal injury, an experienced attorney becomes your shield. They adeptly navigate the intricacies, ensuring your rights remain safeguarded and your claim maximizes its potential for success.

Demystifying the Consultation: Unveiling Clarity

For those embarking on the path of personal injury claims, the initial consultation serves as a gateway to clarity. This zero-cost interaction sheds light on the intricacies of your case, offering insights into the journey ahead. Seize this opportunity—it’s a pivotal step toward asserting your rights and securing the rightful compensation you deserve.

Empowerment Through Insight: Your Journey to Post-Accident Resilience

Amidst the turbulence that follows a car accident, knowledge and insight become your unwavering allies. Empowered with an in-depth understanding of post-accident protocols, you transcend uncertainty and step into a realm of confidence. As you navigate this intricate journey, the LaBovick Law Group stands as your unwavering ally. With more than twenty years of experience, we’re poised to champion your rights and secure the compensation you merit. The road to justice and restitution commences with a conversation—reach out to us for a consultation that paves the path toward a brighter tomorrow.

Addressing Common Queries: Unraveling the Enigma

Is reporting every accident to the police necessary? 

Absolutely. Whether the accident appears minor or substantial, involving law enforcement is a judicious choice. A police report provides an impartial record of the incident, serving as a cornerstone of evidence.

How does Florida’s rear-end collision rule impact my claim? 

Florida’s rear-end collision rule operates on the presumption that the driver behind is usually at fault. This presumption significantly influences the determination of liability.

Should I engage a personal injury lawyer? 

Engaging a personal injury lawyer is highly recommended, especially when injuries are involved. Their expertise safeguards your interests and elevates the potential of your claim’s success.

What does a contingency agreement entail?

A contingency agreement stipulates that your attorney’s fees are contingent upon successfully securing compensation on your behalf. This approach alleviates financial burdens while pursuing your rightful entitlements.

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Meet your legal team

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It’s Easy to Get Started

Fill out the form or call us at 561-888-8888

Meet your legal team

We fight to win you more

Premises liability

PREMISE LIABILITY

$450,000

James was searching for equipment for painting at Home Depot. In the aisle next to him, there was a worker on a lift stocking the highest shelf. The worker pushed boxes so far across the shelf that they fell off the other edge and hit James in the head. The force almost knocked James unconscious. He sat down and the loud bang got the worker off the ladder to see what fell. When they saw James they offered him a bucket and made a report. James did not recall leaving the store or how he got home. He did not recall much except being at home depot and getting hit in the head. Home Depot told him that it was a small box of dust masks that hurt him. We discovered it was actually a large box of emergency kits that fell off the shelf.

Personal injury

PERSONAL INJURY

$850,000

In this case, our client slipped and fell on water that had accumulated near the hot tubs/showers on the Lido deck of a major cruise line ship. The client suffered torn ligaments to her shoulder that required 2 arthroscopic surgeries. The cruise line took the position that the condition on the floor was open and obvious.

Premises liability

PREMISES LIABILITY

$980,000

Georgia was visiting a friend in the hospital when she walked out of the elevator and into her friend’s room. As soon as she entered the room she slipped on a newly mopped floor without any wet floor sign present. The floor was so wet that Georgia’s entire outfit was soaked. Because of the muted tile floor, the water was invisible. Georgia needed a back operation which was unsuccessful and caused her to slip into a coma. She luckily survived.

Motor vehicle accident

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT

$1.1 MILLION

AUTOMOBILE REAR END COLLISION

Rodrigo was driving his work truck home when he was rear-ended at a stoplight. Rodrigo needed a fusion of his thoracic spine. A terrible and complex operation. Unfortunately, while Rodrigo was undergoing the spinal operation, one of his children died and he was unable to be with his grieving wife. It was a tragic case that eventually settled.

Bicycle vs car accident

BICYCLE VS CAR ACCIDENT

$1.45 MILLION

David was a teacher at a local high school. He rode his bike to school in the morning and after school would ride another 10 miles for exercise. On a sunny afternoon on his way home an older driver turned right into him as he was riding down the street. He hurt his shoulder and neck and needed two operations. Defendant felt his injury was due to playing football 10 years earlier and would not provide him a fair or reasonable offer.

Car vs commercial truck accident

CAR VS COMMERCIAL TRUCK ACCIDENT

$3.4 MILLION

Joe was driving his 18 wheeler on the Florida Turnpike headed south after a long-haul run.  He was “bobtailing” which means he did not have a cargo trailer on the back of his truck rig.  A drunk driver lost control of his car causing Joe to avoid the accident but drive off the highway and into a canal.  He was injured in the accident but also witnessed a child die when he climbed out of the truck and came to the accident site.  There the injured child was trapped under the car and he was powerless to save the child before it passed.

Auto accident T-Bone

AUTO ACCIDENT T-BONE

$4.5 MILLION

Xao, a Vietnamese immigrant was driving home after work at night to see his pregnant wife. He stopped at a 4-way intersection and looked both ways. He did not see anyone in either direction. As Mr. X when through the intersection he was hit on the passenger side door by a mid-sized black SUV driving without their lights on. Mr. X was catastrophically injured.

Personal injury

PERSONAL INJURY

$8.2 MILLION

This was a hard-fought pedestrian accident case, in which our client was struck by an SUV driven by a teen driver, as they attempted to cross North Military Trail in West Palm Beach, FL. As a result of the accident, our client suffered numerous fractures, partial loss of vision and frontal lobe brain injury that affected his speech, and other personal injuries that required him to be hospitalized for 58 days.

At the time of the accident, our client was a cashier at Walmart and has been unable to return to work.

“This case is the epitome of what we consider part of our Core Culture and broad vision – which is to be Warriors for Justice,” stated Brian LaBovick. “Mr. Jacobus has serious permanent injuries and will continue to fight to regain his life into the foreseeable future. This verdict will allow him to get the professional help he needs to safely navigate the rest of his life.”

Medical malpractice

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

$15 MILLION

Brain damages child due to medical negligence.  Mother was misdiagnosed upon entry to the hospital while under contractions.  The child was born severely disabled.