Auto Accidents

Florida has over 15 million licensed drivers with over 570,000 registered motor vehicles! With this many motor vehicles on the road, it’s no surprise that auto accidents also happen in the Sunshine State. As a vehicle owner, you should be prepared to tackle the aftermath of auto accidents. Hiring an auto accident attorney in Jacksonville, FL, will help you navigate the process. 

Florida Car Accident Statute of Limitations

You only have a limited window of time to seek compensation. Florida’s car accident statute of limitations will govern how much time you have to make a claim. So here’s what you need to know — whenever you are caught in an auto accident, Florida will apply a four-year personal injury and property damage statute of limitations. This means that you will have four years to file a claim (from the date of the auto accident). Yes, there are certain exceptions to this rule. We suggest you hire an auto accident lawyer to maximize this opportunity and grab maximum compensation.

What should you do after a car accident in Florida?

Now that you know Florida’s car accident laws, it’s time we learn what to do right after getting into an auto accident. Here are the five steps we highly recommend you follow.

Dial 911

You’ll probably be in shock after getting into a car collision. You might be too numb to realize your injuries and the damages to the vehicle. Therefore, the very first thing you should do is call 911. Inform the 911 operator about the accident and try sharing the information asked.

File an accident report

The next step should be to call the police and file an accident report. This is important because you want to file a report that contains important details about the car accident. Indeed, the 911 operator must have notified the police nearby the accident area. But you should call them, too, regardless of the accident’s severity.

Document the accident in detail

The police are on their way, and so is the paramedic team. It would help if you used this time to create a detailed list of the accident. List down everything you can remember about it. Try to remember what happened before the accident. What can you remember about the other driver and the vehicle? Is the case about driving under the influence? It would be best if you were detailed here. Use this list if necessary —

 

  • Traffic signal before the hit
  • Symptoms of DUI
  • Make and model of the car
  • Color and plate number
  • Stickers or bumper dents
  • Anything else that stands out

Try gathering evidence and witnesses

We highly recommend taking clear photos and videos of the accident scene. Make sure you take pictures with different angles of the involved vehicles. The images and recordings will help determine the accident’s conditions. Look for cooperative witnesses and request them to recount what they saw while you take the video. Remember to ask for their name and contact information, as the insurance company might contact them to verify the claim details.

Get in touch with your insurance company

Once you have all the details, contact your insurance company. Share all the details with the insurance company to process the claim effectively.

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Do you need a Personal Injury, Guardianship, or Family Law Attorney? Feel free to Contact Us or Schedule a Consultation today! We really look forward to hearing from you and being able to assist you in your legal matters.

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