3 Ways To Protect Your Car Accident Case

If you suffered an injury in a car crash, you’ll need to work quickly to safeguard your rights and give yourself the best possible chance of a full financial recovery. We’ve included a short list of the three things that can help give you a more favorable legal outcome.

Gather Evidence

One of the most important things that a motorist can do after a car crash to strengthen his or her case is to gather evidence by:

• Collecting information about the other driver and his or her insurance provider;
• Taking photos of the accident scene, the surrounding area, visible injuries, and vehicle damage; and
• Taking note of any statements made by witnesses, as well as their contact information.

The evidence collected at the scene of a crash is crucial to an injured party’s ability to pursue recovery. Without specific details about what happened on the date in question (and evidence to back up those assertions) it can be much more difficult to assign liability.

Call Law Enforcement Officers

Technically, in Florida, a person is only legally required to report a crash to local law enforcement officers if someone suffers an injury, or the damage to his or her vehicle exceeds $500. Initially, it can be difficult to determine whether these requirements have been satisfied, so it’s a good idea for accident victims to contact the police regardless of the severity of the crash. Law enforcement officers can ensure that anyone who needs emergency medical care receives it, can secure the scene, and can begin investigating the cause of the crash. Eventually, the officers will create a report, indicating what happened on the date in question, including whether anyone admitted fault or committed a traffic violation prior to the crash.

Seek Legal Representation

Even a case where fault seems clear can end up becoming complicated if the other party refuses to accept blame or an insurer makes unfair settlement offers. To prevent this, accident victims should consider retaining a lawyer, who can safeguard their rights. Insurance companies are notorious for engaging in underhanded tactics to avoid paying accident victims their rightful settlements. A dedicated attorney will be well-versed in these bad faith tactics and can help keep insurers honest in their dealings. In the event that a case goes to trial, a lawyer will also be in the best position to advocate on the victim’s behalf, while building a strong case against the defendant. Ultimately, having an attorney on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your car accident claim.

Helping Our Clients Pursue the Compensation They Deserve

At Goldman Law, P.A., our experienced Altamonte Springs car accident attorneys can work with you throughout the filing of your claim, guiding you through the legal process and helping you maximize your compensation after a collision, while also helping you focus on moving forward after your accident. You can set up a free consultation with a member of our legal team by calling 407-960-1900 or by filling out an online contact form.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.066.html

forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/what-to-do-after-accident/