What Should I Do If I Have Been Involved In An Automobile Accident?


If you have been involved in an automobile accident you should, first, try your best to stay calm. If you are not critically hurt, contact 911 and report the accident. Gather information and ask for a copy of the exchange of information from the officer on the scene. Obtain contact information from any witnesses if you are able to. Report the accident to your insurance company. Seek medical treatment. Obtain photographs of your vehicle and the scene of the incident if you are able.

When Should I Contact An Attorney After An Automobile Accident?

After an automobile accident, contacting a personal injury attorney sooner than later will be most beneficial. More often than not, critical evidence disappears, witnesses relocate or get lost, memories deteriorate and the ability to prove your case gets more difficult as time goes on. Here, at the Faett Firm, we not only assist in the initial stages of your case but we will constantly monitor your case to make sure you are on the path to recovery. We maintain everything needed to retrieve compensation for your pain, suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress and inconvenience for your injuries.

How Can Our Firm Help You After An Auto Accident?

The Faett firm can help you after an auto accident by setting up the claims on your behalf. We assist with any statements your insurance company or the at-fault insurance company desires to take. We will make sure valuable evidence is obtained to assist in determining liability and proving your damages. We compile together all medical records and bills for the at-fault party’s insurance company to properly evaluate your claim. We would evaluate all potential avenues of recovery in an attempt to obtain adequate compensation for you.

How Much Will It Cost To Speak With An Attorney At The Faett Firm About My Auto Accident Case?

We do not charge a fee for an initial consultation and for auto accident case reviews. These types of cases are taken on what is called a Contingency Fee Basis, meaning the client would pay a specified percentage of recovery if any. If there is no recovery then there are no fees or costs to you. Contact us today at (239) 263-4384.

How Much Time After An Automobile Accident Do I Have To Seek Medical Attention?

Florida statute states that a motorist has 14 days after an automobile accident to seek medical treatment from either a hospital facility, emergency transport, medical doctor, doctor of chiropractic services or dentistry. If you do not seek medical treatment within the 14 days, you would have forfeited or waived your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This means that if certain symptoms do not surface within a two-week period, they will not be covered.

Who Pays For My Medical Expenses After An Auto Accident?

When someone is involved in an automobile accident or pedestrian accident involving an automobile, your vehicle insurance would be the appropriate insurance to use. When people go to a hospital or a medical facility, they feel inclined to give their health insurance information. However, Personal injury Protection, also known as PIP, is insurance that is provided to you on a non-fault basis, meaning it covers a percentage of medical expenses as well as lost wages regardless of who was at fault or the reason for the incident. In Florida, it is common for 80 percent of medical expenses and 60 percent of lost wages up to $10,000 to fall under these insurance policies.

What Happens When A Person Who Is At Fault For An Automobile Accident Has No Insurance?

Typically, you can only recover in an auto accident if the at-fault party has available assets or insurance. Sometimes, an at-fault driver who does not carry their own insurance may be covered by another person’s insurance policy. For example, they may be covered by someone in their household or by an employer if they were acting in the scope of their employment at the time of the accident. There is a chance that your policy also contains what is called Uninsured Motorist, which would help you retrieve compensation should the at-fault party not have adequate coverage.

Why Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Important?

Uninsured motorist coverage, even though the state of Florida does not require drivers to carry it, is very important. It covers damages to a person injured in an automobile accident when the at-fault driver either does not have insurance coverage or does not have an adequate amount of coverage.

Would I Still Be Eligible For Recovery If I Was At Fault?

You would possibly be eligible for recovery if you were at fault in an auto accident. Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means that whatever amount you were negligent, your recovery in an automobile accident would be limited or reduced by that amount. For example, if you are 25 percent at fault for the auto accident, then your damages will be decreased by 25 percent. You will likely still be able to recover the remaining 75 percent of damages from the other at-fault driver.

Who Is Covered Under My Florida Car Insurance Policy?

Your Florida car insurance policy provides coverage for anyone named as an insured, including a spouse and relatives that may live with you if you are the named insured. However, it is critical that you notify your insurance company of every licensed driver who lives with you. If you fail to inform your insurance company of a licensed driver living in your home, they may later deny a claim and title it “Material Misrepresentation.”

For more information on Auto Accident Cases In Florida, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (239) 263-4384 today.

Josh Faett, Esq.

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