If you are injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to damages. It really comes down to who was at fault. Very rarely is a driver going to raise their hand and admit they were at fault? First of all, nobody likes to look bad. And, more importantly, most adults understand that doing this can lead to legal liability down the road. This means that your car accident lawyer in Lakeland, Florida will have to prove your case in order to get you the money you deserve.
What a lot of people don’t realize is that they can make simple mistakes that can cost them their lawsuit. Most of these mistakes are made within minutes of the car accident. Others may take place between the time of the crash and the day you meet with your car accident lawyer in Lakeland. It’s important to know what to do after your accident so you don’t make these mistakes. It can make the difference between winning your case and getting nothing. Here, we’ll talk about a few of the biggest mistakes Florida drivers make after their car crash and how you can avoid them.
They Agree to Not Call the Police
After your car accident, the other driver may ask you not to call the cops. And, if you’re on your way to work or pressed for time, you may be tempted to agree. Nobody wants to stand on the side of the road waiting for the cops to get there. However, this could be the biggest mistake you make. You need to call 911 no matter what – even if the crash is minor. The police will come to the scene and do a thorough investigation. They’ll talk to the driver and see if they have a valid license and insurance. They’ll also check to see if either of you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Once they are done with their investigation, they’ll fill out a police report. Your Florida car accident lawyer will need this report to prove your case.
You Refuse to Go to the Hospital
When the police are dispatched to the accident scene, they’re going to call for an ambulance. This way, if anyone is hurt, they can make sure they’re transported right away. A lot of people feel fine after their car crash. They don’t realize that this is just adrenaline. The next morning, you might wake up in terrible pain. If you don’t go to the hospital right away, two things can happen. First, you can actually make your injuries worse. If you have internal injuries, you need to get checked out right away. You could have a traumatic brain injury or internal bleeding. Second, you won’t have documentation of your injuries. Your car accident lawyer in Lakeland will need these records to prove your injuries.
They Don’t Call a Lawyer Until It’s Too Late
In Florida, as in every other state, you only have a certain amount of time to file your car accident lawsuit. This is because of something called the statute of limitations. In Florida, you have four (4) years to do this. If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to sue the other driver – ever. Your claim will be dismissed and you’ll get nothing. This is why you don’t want to wait too long to hire an attorney in Florida. Call one as soon as possible after your crash so they can adequately prepare your case.
Contact An Experienced Lakeland Attorney For Help With Your Car Accident In Florida
Most of the time, if you get into a car crash, your damages will be covered by insurance. This could be your own insurance policy or the other driver’s. It depends on how the accident happened. There are times, however, when you can’t get your claim paid. It is denied and your appeals do not work. If this happens, you need to call and speak with an experienced car accident law firm in Lakeland.
Your attorney will sit down and explain what your legal rights are. They’ll also let you know how the process works and what you may be up against. The good thing is they’ll answer any questions you may have. They can also give you an idea of what your case is worth. Call today and schedule your free initial consultation. The other driver will have a lawyer working for them and you should too.
