Being involved in a car accident will make for a frightening situation. Even a minor fender bender can leave you feeling shaken up for quite some time. Regardless of the amount of damage that’s done as a result of the accident, you have rights as someone who lives in Florida to seek compensation if you believe that the accident wasn’t your fault.
Our Clearwater car accident attorneys can provide you with legal representation throughout every facet of your case. At Shiner Law Group, we have the experience to give you the best advice on your legal strategy. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
Steps You Should Take Following a Clearwater Car Accident
When you get into a car accident, certain steps should be taken to ensure your case remains strong. In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, it can be difficult to make all the right decisions if you’re unsure of what to do.
This guide should provide you with everything you need to properly prepare yourself for a car accident should one ever occur. Remember that you must have evidence when seeking compensation if you want a favorable result. Our Clearwater car accident attorney can help you in this matter.
Seek Medical Attention and Call the Police
Your injuries must be taken care of right after the car accident. Even if you believe that an injury is small, it should still be checked out to ensure there aren’t any major concerns being overlooked. Delaying medical treatment could result in an injury worsening. The medical records that are filed for the treatment you receive will also be important for your car accident case if you want to prove that your injuries occurred.
While asking for medical attention, it’s also essential that you call the police to make sure they arrive at the scene of the accident. The police will write down details of your accident in a report, after which this information can be referenced throughout your case. The police report can also help determine how much compensation you should receive.
Exchange Information and Don’t Accept Blame
While the police officers who arrive at the scene of the accident will record all of the pertinent information, you should still exchange info with the other driver who caused the accident to make sure you can file an insurance claim immediately. This information must include the other driver’s phone number, name, address, make and model, insurance carrier, policy number, and driver’s license number. Once you’ve written this information down, you should take photos of the documents for your records.
It’s also highly recommended that you never accept blame or apologize for the accident. Even if you just say that you’re sorry about what transpired, the other driver’s insurance provider could take this statement as an admission of your guilt in causing the accident. The police officers should be the ones who determine the cause of the accident. If the other driver is aggressive, ensure that you remain in your vehicle until police officers arrive.
Take Photos and Speak to Any Witnesses
While waiting for police officers to arrive at the accident scene, you should take pictures with your smartphone. Make sure that you obtain images of the damage on both vehicles. If you have sustained any injuries as a result of the accident, you should take photos of the injuries in question, which can be used as evidence later on.
If any witnesses saw the accident, you must speak with them and write down what they have to say. You should also obtain contact information from each witness if they need to provide testimony later at a later date.
Contact Your Insurance Company and a Clearwater Car Accident Attorney
Most insurance providers require that their clients call them within a day following a car accident. The crash must be reported with insurance information from the other driver, which will help you move your claim towards an eventual settlement. Along with your insurance provider, you should get in touch with the other driver’s insurance provider to make sure that they report the accident as well.
To make sure that the remainder of your case is handled with the care and diligence it deserves, it’s recommended that you contact our car accident lawyer in Clearwater. Our lawyers can answer any question you might have about your case while also performing an in-depth investigation to gather any evidence that might be needed if you don’t receive the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Clearwter, FL
There are many reasons why car accidents occur, which include everything from poor weather conditions to another driver not following the rules of the road. While some of these situations are difficult to avoid, a few issues indicate another driver was at fault for the accident. Speak with our accident attorney today regardless of how your accident occurred.
Poor Weather Conditions
Whether it’s raining or snowing, the weather can play a sizable role in why a car accident takes place. If it’s difficult for a vehicle to get traction on the road, there’s a decent chance of an accident even if you’re driving safely. If another driver caused your accident during inclement weather, it’s possible that this driver was speeding when the accident took place, which would put them at fault. Call our lawyer today to learn more about the legal options at your disposal.
Speeding
Speeding is the main reason many drivers get into accidents. Along with being illegal, speeding can also be considered reckless if the other driver is driving far above the speed limit. Driving at high speeds can lead to an accident being more severe, which may result in more serious injuries. In this scenario, the other driver may owe you considerable compensation, which is why you should speak with an accident attorney immediately.
Reckless Driving
Driving recklessly often leads to car accidents that result in severe injuries. While accidents can still happen if you follow the rules of the road, they are far more likely to occur when one driver doesn’t care about the rules. Remember that reckless driving is possible for many different reasons, which is why you should remember the driver’s behavior when it comes time to file a claim.
Not Obeying Rules of the Road
Another reason why car accidents occur is that at least one driver doesn’t obey the road rules. Every driver is tasked with learning these rules before earning their license, which means there’s no excuse when someone breaks the rules. If the other driver disobeyed one or more road rules, this behavior likely caused the accident and any injuries resulting from the accident.
If the driver turned without using their signals, ran a red light, or didn’t stop at a stop sign, they would likely be liable for any accident that took place in the immediate aftermath of this decision.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs places everyone on the road at risk. This type of behavior is among the leading causes of injuries car accidents. When a driver is impaired, they invariably have less reaction time and can crash into your vehicle without forewarning. If you believe that the other driver was under the influence at the time of the accident, you should report this information to the police. It’s also important that your attorney is given this information.
Getting Compensation From A Clearwater Auto Accident
Regardless of the severity of a car accident, it’s common for expenses to be high. Even if you haven’t been injured, any damage to your vehicle could be costly to fix. If injuries have occurred, the resulting medical bills would likely be exceedingly high.
Working with a car accident lawyer like ours allows you to obtain compensation that will reduce your losses and help you recover financially following the car accident. There are many types of compensation that can be sought.
Medical Bills
It’s possible to recover medical expenses if they result from the injuries you sustained during the car accident. Any medical costs that arose from treating your injuries can be claimed, which includes future treatment.
Property Damage
Following a car accident, it’s likely that your vehicle is damaged in some way. Whether the vehicle needs to be repaired or replaced, you can seek property damage after the accident. Our Clearwater car accident lawyer can help you recover these damages.
Lost Wages
While recovering from the accident and any injuries that occurred, you may be unable to work, which means you will be losing out on wages that you would have otherwise earned if the accident didn’t happen. Keep in mind that any future wages that are expected to be lost because of your injuries can be claimed as well.
Emotional Pain and Suffering
Car accidents can lead to considerable emotional pain and suffering. Driving near your home can cause anxiety depending on the accident’s severity. You might be able to claim emotional pain and suffering damages in this scenario. Our accident attorney can assist you in obtaining a settlement that covers these damages and provides you with the compensation you deserve.
Discuss Your Case With A Clearwater Car Accident Lawyer
At Shiner Law Group, we have the car accident lawyers you need to manage your case. Regardless of how complex this case is, our lawyers have the experience and skills to navigate it and help you obtain a favorable outcome.
If you believe that the car accident wasn’t your fault, you may deserve to receive compensation for any injuries that you experienced because of the accident. Once you retain our services, we’ll begin to build your case and gather proof of your claims. Call us today to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!
