At the Law Offices of Charles H. Leo, PA, we handle motor vehicle accident/injuries and Florida job injuries. Most people are involved in motor vehicle accidents at some point in their lives. There is a lot of misinformation surrounding the “best” steps to take after having an accident. Here are seven of the most common misconceptions about Florida car accidents and the better answers to the issues.
Should I call the Police After a Minor Accident?
Some people believe that minor car accidents aren’t worthy of a police report, but that is a mistake. Speaking with the police and having your situation documented creates a paper trail of the accident and makes filing a claim in the future that much easier. Insurance companies often use the lack of a police report to cause trouble.
If you are on the side of the road after a collision, you need to think about your physical and financial future. Protect yourself from future pain and expenses by contacting the proper authorities and receiving medical treatment, even if you think you can “tough it out.” A delay in treatment is used insurance to minimize your complaints.
Can I Request Medical Attention After I’ve Left the Scene of a Car Accident?
Adrenaline from the accident often conceals pain and injuries manifest after the victims leave the scene of the accident, which causes people to forgo treatment at the scene.
If you’re involved in an accident and discover your injury days – or even weeks – after the fact, you should still visit a doctor and get yourself checked. In many personal injury matters, the statute of limitations begins after the discovery of your injury, so there’s still time to seek legal action against the at-fault party.
Is the Driver Who Rear-Ends Another Driver Always at Fault?
In most cases, the car that rear-ends another is at fault for the damage, but it’s not always this way. The rear-ended driver could have cut off the other vehicle and put them in a situation where a collision was unavoidable, which wouldn’t be the fault of the driver who hit the other car.
Determining fault is a complicated process that even injury attorneys can have difficulty narrowing down. If your accident isn’t straightforward, make sure to surround yourself with experienced, specialized attorneys that can help.
Will an Insurance Provider Always Offer Fair Value?
Policyholders expect their insurance provider to honor their contracts, but their business is to pay as little as possible out on claims. While most victims swiftly recover rightful value, there are situations where insurance providers send lowball offers and falsely deny restitution.
Insurance companies are businesses at their core. Car accident insurance companies protect themselves from spending more money than they receive, so careless providers will diminish claims to lower their overhead. It’s a mean spirited business model, but having an attorney by your side prevents you from having to handle the situation alone.
Is the Ticketed Person Always at Fault for the Accident?
Simply put, determining fault depends on the fine details of your accident. Someone could break a traffic law, and the outcome will have nothing to do with their involvement in the proceeding accident. For example, if someone rolls through a stop sign and is involved in a head-on collision after an oncoming car crossed the double yellow line, they could not be at fault.
If you’re unsure of who was at fault in your accident, you should speak with a legal expert to learn more about your options.
Can People Suffer Major Injuries in Minor Car Accidents?
Absolutely! Higher speeds often result in more severe accidents, but even low-speed collisions in parking lots can cause motorists to suffer injuries that change their lives.
A sudden, unexpected jolt to a human body can cause whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and many other types of bodily harm. If you were involved in an accident, it’s always recommended to seek medical care to ensure you don’t have underlying damage that complicates your future. Documentation is key to every claim.
Can I Recover Compensation After a Car Accident if I Have a Pre-Existing Condition?
Yes! Car accidents can not only exacerbate pre-existing conditions but create new ones that are equally, if not more severe. If your accident caused a new injury, or aggravated an old one, you have the same legal protections as someone who doesn’t have a pre-existing condition.
Preexisting conditions will come up during negotiations. Make sure to team up with an experienced legal representative to give yourself the best possible chance of reaching a successful outcome.
