It’s quite usual that you’ll feel the impact of your car accident hours or even days after you had a car accident. These aftermaths are most often hard to deal with, especially if you lost someone or something precious because of it. So consider these insights as you expose yourself to the binds as you deal with the aftermaths of your accident, especially if it happened in Florida.
Some Things to Consider
Must-Dos at Once
First and foremost, you need to check yourself if you have injuries or if you’re severely hurt. Look at others and help if you think you’re not harmed. It’s best to call 911 immediately. If possible and safe, move your vehicle out of traffic to prevent further accidents.
For convenience, exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers. It includes names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance policy details. You also need to document the scene by taking photos of the accident scene, including all the vehicles and people involved, any damage, and road conditions, if applicable.
It’s also a must-do to reach out to legal experts, like the car accident attorneys at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers, if you happen to have an accident in Clearwater, Florida. These professionals can expertly guide you through your claims and the intricate law processes, especially in accordance with Florida motorist laws.
Comparative Negligence
In Florida, they follow a comparative negligence system when it comes to vehicle accidents. This system means that the ensuing fault for accidents may be distributed among multiple parties involved. For instance, if you were involved in a car accident because the other driver ran a red light but you were also speeding at the time, the fault may be apportioned to both of you by the court. Your compensation would then be reduced based on the percentage of your responsibility.
You can ask for assistance about these matters from legal experts, like the car accident attorneys at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers. They’re the best people to help you efficiently navigate these provisions in Florida, especially relating to your compensation. Somehow, it’s something you need to know and anticipate when observing Florida statutes.
Insurance Requirements
You may be confident that your car has advanced early warning systems, but you could still have an accident, especially in Smile State, Florida, where everyone seems to be in a hurry all the time. These reasons prompted the government to require all drivers to get Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. It’s one security that can cover your medical expenses and lost wages whether you’re at fault for the accident or not. This insurance helps provide drivers with immediate medical coverage and financial assistance.
PIP insurance was made mandatory to make sure that individuals injured in car accidents can promptly receive medical treatment without having to wait for the fault to be determined. By implementing a no-fault system with PIP insurance, the state of Florida aims to reduce the number of lawsuits related to car accidents.
Statute of Limitations
There’s a statute of limitations for filing your personal injury lawsuit in Florida, especially a car accident. Usually, you have at least four years from the date of your accident to file a case for injuries or property damage resulting from the crash. You need to file your claims within the time set by law, or you lose the right to pursue compensation through a lawsuit. So, it’s best for you and your lawyer to be time-conscious, especially with the available time the law provides for filing your suit.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Since Florida has a lot of uninsured drivers, it’s important to consider adding uninsured motorist coverage to your insurance policy. It’s a thoughtful move from the government for the following reasons:
- Protection Against Uninsured Drivers
Since Florida has the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the United States, it encourages people to have uninsured motorist coverage. It provides financial protection, like medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages from an accident with an uninsured driver.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents
When the other driver flees the scene without providing information, the uninsured motorist coverage may help cover your expenses. It actually gives you a stress-free alternative since you’ll be financially protected in the event of an accident.
Conclusion
It’s best to know the traffic and insurance laws of Florida as you traverse its roads. They will be your best tools later as you deal with the aftermath should you get involved in a car crash. There’ll be many must-dos later, but following these steps will at least help protect your property and yourself as you handle your accident’s aftermath.