Instead of worrying about how you will cover all of the damages from a recent motor vehicle accident, pursue a compensation claim against the liable driver with help from our attorneys.

Important first steps after a car accident include calling the police, documenting all injuries, preserving evidence, and beginning to prepare your case. Thorough preparation enables us to file lawsuits within the 2-year personal injury statute of limitations in Florida and recover all economic and non-economic damages on your behalf.

Call the Graves Injury Law Firm’s car accident lawyers at (305) 614-2767 to get a free case assessment.

Important First Steps After Hallandale Beach Car Accidents

The steps you take after an auto accident could make a major difference in the outcome of your future compensation claim.

Accident Reporting

The very first thing you should do after getting to safety is call 911. Car accident victims should report any collision that results in obvious injuries or visible property damage to the police. Tell the 911 operator the accident’s exact location and if you are injured and need medical attention from paramedics. They will send police officers and emergency medical services to your location to provide aid. Officers also write an accident report for the crash.

Do Not Admit Fault

While you should be honest with the police after an accident, you should also avoid admitting fault or liability in any way. Contributing to a collision could reduce your financial recovery in Florida but might not block it entirely.

Get Immediate Medical Care

Your next step should be to document any injuries you sustained. Injury documentation includes going to the hospital, attending all follow-up appointments and referrals to specialists, photographing injuries at different stages of healing, and even keeping a journal that describes your injuries and how they affect you day to day.

Follow Up With Any New Injuries

You might not notice pain or discomfort from whiplash, other soft tissue injuries, internal injuries, or even closed fractures immediately because of the adrenaline you feel immediately after a crash. Not getting immediate medical attention does not necessarily disqualify you from recovering compensation, so do not be discouraged if you discovered your injuries later and sought treatment at a later date.

Evidence Preservation

Meaningful evidence preservation efforts can make all the difference in your car accident case in Hallandale Beach. Photographing property damage and debris, collecting eyewitness statements, and obtaining surveillance footage before it can be deleted are all important steps toward building a strong case.

The plaintiff in a car accident lawsuit must prove that the defendant’s liability is more likely than not, which often requires a good amount of photographic, physical, documentary, and testimonial evidence.

Case Preparation

Victims should not wait to start preparing car accident compensation claims after accidents in Hallandale Beach. The longer you delay preparing your case, the less evidence may be preserved, and the more questions may be raised about the seriousness of your injuries or your need for compensatory damages when you eventually file. Case preparation entails calculating damages, organizing evidence, gathering relevant medical records, and involving appropriate expert witnesses.

Preparing a car accident case takes time and should not be rushed to file before the statute of limitations expires. Florida provides a 2-year filing window for personal injury claims, and our car accident lawyers may need to spend much of that time preparing your case.

What Damages Can You Get for a Car Accident in Hallandale Beach?

You are entitled to all the damages incurred from a car accident due to negligence, whether they come from receiving medical treatment, being unable to work, or living with painful or distressing injuries.

Hospital Bills

Your most overwhelming damages after a car accident may come from hospital bills, all of which are compensable in your personal injury claim. However, you cannot receive full compensation through your no-fault insurance claim and will need to file against the at-fault driver to get full compensation.

Medical bills can include future hospital bills from treatment you will need to recover.

Lost Wages

Many car accident injuries prevent victims from returning to work right away, resulting in lost wages. These are also compensable damages and are calculated using evidence of your pre-accident income and testimony from vocational and medical experts.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering are very real and very impactful car accident damages. Non-economic damages can compensate victims for physical and emotional pain, as well as other intangible harms.

You might be unable to calculate pain and suffering without our help, as non-economic damages are subjective and can be confusing. Additionally, you cannot claim these damages unless you have “serious injuries” and file a lawsuit, so talk to a lawyer about how to do that.

Car Accident FAQs Answered for Hallandale Beach Victims

Who Can Testify as an Eyewitness in a Car Accident Case?

Anyone who was present during the accident and witnessed the defendant’s negligent conduct, the victim’s injuries, or other important facts firsthand can testify in court about what they observed.

Victims are also eyewitnesses and may testify about the facts of an accident in court.

When is the Latest You Can Sue After a Car Accident in Hallandale Beach?

In all likelihood, 2 years from the collision’s date is the latest you can sue for a motor vehicle accident in Florida. There are several exceptions to this rule, so you may still have time to bring your case, and you should see if you can sue.

Why Do Most Car Accidents Happen in Hallandale Beach?

Most car accidents result from driver negligence, although poor road and weather conditions and vehicle defects are other common causes.

When Can You Get Punitive Damages for a Car Accident in Florida?

Florida only allows punitive damages for injuries due to a defendant’s oppression, fraud, or malice, making them most likely in drunk driving and hit-and-run cases.

How Crucial is Getting an Attorney After a Car Accident?

Many drivers mistakenly assume they can get the same large recovery after an accident without an attorney’s help. In reality, that might make you more likely to accept a subpar settlement and not receive enough compensation.

Get Our Help After Your Hallandale Beach Car Accident

Call the car accident lawyers of the Graves Injury Law Firm at (305) 614-2767 for your free case discussion.