Car Accident Lawyers in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers

What to Do After a Car Crash in Florida

Most people come to our Miami personal injury law firm after a car accident, requesting legal representation to help them get fair compensation for their injuries and property damage.

Here, our experienced car accident lawyers provide information on steps to take — and not take — after a car accident. Some of these steps are required under Florida law; others may help your attorneys as they negotiate a settlement on your behalf.

If you have questions about the information on this page, or have recently been in a car accident, we encourage you to contact Freidin • Dobrinsky to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our knowledgeable car accident lawyers. Our law firm is AV-rated*, and our attorneys have more than 75 combined years of courtroom experience on both the plaintiff and defense side of personal injury law.

Safety Comes First After a Car Accident

Stop your vehicle out of the way of traffic. Check yourself and other occupants for injuries. If it is safe to do so, check with other drivers involved with the crash to find out if they are hurt. Call 911.

If You Are Injured, Get Full and Complete Medical Attention

Do not minimize any injuries you may have. Do not refuse medical attention. In future weeks and months, your attorneys may need medical records to help prove that any lingering injury was caused by the car accident, and not by some other event.

If you develop pain or other medical symptoms during the days or weeks after the car crash, seek medical attention and tell your doctor you were involved in a car accident.

Stay at the Scene and Get Important Information

Florida law requires you to stop and stay at the scene if someone was hurt or property was damaged in a car accident. Exchange insurance information with other drivers and passengers, and give the police your contact information. If you clearly recall how the accident happened, tell the police what you know. If you are shaken up, it's okay to tell the police that you would rather calm down and get medical attention before giving a statement.

Do Not Admit Fault

Apologizing to another driver after an accident is human nature for most of us. For legal reasons, however, it is important that you do not say anything that could be interpreted as taking responsibility for the accident. It's okay to ask if anyone is hurt and to express relief if injuries are minor, but try to avoid statements like, "I'm so sorry" or "I didn't see you coming."

Report the Car Accident to Your Insurance Company

As soon as possible, report the car accident to your insurance company. This is an important step to make sure you have access to all the benefits available under your own auto insurance policy, such as Personal Injury Protection coverage and collision repair.

Consult an Attorney Before Accepting a Settlement

You have the right to consult an independent car accident lawyer before accepting a settlement from your own insurance company or from the other driver's insurance company. Asking a reputable attorney to review the settlement helps you make sure you are getting fair compensation.

In cases of serious injury or fatality, hiring a protective and experienced personal injury attorney is even more important. In major injury accidents, it takes special training and skill to create a complete demand for financial compensation that considers every financial consequence of the accident.

Freidin • Dobrinsky has Florida offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Fort Meyers. To schedule a free and private consultation, call toll free 866-495-8060 or contact us online.

* CV, BV, and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards.

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Thank you for your interest in our firm. The information contained on this Website contains statements, videos and other content about the type and quality of services offered by Friedin Dobrinsky, as well as past results and testimonials about the firm. This information has not been reviewed or approved by the Florida Bar.

The facts and circumstances of your case may differ from the matters in which results and testimonials have been provided.

All results of cases handled by the firm are not provided and not all clients have given testimonials.

The results and testimonials provided are not necessarily representative of results obtained by the firm or of the experience of all clients or others with the firm. Every case is different, and each clients case must be evaluated and handled on its own merits.