You must file a police report soon after an accident, generally within ten days of the collision. While each state has different laws and reporting rules, this is the deadline in Florida. You may have already alerted law enforcement officers to the accident, as this is common practice among accident victims. Once you call the police, you must remain at the accident until they arrive and provide information.
Insurance companies may also impose certain time-sensitive deadlines related to your claim. If you are seeking to file an insurance claim for compensation, you can hire a Florida personal injury lawyer for assistance. They will help you abide by all deadlines while fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Do I Always Have to Report an Accident to the Police?
Florida law, as referenced by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), cites the legal requirements for reporting car accidents as:
- If one or more accident victims suffer an injury or die
- If one or more responsible motorists flee the accident scene
- If vehicle damage is severe enough to require a tow truck, or the damage appears to be in excess of $500
- If you suspect another motorist was impaired at the time of the accident
- If the accident involved a commercial vehicle, such as an 18-wheeler
These are all conditions that would warrant the involvement of law enforcement officers. If you are not certain whether an accident, car or otherwise, is one you have to report, you may err on the side of caution and call the police from the accident scene. A car accident lawyer can help you after the fact, although time is of the essence, considering the tight reporting deadline.
To consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer today, call 855-780-9986
Reasons to File a Police Report Even If You don’t Have to
Even if you know or suspect the motor vehicle accident does not reach the mandatory reporting threshold, you may notify law enforcement officials of the collision because:
- You do not want to face criminal penalties and jail time if the accident is one you must report
- You want to establish an official record of the accident
- You want a police officer to issue a crash report
You will also need to notify the insurance companies of the accident if you have not already done so. There may be deadlines for reporting accidents and injuries to insurers, and this time-sensitive element is another reason why you should hire your attorney as soon as possible.
Hire an Attorney to File the Police Accident Report and Fight for Your Financial Recovery
Deadlines are just one of the many complicated factors that could make it difficult for you to handle your own insurance claim or lawsuit. Consider hiring a Florida auto accident lawyer because:
They Will Beat Deadlines
Reporting your accident, filing insurance claims, and filing lawsuits before the statute of limitations expires are the most essential deadlines of your case. Your attorney will work urgently to keep your case eligible.
They Will Take the Entire Case Off Your Hands
Many accident victims hire lawyers because they can’t, or don’t want to, handle the demands of the claims process. Your car accident attorney can:
- Communicate with the insurance companies
- File all case-related documents accurately and on time
- Secure all evidence proving who was at fault
- Establish who owes you compensation for your accident-related damages
- Calculate the exact monetary value of your damages
- Negotiate settlements with insurance companies
- Evaluate all settlement offers with you
- File a lawsuit on your behalf if you choose to
- Proceed to trial if you choose to
Your auto accident lawyers will ensure you can focus on your recovery while they manage your personal injury case.
Attorneys Who Won’t Back Down from Insurers
Insurance companies can use an array of bad-faith tactics to try and avoid paying accident victims fairly, including:
- Blaming the victim for causing the accident
- Confusing the victim about the types and amount of insurance benefits they are entitled to receive
- Extending a lowball settlement, hoping the claimant will accept out of desperation or because they don’t know any better
These are just a few of the many ways an insurance company may try to shirk financial responsibility. Your attorney will deal with the insurers, so no bad-faith tactics can affect your claim.
They Will Take Your Case to Court, When Necessary
In most car accident claims, cases are settled out of court, so you may not have to go to court. However, if the insurance companies do not provide the compensation you deserve, your legal team can explain your options. Filing a lawsuit and going to trial may both be viable avenues, and they will help you make the best decision for you.
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Your Attorney Will Seek Compensation for All of Your Accident-Related Damages
When you hire an attorney to lead your case, they create a detailed account of your accident-related damages. Your attorney will demand full compensation for each of those damages, which may include:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Mental health treatment costs
- Lost income
- Diminished earning power
- Property damage and vehicle repair costs
- All other economic or non-economic damages resulting from the accident
No injury is too minor to hire a lawyer for. You deserve fair compensation for every type of harm stemming from your accident, and they will work hard to ensure you receive it.
Experience Holds Value
Our team has served victims of negligence for more than 40 years. This means that for several decades, we have represented clients with varying circumstances, injuries, damages, and case values.
We have dealt with many different insurers and resolved cases through insurance settlements, pre-trial settlements, and jury awards. No challenge is too great for our team.
Additionally, our firm has more than 40 attorneys on staff, each of whom has unique qualifications and experience. We will assign you the attorney who is most qualified and prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve.
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Call Bogin, Munns & Munns Today for Your Free Consultation
Our attorneys are mindful of reporting traffic crash reports and the urgency required to complete your case successfully. You should be mindful too and should not wait to speak with our team.
We are always available to discuss your case. Call Bogin, Munns & Munns today for your free consultation. We require no upfront or out-of-pocket compensation from you, so there is no reason to wait before speaking with us.
Call or text 855-780-9986 or submit our Consultation Request form today
