What to Do After a Car Accident in Florida [Step-by-Step Guide]
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Being involved in a car accident in Florida can be confusing and stressful, especially when serious injuries, medical expenses, and insurance claims quickly follow. Knowing exactly what to do after a crash helps protect your health, your legal rights, and your chance to recover full compensation for your losses.
Fiol and Morros Law Group understands how devastating car accidents can be for victims and their families. Our experienced Florida car accident attorney helps people across the state handle the claims process, deal with the insurance company, and secure the fair compensation they deserve.
Our "What to Do After a Car Accident in Florida Step-by-Step Guide" article explains what to do after a car accident, so you can stay safe, protect your evidence, and move forward confidently.
Step 1: Check for Injuries and Call 911
Your safety and the safety of others should come first after any car accident. Check yourself and others for serious injuries and call emergency responders right away. Getting help immediately could save a life and prevent further harm.
Prioritize Safety First
If you’re in immediate danger, move to a safe area, such as a nearby parking lot, and turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers. Avoid standing in traffic or near running motor vehicles.
Report the Accident to Law Enforcement
Under Florida Statutes § 316.065, crashes involving injury, death, or significant property damage (over $500) must be reported to the police. When police officers arrive, stay calm and provide accurate details so an official police report can be filed.
Step 2: Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you think you are fine, always seek medical attention after a car crash. Some internal injuries may not show symptoms right away, but can become dangerous later.
Don’t Delay Medical Care
Under Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law (§ 627.736), you must seek medical care within 14 days to qualify for insurance benefits. Getting checked by medical professionals helps detect hidden injuries, such as whiplash or internal bleeding, and protects your insurance claim.
Keep Detailed Medical Records
Keep copies of all medical records, medical bills, and receipts related to your treatment. These documents serve as vital evidence for your car accident claim and help show the full cost of your medical care.
Step 3: Exchange Information with the Other Driver
After ensuring everyone’s safety, it’s important to exchange information with all drivers involved in the crash. Stay calm and respectful as you collect the details you’ll need later.
Get Basic Contact and Insurance Details
Collect the driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information from the other driver. Make sure you also write down their contact info and the insurance company contact for future communication.
Stay Calm and Avoid Discussing Fault
Never admit fault or argue about who caused the crash. Stick to the facts and let the insurance companies and investigators determine liability.
Step 4: Gather Evidence at the Scene
If it’s safe, gather as much crucial evidence as possible before leaving the accident scene. This step is key to proving what happened later.
Take Photos and Videos
Use your phone to take pictures of the accident scene, skid marks, weather conditions, and any visible property damage. These images can help preserve vital evidence for your claim. Make sure to capture close-up and wide-angle shots from different angles so the full impact of the crash is clear.
Collect Witness Statements
Ask bystanders for their witness statements and contact information. Their witness testimony can support your version of events and help prove the other driver’s fault. Try to record their comments or write them down immediately while the details are still fresh in their minds.
Secure the Police Report Number
Request the official accident report or its reference number before leaving. This will make it easier for your personal injury attorney to follow up later. Having the report number allows your lawyer to quickly get a copy of the report for your car accident claim.
Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the crash to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Delaying could make it harder to recover payment for your damages.
Report the Crash Promptly
Call your insurer and provide honest, basic details about what happened. Be cautious when speaking with an insurance adjuster, and avoid giving recorded statements until you talk to a lawyer.
Understand Florida’s No-Fault System
Under Florida’s No-Fault System, your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage pays up to $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault. However, you can still file a car accident claim against the at-fault driver if your injuries are serious or permanent.
Step 6: Follow All Medical Treatments
Continuing your medical treatment is essential for your health and your case. Missing appointments or stopping early could hurt your recovery and weaken your claim.
Track Expenses and Symptoms
Keep a record of every doctor visit, treatment, and out-of-pocket cost. Write down your pain levels, emotional changes, and how the injuries affect your daily life. These notes help your attorney prove serious injuries and lasting harm.
Step 7: Consult a Florida Car Accident Lawyer
Getting help from an experienced personal injury attorney can make a big difference in your car accident claim. A skilled personal injury lawyer can guide you through the claims process and handle tough negotiations with the insurance company.
Protect Your Rights and Maximize Compensation
An attorney helps you understand your rights under Florida law and ensures your case is handled in your best interests. With legal help, you’re more likely to secure a fair settlement for your injuries and losses.
Contingency Fee Basis
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case. This makes legal help affordable for all accident victims.
When to Contact an Attorney
You should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately if you have serious injuries, significant property damage, or disputes with an insurance company. Acting early gives your lawyer time to preserve evidence and strengthen your claim.
Step 8: Keep Records and Stay Organized
Staying organized helps your experienced personal injury attorney build a strong case. Keeping everything together makes it easier to prove your losses.
Save All Documents
Store copies of your medical bills, repair estimates, police reports, and insurance claims in one place. This documentation is key to showing how much compensation you deserve.
Step 9: Understand Possible Compensation
Under Florida law, accident victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages. The value of your car accident claim depends on your injuries, medical costs, and how the crash has affected your life.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Out-of-pocket costs and financial burdens
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Mental anguish after serious injuries
Punitive Damages
In cases of reckless or drunk driving, victims may also recover punitive damages under Florida Statutes § 768.72, meant to punish wrongdoing and prevent future negligence.
Step 10: Avoid Common Mistakes After a Car Accident
Even simple errors after a car crash can hurt your claim. Stay alert and make decisions carefully to protect your rights.
Don’t Post About the Crash on Social Media
Avoid posting pictures or comments about your accident or injuries online. Insurance adjusters may use your posts against you to deny or reduce your claim. Even simple updates or photos can be misinterpreted, so it’s best to stay silent online until your car accident claim is fully resolved.
Don’t Settle Too Quickly
Never accept the first offer from the other driver’s insurance company. Always let your attorney review it to ensure it covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Quick settlements often favor the insurer, not the victim, so having legal advice helps you get the fair compensation you truly deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You should contact the police and your insurance company right away. Florida law requires that crashes involving injuries or significant property damage be reported immediately.
Yes. Under Florida’s comparative negligence rule, you can still recover damages, but your percentage of fault may reduce your compensation.
It’s best not to. Speak with an experienced personal injury attorney first to avoid mistakes that could hurt your claim.
Before the police arrive, stay calm and make sure everyone is safe. Turn on your hazard lights, move your car away from traffic signs or lanes if possible, and assess injuries so you can tell emergency responders what happened when they get there.
To avoid additional accidents, move your vehicle to a safe spot, such as a shoulder or nearby parking lot, and use cones or warning triangles if available. Keep a safe distance from other parties and wait for medical assistance and law enforcement to arrive before leaving the scene.
Contact Our Florida Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
After a car accident in Florida, you deserve support from someone who truly cares about your recovery and well-being. At Fiol and Morros Law Group, our experienced personal injury attorneys are ready to guide you through each step of the claims process. We understand how stressful dealing with insurance companies and medical bills can be, and we’ll handle the legal work while you focus on healing.
Our team works to recover the fair compensation you need for your injuries, property damage, and lost income. We offer a free consultation so you can get honest legal advice without any upfront costs.
Contact us today to speak with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys and learn how we can protect your rights and secure the best outcome for your case.
