Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog
The steps you take after a Hollywood car crash can mean the difference between getting the compensation you deserve and being stuck with more of the bills than you should. Unfortunately, when you get your license no one teaches you what to do to maximize compensation, so read on for the tips you need.
If you’re worried about making a costly error after a car collision in Hollywood, Homestead, or any South Florida community, there is a shortcut: You can always call the family-based team at Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 for a free consultation with a Hollywood automobile accident lawyer. Our phone lines are staffed 24/7, every day of the year, even holidays, so you can always reach a live person.
The Top Mistakes Drivers Make After a Hollywood Car Accident
Our father-son attorney team sees these preventable mistakes most often:
Mistake #1: Not Calling the Right People
After a car accident, it’s important to call the police, your insurance company, and to contact a medical professional (you may need to go to an emergency department or urgent care center for this).
Contacting a police officer and your insurance company ensures there’s some documentation of your accident. Seeing a medical professional as soon as possible rules out any injuries and gets you started on the right treatment if you’ve been injured. It also ensures your injuries will be linked to your car accident.
Mistake #2: Believing Your Insurer
The insurance representative you speak to after your accident may be very sympathetic, but the goal of any insurance company is to make money for their shareholders. They have a duty to do so. Unfortunately, paying less than the full possible amount can help companies pay shareholders more.
In addition, insurance companies handle many claims and they’re trying to process claims quickly. This can mean the full scope of your injuries isn’t clearly considered when the insurer makes you an offer.
Avoid this mistake by never taking your insurance company’s word for it when it comes to the value of your claim. You can get a second opinion from a Hollywood car accident lawyer at Flaxman Law Group before you sign anything.
Mistake #3: Not Saying the Right Thing
At the scene, avoid apologizing or admitting to any mistake. When you speak with your insurer, you will also want to stick with the facts. Even if you did make a mistake, that may not be the reason for the crash. Let the experts decide what caused the accident.
On the other hand, it’s important to remember that when you work with a Hollywood car accident attorney, your lawyer has a duty to act in your best interests. This is where you want to be clear and to leave out no parts of the story.
Mistake #4: Not Keeping Lots of Evidence
You should keep as much documentation related to your case as possible. Take photos of the accident scene. Write down everything you can remember. Keep pictures and records of your injuries and keep absolutely every receipt related to your car accident and injuries. More information is always better, because it gives your attorney more facts to use in your claim.
Mistake #5: Delaying Dealing With Your Claim
Being in a car crash is overwhelming and you may not feel ready to make major decisions that could affect your future. Nevertheless, waiting to file a claim can hurt your case. It can mean evidence is lost or destroyed. Waiting to make a decision about your claim can mean you end up making mistakes that could impact your ability to seek fair compensation.
At Flaxman Law Group, our compassionate, family-based legal team understands that the time following a car accident is difficult. That’s why make it easy to contact a Hollywood car accident lawyer. Just reach out and we’ll set up a free consultation where you’ll get a chance to ask questions and to get the information you need to move forward.