Time is of the essence when you have to report a car accident in the State of Florida. It is important that you understand the law after getting involved in a car accident, especially when you have suffered bodily injury.
If you or someone you know were involved in a car accident, then you should meet the requirements of reporting the accident before it is too late. You could be entitled to compensation for injuries, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more by filing an insurance claim.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience and knowledge in helping clients who need to report a car accident in the State of Florida. Our law firm has an in-depth understanding of car accident cases, and we can help to guide you through the legal system.
If you are seeking legal counsel after a car accident, then you should reach out to a car accident lawyer now. Our phone lines are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that we can be there in your time of need.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today.
The Types of Accidents That You Have to Report
You have a responsibility to report a car accident when they meet one of the following requirements:
- $500 in property damage.
- Any injuries.
- Complaints of pain or discomfort.
- A death.
- A vehicle that needed to be towed from the scene of the accident.
- One of the drivers was operating a commercial vehicle.
- One of the drivers was drunk.
If you fail to report a car accident involving any of the above factors, then you will receive a ticket for a traffic violation in the State of Florida.
The Time That You Have to Report a Car Accident
The State of Florida gives you up to 10 days to report a car accident. It is always best to report the car accident while you are still at the scene. However, if you or anyone else was injured or taken to the hospital, then you should put your health and the health of other people first. Once you have received medical assistance, then you should report the accident as soon as possible.
The law also states that you have up to 14 days to seek medical assistance following a car accident under the personal injury protection (PIP) insurance rule in the State of Florida. If you wait longer than 14 days before you go to the hospital, then you will be denied by your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.
We highly recommend that you seek medical care immediately after a car crash. It will also make it easier for you to obtain compensation from your own insurance coverage and possibly the other driver’s insurance company too.
You can find more about personal injury protection (PIP) insurance laws in Florida Statute 627.736.
What Is Included in a Long Form Traffic Crash Report?
The Florida Traffic Crash Report (Long Form) will inform you of the basic facts of a car accident, including:
- The detail of when and where the car accident occurred.
- The description of the motor vehicles involved in the car accident.
- The names and contact details of the drivers and passengers involved.
- The names and contact details of the people who witnessed the car accident.
- The names and badge numbers of the police officers who investigated the car accident.
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The Short Form Traffic Crash Report
If a car accident does not meet the criteria of a Long Form Traffic Crash Report, then you will have to fill out the short form version. In addition, the law enforcement officer at the scene of the car accident might also give each driver an exchange of information form to fill.
Information Included in the Short Form Report
- The detail of when and where the car accident occurred.
- The description of the motor vehicles involved in the car accident.
- The names and contact details of the drivers and passengers involved.
- The names and contact details of the people who witnessed the car accident.
- The names and badge numbers of the police officers who investigated the car accident.
- The insurance company information for each party involved in the car accident.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Crash Reports Are Available Immediately
The parties involved in the car accident can obtain the police report immediately in the State of Florida. The police report is also available to:
- The legal counsel.
- The insurance claim agents.
- The law enforcement agency.
- The Department of Transportation.
- The victim service program.
- A number of media outlets (newspapers, radio stations, and television stations).
If you wish to obtain the crash report, then a person has to provide a photo ID and write a statement that declares the information will not be used for solicitation in a commercial setting.
Hiring a Lawyer to Handle Your Car Accident
A car accident will probably result in dealing with a number of injuries and expenses which you will not be able to handle on your own. In this case, it is important to hire an experienced car accident lawyer to support you during this difficult time. A legal professional from The Law Place will be prepared to:
- A car accident lawyer will investigate your car accident.
- A car accident lawyer will assign value to your losses.
- A car accident lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company for a high settlement.
- A car accident lawyer will answer all of your questions and explain the legal process to you.
- A car accident lawyer will explain your legal options.
- A car accident lawyer will file your paperwork.
- A car accident lawyer will be ready to take your case to court if necessary.
- A car accident lawyer will help you to file your claim within the statute of limitations.
- A car accident lawyer will collect evidence that supports your case.
What to Do After a Car Accident in the State of Florida
It is important that you know what to do after a car accident in the State of Florida. Our law firm suggests that you follow these steps:
- Move to safety – If you are facing danger, then quickly step to the side of the road.
- Check for injuries – If you or someone else sustained an injury, then you should use your phone to call an ambulance.
- Call the police – You should call the police immediately to the scene of the accident under Florida Statute 316.062. When a police officer arrives at the scene, they will make a police report.
- Collect evidence – If you are feeling stable, then you should use your phone to take photographs and videos of the car accident, location, road marks, property damage, injuries, and more.
- Go to the hospital – You should get a check-up at the hospital after a car accident immediately, even if you feel like you did not suffer an injury. A medical report will also benefit your claim and help to prove fault later.
- Insurance company – You only have a limited amount of time to inform your insurance company of a car accident. If you do not feel like speaking to your insurance company, then you can always ask your car accident lawyer to speak to them instead. Remember not to share the intimate details of the car accident because insurance companies will use the information against you as a way to pay you less compensation.
- Hire a car accident lawyer – A car accident lawyer from The Law Place will offer you a free consultation and discuss the facts of your case in the State of Florida. They will be your strongest advocate when it comes to pursuing compensation following a car accident.
Statute of Limitations on Car Accidents in the State of Florida
You have four years to start a personal injury claim following a car accident under the statute of limitations in the State of Florida. You have two years to start a wrongful death claim following the death of someone you love in a car accident under the statute of limitations in the State of Florida. If you do not file your claim within the time period, then you will not be allowed to pursue compensation later.
You can find more about the statute of limitations in Florida Statue 95.11.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you were involved in a car accident and you are wondering how long you have to report it, then you should get in touch with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. It is important that you understand your rights following a crash so that you can make the right moves to protect yourself.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience when it comes to working under traffic law in the State of Florida. Our law firm has successfully managed hundreds of car accident cases over the years, and we want to help you to pursue compensation.
If you have questions or concerns regarding a car accident, then you are free to call us now. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today.