What Should I Do if I’ve Been in a Car Accident?
If someone is seriously hurt, call 911 immediately. If no one appears to be hurt, call the police non-emergency number instead of using 911.
Police Phone Numbers for Non-Emergency Accidents
Here is a list of local police non-emergency numbers for town and cities around Tampa Bay, Florida and Boston, Massachusetts:
- Tampa Police non-emergency number: (813) 231-6130
- St. Petersburg Police non-emergency number:(727) 893-7780
- For accidents in Brandon, FL call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number: (813) 247-8200
- In Tarpon Springs, FL call the Tarpon Springs Police Department non-emergency number: (727) 938-2849
- For accidents in Clearwater, FL call Clearwater Police Department non-emergency number:
(727) 562-4242
A Day or Two After Your Accident
Many injuries show themselves a day or two after the accident. Whether or not you are injured, it is important to obtain a police record of the accident.
Document Your Accident
- If possible, take pictures of the accident scene, and the damage to all vehicles involved.
- Obtain the year/make/model of all vehicles involved in the accident along with full license plate numbers.
- Also, write down the names and telephone numbers of any witnesses
- Get insurance information from the other driver(s) including policy numbers.
If you are injured or you are unsure if you are injured, it is important to immediately seek medical attention.
Give Your Report Only
Other than reporting your accident to your insurance company, you should not give any statements about your accident to any insurance agent before you consult with an attorney.
Even The Most Careful Drivers
Car accidents can be traumatic, and can happen to absolutely anyone – even the safest of drivers. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how safe a driver you are, there are always drivers on the road who are careless and who have the potential to cause serious accidents.
The Goal of Your Insurance Company
You may be left with serious injuries and medical expenses, and an insurance company that does not want to pay for those claims – even though you are not at fault.
It is the insurance company’s goal to pay out as little as possible, if at all.
Maximum Compensation
An experienced attorney at your side is crucial to:
- Battle insurance adjusters
- Obtain justified payment for necessary medical treatment; and, importantly
- Obtain maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
A serious car accident can have massive ramifications on those in the vehicle, and family members too. If you are fortunate enough to survive, you may have to bear to the burden of costly hospital stays, rehabilitation, and even a slew of surgeries (think of spinal cord injuries which can often require continuous care for life). If you are unable to work as a result of extensive injuries, the impact of lost income on top of hospital bills can be incredibly stressful. Add to that the need to purchase a new vehicle. It is enough to bankrupt even a person of significant means.
Use An Experienced Auto Accident Attorney for Your Protection
That is why an experienced attorney is so important to guide and protect you following an auto accident. With long-term experience communicating and collaborating with medical professionals, our legal team knows how to present the medical realities of your case at trial – and to get you the right compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, call the skilled attorneys at Kravitz Law Group, P.A. for a FREE consultation concerning your legal rights.
AUTO ACCIDENTS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA
How Do Accident Lawyers Evaluate Your Claim?
Thanks to the Florida automobile accident law, you have the right to compensation to cover medical costs and to replace damaged property resulting from a negligent driver’s actions.
Damages from these claims can include:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Future earnings
- As well as pain and suffering.
With the stress and time constraints that come with medical treatment, handling the insurance, legal, and financial aspects of the accident can be more than one person can handle. That is why you need the help of experienced Florida auto accident lawyers.
Call Kravitz Law Group Today: 888-KLG-9998 (888-554-9998)
At Kravitz Law Group, P.A., we know not only how debilitating a car accident can be, but also just how exhausting it can be working to obtain just payment for your out-of-pocket costs. Insurance companies often make it as difficult as they can for individuals to get proper compensation. It’s rare for an insurance company’s first assessment to cover all your costs, especially when you are working without legal counsel.
Florida & Massachusetts are No Fault States – What to do about it
Florida
You may have heard Florida referred to as a “No Fault” state, when talking about motor vehicle accidents. This means that if you have been involved in an accident, you first look to your own insurance coverage under the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to pay 80% of your medical expenses and 60% of your lost wages. Consider the PIP coverage that comes from your insurance your primary insurance. For any medical expenses or lost wages not covered by your PIP insurance, Florida law permits legal claims against the at-fault driver or vehicle owner. In addition to recovering your losses, the law allows you to claim for other damages such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, inability to work, and disability or other physical impairment.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is also a “No Fault” state, but the amounts covered are different than Florida. MA law affords PIP coverage for medical bills, lost wages and related expenses up to $8,000. However, if you have private health insurance and the medical bills are over $2,000, the excess amount is first submitted to health insurance. If health insurance denies the claim, PIP will cover the remainder up to $8,000.
Kravitz Law Group will help you better understand your rights. Our experience has taught us how to get you the maximum damages you are entitled – covering everything from treatment and care to funeral costs, from emotional and mental trauma to physical pain and disfigurement, from property damage to loss of earnings. From the second we work together, we are your advocate; all the way from protecting accident evidence as a first step, to ensuring you receive just payment as the last.
Call Kravitz Law Group Today: 888-KLG-9998 (888-554-9998)