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Mistakes that Can Hurt Your Ability to Recover Compensation After an Accident in Florida

Being involved in a serious car accident is a traumatic experience. After the collision, you need to make immediate decisions about speaking to the other driver, seeking medical care, making an insurance claim, and you may not be sure what you are supposed to do. The choices you make in these first moments and the days following the accident can either help or hurt your ability to recover compensation for your injuries and financial losses from the accident. To maximize the chances of receiving compensation for your losses, avoid making these common mistakes:

Apologizing

Never apologize for the accident, even if you think you may be partially at-fault. It’s ok to ask the other driver if they need medical attention, but the insurance companies and courts could interpret an apology as accepting fault for the accident. Florida uses a comparative negligence standard in determining fault: if you are found to be 51% or more at-fault for the accident, you are ineligible to receive any financial compensation for the accident. If you are 50% or less at fault, you can receive compensation, reduced by the amount that you are found to be at-fault.

Avoiding Calling the Police

Having a police report will make it significantly easier to prove the severity of the accident as well as fault to the insurance company or the courts because it provides an unbiased third-party piece of evidence. The police officers can also take down witness statements, which can support your case.

Delaying Medical Care

Many accident victims are in such shock about the accident that they don’t realize the full extent of their injuries and skip a visit to the doctor. It’s essential to seek prompt medical care after an accident so that you can begin treatment and healing as soon as possible. From a legal perspective, prompt medical care provides evidence that your injuries were caused by the accident and not something else. Your post-accident medical record will lay the foundation of your legal claim against the negligent driver, so skipping this step may risk your ability to recover compensation.

Posting on Social Media

From the time of your accident until your attorney tells you otherwise, it’s best to avoid posting anything on social media. This includes posts both relating to your accident or on any topic. Something that you view as an innocuous post may provide the negligent driver’s side with ammunition to invalidate your claim. Nothing that you post online is private, even if you have the strictest privacy settings enabled.

ECanter Lawyers is dedicated to defending victims’ rights. If you were in a serious accident due to someone else’s negligence, call us right away. We will explain your legal rights, help you contact the insurance company, and fight for you to receive every penny you deserve.

When you are dealing with the chaos and pain of accidents and personal injuries, the last thing you need is technical, confusing legal language.  ECanter Lawyers breaks down the complexities and provides clear, informative answers so that you understand your legal options. 

For a quarter of a century, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation.