As soon as a car accident occurs, your legal responsibilities begin. First, contact law enforcement. Next, contact your auto insurance company and make them aware of the situation. Then file the necessary forms with the Department of Motor Vehicles. All of these steps will lay a solid foundation in case you must seek legal help at some point.
In some cases, it is necessary to sue over a car accident. These situations include an insurance company unwilling to pay a fair amount for the accident, negligence or criminal behavior by one of the drivers involved in the accident or other situations where an injustice has occurred.
When you find yourself in one of these situations, contact a Florida personal injury attorney before agreeing to anything. Never agree to make a recorded statement for the insurance company or sign any of their papers until you know your legal rights. If you make an agreement before contacting an attorney, it could be too late to protect yourself.
Only a qualified attorney can decide whether you have a case. In some cases, they can help you negotiate a fair settlement for your losses. In other situations, it might be necessary to go to court. Once you hire an attorney, they will take over communications with the insurance companies and other parties involved.
It is very important to discuss all the facts openly and honestly with your attorney. Promptly give the attorney all the documents related to the accident. You are protected by attorney-client privilege, and your attorney is not able to help you if they are not aware of all the facts.
