Some traffic accidents are fender-benders or minor rear-end collisions, but others can be tragic, causing severe injuries or even death. In the State of Florida, 397,812 accidents were reported in 2018 according to Florida’s traffic crash reports. Out of these, 3,004 proved fatal. This represents just a minor improvement over the previous year, in which 3,114 fatalities were reported from a total of 402,489 traffic collisions.
Note that Florida is a no-fault car insurance state, which means that if you suffer injuries in an accident in Florida, you will have to file your personal injury claim under your insurance coverage to get compensated for damages to health or property. The claim against the at-fault driver is permitted in certain circumstances only.
Regardless of the gravity of the situation, the steps you take immediately after a fatal Florida car accident can save lives and make a huge difference in the outcomes of your Florida personal injury claim.
How to Respond to a Fatal Car Crash?
Here are some steps to take if you come across a fatal car accident:
Step 1: Contact the Police
Regardless of who the victim is, you should call the police and the emergency medical personnel immediately following a fatal traffic accident. Try your best to not allow any vehicle to be moved from its position until the police arrive. If not moving the vehicles poses greater safety risk from the traffic, move them to a safe zone.
Step 2: Seek Medical Help Right Away
If you or someone else seems to have sustained the slightest of injuries, seek medical attention immediately. Many victims don’t immediately realize that they’re injured until the pain erupts the next day. Never say no to medical help. Ask your friend to drive to the nearest hospital if you don’t feel comfortable driving.
Step 3: Contact an experienced traffic fatality attorney in Miami right away, you will need to make sure your case gets resolved with the best possible outcome and you don’t end up going to prison for a very long time.
On the other hand, if the crash involving the other drivers was so serious that you have no hope of the other the driver surviving, call an ambulance because the paramedics may be able to save the victim’s life.
Step 4: Gather Contact Details
Don’t hesitate to take the initiative following a traffic collision. Talk to every driver involved in the crash and note down their names, contact details, license plate numbers, insurance information, and addresses. Once you’ve gathered this info, look around for people who can be potential witnesses. Their testimonies can be of great help to your Florida personal injury claim.
Step 5: Record Everything at the Accident Scene
Before the vehicles are moved, use your smartphone camera to capture videos and photographs of the accident scene. These recordings are concrete evidence for a personal injury claim.
Final Word
If you witness a fatal Florida car accident, follow the above-mentioned steps and if you’ve suffered injuries, hire a specialized car accident lawyer who will help you with your Florida injury claim.
At Carlos Gonzalez Law, we can assist you to gather evidence and effectively negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement. If circumstances demand, the attorney will prepare your case for trial. Please call (786) 358-6888
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