If you have been injured in Carrollwood due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to file a personal injury claim and seek compensations. However, it’s important to know what to do immediately following an accident to improve your chance of successfully winning your lawsuit.
Seek medical attention – Your first priority should always be medical care. If you suffered any type of injury, even if it seems mild at first, we strongly advise you to see a doctor. Some injuries may not show any noticeable symptoms for a few days and allowing an injury to go untreated for too long can cause serious medical problems.
Additionally, delaying seeking medical care can injure your credibility in a lawsuit or in an insurance claim. A claims adjuster or jury will assume that if you did not feel the need to seek medical attention immediately after your accident, your injuries probably aren’t as bad as you claim. Seek immediate care and secure a copy of your medical report from your doctor.
Get contact information – if your accident in Carrollwood occurred where there were witnesses, try to get the contact information of those individuals. For example, if you fell down broken stairs at an apartment building, and a resident saw the incident, see if you can get their name and/or number.
Obtain a police report – if you were injured in a car accident in Carrollwood, you will need a copy of the police report. Under Florida law, you’re required to report an accident immediately to the Florida Highway Patrol or police if any of the following occurs: (1) death or injury, (2) a hit and run accident, (3) an accident caused by an intoxicated driver, or (4) an accident that results in property damage of over $500.
Speak with an attorney – Although it is not required for you to hire an attorney to file a persona injury or insurance claim in Florida, we strongly advise you speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Many injury attorneys offer free consultations where they will review your case and help you understand your legal options. At Darrigo & Diaz, we offer free, no-obligation case evaluations to all potential clients. Please call 813-734-7397 to schedule yours.