If you or someone you love has ever been involved in an automobile accident, you are probably well aware that the experience can be quite traumatic, particularly if you or your passengers sustained injuries. Many accident victims have a number of questions and concerns after a collision, especially if it was their first accident. That said, Naples auto accident Attorney, Ryan Kuhl, can provide answers to some of the more commonly-asked auto accident questions.
I Was Just Involved in a Car Accident. What Do I Do Next?
Your first concern after an accident should be to make sure that you, your passengers and anyone else involved in the accident are attended to by emergency medical personnel (if anyone has sustained injuries). Even if you do not believe your injuries are serious, it is important for you to seek medical attention to ensure a medical record is made (in case litigation becomes necessary later). Be sure to contact the authorities as soon as possible as well.
If your injuries are not serious, you should take pictures of the accident scene, any damage to your automobile and surrounding property and your injuries (if visible). Doing so will be extremely helpful from an investigative standpoint if the vehicles are moved or if a dispute arises with respect to your injuries or the accident itself.
And finally, contact your insurance company to advise them of the accident, but do not provide any recorded statements, admit guilt or discuss the incident with anyone else (other than law enforcement) until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
How Much is My Case Worth?
There are a number of factors that must be considered when trying to determine how much your accident case may be worth. For instance, the attorney handling your case will need to know more about the exact nature of your injuries, whether you needed surgery at the time of the accident or will need it later and whether or not you still have unpaid medical bills.
Other factors include whether you are able to work, have you lost wages due to the accident, the amount of time it will take you to recover and the existence of witnesses to the accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim or Lawsuit?
Florida and other states have what is known as a statute of limitations when it comes to filing personal injury claims. What this means to you is that you will have a limited amount of time in which to make your claim, and if you do not do so within the time limit provided under the law, you may ultimately be barred from filing a claim or suing at a later time. That is why it is crucial for you to speak with an accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident occurs to ensure your case is handled in a timely manner.
Accidents are never easy to deal with, even if you have not been physically injured. Still, having an understanding of what to do after a collision will go a long way toward helping you and your loved ones gain a peace of mind by knowing the steps to take to ensure your legal rights are protected and preserved.
If you or someone you love has been injured and you have questions about your options under the law, contact Attorney Ryan Kuhl today.