Tag Archives: car crash lawyer

What to do when in a Car Accident!

Auto accidents can be devastating, and injuries sustained in an accident can begin a timeline of treatment and therapy that can take months to complete. If you are involved in an auto accident, it is always important to know what steps to undertake to protect yourself and your potential personal injury case.

If you are involved in an auto accident, it is critical to first seek medical attention. After an auto accident, it is best to go immediately to the hospital or other treatment facility to determine the extent of your injuries and pinpoint the necessary steps of rehabilitation that might be required.

If the injuries sustained in the accident are not severe or life threatening, it is important to gather necessary information about the accident for purposes of supporting your potential legal suit. Important information to gather includes:

Identification of all occupants: including names, phone numbers, addresses and even emails.

Photos of the Damage: photograph all damages, including both vehicle and surrounding property damage.

Photos of the Accident Scene: photograph any debris, skid marks and also the position of the vehicles involved in the collision; and

Information of Responding Officer(s) and Ambulance: Request any and all identifying information on the officer(s) and Ambulance that respond to the incident

Injured parties should also always contact an attorney for legal consultation and general information on how to proceed following an accident. In the event an insurance company contacts you regarding your injury claim, do not offer any recorded statements without first consulting with an attorney.

If you or a loved one have been in an accident and need legal advice, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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What is a soft tissue injury?

Parties to an accident are often times contacted by insurance companies in an attempt to get personal injury victims to settle an injury claim quickly, and for a non-negotiated amount. Before a settlement offer is even discussed, it is extremely important to first know the extent of your injuries.

Usually, the severity of damage sustained in an accident is not easily determined, and in many cases an injured party may suffer soft tissue or latent injuries that do not arise until much later. However, once a settlement agreement is made and tendered, an injured party releases their right to recovery for injuries related to that particular incident.

If you are involved in an auto accident, it is always important to first seek medical attention. After an auto accident, it is best to go immediately to the hospital or other treatment facility to determine the extent of your injuries and pinpoint the necessary steps of rehabilitation that might be required.

Secondly, an injured party should always contact an attorney for legal consultation and general information on how to proceed following an accident. In the event an insurance company contacts you regarding your injury claim, do not offer any recorded statements without first consulting with an attorney.

If you or a loved one have been in an accident and need legal advice, call Blick Law Firm today @ (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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What do I do if I am in an accident?

We don’t like to think about automobile accidents, but they are part of reality, and everyone will probably be involved in at least one, maybe more, in their lifetime.  When you are involved in an auto accident, there are steps that need to be taken to properly file a report and avoid penalties for not following Florida law.

First when involved in an auto accident move your vehicle in such a manner that it doesn’t obstruct traffic.  Ask all parties involved if there are any injuries and call the police to file a report.

Many may ask:  “Must I call the police?”  Accidents involving an injury or death, a hit-and-run or intoxicated driver or property damage that appears to be over $500 need to be reported immediately to law enforcement.

*Make sure you have your driver’s license, registration and insurance information available when the officer arrives on the scene.

After the police arrive at the scene exchange information with all drivers of vehicles involved and take pictures of the property damages for future evidence, possibly in court.

* However, if a crash report hasn’t been filed by law enforcement, then you’ll need to do so within 10 days of the accident.

Suppose you are the only party involved in an accident.  Should you hit an unoccupied vehicle, a light pole or some other type of property, you are required to notify the owner.  If you cannot locate the owner, then attach a note to the damaged vehicle or property, including your name, address and license plate number.  Again, take photos and report the accident to law enforcement right away.

The state of Florida is serious about behavior following an accident.  Failure to follow proper procedures could result in license suspension, criminal charges or other penalties.

If you have recently been involved in accident, you will want an experienced and very knowledgeable personal injury attorney as your advocate.  Attorney, Michael C. Blickensderfer has more than 25 years legal experience and will be happy to offer a free case evaluation regarding your potential personal injury claim. Call Blick Law Firm today at 813-931-0840.

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