What to do if you have an auto accident

1. STOP. Stop your vehicle. It is a crime to flee the scene. If the accident is severe, do not move vehicles. If it is a fender bender that will tie up traffic for hours, move vehicles into safe area.
2. Injuries? Check to see if anyone has been injured. If so, call 911. Do not move the person until emergency help arrives.
3. Cooperate with law enforcement. Exchange name, address, and insurance information with the other driver(s). Also, obtain the make, model, year, color and license tag number of all vehicles involved in the accident.
4. Witnesses. If there are witnesses to the accident, be sure to get their names, addresses and telephone numbers before they leave the scene.
5. Photographs at scene. If you have a camera in the vehicle, take photographs of all vehicles involved in the accident, along with photographs of the accident scene itself and paths of travel.
6. Photographs at home. If you do not have a camera, then when you arrive home, take photographs of the damage to your vehicle immediately.
7. Fault. Do not admit fault to anyone at the accident scene.
8. Tickets. If the police officer issues a citation to the other drive at the accident scene, this does not mean that such driver is at fault. It is only the officer's opinion as to what happened and whose fault he/she thinks it is. The officer still has to convince a judge that the ticket was justified if the driver does not plead guilty. The ticket has no bearing on your case. The same result occurs if you were ticketed. The ticket is not proof that you caused the accident.
9. If no police, report accident within 24 hours. If the police do not come to the accident scene, you should make a report of the accident within 24 hours at the nearest police station.
10. Notify Insurance Company. When you arrive home, notify your insurance company via phone that you were involved in an accident. Be prepared to tell the insurance company how the accident happened.
11. Rental Vehicle. If you need a rental vehicle, call us and we will assist you in obtaining a rental car.
12. Vehicle Repair. You may choose where your vehicle is repaired.
13. Medical Attention. If you have been injured, seek medical attention immediately, no matter how minor you think the injury is. It is a good idea to get a medical examination after an accident to be sure that you have not suffered an injury that will not manifest itself until some time in the future, and then you wonder why all of a sudden your back or neck hurts. This happens all too often.
14. Choosing a doctor. You can see whatever doctor you choose. It is often best to start with your general physician. If you need a referral to a qualified physician, please ask us and we will make a referral. Many doctors will not treat injuries caused by a car accident.
15. Daily Log of Complaints. If you have been injured, it is important to keep a daily log of your complaints. This is the best way for us to explain to an insurance company and a jury, if necessary, about how this accident has effected your life. Include descriptions of pain, physical restrictions, a log of doctor visits, and mileage.
16. Wage loss. If you miss time from work to attend doctor's visits or because you are disabled from the accident, please keep a record of time missed. This includes sick time or vacation time used.
17. Medical Bills. Your medical bills will be paid by your own auto insurance carrier up to $10,000.00. This $10,000.00 PIP coverage is mandatory on all Florida insurance policies. The pereson who caused this accident is responsible for any other out of pocket expenses not covered by such PIP coverage. Don't let the medical bills worry you. Please send them to our office and we will notify the medical providers of your pending case.
18. Do I need a lawyer? No matter what kind of accident you have been involved in, you should get a competent legal opinion on your rights and responsibilities that were affected by the accident. At Mark Roman Law Group we can evaluate your case and tell you what to expect. If you decide not to hire an attorney keep in mind that the insurance company will have a battery of claims adjusters and attorneys working against you to minimize your claims. Do not settle your case with an insurance company unless you have had a qualified attorney review the case.
19. Attorneys’ fees and costs. At Mark Roman Law Group we work on a contingency fee basis. What that means is that if we do not recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing. A contingency fee contract is an agreement to pay a percentage of the amount your attorney obtains on your behalf in exchange for the legal representation and expertise of such attorney. This fee is paid from settlement proceeds. We will also pay the up front costs associated with representing you. There are no up front expenses to be paid by you. Again, upon settlement or verdict, our costs will be reimbursed from your settlement.

Our Mission at Mark Roman Law Group is to provide compassionate, aggressive, results-oriented representation to those in need because... We Really Care.

Call us for a free consultation. You can speak with an attorney today. Call us toll free 1 866-999-MRLG (6754). Our initial consultation is free. If we are able to take your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis. This means that if there is no monetary recovery, you owe us nothing.