Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident in Destin?
Paul Brannon | June 9, 2022 | Car Accident
Minor car accidents are a nuisance and an inconvenience, but are they worth calling a personal injury lawyer about? You feel fine, your car looks okay, and you just want to get on with your day and put it behind you.
Don’t brush the accident off so quickly. Consider consulting with a car accident lawyer as soon as you can. An experienced attorney will help you assess the situation and guide you in the event you show signs of a personal injury or the other driver brings a claim against you.
You’ve Been in a Minor Car Accident – What Should You Do?
Once you’re stopped and in a safe place, take some time to assess how your body feels. If it’s clear that you aren’t seriously injured, get out of the car and meet up with the other driver. It is imperative that you get the following information:
- The other driver’s name and phone number;
- Their car registration information;
- Their insurance company;
- Take lots of pictures of both cars from different angles and vantage points.
This information will help you cover all of your bases as far as possible insurance claims.
Do the Police Have to Come?
Under Florida law, if the accident isn’t serious, the police don’t need to be called to the scene. However, you do need to contact the police and let them know about the accident. You can do it online or at the police station, and it has to be done within ten days of the accident.
If you choose not to call the police to the scene of the accident, it’s smart to contact them as soon as possible. That way, the details of the accident will still be fresh in your mind.
The police will write a report based on the information provided. This report is an important piece of evidence that your insurance company will most likely want to see before acting on any potential claim.
Why Should I Get a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
There are several reasons you should contact a lawyer after your minor car accident.
Injuries May Appear Days Later
After an accident, your adrenaline is pumping, and your body is on high alert. You might think you are all clear from injuries, but this could be a false sense of well-being. It is not uncommon to wake up the next day with a sore neck or back and bruised skin. It’s wise to see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident to assess your physical situation.
You Don’t Want Any Surprises from the Other Driver
When asking should I get a lawyer for a car accident, remember that you don’t know anything about what type of person the other driver is. They may have seemed nice and trustworthy only to turn around and try to bring a claim against you. They could make things up about the accident that weren’t true. You simply have no idea how they will act.
In addition to the information you gathered at the accident, retaining a lawyer will provide you with an extra layer of protection.
Our Car Accident Attorneys in Destin, Florida, Can Help
Car accidents, even minor ones, are stressful and disruptive to our lives. You have to deal with damage to your car and possible injuries. You also have to deal with the total stranger you had the misfortune of meeting in an accident.
Consulting with a car accident lawyer is a smart move. Getting the best information on how to proceed is the best protection you can give yourself.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Northwest Florida
If you need legal assistance, contact the Destin car accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243
Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297