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Long, Jean & Wechsler, P.A.

Long, Jean & Wechsler, P.A.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Pompano Beach Florida

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    • Lyle R. Long, Esq.
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  • Home
  • Areas of Practice
    • Personal Injury Lawyers in Florida
      • Animal Attack Lawyer
      • Boating Accident Lawyer
      • Car Accident Lawyer
      • Elder Care and Nursing Home Neglect
      • Medical Malpractice Lawyers
      • Motorcycle Accidents
      • Product Liability / Mass Torts
      • Slip & Fall / Premises Liability
      • Sovereign Immunity in Pompano Beach
      • Workers’ Compensation
      • Wrongful Death
  • Legal Team
    • Lyle R. Long, Esq.
    • Alex Jean, Esq.
    • Ryan Wechsler, Esq.
    • Len Blumenthal, Esq
  • Case Results
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Pompano Beach, Florida

What to Do after an Accident?

January 10, 2019 by Lyle Long
Woman taking a photo of damaged vehicles with her phone following a car accident

A car accident is a very traumatic experience from every angle. No one is ever prepared for a car accident; in most cases, people don’t even know how to react or what to do after a car accident. However, the steps you take after a car accident are the key to the legal actions you may be able to take to fight back for your rights and reclaim the compensation you deserve. After a crash, it is essential to know that besides calling 911, there are other steps to take after a car accident.

At LJW Legal, our car accident attorneys are always looking out for your best interests, and when those are at risk of being violated, we will aggressively fight back to make sure insurance companies and everyone responsible is held accountable for their actions.

What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident

A car accident can undoubtedly leave you feeling scattered. However, it is imperative to follow post-accident procedures to make sure you take the proper steps after a car accident to protect your rights as a car accident victim.

Step 1: Move to Safety

Make sure everyone involved is safe. It is not safe to stay near your car, if possible, move your car out of the way. If this is not possible, flip on your hazards to warn other drivers that your vehicle has been in an accident. Turn off the engine and move off to the side. Take a moment here to catch your breath and compose yourself. Make sure everyone has been moved to safety and that no one is seriously harmed.

Step 2: Check Others

Check everyone involved in the crash, including other drivers, the passengers, and even pedestrians. If anyone may be injured, please call 911, even a seemingly minor injury should be checked out by a health care professional. Car crash injuries are often not apparent at the scene.

Step 3: Call the Police

Even for minor accidents, a police accident report will come in handy when dealing with insurance companies and other drivers. Avoid blaming others while at the scene, let the police objectively write the report. Remember, Florida is a no-fault state, which means every motorist is required to have personal injury protection coverage, and this insurance goes into effect immediately after a claim has been filed, regardless who caused the accident.

Step 4: Gather Information

While at the car crash scene, you want to make sure – if you are able – to gather as much information about everyone involved in the crash as possible. We will discuss the exact documents you want to make sure you document in the following section.

Step 5: Document the Accident

In today’s world, everyone has a smartphone with a camera. After you are sure you’re fine, and you haven’t sustained any serious injuries, make sure to take some photos of the accident scene. Take pictures of your vehicle, the scene, the other driver’s vehicle, and so on.

Step 6: Decide What Type of Claim to File

Since Florida is a no-fault state, immediately after a car accident you can use your PIP coverage for your injuries and the injuries of anyone in the car with you. However, you still have the right to sue the other driver for serious injuries, or if your injuries exceed your PIP coverage.

Also, you can also choose to file a collision coverage claim, in which case you will work directly with the insurance company for reimbursement. This process can be lengthy and extremely complicated as insurance companies will always be looking out for their benefits, not yours.

What Documents Do You Need If You Are In A Car Accident?

While at the scene, you want to make sure you gather specific documents that will help you process your claim. It is crucial you collect as much information as possible since all parties, from the insurance company to the car accident attorney, are going to refer back to this information throughout your case.

From the Other Driver/Passengers Involved

First of all, you need a list of everyone involved in the accident. You want to make sure you have the following information:

  • Name of the other driver
  • Address of the other driver and contact information
  • Other drivers’ insurance company name and policy number
  • Other drivers’ vehicle description – making, model, and year
  • Vehicle registration information (VRI)
  • License plate number

From the Scene

While you are not a police officer or detective, the most information you can gather about the crash scene the better your claim process will be. Make sure to collect the following information:

  • Date and time of the accident
  • Detailed address of the crash
  • Nearest cross street
  • The direction you were traveling in
  • The direction the other car was traveling in
  • A detailed explanation of what happened
  • Notes regarding driving conditions (visibility, weather, etc.)
  • Pedestrians or witnesses names and contact information

From the Police

Once the police arrive at the scene, they will also be demanding information from both parties and a short explanation of what happened at the scene. However, the car accident victims also need information from the police, including:

  • Official car accident report copy
  • Officers name and badge number
  • Contact information for each officer

From the Paramedics

Regardless of the type of injuries car accident victims may sustain during a crash, contacting the paramedics or medical care attention immediately after a car accident is imperative. In occasions, car accident injuries don’t appear noticeable until a few days after the crash. From the medical attendees, you need to gather:

  • Official medical assessment
  • The complete post-accident medical report
  • Medical bills and expenses
  • Treatment plans, if applicable

How to Know What Insurance Coverage Applies

Under Florida law, every motorist is required to carry a minimum $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills and lost wages, no matter who caused the accident. So, immediately after a car crash, each driver can turn to his or her insurance company to help pay for their medical care expenses and other losses.

However, PIP coverage by law only covers 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages. Also, PIP coverage is subject to a deductible, which means the car crash victim can be personally responsible for the first portion of their medical bills.

Likewise, there are some exceptions to Florida’s no-fault insurance requirement. The first exception implies that if a person suffers permanent injury as a result of a car accident, the driver is not subject to the no-fault limitations and may be able to file a claim for medical bills, lost wages, intangible damages, and even pain and suffering as a result of the accident. Another occasion to an exception would be if the injuries involved total more than the PIP coverage ($10,000), in this instance a claim can be filed to recover the medical bills not covered by the PIP insurance.

Bearing in mind these reasons, one can see that filing a claim after a car accident can be somewhat complicated. The assistance of a car accident lawyer can alleviate this stress and streamline the process.

How to Know If You Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

While you can choose to instantly file a claim with your insurance company to tap into your PIP coverage, car accident injuries often go beyond its coverage limit. Working with a car accident lawyer can help you make sure you are adequately compensated for your damages, lost wages, and other expenses related to the crash.

Also, car accidents, unfortunately, can result in criminal charges including negligence, manslaughter, driving under the influence, and so on. In these cases, working with a car accident lawyer  is necessary.

What to Do Next?

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident or has been involved in a serious car crash, contact the office of LJW Legal for a free consultation. Our attorneys will aggressively fight for the compensation you deserve by meticulously looking at every detail of your case and making sure your rights are respected.

Category: Personal InjuryTag: car accident
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1937 E. Atlantic Blvd. Suite 205
Pompano Beach, FL 33060


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Long, Jean & Wechsler, P.A.
Long, Jean & Wechsler, P.A.
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arletty fernandezarletty fernandez
21:24 13 Nov 22
Ryan and Helen were very thorough and diligent with my case. This was my first time having to hire for this type of service and am honestly thrilled to have been referred to such a diligent, efficient and caring team. They made sure to stay in touch and keep me updated all throughout my case. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Thank you all for your excellent care.
Florane FleurinorFlorane Fleurinor
14:52 03 Oct 22
Very good, professional and responsible lawyer. His office was in contact with me every time they had new information. Step by step Mr. Alex Jean would explain to me what is going on with my case. I didn’t have to wait for years for results. So far from what I hear from other people about their cases Mr. Alex Jean is the best. And I will reference my family and friends you and thank you so much
alexis Johnsonalexis Johnson
20:35 13 Sep 22
Ryan Wechsler is by far one of the best lawyers around. He gave me the assurance that everything was going to be okay. He is a very professional, respectful, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and an honest lawyer. His entire team (Daniela & Helen) was amazing. Very pleasant and kept me up to date every step of the way during my case. Ryan fought hard for me! I’m very thankful for all of his hard work and everyone at Long, Jean & Wechsler. If you’re ever in need of a great legal team give them a call.
Saif PowerSaif Power
14:59 30 Aug 22
Lyle was a pleasure to work with, he delivered on his promises. He was very prompt with his responses and very helpful when we first touched base. I’d definitely take him again on any relevant case.
Luiz CentLuiz Cent
02:15 13 Jul 22
I hired Alex Jean for a personal injury case and little did I know I was going to get world class treatment.I was referred to the best Chiropractors in Miami and then when I moved to St.Pete the LJW team had great connections there too.My Tesla is as good as new, my back is recovering and not to mention the settlement from the insurance. If I didn’t hire them I’d still be trying to recover money from insurance to fix my car.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you need a personal injury attorney I 100% recommend Alex Jean and the team at LJW.
Princess Maryam Abdul-AkbarPrincess Maryam Abdul-Akbar
16:29 07 Jul 22
Ryan Wechsler is an excellent attorney. He worked tirelessly on my case, which was a difficult one to begin with. When other attorneys were given me issues to take my case, he was the only one that was reassuring and determine to seek justice for me. I completely trusted his counsel. Had it not been for Mr. Wechsler I would have accumulated a lot of debt. I am forever grateful that he accepted my case.
Angelina AkkadAngelina Akkad
12:47 30 Jun 22
Ryan and the team are absolute rock stars! I got a recommendation from a good friend to use them, and I was not disappointed. They solved my issue with one strong letter and avoided a bad situation and lots of time and $$$ saved. I will definitely be using them again if the need ever arises.
Micheca AristildeMicheca Aristilde
19:46 08 Jun 22
Very good firm. I had an unusual case. A crane dropped on my car the week of Christmas. Considering the fact my accident occurred during the holiday season, Lyle and his paralegal, Helen, ensured that I received treatment the same day, got a rental, and even settled my case in less than 6 months.They were extremely polite, communicative, and on top of everything. I highly recommend reaching out to them for great legal representation.
GatorGator
19:20 08 Jun 22
Worked with Ryan and he helped me navigate the process of our law suit. Was in great communication throughout the process. 5 stars
Patrícia OsorioPatrícia Osorio
02:16 08 Jun 22
We had a great experience with Lyle and their team. The communication worked great, they had the patience to explain all the details to us and were responsive to our questions. We got a great settlement.
Perry CrawfordPerry Crawford
18:55 15 Apr 22
Lyle and his law group conducted themselves professionally and were very caring and concerned about my injury. My recovery was foremost on their minds.He fought for me relentlessly and got me what I truly deserved. His confidence and tenacity won the case decisively.Thanks Lyle.
Andrea ChlimperAndrea Chlimper
17:18 15 Apr 22
I highly recommend Lyle Long and his firm. Additional to a very very good settlement amount, Lyle and his staff were a pleasure to work with. Lyle walked me through the entire process from the moment I contacted him regarding my automobile accident. They were excellent with communication, returning my calls/emails and keeping me informed with updates and progress. Unfortunately, this is my 2nd time hiring his firm. My first experience was that positive that I never thought about hiring another firm to handle my legal matter.
TT
20:04 28 Mar 22
I highly recommend using this law firm. They’re super friendly, super helpful and very very professional. They had everything under control and dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s. I couldn’t be more happy with there service!!!
Viral-_-buildzViral-_-buildz
18:44 01 Feb 22
I got Into an accident 8/13/2021. A friend of mine told me to contact Ryan, I reached out to him the day after my accident ( which happened to be a weekend day ) and he immediately got right on the case. He was very helpful and I was literally able to reach out to him by phone or text any day and any time. He is always available. He set me up for all of my medical treatment and made sure I understood the whole entire process. He’s a great lawyer and is really on your side. My case was resolved in 4 months and my settlement was way more than I expected. I couldn’t be more thankful for him and his staff. They are excellent.Thank you Ryan,Latia J
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