Latest Blogs

Florida visitors have clear legal rights when they suffer serious injuries due to other people’s negligence. This includes other drivers’ negligence behind the wheel. But, asserting your legal rights as an out-of-state resident can be challenging, and this makes it important to have an experienced Fort Myers car accident attorney from Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. on your side.

Were you injured in a car accident during spring or summer vacation in Florida? If so, here is an overview of what you need to know:

What You Need to Know After a Car Accident During Spring or Summer Vacation in Florida

The most important thing you need to keep in mind is that you should prioritize your recovery. You should not wait until you get home to see a doctor or speak with an attorney. Waiting any longer than necessary can make it much more difficult to successfully assert your legal rights. This is because:

• If you wait to seek treatment, it will be more difficult to prove that you suffered your injuries in the accident.
• If you wait to hire an attorney, it will be more difficult (if not impossible) for your attorney to preserve key evidence before it disappears.
• If you do not have the medical and legal advice you need, you are more likely to make mistakes that could jeopardize your recovery.

So, even though you are on vacation, you need to focus on what is best for yourself in the long term. This means seeing a doctor right away and speaking with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible.

Also, under Florida law, you must seek initial medical treatment within 14 days from the date of the motor vehicle accident to qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. Florida’s PIP benefits generally are up to $10,000 in PIP medical coverage. You must receive care from a doctor, hospital emergency room, or other provider under the law.

Some more tips for protecting your legal rights after a car accident during spring or summer vacation in Florida include:

1. Take Detailed Notes About the Accident

Another one of your priorities should be to take detailed notes about the accident. The more details you can record, the better. If possible, you should try to record details such as:

• The precise location of the accident (or nearby landmarks if you are not sure)
• The other vehicle’s make, model, color, and license plate information
• The traffic, road, and weather conditions at the time of the accident
• Each vehicle’s direction of travel at the time of the accident
• As many details as you can remember about the moments prior to the collision

If the other driver said anything at the accident scene, take notes, and be sure to keep the names and contact information of any witnesses who stopped to assist. If you have any photos or videos on your phone, be sure to keep them as well.

2. Wait to Post Your Vacation Photos or Videos on Social Media

While you should keep any photos or videos you took with your phone, wait to post any of your vacation photos or videos on social media. This includes, but is not limited to, any photos or videos from the accident scene.

When you file an insurance claim, the insurance companies may look at your social media profiles to see if they can find anything they can use against you. If they can use any of your photos or videos against you, they will. So, for now, you should keep your photos and videos from the accident scene between you and your Fort Myers car accident attorney at Spivey Law Firm.

3. Make Sure You Know What Insurance Coverage You Have Available

Please make sure you know what insurance coverage you have. Florida is a “no-fault” auto insurance state, and, because of this, many drivers do not have liability coverage. If the driver who hit you does not have liability coverage, you may need to rely on your own auto insurance policy (or perhaps a family member’s policy) to seek the financial compensation you deserve.

With that said, it is also important to understand that filing an auto insurance claim might not be your only option. From drivers’ employers and rideshare companies to repair shops and road construction contractors, various other entities may be liable for car accidents in Florida. These entities do generally have liability insurance, and an experienced Fort Myers car accident attorney from Spivey Law Firm will be able to help you seek just compensation under any and all at-fault parties’ insurance policies.

4. Let Your Attorney Deal with the Insurance Companies for You

This brings us to our next tip: When you need to seek full compensation after a car accident in Florida, you should let your attorney deal with the insurance companies for you. The insurance companies are not on your side, and they will take advantage of your situation if they have the opportunity to do so.

Once you engage Spivey Law Firm, you can work directly with your attorney while they deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. You can rely on your attorney to negotiate for a fair settlement, and if a settlement offer is on the table, you can rely on your attorney’s advice to make an informed decision about whether to accept.

5. Follow Your Doctor’s Advice Regarding Treatment, Rest, and Recovery

Finally, as you plan your trip back home, you should follow your doctor’s advice regarding treatment, rest, and recovery. If you need to make an appointment with your regular doctor or a specialist in your area, you should do so promptly. Likewise, if you need to take time off from work or attend physical therapy, following your doctor's recommendations will be important for protecting your health and legal rights.

Request a Free Consultation with a Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Were you injured in a car accident during spring or summer vacation in Florida? If so, Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. encourages you to contact us promptly. For a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Fort Myers car accident attorney, call us at 239-337-7483 or toll-free at 888-4777-4839 or contact us online at Spiveylaw.com now.