Should I Hire A Lawyer After A Minor Car Accident?
The law is quite clear on when a driver is required to contact law enforcement officers after an accident. According to Florida Statute 316.065, a driver involved in a crash that results in injury or death or damage to property in an apparent amount of at least $500 is required to call the police. On the other hand, there is no law about when you should contact a lawyer after a minor car accident. If you were involved in a minor car accident in Florida, you might be asking yourself whether you should hire a car accident attorney. Well, the truth is that you may benefit a lot from hiring a lawyer even after a minor car accident.
What Is Considered a Minor Car Accident?
Usually, people consider a car accident minor when there are no injuries to be seen at the accident scene, no commercial vehicle is involved, and the property damage is less than $500. However, it is still a good idea to call the police and an attorney even when such an accident occurs.
Why You Should Consider Hiring a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident
It is not impossible to suffer a severe injury in a minor car accident. So, even if the damage to your car seems small, you might have suffered a severe injury in the car accident you think was minor. For example, even a minor car accident can cause whiplash. Such an injury can take time before manifesting itself. If, ever since your accident occurred, you have been experiencing twinges of pain in your neck, for example, the chances are, you suffered whiplash. However, because your accident seems minor, you might be assuming that something else is causing the pain. If this is your situation, it is vital that you see a doctor right away and call an attorney. If the injury turns out to be related to your accident, an attorney will come in handy, especially if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
If the other driver caused your injury, an attorney could help you file a personal injury claim and recover the compensation you deserve. It is not right for you to incur the expenses that usually come after a car accident alone if another driver’s negligence is responsible for your injury. Depending on your case, an attorney can help you maximize your compensation for damages such as lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages.
When Should You Hire a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident?
Suppose you were in a minor car accident in Florida but believe you have a valid personal injury case. In that case, it is vital that you hire an attorney as soon as you can because you have limited time to file your personal injury case. The statute of limitations for filing car accident personal injury claims is four years in Florida. However, it is best to consult an attorney as soon as possible instead of waiting.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you suffered a severe injury because of another driver’s fault in a car accident that seems minor, you deserve compensation. Our Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Ocala, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Tampa, and West Palm Beach areas.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.065.html