6 Things You Wish You Had Known Before Getting Into a Car Accident

August 20, 2021
When a car accident occurs, it is chaotic and disorienting. The parties involved in the accident are often confused and possibly hurt. While the first thing to come across your mind is likely to be how much someone can sue after a car accident, details and witnesses could slip away.   Knowing what steps to take after an accident before one happens can make a big difference. Being prepared and keeping a level head will give you an instant advantage even in an emergency situation. These are the things that you will wish you had known before getting into a car accident.

1. First Things First

In the event of a car accident, knowing the correct way to do things will ensure that you are able to take quick action even if you are confused or disoriented. As soon as the accident occurs, drivers should turn on hazard lights to signal other drivers, then assess any injuries and limit the potential for further damage by neutralizing any dangers.

2. Call 911

Once you are sure that no one is in immediate danger, call 911. In Florida, the police must be notified of any car accident, even a non-injury accident. Advise the dispatcher if paramedics are needed.  Paramedics will assess the injuries and transport for additional medical treatment if needed.  Police will speak to the drivers involved and witnesses to the accident to determine how the accident occurred, who is at fault, and if any citations are necessary.

3. How to Get A Police Report For A Car Accident

A ticket that is issued as the result of a car accident is not proof of a driver’s liability in an accident. The officer on scene may determine that a driver drove recklessly, but the ticket is not proof that they did. You will receive an Exchange of Information form from the police officer which contains the names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, insurance companies of all drivers involved and may also include the name(s) of witness(es) with whom the officer spoke.  To get a copy of the official police report, you need to contact the responding police department a few days after the accident.

4. What Does It Mean If Your Car Is Totaled?

Totaled means that your vehicle is a total loss. Either the car is beyond repair or the repairs would cost more than the car’s value. If the insurance adjuster determines that the vehicle is totaled, they will pay you for the car.

5. Get A Lawyer

It is important that you talk to an attorney before you speak to anyone from an insurance company. Attorneys have the knowledge and experience which gives them a huge advantage when dealing with insurance companies. If an insurance adjuster calls you to get a statement, refer them to your attorney. Accident and injury attorneys generally offer free consultation and most work on a contingency basis. That means that they do not get paid unless you get compensated, they then get a percentage of that amount.

6. See A Doctor

Just because you do not feel like you are injured does not mean that you are not injured. Many people have reported feeling fine until hours or days after an accident, and then suddenly they started to have trouble. It can be difficult to judge right away because the trauma can cause shock. Once the shock wears off, the body then may show signs of injuries.  It is also crucial to seek medical attention within 14 days of an accident to preserve your right to use your PIP coverage. These six tips should make the process after a car accident much easier.  If you live in the West Palm Beach area, Casas Law firm has the answers to all of your accident and injury-related questions. Contact us today to fill out a free case consultation form. This blog is for educational purposes only, and does not suffice for legal advice. Please contact our attorneys to learn more and to schedule your free consultation.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

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Excellent
Casas Law, P.A.5.0
Based on 134 reviews
Muy buenos abogados me ayudaron mucho en mi caso de accidente
Response from the owner:¡Muchas gracias por tu confianza! Nos alegra saber que pudimos ayudarte en tu caso de accidente y brindarte el apoyo que necesitabas. Estamos aquí para lo que necesites en el futuro.
We had an excellent experience using this firm for our injury case. The communication was better than expected, and they made the entire process easy for us. Thanks again and we will recommend you to everyone we know!
Response from the owner:Jessica.
Thank you so much for your kind words. We are grateful for the opportunity to help, and it means a lot to know you felt supported throughout the process. We truly appreciate your trust and your recommendation.
Alex represented my son after he was injured, and the experience exceeded my expectations from start to finish. From the very beginning, his communication was outstanding. He kept me informed throughout the entire process, explained everything clearly, and was always available when I had questions.
What I appreciated most was how fair and transparent his fees were, and how hard his team worked to achieve the best outcome. Alex and Nick secured a successful settlement for my son’s injury, and they handled the case with professionalism, care, and real dedication.
If you are searching for a personal injury lawyer in West Palm Beach who is responsive, honest, and truly advocates for his clients, I strongly recommend Alex Casas and his law firm. He made a stressful situation much easier to navigate, and I’m very grateful for his help.
Had a dimished value claim. Team guided us through and counseling us throughout. We had a favorable outcome and thanks to the team for the service throughout.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5 stars and trusting our team Robert!
Nick is an extremely knowledgeable personal injury attorney. As a fellow attorney I constantly reach out and consult with Nick on questions in the PI field.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Vladimir, for taking the time to share your experience. Nick values the opportunity to collaborate with fellow attorneys and appreciates the trust placed in our work on personal injury matters here in West Palm Beach and throughout Palm Beach County.
Alejandro was very helpful and welcoming from the start, he made everything clear and understandable for all of us! Him and his team are the best.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5 stars Gladyz! We take pride in being more than just an attorney to represent you, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Staff is super respectful and responds rapidly. The experience was smooth and clear.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5 stars Sayrha! Providing excellent service is always our priority, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
A special thank you to Casas law P.A. and team. For your guidance, dedication,and support. I truly appreciate everything you've done.I will refer you to everyone...Great Job🥰🙏🏾
Response from the owner:Thank you for the five stars and allowing us to assist you. We’re grateful for the opportunity and always here if you need us in the future.
Tuve el privilegio de trabajar con Nick Sarta! en mi caso de accidente, y no podría estar más satisfecha con su desempeño. Desde el principio, me brindó una atención personalizada y se tomó el tiempo para explicarme cada paso del proceso legal de manera clara y comprensible.
Nick Sarta! es un abogado altamente profesional, pero lo que realmente lo distingue es su dedicación y compromiso con sus clientes. Siempre estuvo disponible para responder a mis preguntas, y se aseguró de que estuviera informado en todo momento. Además, su experiencia y conocimiento del derecho hicieron que me sintiera muy confiada durante todo el proceso.
Gracias a su arduo trabajo, obtuve un resultado favorable en mi caso, y me siento muy agradecido por todo el apoyo y asesoramiento que me brindó. Recomiendo a Nick Sarta! sin reservas a cualquier persona que necesite representación legal de calidad. GRACIAS NICK POR TANTO , QUE DIOS LE BENDIGA GRANDEMENTE , USTED ES EL MEJOR❤️🙏🏻.
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Response from the owner:¡Muchas gracias por tomarse el tiempo de compartir su experiencia! Nos llena de orgullo saber que Nick pudo brindarle una atención tan dedicada y acompañarla con claridad y compromiso durante todo su caso. Su confianza y sus palabras significan mucho para nuestro equipo. Le agradecemos sinceramente la recomendación y le deseamos todo lo mejor.
I have had an extraordinary experience with this law firm from the very beginning. The insightful guidance provided by attorney Nick Sarta has been truly transformative, and his exceptional paralegal, Dalila, has seamlessly filled in any gaps along the way. Each interaction with the office is further enhanced by the enthusiastic and cheerful greetings from receptionist Marty, which always lifts my spirits. Working with this team feels like engaging with a well-oiled machine, where each member contributes perfectly to achieve remarkable results. I am forever grateful to Casas Law and wholeheartedly recommend their services.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5 stars Jeff! We’re thrilled to hear that your experience with our team has been so positive. Our goal is always to provide seamless, attentive, and supportive service, and it means a lot to know that it made a difference for you.
Llevo poco tiempo en Estados Unidos y, aunque tuve la mala suerte de sufrir un accidente, tuve la gran suerte de encontrarme con ellos en el camino. Fue la mejor decisión que pude tomar. Son profesionales, responsables y, lo que más me gustó, es el trato cercano que tienen. Siempre responden cuando tienes alguna duda o problema.

No duden en confiar en ellos, ha sido la mejor elección que he podido hacer.

¡GRACIAS!
Atentamente Jesús.
Response from the owner:Muchísimas gracias por tus palabras. Nos alegra saber que pudimos acompañarte y apoyarte en un momento tan difícil. Para nosotros es muy importante brindar un trato cercano y profesional, y nos llena de satisfacción saber que lo sentimos así para ti.
Nicholas M. Sarta fue absolutamente el mejor. Como solo hablo español, era muy importante para mí trabajar con alguien que hablara español con fluidez, y él hizo que todo el proceso fuera mucho más fácil. Desde el principio, se tomó el tiempo para explicarme todo claramente en mi idioma, así que siempre entendí lo que estaba pasando.
Durante todo mi caso, Nicholas me mantuvo constantemente informado y nunca me dejó en la incertidumbre sobre ningún avance. Siempre estuvo disponible para responder mis preguntas y contestó rápidamente a todas mis llamadas y correos electrónicos. Su comunicación no solo fue profesional, sino también muy respetuosa y amable, lo que me hizo sentir valorado y apoyado.
Realmente aprecié su paciencia y dedicación. Es evidente que se preocupa profundamente por sus clientes y trabaja arduamente para obtener el mejor resultado posible. Si necesitas un abogado que sea conocedor, compasivo y respetuoso, recomiendo mucho a Nicholas M. Sarta. Él hizo que una situación estresante fuera mucho más fácil para mí y estoy muy agradecido por su ayuda.
Response from the owner:¡Muchas gracias por tus amables palabras! Nos alegra enormemente saber que Nicholas pudo acompañarte de manera clara y respetuosa durante todo tu proceso. Nos enorgullece poder ofrecer un servicio personalizado y accesible en español, y es muy gratificante saber que te sentiste apoyado y valorado. Compartiremos tus comentarios con Nicholas, quien estará encantado de recibirlos. Agradecemos tu confianza y recomendación.
Nick was absolutely the best with my case. The whole team in the office was so sweet and helpful. I knew what was going on in my case all of the time. Every call and email was answered in a timely manner. I couldn't be happier!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5 stars Catrina! We’re thrilled to hear that Nick and our team were able to make the process smooth and keep you in the loop. Providing attentive, responsive support is always our goal, and we’re so glad you felt cared for throughout your case. Wishing you all the best moving forward!
Just simply the best. They handled everything perfectly.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Abraham!
Muy buenos abogados, se los recomiendo.
Response from the owner:¡Muchas gracias por su recomendación! Nos alegra saber que tuvo una buena experiencia con nuestro equipo. Siempre estamos aquí para ayudarle cuando lo necesite.
Mr. Alex Cases has been one of the best people I could’ve been recommended to. Fair and honest, got me through my case smoothly. Thanks so much!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5 stars Brandon! This truly means the world to is, wishing you all the best moving forward!
I highly recommend Attorney Nicholas M. Sarta of Casas Law. The entire team is professional.
Response from the owner:Arnaud,
Thank you for your recommendation and kind words. We’re proud to have Attorney Sarta and our team recognized for their professionalism.
I had a great experience with Casas Law. The team was professional, responsive, and truly cared about my case.They genuinely cared and made a difficult situation much easier to deal with.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5 stars Loveca! Providing professional, responsive service with genuine compassion is at the heart of what we do, and your feedback means a great deal to us.
Excelente atención y trato. Muy recomendable para todos especialmente latinos. Hablen con nick excelente persona y profesional.
Response from the owner:¡Mil gracias por esas palabras tan lindas! Nos alegra muchísimo saber que te sentiste bien atendido. Aquí tratamos a todos como familia. Gracias por recomendarnos — aquí estamos cuando nos necesites.
Exelente servicio recomendados 100%
Response from the owner:¡Muchísimas gracias por tu reseña de 5 estrellas! Nos alegra saber que recibiste un servicio excelente.
The best Law firm, they took care of everything for me. Nice people!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5 stars and for putting your trust in us Jonathan! Your kind words mean the world to us.
Quiero distinguir al Dr Casas y su equipo de trabajo
La atención fue sumamente personalizada
Dieron seguimiento a mi caso semanalmente
Muy profesionales
Response from the owner:Vanesa,
¡Muchas gracias por sus palabras! Nos alegra saber que nuestro equipo pudo brindarle una atención personalizada y un acompañamiento constante.
Excelente tratamiento durante nuestro proceso. Muy profesionales, muy atentos, nos ayudaron a mi esposa y a mí en cada paso del reclamo. Muy satisfechos con todo, y lo recomendaríamos sin reservas. Gracias!!
Response from the owner:¡Mil gracias por tus palabras tan lindas! Nos da mucha alegría saber que el Mr. Casas y todo el equipo pudieron atenderte de manera tan personalizada y con ese seguimiento constante que te mereces. La confianza de pacientes como tú es lo que nos impulsa a seguir trabajando con seriedad y corazón. ¡Gracias por confiar en nosotros y ser parte de nuestra familia!
I’m very pleased with the support and professionalism I received throughout my car accident claim. I truly appreciate their dedication and would highly recommend them to anyone in need of assistance after an accident.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the five stars Julie! We are so happy we were able to help and will be here for any future needs.
Estoy satisfecho y agradecido por el trabajo realizado por el grupo de abogados Casas. Ellos fueron muy profesionales,con mucha ética y buen trato a mi persona .Su peraron con creces mis expectativas!!!
Response from the owner:¡Muchísimas gracias por tu comentario tan especial! Nos alegra un mundo saber que el trabajo del grupo de abogados Casas superó tus expectativas. Para nosotros, tratar a cada cliente con respeto, ética y profesionalismo no es solo parte del trabajo, es un compromiso de corazón. ¡Gracias por confiar en nosotros y por ser parte de esta familia!
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