At Thomas & Pearl, our experienced Florida injury attorneys have over 100 years of collective experience representing car accident victims. We are committed to protecting the rights of accident victims, and to ensuring that you get the money you deserve.

Do’s and Don’ts of Car Accidents:

DO’s

1. STAY AT LOCATION OF THE ACCIDENT AND NOTIFY THE POLICE.
   You may think that you have not sustained any injuries, however many of our clients find that sometimes symptoms do not appear until days after the accident. You must notify the police while you are at the scene of the accident so that a report of the incident is completed. If, for whatever reason, you have left the scene of the accident and did not make an accident report, it is in your best interest to call the police promptly and request to make a delayed report.
   
   
2. GATHER INFORMATION AT THE SCENE FROM ALL PARTIES AND ANY WITNESSES.
   It can be several days before the accident report is filed by the police and available for you or your attorney. Having contact information from the other parties and any witnesses, as well as insurance information from the other parties will assist you in filing a claim with the other parties’ insurance company.
   
   
3. GO TO A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.
   The car accident attorneys at Thomas & Pearl will help you arrange appropriate medical care, and to manage your care while your claim is pending. It is important that your physical complaints are documented as soon as possible after the accident. If you were not taken to the hospital from the scene of the accident and you believe that you have any symptoms of injury, go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
   
   
4. KEEP DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL CARE.
   Throughout the medical care you receive for your injuries, keep records of dates, the name of the doctor, what was done, what medications were prescribed, and what was discussed. If you do not feel well enough to maintain this information, ask a friend or family member to do it for you.
   
   
5. TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS.
   It is always a good idea to document the accident with photographs. Take photographs of the damage to your motor vehicle (or to the vehicle that you were a passenger in) BEFORE it is repaired or totaled, the circumstances at the scene of the accident, and any noticeable injuries that you have suffered. It is a good idea to take photographs of any skid marks on the road, damage to property, or other evidence of the collision at the scene of the accident. Also, most cuts and bruises will begin to heal immediately, so try to take pictures of these visible injuries immediately.
   
   
6. CONTACT THE EXPERIENCED AUTO ACCIDENT LAWYERS AT THOMAS & PEARL.
   It is crucial that car accident victims hire an aggressive attorney who is experienced in Florida injury law. Founded in 1973, the injury lawyers at Thomas & Pearl have over 100 years of collective experience in successfully representing car accident victims. We know your rights, and we fight for you. Knowledge of applicable Florida law and experience in dealing with insurance companies for over 35 years allows us to recover all the damages which you are entitled to for your injuries. Insurance companies have their lawyers- accident victims need theirs.

   If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, call the law firm of Thomas & Pearl at 1-877-FLA-INJURY. Our injury team is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
   
   

7. KEEP YOUR ATTORNEYS AT THOMAS & PEARL INFORMED OF DOCTOR VISITS.
   Remember to call your Florida auto accident lawyers at Thomas & Pearl after every medical appointment and inform us what happened at your doctor visit.

DON’Ts

1. DO NOT TALK TO ANYONE AT THE SCENE.
   Basically, anything that you say can and probably will be used against you. So, other than to call the police, provide the police with your identifying information, as requested, obtain contact and insurance information from the other party or parties, and obtain the names and addresses of any witnesses, you should avoid speaking to anyone at the scene of the accident.
   
   
2. DO NOT SPEAK TO ANY INSURANCE COMPANIES, INCLUDING YOUR OWN.
   An insurance adjustor may try to contact you before you hire an attorney to represent you. They may attempt to get a recorded statement from you, or your statement under oath, to use against you at a later time. They may also attempt to get you to enter into a settlement agreement before you recognize how seriously you have been injured. It is important to note that you are required to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after an accident has occurred, and it is in your best interest to hire an experienced Florida automobile accident lawyer who will do that on your behalf. It is best that you limit your direct contact with the insurance company. In the event you personally notify your insurance company about the accident, you should inform them that you have retained legal counsel and refer them to your car accident lawyer.
   
   
3. DO NOT ADMIT ANY FAULT IN THE ACCIDENT TO ANYONE.
   
   
4. DO NOT COMPLETE ANY FORMS OR DOCUMENTS REQUESTED BY ANY INSURANCE COMPANY WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING LEGAL ADVICE.
   Remember, after you file a claim your insurance company is not your friend- they are on the opposing side. Do not give them any forms or documents without first seeking the advice from your injury lawyer.
   
   
5. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING SENT TO YOU BY ANY INSURANCE COMPANY WITHOUT FIRST SEEKING LEGAL ASSISTANCE.
   An insurance company may request that you sign a release. In essence, if you sign such a form you may be barred from bringing any additional claim arising from the accident, even if it is later determined that you have sustained a serious injury. Also, an insurance company may request that you endorse a check, which can also prevent you from bringing any further claim arising from the accident. It is important that you seek the advice from an experienced injury lawyer before signing anything from an insurance company, including but not limited to forms, checks or documents.

Contact Thomas & Pearl to speak to our injury lawyers. We are committed to serving car accident victims throughout Florida. If you are not able to come to us, we will come to you.

Call us at 1-877-FLA-INJURY to schedule your FREE consultation. Our NO FEE policy means that you pay us nothing if we do not get you compensation for your injuries.