As of January 1, 2020, there were over 17.5 million people licensed to drive in the state of Florida. With so many drivers on the roadways, car accidents are certain to happen. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2019 there were 400,863 car crashes in Florida. In those crashes, 254,370 people suffered injuries, and 3,225 people were killed.

Car accidents happen because of many reasons:

• A driver is driving too fast for conditions existing on the roadway at the time; for example, it is dark, raining, visibility is reduced, or traffic is heavy.
• A driver is distracted by texting or looking at a cell phone; talking on the phone; or talking to a passenger
• A driver is driving too close to the vehicle in front of it; changing lanes without checking blind spots; proceeding through red lights while drivers are turning in the intersection; or failing to pay attention to what is happening on the roadway.
• A driver is operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• A driver is operating a motor vehicle while fatigued.

If you are involved in a car accident, do the following as soon as you are able:

• GO TO THE DOCTOR. Get treatment for your injuries immediately, even if at the time of the accident, you feel like you only have minor injuries. Often, you may not notice or feel the full extent of an injury until after the excitement and adrenaline from the incident wears off, which may be hours or even a day or two later . An immediate doctor’s visit will give more credibility to your case.

• CALL THE POLICE. Report the accident to the police. A crash report will be helpful when making a bodily injury claim against the other driver or when making a claim with your own insurance company for medical benefits or damage to your vehicle.

• CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. Report the accident to your own automobile insurance company, even if the other driver was at fault. Failure to timely notify your insurance company you were in accident may allow them to deny benefits otherwise provided to you in your insurance policy.
• CALL THE CRENSHAW LAW FIRM. Our expertise in this area will be able to help you maximize your financial recovery for your injuries.

Car accidents are a leading cause of injuries in Florida. A car accident can change your life in a matter of seconds. You may incur substantial property damage to your vehicle, bodily injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, permanent impairment, and pain and suffering.

It is critical to begin gathering evidence – physical evidence and witness accounts – as soon as possible after your car accident. As soon as our firm is retained, our investigators begin gathering and preserving critical evidence, by conducting a thorough inspection of the crash scene, including taking measurements, photographs, and witness statements. Skid marks and other important physical evidence at the accident scene can become weathered and worn over time, and it might become unavailable if not secured early on in your case. Eyewitnesses may also become unavailable or may not want to become involved in your case, the longer it takes to contact them. Usually, witness statements are more accurate the sooner they are taken after the accident.

Automobile Accident Lawyer André Crenshaw has more than 20 years of experience handling car crash cases throughout Florida. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and let us get to work for you!