Klemick and Gampel is one of the premier injury law firms in the Miami, Florida area. We take pride in helping people in Miami, Boca Raton, Coral Gables and all of South Florida get back on their feet after suffering from injuries that were no fault of their own. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact the law offices of Klemick and Gampel for a free legal consultation today.
Anyone who lives in Miami, Coral Gables or anywhere in South Florida knows that we have some of the worst traffic in the world. People drive aggressively and carelessly. They speed, cut you off and slam on the brakes in front of you. They make lane changes while text messaging, they watch televisions that they have had mounted on their dashboards, and they can’t hear your horn because the stereo is too loud. The end result of this is that we have plenty of traffic accidents. Many of them are fender benders that result in little more than property damage, but some of them cause serious injuries.
If you are uninjured after an accident, you should consider yourself lucky. But the immediate aftermath of an accident is the absolute worst time to pronounce yourself in perfect health. Your adrenaline is flowing. Your heart is beating very fast. And you are probably more than a little confused.
Gathering your wits and taking action (if you are able) after an accident can be the difference between receiving fair compensation for your damages and getting far less than you should.
There are steps that you can take that will help you avoid being taken advantage of by the insurance companies that are involved.
Call 911: Report the accident immediately, even if there is no obvious medical trauma. The reason for this is that the police will interview witnesses and do a basic investigation, which should include an accident reconstruction. They will also get insurance information from the other drivers.
Record the Scene as Best as You Can: Get the names, or, failing that, license plate numbers of witnesses. Most cell phones have cameras built in. Use yours to record the scene of the accident.
Don’t Take it for Granted that You are “Fine”: Wait for the paramedics to examine you at the scene. Nothing could be more problematic in dealing with an insurance company than driving home and waking up the next day in pain.
Go to the doctor immediately: Again, delaying medical treatment is absolutely the worst thing that you can do. This gives the insurance company the chance to say that you suffered the “real injury” in the period of time that it took you to get to the hospital, or that you made a minor injury from the accident worse by not taking care of it. They can argue that because of this, they don’t have to pay for it.
Be Completely Honest: Don’t try to be tough and say it was nothing if it isn’t. Don’t try to make mountains out of molehills if it doesn’t seem so bad. Both of these actions can hurt you in court. Be nothing but honest.
Call Your Insurance Company: Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, you should tell your insurance company about the accident. Provide them with any information that you have, from the name of the other driver to the names of the witnesses to the names of the police officers that processed the accident.
Sign Nothing: If the accident was clearly the other driver’s fault, there is a good chance the insurance company will send some representatives around with a cash offer and some forms to sign. Don’t sign it. The amount that they are offering you is not only worth less than what you should be getting, but the forms that they want you to sign will absolve them from any future liability. So if your medical condition suddenly gets worse, it officially isn’t there problem anymore if you have signed those documents.
Lay Low Until You Have Consulted an Attorney: Don’t return insurance company phone calls. Don’t sign forms. Don’t meet. Don’t accept offers to take you out to lunch. Any calls or e-mails should go to your attorney.
Follow Up With an Experienced Doctor: Find a doctor who has experience in accident injuries. Go over your treatment and any symptoms you might have, and again, be honest. Don’t exaggerate or minimize.
Take Some Time to Find the Best Lawyer: Your cousin who is a divorce lawyer won’t be good for your case. Find an injury attorney with experience.
Keep Track of Everything: Doctor’s appointments, e-mails, phone calls, notes about your medical condition and progress since the accidents. All of this information can be used to prove your case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in the Miami or South Florida area, contact Klemick and Gampel for a free consultation today.
Contact Us Today
Klemick & Gampel
1953 S.W. 27th Avenue
Miami, FL 33145
Phone: (305) 856-4577
Fax: (305) 859-9708
