How To Handle a Car Accident in Miami, FL

A car accident in Miami, Florida, can be a scary experience. It can also be a costly one. We hope it never happens to you; however, consulting with a Miami car accident attorney can help you understand your options and may help you pursue a fair settlement if you are eligible.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Florida?

What happens after a car crash can feel like a blur. Following these steps will ensure you don't break any rules and gather all the information necessary to obtain compensation.

Get Medical Help

Your utmost priority after a car accident should be to check that everyone involved is okay and call 911 for medical help if needed. The dispatchers can provide more information on what to do.

You should not leave the scene of the accident. Even if all the parties involved look fine, it's best to stay in case of injuries that aren't immediately noticeable.

Report the Crash

If you call 911 for medical assistance, the dispatcher will report the crash to local law enforcement.

However, you must report the crash yourself if you don't need to call 911. You can contact the Miami-Dade County Police Department at 305-4-POLICE or 305-476-5423. You are legally obligated to report the crash as quickly as possible if someone is injured or the accident caused at least $500 in property damage.

If the crash is minor and doesn't result in injuries or property damage, you can report it later online via Florida's Official Crash Portal.

Exchange Your Contact Information

While waiting for a police officer to reach the accident scene, you can start exchanging contact information with the other drivers. Write down names, phone numbers, and insurance details. It's also a good idea to record the make and model of the vehicles involved.

If any witnesses or nearby businesses with security cameras could have captured the crash, get their contact information as well.

In 2021, there were over 109,000 hit-and-runs reported to local authorities. If you're the victim of a hit-and-run, write down as many details as possible while the accident is still fresh in your memory.

Document the Scene

Take pictures of the accident scene before first responders start cleaning up. Capture the scene from multiple angles and take pictures of the property damage caused. These images can help an insurance adjuster or judge recreate the scene.

Request a Copy of the Police Report

You can obtain a copy of the police report through Florida's Online Crash Portal. Double-check that all the information recorded is accurate.

Contact Your Insurance Agent

Florida uses a no-fault auto insurance system, meaning you'll have to file a claim through your insurer. You should tell your agent you were involved in a crash and send them evidence. But do not agree to anything with the other driver or their insurance company before consulting your attorney.

Seek Legal Representation

Consult with a car accident attorney in Miami first before negotiating with your insurance provider. They can help you better understand your options. They can tell you if your insurer's first settlement offer is fair. A lawyer will also fight for the compensation you deserve if an insurance company's offers are unfair.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These common mistakes can impact how much your insurer offers or even result in a denied claim:

• Discussing your accident with anyone other than your lawyer
• Not following a doctor's advice
• Posting about your accident or case on social media
• Speaking with insurance adjusters
• Not being truthful when describing or documenting the accident

Miami, Florida Auto Accidents: Important Statistics

Miami-Dade is the deadliest county in Florida when it comes to car crashes. Recent numbers show an improvement, and 2023 could be the least fatal year on record over the past five years.

However, there were still over 232,000 crashes reported in Miami-Dade as of August 2023. While not all collisions result in injuries, more than 96,000 drivers, passengers, and bystanders have been hurt in 2023. There are also 1,846 fatalities reported for the year as of August 2023.

Last year, fatalities added up to 3,281, and there were over 162,000 injuries reported.

Several factors contribute to these high levels of reported crashes and fatalities. In 2020, alcohol played a part in 10% of road fatalities. In 2022, Miami-Dade County police recorded over 1,900 DUI arrests and over 1,000 arrests for reckless driving. Teen drivers seem more at risk, with more than 48,000 crashes involving teens in 2021.

Miami Auto Accident Problem Areas

Some roads create conditions that result in higher-than-average rates of car crashes. Among the most dangerous spots in Miami, busy highways and state roads account for the most impacts.

Drivers should exercise extra caution when driving on I-95, US-441, NW 54th Street, NW 7th Street, the Brickell Ave. Drawbridge, and the Palmetto and Dolphin expressways.

Intersections significantly increase the risks of crashes, especially when distracted driving is involved. Rush hour is another contributing factor, but law enforcement reports that more crashes happen at night.

Data shows that 2 a.m. is the most dangerous time to drive in Miami. Factors like speeding on empty roads, reduced visibility, and drunk driving may make night-time driving more difficult.

Heavy traffic is another factor that can quickly turn a simple collision into a multi-vehicle pile-up. In June 2023, an accident involved eight vehicles on I-95, resulting in one fatality.

A month later, another multi-vehicle crash along SW 288th Street occurred near 146th Avenue. One of the passengers died.

Freight traffic can also make collisions deadlier. In May 2023, an accident near the I-595 exchange involved four vehicles, including a freight truck. Unfortunately, the driver of the car hit by the freight truck did not survive.

How a Miami Car Accident Attorney Can Help

If you were involved in a car crash, a Miami car accident attorney can advise you on what to do after a car accident in Florida and assist you with the following:

• Reviewing your losses/damages. This review is crucial in determining how much money you may deserve.
• Filing your claim and handling all paperwork. When a car accident attorney in Miami handles these tasks, you can focus more on your recovery.
• Handling all correspondence with the insurance company.
• Determining if you should file a third-party claim/lawsuit.

A Florida attorney will also Investigate your accident to determine fault. Florida is a no-fault state; you don't have to prove someone else caused your accident in Florida to seek compensation. Instead, you can pursue damages by filing a claim with your insurance.

However, you may file a third-party claim with another party's insurance if your injuries are severe. Thus, it's helpful to know who caused your accident.

Help is available after a Miami collision. To learn more, visit Accident.com to find a Miami auto accident attorney for a free consultation today.