A Car Accident in Duval County Florida Changes Your Life

There are about fifteen thousand reported auto accidents in Duval County annually.  That number seems to climb a little bit with each year that passes.  What’s worse, these accidents result in more than ten thousand injuries that require some form of medical care or treatment and over one hundred fatalities every year.

Broken bones, concussions, and soft tissue damage are just some of the injuries that can occur as a result of an auto accident.  With new drivers getting behind the wheel every day and all drivers, new and old, facing a wide variety of potential distractions while driving, auto accidents have become one of the biggest threats to the safety of residents of Duval County.

You can be obeying the traffic laws with your eyes on the road and traveling at or below the speed limit and another driver can negligently collide with you.  The accident can result in chronic pain, long term injury or permanent disability.  With the immediate shock that occurs as a result of being involved in an auto accident, many drivers don’t realize just how badly they are injured. The full extent of the injuries frequently is not apparent until days or even months after the accident.

There are some steps that every driver can take to ensure that they are protected both legally and financially following an accident.

Duval County Car Accident Don’ts

• Even if you feel physically fine and don’t see extensive damage to your vehicle, don’t make an agreement with the other motorist to work things out on your own until after you have been evaluated for injury.  Accident victims often experience a surge of adrenalin upon impact that may be masking the pain of a serious injury which may not be apparent until long after the incident.
• Even if it is clear that the other driver is at fault, don’t speak to that driver’s insurance claims reps prior to speaking with an attorney.  Insurance adjusters want to get through claims with as little payout as possible so they are not usually in a position to be helpful to your case.  If you provide statements to insurance providers regarding your accident without an experienced auto accident attorney on your side, you might be putting yourself in a position where you hurt your case and reduce your potential settlement.
• Don’t forego medical treatment if there is a chance of injury.  You may have suffered significant soft tissue damage or internal injuries along with just those minor bumps and cuts that you feel you can treat yourself.  An auto accident can take a tremendous toll on your body – if there is a chance of injury, take the time with an experienced medical professional to get properly evaluated.

An auto accident in Duval County Florida can carry a steep cost, not only financially but physically and emotionally as well.  If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you need to get in contact with an experienced auto accident attorney as soon as possible.

Your auto accident attorney will carefully compile all of the necessary details to move forward with your claim including police reports, interviews with witnesses, videos from area cameras and medical records/bills.  If there is evidence that another driver was at fault or operated their vehicle in a negligent manner, your attorney will work diligently to ensure that you are compensated for damaged property, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If you’ve already been the victim of a negligent driver, don’t become a victim of the insurance company as well – reach out to the attorneys at Hardesty, Tyde, Green, Ashton & Clifton today to discuss your case.