Good documentation now saves arguments later.
You’re standing on the shoulder of South Florida Avenue, hazard lights ticking, and your hands haven’t stopped shaking. The other driver is on their phone. Your car door won’t shut right. People keep asking if you’re okay. You’re not sure yet. You’re also not sure when you’ll know. Maranatha Law understands what it feels like to face that kind of moment with no idea what comes next, and we’re here to guide you through it, step by step, so you’re never left guessing what to do or who to trust.
Why Is It Important to Know What to Do After a Car Accident in Lakeland, FL?
The steps you take right after a crash protect both your health and your ability to recover compensation later. Call 911, get medical attention within 14 days, document the scene, exchange information with the other driver, and contact a car accident lawyer in Lakeland, FL before you speak with any insurance adjuster.
Why Calling 911 Comes First
Florida law requires drivers to report any crash involving injury, death, or significant property damage to law enforcement. A responding officer creates a report that becomes one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in your case. Even if the accident feels minor, ask for the police to respond. Adrenaline masks pain, and a report filed days later carries far less weight than one written at the scene.
Why the 14-Day Medical Deadline Matters So Much
Florida runs on a no-fault insurance system, which means your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage pays your initial medical bills regardless of who caused the crash. But that coverage comes with a strict trigger: You must see a qualified medical provider within 14 days of the accident, or you lose access to those benefits entirely.
Whiplash, concussions, and disc injuries often don’t announce themselves right away. Waiting to see how you feel is the single most common mistake we see that costs injured drivers their coverage.
What to Document at the Scene
Good documentation now saves arguments later.
If you are able, before you leave the scene, gather what you can:
- Photos of both vehicles, the road conditions, and any visible injuries, showing the full picture of what happened;
- The other driver’s name, license number, and insurance information, confirmed against their actual insurance card;
- Contact details for any witnesses, who may be impossible to track down once they’ve left the scene; and
- The responding officer’s name and report number so that you can request a copy later.
Once you’ve gathered this information, keep it together in one place. You’ll need it for your insurance claim and, if it comes to that, for your attorney.
How Does Fault Determine How Much Compensation You Can Be Awarded?
Based on Florida law, if you are determined to be up to 50% at fault, you may be awarded damages, but the amount will be determined based on your percentage. For example, if you are 20% at fault for the accident and are awarded $100,000, your final award will be $80,000.
However, if you hold 51% or more of the fault, you will not be awarded any damages. This is why insurance companies that don’t want to pay for your injuries will try to get you to say something that will shift the blame to you.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
Under Florida law, most car accident claims must be filed within two years of the crash. Two years pass faster than it sounds, especially while you’re focused on recovering and dealing with insurance back and forth. The earlier a case gets built, the stronger it tends to be, simply because evidence and witness memories hold up better closer to the event.
Justice Is Coming
Tim Shanahan has spent his career training under some of the country’s most respected personal injury attorneys, and he built Maranatha Law to provide injured people in Lakeland with the same level of representation, regardless of their background or circumstances. He practices in Florida State Courts and in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, so he can help you whether you’re in Polk, Hillsborough, Osceola, or Pinellas Counties.
What sets our firm apart isn’t a slogan. It’s a genuine belief that every client, regardless of who they are or what they’ve been through, deserves someone willing to fight for them with honesty and follow-through, and we have 90 5-star reviews on Google to prove it.
Get the Guidance You Need After Your Accident
You don’t have to sort through Florida’s insurance rules and deadlines on your own while you’re trying to heal. Reach out to a Lakeland personal injury lawyer for a free consultation, and let a legal team that already knows this road walk it with you.
Legal References Used to Inform This Page:
To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process:
Join the conversation!