Am I Legally Obligated to Report an Auto Accident in Davie?

If you’ve been involved in an auto collision, you might be asking yourself if you’re required to notify the authorities. The short answer to your question is that you’re legally obligated to report an auto accident in Davie if the crash causes death or injury to an involved party.

That said, there are several other situations that must be reported to the police. The Schiller Kessler Group can provide the information you need to determine whether or not your collision should be reported. We can also offer tips to help you file your report correctly and guide you through the insurance claims process to secure a fair settlement on your behalf.

When You Are Legally Obligated to Report a Davie Auto Accident

According to car accident lawyers in Davie, FL, accidents that involve death or injury to one or more parties must be reported to the local police department immediately. You must also contact the police and file a crash report after an accident that involves the following circumstances:

Hit and Run

If the collision was a hit and run or involved a party who left the scene of the incident without giving the other parties their insurance information and other identifying information, it must be reported to the Davie police department.

Drunk Driving

If one of the drivers involved in the collision was clearly driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, you are legally obligated to report the accident to the authorities. Police will likely respond to the scene of the incident to perform a sobriety test to verify that the driver is indeed under the influence of substances.

A Totalled Vehicle

Sometimes, a collision is so severe that it renders a vehicle completely inoperable. If your car or another driver’s car had to be towed from the scene, you must report the incident to the Davie, FL, police department. If your car was damaged, you’ll also want to hire an experienced attorney to help you seek compensation for vehicle repair costs.

A Commercial Vehicle Was Involved

Accidents involving commercial vehicles must also be reported to the police. If you were involved in a collision involving a commercial vehicle or any of the other elements mentioned above, you must report the accident to law enforcement right away and fill out a long form within 10 days of the police investigation.

Reporting an Auto Accident Can Help Your Legal Case

In addition to helping you comply with state law, reporting your accident to law enforcement in Davie can also help your personal injury case. That’s because your lawyer can use the information included in the official police report as evidence for your claim.

Your attorney will analyze the evidence included in the claim and conduct an investigation of their own to determine who should be held responsible for your injuries and losses. Then, they’ll file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company or take them to court. If your case is successful, you could receive several compensatory damages, including:

• Cost of medical treatment
• Vehicle repair costs
• Lost wages
• Decreased earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

How to Write a Crash Report

Once you’ve called the police, you’ll have to file an auto accident report that describes how the collision occurred and includes several important details. To ensure your crash is documented correctly, include the following pieces of information in your report:

• The names, contact details, and insurance information of the other driver(s)
• The exact time, place, and location of the collision
• Information about the vehicles involved, such as license plate numbers, makes, models, colors, pre-existing damage, and other defining characteristics
• Information about eyewitnesses, including names and contact information
• A brief and accurate explanation of how the crash occurred
• A description of the damage that each vehicle took on due to the accident

Actions to Take After an Auto Accident in Davie, FL

Now that you’re familiar with the legal obligations you must fulfill as an auto collision victim, it’s time to learn about the steps you can take after an accident to reduce the impacts it has on your life and livelihood. We strongly recommend taking the following actions after a crash:

Seek Medical Attention

Getting the proper diagnosis and treatment after a collision can save you from a world of pain and trouble. While some car crash injuries may be obvious, others can go unnoticed due to the shock of the collision, leading to future health problems that could negatively impact your life.

Whether your injuries are major or severe, you’ll want to get checked out by an urgent care or hospital doctor as soon after the accident as possible. Getting medical care right after the crash will not only protect your health but will also show the insurance company that your injuries are serious and that you require adequate compensation to cover treatment costs.

Hire an Attorney ASAP

You don’t have long to file a car accident claim in Davie, FL. In fact, you’ll only have two years from the day of the collision to submit a civil suit against the at-fault party. Filing your suit after the two-year mark will make it incredibly difficult, if not impossible, for you to recover damages.

To ensure you’re able to take legal action within Florida’s limited time frame, you should reach out to a car accident attorney ASAP. An experienced lawyer can act swiftly to protect your right to compensation if you give them adequate time to do so.

Our Legal Team is ready to fight For your Financial Recovery

At The Schiller Kessler Group, our team is committed to providing the aggressive and relentless representation you need to make a full recovery. They’ll guide you through the legal process, demand the payment you deserve, and answer any questions you have along the way, like whether or not you’re legally obliged to report an auto accident in Davie.

To get the experienced and dedicated advocacy you need to make it past this difficult obstacle in your life, contact our firm today. We’ll schedule a free, no-obligation consultation between you and a knowledgeable car accident lawyer. We look forward to hearing from you soon!