What Should You Do Immediately After a Personal Injury Accident?

A personal injury accident can turn your life upside down in a matter of seconds. Whether it’s a car crash on I-95, a slip and fall in a Miami store, or an accident at work, what you do in the moments and days after can affect both your recovery and your ability to pursue compensation. 

Acting quickly and correctly is critical, not just for your health, but also for your legal rights under Florida law.

Ensure Safety and Call for Help

Your first priority should always be safety. If you or anyone else is hurt, call 911 immediately. Florida law requires that accidents involving injury or significant property damage be reported to authorities, and the resulting police report often becomes a vital piece of evidence in personal injury cases. 

Emergency medical care should also be sought right away, even if injuries seem minor at first. Many conditions, such as concussions or internal injuries, only become apparent hours or days later. Prompt treatment protects your health and ensures compliance with Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) rules, which require timely medical attention.

Seek Prompt Medical Care

Even if you feel stable, it is critical to get a medical evaluation. Under Florida’s insurance system, PIP benefits cover medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault, but only if treatment begins within 14 days of the accident. Delaying care can jeopardize your eligibility for these benefits. 

Beyond insurance requirements, having a medical record created immediately helps connect your injuries directly to the accident, making it harder for insurers to dispute your claim later.

Document the Accident Thoroughly

Once you are safe, begin collecting as much information as possible about the accident. Take photographs of the scene, your injuries, and any contributing factors such as road conditions, hazards, or property defects. 

If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact information. Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts from your treatment. While it may be tempting to discuss what happened at the scene, avoid admitting fault. Simple remarks can later be used to reduce or deny compensation, even when you were not to blame.

File the Proper Reports

Creating an official record of the incident is just as important as gathering your own documentation. For motor vehicle accidents in Miami, request a copy of the police crash report. If the accident happened on another person’s property, notify the manager or owner and ask that they file an incident report. 

In the case of workplace accidents, promptly report the injury to your employer to secure workers’ compensation eligibility. These official reports help establish a clear link between the event and your injuries, strengthening your legal case.

Understand Your Insurance Coverage

Florida’s no-fault system means that your PIP insurance will provide coverage up to certain limits, regardless of who caused the accident. However, when injuries are serious, permanent, or exceed PIP’s cap, you may be entitled to file a claim against the at-fault party. 

Understanding when PIP applies and when you can step outside the no-fault system is crucial. Without this knowledge, accident victims sometimes settle for less than they actually deserve.

Contact a Miami Personal Injury Attorney

The days following an accident can feel overwhelming, especially when insurance companies begin pressuring you to accept quick settlements. 

Having a skilled personal injury attorney by your side ensures that your rights are protected from the very beginning. Miami Personal Injury attorneys can manage communication with insurers, calculate the true extent of your damages, and file a lawsuit if necessary. Florida law currently allows two years to file a personal injury claim, but waiting too long risks losing important evidence. Acting quickly gives your attorney the best chance to build a strong case on your behalf.

Do You Need an Expert Personal Injury Lawyer? 

At Galimidi Law, we know the confusion and stress that follow a serious accident. 

Our team is experienced in handling Miami personal injury cases. We take on the legal burden so you can focus on your recovery, fighting for the full compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured, contacting our firm right away is one of the most important steps you can take to safeguard your future.