Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | February 22, 2025 | Car Accidents
When a car accident occurs, you may be understandably out of sorts. Even a minor collision can leave you rattled, sore, and confused. You might not know if you even need to call the police, collect contact and insurance information, and hire a lawyer.
Have you found yourself asking, “When should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident?” There are several factors to consider, starting with understanding the difference between a minor and a major accident.
What Is a Minor Car Accident?
Before you decide how to proceed following a car accident, you may want to determine whether it’s minor or major. What’s the difference? A minor accident typically involves minimal property damage — such as broken headlights, a cracked windshield, or small scrapes or dents on the body of your vehicle — as opposed to significant crumple damage.
It might also involve relatively minor injuries like bruises, cuts and scrapes, muscle aches, or sprains and strains. Slightly more significant concerns could include whiplash, stress fractures, or seat belt syndrome, which could worsen without medical attention.
A minor accident could be categorized by the type or severity of the crash as well. Fender benders, rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and parking lot incidents that occur at low speeds are typically considered minor.
Steps to Take Following a Minor Car Accident
When any car accident happens, there are steps drivers should take to protect their best interests. You need to record the details of the incident, seek suitable medical attention, and contact the right professionals to lay the groundwork for seeking compensation.
Contact Authorities to Report the Accident
Once you are safe, your first step following an accident should be contacting the police. In Florida, you are legally required to report an accident that includes damages of $500 or more and/or injury or death. Even if you don’t meet this threshold, you can complete and submit a Driver Report of Traffic Crash (Self Report) or Driver Exchange of Information form.
Collect Information at the Scene
Florida is a no-fault car insurance state, which means each driver’s insurance pays for their expenses and medical costs related to an accident. As a result, you might not think you need to collect information when an accident occurs.
However, there are instances where you may need another driver’s insurance to cover your costs, such as if the other driver was 100% at fault and you face expenses that extend beyond your insurance limit. In other words, you should always collect insurance information from other drivers and contact details from passengers and witnesses at the scene of an accident.
What seems like a minor injury at the time could be much more serious down the road. With that in mind, remember to take photos or videos of the scene, including damage to the vehicles involved.
Seek Medical Attention if Needed
Even if you only appear to have minor cuts or scrapes or you’re a little sore after an accident, it’s best to get checked by a medical professional. Experienced minor injury lawyers will tell you that it’s easier to prove causality with an immediate diagnosis versus an initial visit days later when you realize an injury is more serious than you thought.
Contact Your Insurance Provider and a Qualified Car Accident Attorney
You need to alert your insurance provider immediately after a car accident so you can file a claim and get the ball rolling on paying for damages and injuries. In cases where another driver’s insurance may be liable for some or all costs, you’ll need help from your provider to seek compensation.
You should also contact an experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer. With a free consultation, you can discover whether you have a case, even in a minor car accident, and explore your legal options. You have nothing to lose by contacting an attorney.
Mistakes to Avoid
When major accidents occur, most people take quick action, contacting the police and seeking medical attention. You might be unsure whether some steps are needed when an accident is minor. As a result, you could make mistakes that impair your ability to seek compensation down the line. So what are some common mistakes to avoid? Here are a few examples.
Assuming You’re Not Injured
When you have minor injuries, you might not think it’s necessary to bother with a trip to the hospital. And truly, you may not need emergency medical care. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see a doctor as soon as possible for a check-up.
Even minor injuries like whiplash can go from a sore neck to massive migraines and body aches that impair your ability to work or enjoy normal activities. The sooner you address any injuries, the less likely they are to turn into major concerns.
Failing to Contact the Police
Police may not respond to the scene of a minor accident. Even if they don’t need to come, they can provide valuable information about how to proceed, and they will likely make an accident report which can be used as evidence down the line.
Assuming You Don’t Need a Lawyer
When a minor collision occurs, you may wonder, “Should I get a lawyer for a car accident that my insurance will probably cover?” The problem is that you don’t always know when a seemingly minor incident could become more serious over time. For this reason, it’s wise to contact a lawyer to discuss your case.
Taking the First Settlement Offer
Some car accident cases settle quickly, while others could take months or years to resolve. Every case is unique. A qualified attorney can help you plan the best strategy for negotiations, including countering an initial lowball offer.
How Can A Lawyer Help With A Minor Car Accident Case?
“Why should I hire a lawyer for a minor car accident?” you may ask. A lawyer can guide you through every step of the legal process and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation. A free consultation gives you a better understanding of your case, the services available, and whether you need legal guidance and support to negotiate for fair compensation.
Contact the Car Accident Law Firm of Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information, please contact an experienced Car Accident lawyer at Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
We proudly serve Fort Lauderdale, Clermont, and its surrounding areas:
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
633 S Andrews Ave Ste 401, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 361-3997
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
1655 E Hwy 50 ste 316, Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 77-33866