A car accident can be a sudden and traumatizing experience that can leave a person with a number of injuries. When people think about car accident injuries, it is easy to picture a person with bone fractures, lacerations, and other severe injuries that are visible. However, the lack of a visible injury does not mean that a victim of an accident was not injured at all. If you or a family member were injured in a car accident, you should consult with an experienced Miami car accident lawyer today. A serious car accident can leave you with expensive medical bills, vehicle damage, and various other burdens but you do not have to fight this battle alone. Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA is here to discuss your options if you do not exhibit visible injuries after a car accident.
Proving an Injury After a Car Accident
If you were involved in a serious car crash, there are various critical steps that you should take to ensure that you gather sufficient evidence to prove your damages. You may still be able to file a car accident claim with no damage. The most critical step is to check for injuries among your passengers, any other drivers involved, and yourself. If you find that you or any other party were injured, you should call for an ambulance and contact law enforcement immediately.
If you were seriously injured, being seen by paramedics should be your top priority. Some victims of car accidents may avoid paramedics or a visit to an emergency room because they believe their injuries are not severe or that they were not injured at all. This would be a serious mistake.
It is possible to be injured in a car accident despite not showing any physical manifestation of that injury. For example, if a victim is struck in a rear-end car accident in Florida, they could develop whiplash. Whiplash may occur when the impact from a vehicle causes a person’s head and neck to swing forward rapidly and snap back into place. While whiplash can cause a person to experience severe pain and a loss of range of movement in their neck area, this type of injury would not be readily apparent in a photograph.
There are other types of injuries that may not be visible after a car accident, like nerve injuries, concussions, or even back injuries. That is why it is important to be seen by a doctor that can diagnose the full extent of your injuries. If a photograph cannot show that you are experiencing severe pain after a car accident, a thorough medical report is a valid and likely preferred substitution.
A medical report from a doctor that is familiar with handling car accident cases can help you when it is time to report the injury to your insurance company – unless complications arise regarding the liable driver not wanting to go through insurance – or if you seek to file a personal injury lawsuit. To learn more about filing a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident, continue reading and speak with an experienced Miami personal injury lawyer today.
When to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida
Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to car insurance. It is required for all drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) to cover themselves in the event of an accident. This means that after a car accident, an injured person can file a first-party claim with their insurer for damages. However, there are a few circumstances where a victim can pursue a negligent driver for compensation:
- Loss of a bodily function
- The victim suffered a permanent injury
- Significant disfigurement or scarring
- Death of the victim or a loved one
If a victim’s case meets any of the following requirements, they can file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver.
A victim of a car accident should also be aware of the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations sets the deadline for when a particular type of case must be filed by a plaintiff. In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident. If the plaintiff fails to file their claim within this timeframe, the court could bar them from filing their claim.
If you are concerned that you may not have enough evidence of your injuries to file a lawsuit, you should speak with an experienced attorney that can help you explore your legal options.
Work with an Experienced Florida Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you or a family member was a victim of a car accident, you should contact an experienced Miami personal injury attorney as soon as possible. With years of experience litigating complex car accident claims, injury lawyer Prosper Shaked is ready to use his knowledge to fight for you. To schedule a free legal case evaluation, contact Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA at (305) 694-2676, or contact us online.