A serious crash can change your life in an instant. One moment, you’re driving home, and the next, you’re in pain, your car is wrecked, and you’re wondering how you’ll cover medical bills or time away from work. If you’re in this situation, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to face it without guidance. Knowing the steps after a car accident in Florida can make a huge difference in protecting your health, your rights, and your financial future.
At Maranatha Law, we’ve walked this road with countless clients across Central Florida. We know what you’re up against, and we’re here to help you take the right steps from the very beginning.
A Crash Turns Life Upside Down
After a collision, it feels like everything is happening at once. You’re hurt. Police are asking questions. Insurance companies are already preparing to minimize your claim. Meanwhile, Florida’s laws make things even more confusing. Unlike many states, Florida follows a no-fault insurance system, meaning your own insurance company may be responsible for covering your medical bills, even if you weren’t at fault.
Without a clear roadmap, you may miss critical steps that could affect your ability to recover compensation.
Maranatha Law Is Here for You: Steps After a Car Accident
At Maranatha Law, we believe in doing the right thing, no matter what. Attorney Tim Shanahan and our team bring compassion, persistence, and local knowledge to every case. We know Florida’s personal injury system inside and out, and we know how to protect accident victims when insurers try to put profits ahead of people.
You don’t have to figure out what comes next by yourself. Let us walk you through the immediate steps after a car accident in Florida. Please note: We understand that if you are reading this information now, your accident may have already occurred, and some of your actionable opportunities may have passed. That is completely understandable and does not mean your case is any less valid or strong.
Step 1: Make Safety Your First Priority
If possible, move to a safe location and call 911. Florida law requires you to report any crash involving injury, death, or property damage of $500 or more. Even if injuries seem minor, always request law enforcement to come to the scene. The accident report they file is often a key piece of evidence.
Step 2: Seek Medical Attention—Right Away
Florida’s personal injury protection (PIP) law requires you to seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. If you don’t, your insurance company can deny your PIP benefits, which are designed to cover up to $10,000 in treatment expenses and lost wages for emergency medical conditions.
Even if you feel “okay,” see a doctor. Many injuries. like concussions, whiplash, or internal damage, don’t show symptoms right away. Immediate medical records also strengthen your claim.
Step 3: Preserve Evidence at the Scene
If you’re physically able, gather as much information as possible:
- Take photos of vehicles, road conditions, and injuries;
- Exchange information with other drivers (names, insurance details, license plate numbers);
- Get contact information from any witnesses; and
- Note nearby businesses or traffic cameras that may have captured the crash.
This documentation helps preserve your version of events before insurance companies start spinning their story.
Step 4: Notify Your Insurance Company
You’re required to report the accident to your insurer promptly. But be careful: Insurance companies (even your own) are not on your side. Stick to the facts. Don’t speculate about fault, and don’t give a recorded statement until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
Step 5: Understand Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Rules
Florida’s no-fault system means your PIP insurance covers initial medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault. However, PIP has limits. To step outside of the no-fault system and pursue compensation from the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet Florida’s serious injury threshold. This includes:
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function,
- Permanent injury,
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, and
- Death.
If your injuries meet this threshold, you can file a claim against the negligent driver for pain and suffering, future medical costs, and other damages not covered by PIP.
Step 6: Keep Detailed Records
From the moment of the crash, start a file with:
- Police reports,
- Medical records and bills,
- Documentation of missed work or lost wages, and
- Correspondence with insurance companies.
Thorough records make it harder for insurers to dispute the impact the accident has had on your life.
Step 7: Contact a Florida Car Accident Lawyer
Perhaps the most important step: Don’t try to face insurance companies alone. An experienced attorney can help you:
- Navigate Florida’s no-fault system,
- Investigate the accident and preserve evidence,
- Handle communications with insurers,
- Calculate the true value of your claim, and
- Fight for the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
At Maranatha Law, we’ve helped clients across Lakeland, Polk County, and beyond recover what they need to rebuild after devastating crashes. We don’t just handle cases; we stand by people.
Why Acting Quickly Matters
Florida law places time limits on your claim. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss this deadline, and you may lose your right to recover compensation entirely.
Taking the right steps after a car accident, from seeking medical attention within 14 days to contacting an attorney early, helps you avoid missing crucial windows of opportunity.
Reclaiming Your Future
You didn’t ask for this accident. But you do get to decide how you respond. By following the right steps and working with a compassionate advocate, you can take control of your recovery and your future.
At Maranatha Law, we’ve seen clients go from overwhelmed and uncertain to empowered and supported. We’re here to fight for you every step of the way.
Take Action Today
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Florida car accident, don’t wait. Every day that passes can affect your health, your claim, and your peace of mind.
Call Maranatha Law today for a free consultation. Let us listen to your story, explain your options, and fight for the justice you deserve.
Because doing the right thing—no matter what—is more than our mission. It’s our promise.
