A car accident can turn your life upside down in seconds. One moment, you’re commuting to work or running errands. The next, you’re dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, lost wages, and medical bills—all while trying to navigate complicated insurance claims.
Each year, more than 400,000 traffic accidents occur on Florida roads, leading to over 250,000 injuries and 3,000 fatalities, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Whether you’re involved in a minor collision or a multi-car accident, knowing exactly what to do after a car accident can help you protect your rights and secure fair compensation.
Insurance companies move quickly to minimize payouts. Delays or mistakes in handling your claim can cost you thousands. Understanding when to call a lawyer after a car accident and taking the right steps can make all the difference in recovering your losses.
This guide provides a step-by-step car accident checklist and answers common questions, including what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault and how liability is determined in a chain reaction car accident.
When to Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident
The moment a car accident occurs, the clock starts ticking. Your medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and lost income can add up fast. Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly with low offers that may not cover the full extent of your damages.
It is important to know when to call a lawyer after a car accident. Here are clear signs that legal representation may be necessary:
- You suffered serious injuries requiring medical treatment.
- The at-fault driver denies responsibility or their insurance is disputing your claim.
- The insurance company is delaying, denying, or undervaluing your claim.
- The accident involved a multi-car accident or a chain reaction car accident.
- Your injuries prevent you from working, leading to lost wages.
- The accident involved a commercial vehicle, Uber, Lyft, or a government vehicle.
- The at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured.
- A wrongful death resulted from the accident.
Even if you are unsure whether you need legal help, consulting an attorney can provide clarity on your rights and options. Calling a lawyer does not mean you are filing a lawsuit—it simply ensures that you are protecting yourself against unfair insurance practices.
Step-by-Step Car Accident Checklist
- Step 1: Call 911
The first and most important step after a car accident is to call 911. The police will document the accident and create an official report, which is crucial for proving liability.
Emergency responders will also assess injuries. Even if injuries seem minor, it is essential to get checked by medical professionals, as some injuries (such as whiplash or internal bleeding) may not be immediately visible.
- Step 2: Collect Evidence at the Scene
Gathering evidence is key to building a strong case, especially if the accident was not your fault. Without proper documentation, it becomes a matter of your word against the other driver’s.
Here’s what to collect if you are physically able:
- Photos and videos of vehicle damage, license plates, the accident scene, and any injuries.
- Eyewitness statements and their contact information.
- Police officer’s name and badge number for future reference.
- Traffic and surveillance cameras that may have captured the crash.
- Step 3: Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, see a doctor within 48 hours. Some injuries take time to develop, and insurance companies may argue that delayed medical treatment means your injuries were not caused by the accident.
Medical records serve as critical evidence in proving the extent of your injuries and securing compensation.
- Step 4: Notify Your Insurance Company
Under Florida’s no-fault insurance law, you must file a claim with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, regardless of who was at fault. However, Florida’s minimum PIP coverage of $10,000 may not be enough if you suffer severe injuries.
Be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters. Avoid admitting fault or making statements that could be used to reduce your claim.
- Step 5: Contact a Car Accident Attorney
An experienced Florida car accident lawyer can:
- Negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation.
- Collect additional evidence, medical records, and expert testimony.
- Identify all sources of compensation, including the at-fault driver’s liability coverage.
- Ensure you meet legal deadlines, such as Florida’s statute of limitations (four years for vehicle damages, two years for personal injury claims, and two years for wrongful death claims).
The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of securing the compensation you deserve.
What NOT to Do After a Car Accident
- Don’t Avoid Reporting the Accident
Some injuries take time to appear. If you leave the scene without filing a police report, proving the accident occurred or that the other driver was at fault becomes more difficult.
- Don’t Apologize or Admit Fault
Even a simple “I’m sorry” can be used against you as an admission of liability. Stick to the facts when speaking with police and insurance companies.
- Don’t Accept the First Settlement Offer
Insurance companies often lowball their first offer, hoping you’ll accept before realizing the full extent of your injuries and damages. Consult an attorney before agreeing to any settlement.
How to Prove Fault in a Chain Reaction Car Accident
- Obtain the Official Police Report
The police report is one of the most critical pieces of evidence in proving fault. When officers respond to an accident, they document key details, including:
- Statements from all drivers involved
- Witness accounts and initial fault assessments
- Traffic violations or citations issued
- Weather and road conditions at the time of the crash
- A diagram or description of how the accident occurred
While a police report is not the final determination of fault, insurance companies and courts give it significant weight. If the report indicates that one driver caused the initial impact, that driver may be held primarily liable for the chain reaction accident.
If you disagree with any details in the police report, you can request a correction or add a supplemental statement. An experienced car accident attorney can help you challenge inaccuracies that may unfairly shift blame onto you.
More: How to Report a Car Accident to the Police (and How Long You Have to Do It)
- Gather Your Medical Records
Your medical records not only document the severity of your injuries but also establish a direct link between the accident and your damages. Insurance companies may argue that:
- Your injuries were pre-existing
- Your injuries were not caused by the accident
- Your injuries are not as serious as you claim
By obtaining comprehensive medical documentation, you provide undeniable proof that your injuries resulted directly from the crash. This includes:
- Emergency room records
- Doctor’s notes and diagnostic tests (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
- Physical therapy reports
- Prescription medication receipts
- Statements from medical specialists on long-term impact
Additionally, Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law requires accident victims to seek medical attention within 14 days of the crash. Delaying treatment can jeopardize your claim, as insurers may argue that your injuries were not serious enough to require immediate care.
- Collect Eyewitness Statements
Eyewitness testimony can be crucial in establishing fault, especially in cases where multiple drivers dispute responsibility. Unlike the drivers involved, independent witnesses have no personal stake in the outcome, making their statements highly valuable.
Eyewitnesses can provide critical details such as:
- Which driver initiated the crash
- Whether a driver was speeding, distracted, or driving aggressively
- If a driver ran a red light or failed to yield
- Whether weather or road conditions played a role
- If one car pushed another into oncoming traffic
If possible, gather contact information from any bystanders who saw the crash. Your attorney can later follow up to obtain official statements or deposition testimony if needed.
A recorded statement from a witness taken immediately after the accident is more reliable than one given weeks or months later when details may have faded from memory.
- Use Traffic Camera & Surveillance Footage
Video evidence can be a game-changer in proving fault, as it provides an unbiased, real-time account of what happened.
Potential sources of video footage include:
- Traffic cameras at intersections
- Nearby businesses with security cameras facing the road
- Dashcam footage from involved vehicles or bystanders
- Home security cameras from residences near the crash site
Many cities and municipalities do not store traffic camera footage indefinitely, so it’s essential to act quickly to obtain this evidence before it is deleted or overwritten.
An attorney can submit a formal request to access this footage before it disappears.
- Hire an Accident Reconstruction Expert
In complex multi-car accidents, an accident reconstruction expert can analyze the sequence of events and provide scientific evidence to support your claim.
These experts use specialized tools and techniques to determine:
- The speed and positioning of vehicles before impact
- Whether braking patterns indicate negligence or lack of control
- The role of weather, road conditions, or mechanical failures
- If a driver’s reaction time was reasonable or negligent
Accident reconstruction experts rely on:
- Vehicle damage analysis – Identifying the primary impact zones
- Skid mark measurements – Determining stopping distances and speeds
- Black box data from vehicles – Extracting crash-related data (speed, braking, acceleration)
- Physics-based models – Creating simulations of how the crash unfolded
Their findings can strengthen your case in negotiations or court, especially when insurance companies attempt to dispute liability.
An insurance company may hire its own accident reconstruction expert to shift blame onto you. Having your own expert ensures that your side of the story is backed by credible analysis.
What to Do After a Car Accident That’s Not Your Fault
Even if the accident was not your fault, you still need to take the right steps to protect your claim.
- Speak to a Lawyer Before Talking to the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters may try to manipulate your statement to reduce or deny your claim. Always consult a lawyer before providing recorded statements. - File a Claim Under Your Florida PIP Policy
Florida law requires drivers to carry $10,000 in PIP coverage, which helps pay for medical expenses and lost wages. - Gather Evidence & Witness Statements
Proving fault is crucial, especially if the other driver is disputing liability. Dashcam footage, witness statements, and police reports are all valuable in these cases. - Retain Medical Records and Bills
Medical documentation strengthens your claim by proving that the accident directly caused your injuries.
Who Pays for Damages in a Multi-Car Accident or Chain Reaction Car Accident?
Multi-car accidents often make determining fault more complicated. Typically, the driver who caused the initial collision is held responsible. However, liability may be shared if multiple drivers acted negligently.
Possible at-fault parties include:
- A reckless driver who initiated the collision.
- A pedestrian who caused a driver to swerve.
- A government agency responsible for faulty traffic signals or road hazards.
- A vehicle manufacturer if a mechanical defect contributed to the crash.
A car accident attorney can investigate the accident, analyze evidence, and determine fault in these complex cases.
Get the Legal Help You Need—Call Pacin Levine Today
Now that you know what to do after a car accident, it’s time to act. A car accident can turn your life upside down. You may be dealing with injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and insurance companies that don’t have your best interests at heart. If you’re wondering when to call a lawyer after a car accident, the answer is as soon as possible. The sooner you take action, the better your chance of getting the compensation you deserve.
At Pacin Levine, P.A., we help car accident victims across Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Kentucky. Whether you were in a multi-car accident, a chain reaction car accident, or hit by a negligent driver, our experienced attorneys know how to fight back against unfair insurance tactics and low settlement offers.
Call Pacin Levine, P.A. today at 1-800-24-7-CRASH (2727) for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
