5 Steps to Take After a Parking Lot Accident

5 Steps To Take After A Parking Lot Accident

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

You should always see the doctor after an accident.

Even if you do not think that you were seriously injured, scheduling a check-up is rarely a bad idea. It could help you:

1. Diagnose obvious physical injuries;
2. Identify invisible injuries, like a concussion or whiplash; and
3. Receive a referral or follow-up for specialist care.

In the context of a personal injury lawsuit, a trip to the doctor’s office can provide invaluable evidence. Not only does a check-up provide documentation of your injuries, but it also shows the insurance company and defense that you have legitimate concerns about your physical health and well-being. If your symptoms evolve or worsen over time, it can also pre-empt claims that you have exaggerated your condition for financial gain.

2. Follow Through On Your Doctor’s Orders

If your doctor wrote you a referral or recommended physical rehabilitation, you should always follow through to the best of your ability.

One of the most commonly used strategies to push back against personal injury claims is the “failure to mitigate” defense. This defense is fairly straightforward and rests on a simple legal principle: that a reasonable person will take reasonable steps to protect their health after an accident.

You can “mitigate” your damages by:

1. Seeing the doctor after your accident;
2. Following through on referrals and specialist recommendations;
3. Abiding by treatment plans, including exercise regimens and special diets;
4. Taking your prescription medication as ordered; and
5. Sharing new symptoms and points of concern with your doctor, even if you notice them days or weeks after the accident.

If you do not mitigate your damages, you may still be able to sue, but if the at-fault driver’s defense lawyer or insurance company objects, your compensation could be reduced in accordance with your failure to seek proper, timely care.

3. Preserve Your Evidence

Your lawyer will help you investigate the causes and circumstances of your parking lot accident.

If you already have evidence that you think could be useful in court, keep it in a safe location. Potential evidence in a typical claim could include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Your medical records;
2. Pictures of your physical injuries;
3. Pictures of damage to your vehicle;
4. Receipts showing you went to the doctor’s office, paid for prescription medication, paid for physical therapy, or other accident-related costs; and
5. The names and contact information of your passengers or any potential eyewitnesses from the crash site.

 

4. Play It Safe with the Car Insurance Company

Florida has a no-fault insurance system, which means that drivers are expected to file a claim through their own insurance company before taking further legal action. In most cases, filing an insurance claim is a necessary prerequisite to filing a personal injury lawsuit.

5. Speak to a Parking Lot Injury Lawyer

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has spent decades filing, fighting, and winning high-stakes personal injury claims. Since our founding in 2005, we have secured more than $300 million for our clients, money they have used to eliminate medical debt, pay for repairs, and reclaim their financial independence.

We could help you, too, but you have to act fast.

If you delay, critical evidence could go missing, or the statute of limitations could lapse. If this happens, you could lose your right to sue on a technicality.

Do not take chances with your right to a fair recovery: call Jed Dietrich, Esq., today at 1-866-529-5334 to schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.