Miami Personal Injury Lawyer Alan Neufeld Explains What To Do If Recently Injured In An Accident

Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Alan Neufeld explains that since September is, year over year, the most dangerous month to drive, your actions over the following months are imperative to your financial and physical wellbeing. Recent data from the National Safety Council (NSC), shows that September has the highest average death rate per 100 million vehicle miles driven in the United States. 

While the most recent figures (2019) show August as having the most miles driven for the year—286.5 billion—September has been the deadliest month over the last three years on record: 2017-2019.

Based on this data, Mr. Neufeld recommends that you take extra caution when driving in September. Given the higher level of risk, make sure you are alert, sober and without distraction behind the wheel.

However, if it’s too late—if you were injured in a motor vehicle collision in September, 2021—it is important to know your rights and what to do next.

Some critical first steps after an accident include:

• Inform your insurance company within 7 days of the collision to receive Accident Benefits

• Keep the names and addresses of other motorists (and any witnesses) in a safe place 

• Notify your place of employment

• Visit your family doctor for an initial assessment of your injury

• Keep records and receipts related to any medical assessment or treatment, including parking, professional services, hotel costs, time off work, etc.  

• Contact a personal injury attorney to understand your rights and potential next steps

“Keep in mind that injuries resulting from a motor vehicle collision can be minor or significant,” warns Mr. Neufeld. “They can be obvious right away or take days or weeks to appear. It is important not to assume your injuries will be minor or short-lived, just because you don’t feel pain or discomfort in the hours following a collision.” 

It is also important to recognize the scope of potentially injured parties in an accident. You may be injured as a driver, as a passenger, or as a pedestrian. Every participant deserves to understand their rights. 

Your insurer will likely provide Accident Benefits for things like:

• medical expenses—doctor, physiotherapist, chiropractor, etc.

• medications

• required equipment

• parking and transportation

• income replacement, if you are unable to work due to the accident

• attendant care—to compensate those who provide care for you while you are injured

Several other expenses can be included in Accident Benefits, depending on your insurer, your coverage, and the severity of your injury. Keep in mind, these benefits have monetary limits—unless you seek additional compensation with the help of a personal injury lawyer, you may miss out on far more money.

To fully understand your rights, and whether you are entitled to further compensation from the at-fault party, you need to speak to a trusted legal team. Mr Neufeld recommends discussing the following with your personal injury lawyer before you decide to hire them: 

• Do I have a valid claim? 

• How much would you estimate is my claim worth?

• Have you handled cases similar to mine in the past? What was the result?

• What will the process look like moving forward?

If you’ve been recently injured and are now facing a distressing financial situation, contact Neufeld Law Firm right away for a free consultation.