A car accident can happen in seconds — but the decisions you make in the minutes, hours, and days that follow can determine whether you receive full compensation or walk away with nothing.

Florida's roads are among the most dangerous in the country. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties consistently rank among the highest in the state for crash frequency. If you've been in an accident, here is exactly what to do.

Your health comes first. Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Even if you feel fine, call 911 immediately. Many serious injuries — including traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and spinal damage — do not produce obvious symptoms right away.

When you call 911:

• Request an ambulance if anyone is injured
• Ask for police to respond and file an official report
• Stay on the line and follow the dispatcher's instructions

Do not skip the police report. In Florida, you are required by law to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $500. A police report creates an official record that is critical to your insurance claim and any future lawsuit.

If your vehicle is drivable and it is safe to do so, move it to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot to avoid blocking traffic. Turn on your hazard lights.

Never leave the scene of an accident before police arrive and you have exchanged information. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is a felony in Florida.

Collect the following from every driver involved:

• Full legal name and contact information
• Driver's license number
• License plate number
• Insurance company name and policy number
• Vehicle make, model, and year

If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers as well. Witness testimony can be decisive in disputed-fault cases.

Use your phone to photograph and video everything before vehicles are moved:

• All vehicles involved — every angle, including undercarriage damage
• The road, intersection, traffic signs, and skid marks
• Your injuries — cuts, bruises, swelling
• Weather and lighting conditions
• Any debris or hazards on the road

More documentation is always better. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys will look for any gap in the evidence record.

This is one of the most important steps, and the one most accident victims skip.

Under Florida law, you have 14 days from the date of the accident to seek medical treatment in order to access your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. If you wait longer than 14 days, you may lose access to up to $10,000 in no-fault medical coverage.

Beyond the legal deadline, many serious injuries are not immediately apparent. Whiplash, concussions, herniated discs, and soft tissue injuries often appear hours or days after the crash. A medical evaluation creates a documented link between the accident and your injuries — which is essential for your claim.

Go to an emergency room, urgent care center, or your primary care physician the same day if possible.

Florida is a no-fault state, which means your own insurance company pays your initial medical bills and lost wages through PIP coverage — regardless of who caused the accident.

Notify your insurer promptly, but be careful about what you say. Stick to the basic facts: when, where, and that you were involved in an accident. Do not give a recorded statement without first speaking to an attorney.

Even a simple "I'm sorry" at the scene can be used against you later. Fault in Florida car accidents is determined by the evidence — not by what you say in the moment. Let the investigation speak for itself.

Insurance companies and defense attorneys routinely monitor social media after accidents. A photo of you at a family event, a post about feeling better, or even a check-in at a restaurant can be used to undermine your injury claim.

During your case, keep your social media private and avoid posting anything about the accident, your injuries, or your activities.

From the moment of the accident forward, document everything:

• All medical appointments, diagnoses, and treatments
• Prescriptions and medical bills
• Days missed from work and lost wages
• How your injuries affect your daily life
• All communications with insurance companies

A detailed paper trail strengthens your case and helps your attorney calculate the full value of your damages.

Insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to settle your claim as quickly and cheaply as possible — often before you know the full extent of your injuries.

Before you sign anything or accept any payment, speak with a personal injury attorney. An experienced lawyer can:

• Investigate the accident and preserve evidence
• Identify all liable parties (including employers, vehicle owners, and government entities)
• Calculate the true value of your claim — including future medical costs and pain and suffering
• Negotiate aggressively with the insurance company
• Take your case to trial if necessary

At Juan Cordero Lawyers, we handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win. Attorney Juan J. Cordero is a Top 100 Trial Lawyer with over 26 years of experience representing accident victims throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.

As of 2023, Florida reduced the statute of limitations for personal injury claims from 4 years to 2 years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue — permanently.

Do not wait. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of preserving evidence and building a strong case.

If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in Florida, call us now at 305.525.8957. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no fee unless we win your case.

We serve clients throughout Miami, North Bay Village, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and all of South Florida.

• Car Accident Lawyer Florida — Practice area overview, case results, and free consultation
• Personal Injury Attorneys in Miami — Serving Miami-Dade County
• Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer — Serving Broward County
• West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyer — Serving Palm Beach County
• Florida Personal Injury Statute of Limitations — Know your deadlines