Should You Call the Police for a Fender Bender Accident in Florida?

While not every car accident needs to be drawn to the attention of the police in the State of Florida, most do. If you’ve been involved in what you consider a fender bender, there are some important points to keep in mind before you pooh-pooh the matter and neglect to inform the authorities – your own best interests can hang in the balance. Protect your rights and your rightful compensation in the wake of a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence by consulting with an experienced Largo car accident attorney today.

Reporting Car Accidents in Florida

In Florida, anyone who is involved in a car accident is required to report it if either of the following apply:

• If anyone suffered an injury or was killed in the course of the accident, including a passenger, motorist, pedestrian, or bicyclist
• If the total property damage reaches a minimum threshold of $500

While you may not think anyone was injured in the fender bender in question, it takes very little damage to reach the $500 mark. This means that, unless the accident you’re facing was extremely minor, you’ll need to contact the police.

Contacting the Police

If you’re involved in a Florida car accident of any significance, you’re required to contact the police immediately. This means that if the accident occurs in a municipality – such as in the City of Largo – you’ll report it to the local police. If, on the other hand, the accident occurs on an interstate, country road, or highway, you should contact the Florida Highway Patrol station that you’re nearest. Finally, if someone is injured or you suspect they might be, you should err on the side of caution by simply calling 911.

Your Injuries

It’s important to note that, while you may think you weren’t seriously injured in the fender bender you’re dealing with, things tend to be confusing in the aftermath of an accident. Your pain and symptoms can be masked by the rush of adrenaline and shock you experience, and the fact that some serious injuries – such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – can be slow to present with symptoms makes the situation that much more complex. Even if you don’t think you suffered an injury in the accident, you owe it to your health and to your car accident claim to seek medical attention as soon as you’re able to do so.

Reach Out to an Experienced Largo Car Accident Attorney for the Help You Need Today

If you’re involved in a fender bender, the chances are that you’ll need to call the police, and if the accident was caused by the other driver’s negligence, seeking the compensation to which you’re entitled is advised. The accomplished Largo car accident attorneys at Mickey Keenan P.A. have reserves of impressive experience helping valued clients like you recover compensation for their physical, financial, and emotional losses – in their entirety – and we welcome the opportunity to also help you. Learn more about what we can do for you by contacting us online or calling 813-871-1300 today.