What Do I Do If I am In a Hit-and-Run Accident?

Given the nature of the accident, it’s hard to have an accurate number of how many hit-and-run accidents there are in the USA. One report from the AAA Foundation estimated there to be over 737,000 hit-and-run accidents in 2015. This is a shocking number, and sad that it is still so frequent.

Because hit-and-run accidents still happen, you might wonder: What do I do if I’m in a hit-and-run accident? If you’re unfortunately in this place, there are four steps to follow:

1. Call the police

The first step is to always call the police. Do this as soon as you’re able or get someone nearby you to help out. The police will be able to help you file a police report that will help record the details of what happened and support your case.

2. Make a report

After calling the police, they will help you make a report about the hit-and-run accident. Here you will record everything you remember about what happened and the case of the details.

A report can help your personal injury lawyer or accident attorney compile all the data for your case and ensure you receive compensation and coverage.

3. Check for traffic cameras or storefront cameras

While you’re filling out the report, check and see if there are any nearby traffic or storefront cameras. Ideally, a camera has captured what happened and the license plate of the person who caused the accident.

You can tell the police officer about the cameras and record them on your report. Even if you are not sure there is a camera, report any potential camera locations to be investigated further.

4. Adolphe will look at your insurance to see if you are covered

The last step is to contact your personal injury or accident attorney to see if your insurance will cover you. The type of insurance you want in this case is Uninsured Motorist Insurance.

Essentially, this insurance will protect you if you were in an accident where the other party caused it and left the scene. It also covers you if the other driver does not have an insured vehicle. Your accident attorney will be able to see if your insurance is covered.

If you have been in a hit-and-run accident, follow these four simple steps. Knowing this information will help you stay calm under a stressful situation and manage it in the best way possible. When you’re in doubt, contact us at Adolphe Law Group, and one of our experienced accident attorneys will be able to give you more information.

We hope you’re never in a hit-and-run, but if you are, these are the four steps to follow. Adolphe Law Group is here to stand by you and fight for you. Contact us for any questions or more information about what we can do. 

Can I Receive a Ticket for Not Wearing my Seatbelt in Florida?

Can I Receive a Ticket for Not Wearing my Seatbelt in Florida

Many of you get in the car and drive every day. And when you do, are you buckling up regularly? Not only is wearing a seatbelt the best safety measure in your car, but it’s the law!

Many people wonder if you can get a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt in Florida. The simple answer? Yes. Wearing a seatbelt in a motorized vehicle is the law in Florida and can result in a ticket, except in a few specific cases.

At Adolphe Law, our Auto accident attorneys in Lake Worth, Florida, have worked with a number of clients who have been in accidents and injured because of a lack of seatbelts. We don’t want that to happen to you! So, buckle up—both because it’s the law and because it’s the best way to keep yourself safe.

Here’s more about the laws around wearing a seatbelt in Florida and how you can avoid contacting an accident attorney in Lake Worth by buckling up.

Wearing a Seatbelt: The Law

Under Florida law (section 316.614 of the Florida Statutes), all drivers, front seat passengers, or passengers under the age of 18 are required to wear a seatbelt. Children are also permitted to be in a booster seat or other child safety restraints.

There are a few exceptions to this law. Those who do not need to wear a seatbelt include:

·   A person with a certified medical condition who cannot wear one.

·   School buses purchased prior to 2000

·   Farm equipment

·   Trucks of more than 26,000 pounds

·   Employees of a newspaper delivery service

These are just exceptions and apply to select cases only. In general, it is illegal not to wear a seatbelt while in a moving vehicle in Florida. This means that you can receive a ticket for not wearing one, as it is against the law.

Wearing a Seatbelt: The Importance

Besides being illegal, wearing a seatbelt is important to keep you safe! Every time you’re in a vehicle, there is some level of inherent risk. Seatbelts are the best way to mitigate this risk and stay safe.

In the event of a crash, your seatbelt will prevent you from being ejected from the vehicle or thrown against other passengers. If you’re the driver, it’ll keep you behind the wheel so you can control the car.

The FLHSMV (Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) reports that wearing a seatbelt reduces your risk of being killed or injured in a motor vehicle crash by almost 50%. So, it’s worth buckling up!

However, if you are in a car crash and receive injuries, you may need to speak with an accident attorney in Lake Worth, Florida. Our team of personal injury lawyers and auto accident attorneys is here to fight on your behalf and help achieve justice. Contact us today to begin the conversation with an accident attorney in Lake Worth.

What to do in a Fender Bender?

Adolphe Law Group Wants You To Know

You’ve gotten into a fender bender—yikes. A fender bender is a rear-end collision and is quite common. In fact, data shows that 1.7 million rear-end collisions occur each year and cost $871 billion!

But while they’re fairly common, it doesn’t mean that this is not something to be taken seriously. Since fender benders don’t typically cause serious injuries, many people think: is it okay to just exchange contact and insurance information?

The short answer is no. Sharing just your contact and insurance information is not enough. At Adolphe Law Group, our Florida personal injury lawyers have worked with so many clients who have been involved in accidents where the other party is dishonest or unwilling to settle. Therefore, documentation and hard proof of what happened are necessary.

So, if just exchanging your contact information isn’t enough, what should you do in a fender bender? As professional auto accident attorneys at Adolphe Law Group, we recommend the following steps:

1.Stop the car and pull over

In most states, it’s against the law to leave after there was an accident, so make sure you get out of the way and turn your hazard lights on.

2.Call the police so they can file a report

This information may be essential in court later on or for your insurance claim. Another reason you should call the police is so they can get emergency care if needed and protect the accident scene.

3.Exchange information

Try not to say too much to the other party, as you don’t want any of your words to be twisted around. It is important, however, to collect each other’s personal contact information (name, address, phone, email) and driver/insurance information (license number, insurance information, make and model of the car). If there are eyewitnesses, collect their information too.

4.Call your insurance provider

Report the accident to them and use the information from the police report to back up your claim.

5.Get legal help

If things cannot be resolved through this process, you may need legal help. This is especially important if you have been injured in an accident. Call us at Adolphe Law Group to speak to one of our personal injury lawyers who can manage the details of your case.

These tips are important if you caused the accident but even more important if you did not. If you get into a fender bender and the other person insists that it’s okay just to share contact information, be very wary. Some people will not want to have to pay for damages caused by their reckless driving and give you false contact information.

To be safe, involve the authorities and get a police report completed. Then you have some hard proof of what happened should there be a need for legal action. Our personal injury lawyers at Adolphe Law Group will be able to advocate for you and get the justice you deserve.

If you want to talk to an accident attorney in Lake Worth, contact the Adolphe Law Group. We are here for you and will fight on your behalf!

Proof for Your Injury Claim

If you are in a traffic accident that causes physical or mental injury to you or your loved one and believe that another person or entity caused the accident, you may be entitled to compensation. In order to receive reparation for an accident, it’s essential to know how to prove facts regarding your case. Florida law requires that the “burden of proof” be on an accident victim or those representing them. This means the victim has an obligation to prove negligence on the part of the defendant. Auto accident Attorneys at Adolphe Law Group are here to educate you and help build your case.

So what kind of proof do you need to show your Personal Injury Lawyer Florida? 

Police Report 

A police report from the accident is a legal document that can prove wrongdoing on the defendant’s part. It may include an explanation of how the accident occurred, who was at fault, and whether any participants were cited for failing to follow the law. A copy can be obtained at the police station of the city where the accident occurred. 

Photographs 

Pictures validate testimony. Taking photos of all vehicles involved in the accident, as well as surrounding vehicles, scenery, and nearby objects, provides compelling evidence of fault, the extent of injuries, and the suffering induced due to the accident. Be sure to include photos of the injuries to your personal body and to those who may have been with you. 

Witness Testimony 

Write down the full name and contact information of everyone who witnessed the accident. If at all possible, secure written statements from eyewitnesses. These testimonies strengthen your case, helping to validate your own experience with an insurance company or a jury.

Your own testimony is important, also. It’s best to keep a journal or folder describing your experience. Write an initial account of the events that happened and what you noticed before and after the accident, including dates and times. When a new symptom appears, make a note of it in your journal. This is an excellent place to keep a list of expenses related to your accident, stay organized and be prepared to meet your accident lawyer in South Florida.

Medical Records And Bills

Keep a copy of all medical bills, paid and unpaid, that you receive for treatments after your injuries. This includes statements and receipts for an ambulance, doctors, counselors and therapy, recovery therapy, over-the-counter medications, chiropractic care, labs, hospital stays, and anything else related to the recovery of your accident. Attorneys at Adolphe Law Group in Lake Worth, Florida will use these statements to create a connection between your accident and the cost of the needed treatments.

Paystubs And Wage Loss Documents

Traffic accidents often lead to missed work and wages. Accident victims are justified in seeking compensation to replace lost income while recovering from injuries sustained in a traffic accident. Be sure to keep a record of previous pay stubs, income tax returns, and the benefits you received from your employer before the accident. 

Expert Witnesses 

If needed, injury accident attorneys at Adolphe Law Group will secure expert witnesses for your injury claim. These witnesses may include medical experts, accident reconstruction professionals, or financial experts related to injury accident cases. 

Hire the Best

Injury accidents can be devastating. The physical and emotional toll can affect your body, emotions, and mind. Let the expert lawyers at Adolphe Law Group help you on your journey to recovery.