When you are involved in an accident, you may know that it’s in your best interest to call the police and exchange information with the other driver. However, you may not know how long you have to inform your insurance company about these matters. If you are unsure when to report the incident, you’ll want to keep reading. You’ll also discover the importance of connecting with an experienced Broward County auto accident attorney to guide you through these difficult matters.
Is There a Timeline for Reporting Accidents?
When you are involved in an accident in Florida, it’s important to report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Generally, in Florida, there is no specific timeline by which you must report the accident to insurance. You must report the accident to the police within ten days. How soon you must report the accident depends on the specific details of your policy, so it’s in your best interest to carefully review the terms and conditions. Regardless, you should report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, you’ll find that failure to report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible can have serious consequences. A delayed report can result in a denied claim, as the longer it takes you to inform your insurance, the more likely they are to deny your claim. You should also note that your insurance company would much rather hear about the accident from you than the other party’s insurance company.
What Information Should I Include When Reporting to My Insurance Company?
When filing a report after an accident, it’s generally in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. This is because you may be required to include a description and details of the accident, and if you make an error when reporting, you’ll find that this can negatively impact the outcome of your claim. As such, having an attorney help you file the report is critical to ensure that nothing can be twisted against you by the insurance company or the other party’s defense, should you choose to file a claim against them.
In addition to describing the accident with the help of an attorney, you’ll also need to provide your insurer with the following information:
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- How many vehicles are involved
- Information about your vehicle and the other party’s (make, model, year, license plate, and VIN, if available)
- A description of your injuries
- Any medical bills or records you received after the accident
In addition to the aforementioned information, you should also include photos and videos of the scene. As such, at the scene, you should take photos and videos of the accident scene, the damage to both vehicles, and any visible injuries you’ve sustained.
As you can see, these matters can be incredibly difficult to navigate. It’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney. At the Finizio Law Group, our dedicated legal team will do everything possible to help guide you through these difficult matters. Contact our team today to learn how we can assist you with these matters.
