Car Accident Lawyer Lakeland, FL
Many people believe that when a car accident happens outside of their home state, it will lead to serious hurdles with the insurance company and other legalities. Although no car accident should be taken lightly, you can feel a kind of peace of mind in knowing that the laws and rules governing car accidents and the responsibilities of those involved are similar throughout the U.S.
If you have been involved in an out-of-state car accident, the best choice you can make is to consult the car accident lawyer Lakeland, FL trusts, David & Philpot, PL. In doing so you can protect your rights and ensure you don’t encounter any setbacks or legal troubles.
Choosing the State to Retain a Car Accident Lawyer
Following an out-of-state accident you may be wondering where you should retain a lawyer, in your home state or the state in which the accident occured. In nearly all cases, you will hire a lawyer in the state where you had the accident. For example, if your home state is New York, but you were injured in Florida, you will need to hire a car accident lawyer from Florida.
Now that you have this answer, you may be concerned about having to travel to and from the state of the accident during the legal claims process. In general this will depend a number of factors including the extent of the damages and whether you’re filing a lawsuit. In our experience, we have found that out-of-state claims are not an issue for clients. A car accident lawyer from our Lakeland, FL office can take care of any paperwork that requires in-person submissions. He or she can maintain correspondence with you and any other parties via phone and email. If you have filed a lawsuit against the negligent party, you may need to return to the state for an in-person deposition, and you also may need to appear in court. Rest assured, these meetings and hearings are scheduled well out in advance so you have time to make any necessary arrangements.
Steps to Take Following an Out of State Accident
Whether you have been involved in an accident just up the road from your house, out of state, or across the country, there are critical steps to take in the coming days, these include:
- Calling the police immediately after the accident
- Get medical attention
- Take plenty of photos at the scene
- Get the contact details of any witnesses
- Tell your insurance company what happened
- Do not admit fault
Lastly, it is important that you reach out to a car accident lawyer from Lakeland, FL for assistance on filing an out-of-state personal injury claim.
Dealing with Policy Coverage Minimums
Every state has their own minimum coverage levels which a driver is legally required to carry. For example some states have a minimum coverage requirement of $20,000 for bodily harm and $15,000 property damage. The next state over could have requirements that are $5,000 more respectively. Naturally this could cause some confusion when you’re involved in an out-of-state accident and your insurance policy coverage is below that state’s minimum. Insurance companies typically adjusts the policy according to the state minimum. A car accident lawyer from our Lakeland, FL office can review your policy to determine whether or not this situation is applicable to your claim.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer
Being involved in a car accident can provoke a number of emotions, and you may feel worried that it happened out of state. Luckily, help is available. A dedicated car accident lawyer from David & Philpot, PL, can put your mind at ease by explaining the claims process to you so you know exactly what to expect. To learn more about an out-of-state car accident claim, please contact the car accident lawyer Lakeland, FL calls first for their legal needs.
