What to Do After an Accident

Car Accident Lawyer Investigates Wrong-Way Wrecks in Miami: How Common Are They?

January 11, 2016 | Wolfson & Leon

In the last days of December, five people were killed in a wrong-way wreck on I-95, drawing attention to the danger of wrong-way collisions on Miami roads. NBC Miami notes that, according to one FDOT study, between the years of 2009 and 2013, 280 wrong-way crashes have killed 75 people on Florida highways.

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Yet, why do wrong-way crashes take place and what can drivers do to prevent them? It is unclear why the woman responsible for the accident in late December was driving on the wrong way in the northbound express lanes of I-95.

The National Transportation Safety Board recently released a special investigative report on wrong-way driving. According to the report, alcohol and drug use are main contributing factors to wrong-way driving accidents. According to the report, more than half, and as many as one-third of wrong-way accidents involved drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol. Older drivers were also found to be more likely to be involved in wrong-way driving collisions. Drivers over 70 years of age were more likely to be in these accidents than right-way fatal driving collisions.

Personal Injury Law Questions to Ask If You’ve Been in a Car Accident in Miami

October 23, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

If you’ve been in a car accident in Miami, whether the accident is large or small, you may have many questions. Victims face a range of challenges on the road to recovery. Paying medical bills can be difficult, especially if you have had to miss time at work. Determining the degree of negligence or fault is an important first step that your insurance providers or personal injury lawyer in Miami will have to make before you can collect a recovery.

Your car accident will likely be investigated by the police, by your lawyer, and by insurance adjusters. If you’ve been in an accident and wonder whether you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries, here are ten important questions to ask. Of course, the answers to these questions are no replacement for hiring a personal injury attorney in Miami.

If your accident took place at an intersection, did the other driver hit you while making a left turn?

Car Accident Lawyer’s Tips: Four Proven Tips to Help You Heal Emotionally Following an Accident in Miami, Florida

October 16, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

According to one doctor’s report, despite dramatic improvements in car safety features, better legislation to prevent accidents, and more attention to infrastructure and to the structural integrity of highways, fewer researchers have studied how to help car accident survivors psychologically recover following an accident. Yet, according to one PTSD doctor, more physicians are trained regarding the possible psychological impact that car accidents can have on victims and their families. It can be difficult to predict how one will react psychologically to a car accident. Some people walk away unscathed emotionally, while others develop phobias, PTSD, and other stress reactions. It can be hard to know who will be affected and who will be okay. For this reason, it is important for car accident survivors to get the care that they need and deserve. Speaking to your doctor, your personal injury lawyer in Miami, and using community resources, can help you get well and stay well after you’ve survived the traumatic experience of a crash.

Neurologists studying the brain have also identified some markers that help people stay happy and heal. While these tips are no replacement for proper medical and psychological care, they are proven strategies that may be able to help car accident survivors get through the day. Here they are:

Practice gratitude. While it may seem challenging to find things to be thankful for in the aftermath of a crash, gratitude releases dopamine and serotonin—the same neurotransmitter that Prozac helps release. Researchers have found that even when people cannot find things to be grateful for, considering even the question can boost mood.

Car Accident Lawyer in Miami Discusses Impact of Personal Injury Claim on Insurance Rates

October 16, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

If you’ve been in a car accident, you may find yourself facing additional new expenses and financial burdens. Accident survivors may have to shoulder new medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and may even miss time at work. They may have to repair or replace a car that has been damaged or totaled. On top of all these new concerns, accident victims may also worry that their auto insurance rates will rise.

Concern about auto insurance rate increases are legitimate, especially in Florida. According to the Palm Beach Post, Florida is among the top ten most expensive states for auto insurance. One of the main reasons why Florida’s auto insurance rates are so high is due to the fact that Florida requires individuals to have Personal Injury Protection insurance. This insurance pays for medical expenses for injuries sustained in an accident.

It is difficult to predict if, or by how much your auto insurance may go up after you’ve been in an accident. But, it is important to understand that a personal injury claim could protect you from having to shoulder additional expenses and it can also help establish negligence in court. If you were not negligent in an accident, not only is the other driver responsible for expenses, but the likelihood that your insurance will significantly rise following the accident decreases. Whether your insurance goes up after an accident depends largely on complex algorithms used by insurance providers, which take into account everything from driving history, your location, credit history, and who was at fault in an accident if an accident has taken place.

What to do after an automobile accident on Miami Beach

October 6, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

MIAMI BEACH – First, you should almost always get checked out at the scene by Fire Rescue if you’ve been injured even slightly. 　 Even if you have medical training, it is exceedingly difficult to assess your own medical condition. 　 Thus, strongly consider any offer from a fire rescue personnel on the scene to go in the ambulance to the hospital.

First responders like EMT (emergency medical technicians) know best when people need to go to the hospital. 　Listen to them. 　When they come to the scene, do what they tell you. 　If they say don’t move, don’t move. 　And do not forget to tell the EMT or Emergency Medical Technician on the scene every physical complaint that is bothering you after the accident. 　The reason this is important is because the insurance company or defendant will make a big deal out of anything that you may have forgotten to tell the Fire Rescue personnel. 　In fact, if you testify during your case that you had pain at the scene and you forgot to tell the EMT Fire Rescue person, the Defendant or Insurance Company may try to make it seem as though you are lying about your injuries. 　The same goes for any bruising striking the inside of the car during the accident. 　If you forgot to tell the EMT at the scene about hitting interior portions of the car with a body part like a knee and later remember it, the Defendant or insurance company will make it out as if you are being untruthful and lying. 　And this, even though you may have just innocently forgotten or you were trying to be strong.

Remember, everything you say is getting recorded so your medical professionals including emergency medical technicians, nurses, and doctors can treat you well. 　So be complete and consistent.

How the DMV Wants You to Act after a Crash in Florida

March 25, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

If you are in a Florida car crash, it is critical that you take certain steps following the accident. If you remain calm and rational at the scene, you will stay on the right side of the law, and you may improve your chances of success if you file a claim against any negligent drivers.

When to Call a Personal-Injury Lawyer

A Miami personal-injury lawyer can play an important role for any victims of a car accident. A qualified attorney can evaluate the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine if you have a valid claim against the negligent driver. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and lost wages.

3 Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Car Crash Injuries

March 5, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

A serious car crash can cause catastrophic injuries, which may have lasting effects on your health and wellbeing. The injuries may also be considerably expensive to treat, and time off work recovering could result in lost wages. If you have been in a serious accident, it is important to understand your rights.

When should you call a personal-injury lawyer?

If you are suffering from injuries sustained in a crash, a personal-injury attorney can evaluate your claim and determine if you may be able to recover costs associated with medical expenses. Even if you do not think the injuries are serious, call Wolfson & Leon today to discuss your claim.

Tip Two – What to do At the Slip or Trip and Fall Scene

December 10, 2012 | Wolfson & Leon

MIAMI BEACH – In our first “what to do after an accident” tip, we discussed what to do at the scene of an accident after the accident. The sum of it was to be consistent and complete.

Now, in this tip, we will discuss what to do at the scene of a trip or slip and fall accident. We are Miami Beach and Miami personal injury attorneys and have represented thousands of people in auto accident cases. Jerome H. Wolfson, Esq. has been practicing for over 50 years.

At a trip and fall or slip and fall, many times you won’t fully recognize how serious your injuries might be. Therefore, if a store employee or manager asks if you want them to call Fire Rescue or an Ambulance, it is best to be on the safe side and say yes if common sense and your body is telling you the same.

Tip One – What to do at the Automobile Accident Scene

December 6, 2012 | Wolfson & Leon

MIAMI BEACH – First, you should almost always get checked out at the scene by Fire Rescue if you’ve been injured even slightly. And always be complete and consistent with the medical providers at the scene. Even if you have medical training, it is exceedingly difficult to assess your own medical condition. Thus, strongly consider any offer from a fire rescue personnel on the scene to go in the ambulance to the hospital.

We are Miami Beach and Miami personal injury attorneys and have represented thousands of people in auto accident cases. Jerome H. Wolfson, Esq. has been practicing for over 50 years.

First responders like EMT (emergency medical technicians) know best when people need to go to the hospital. Listen to them. When they come to the scene, do what they tell you. If they say don’t move, don’t move. And do not forget to tell the EMT or Emergency Medical Technician on the scene every physical complaint that is bothering you after the accident. The reason this is important is because the insurance company or defendant will make a big deal out of anything that you may have forgotten to tell the Fire Rescue personnel. In fact, if you testify during your case that you had pain at the scene and you forgot to tell the EMT Fire Rescue person, the Defendant or Insurance Company may try to make it seem as though you are lying about your injuries.