Auto Accident Attorneys Serving Lakeland & Sebring
Sessums Law Group, P.A. provides sound legal advice in your time of need
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, a car accident occurs every ten seconds in the United States. If you were recently involved in an auto accident, you know that the time following the accident can be stressful and confusing. You may be asking yourself whether you should seek legal representation, especially if you were injured.
Seek advice from an attorney
You may wish to initiate an accident lawsuit for a number of reasons. In fact, if you think you require a car accident attorney, you probably do.
The following is a list of typical reasons you might consult an attorney following a vehicle accident:
- You and/or your passenger(s) sustained one or more injuries from the accident.
- You and/or your passenger(s) felt fine immediately following the accident but discovered one or more injuries later on.
- More than one vehicle was damaged in the accident.
- Other physical property was damaged in the accident.
- You and the other driver(s) involved in the accident disagree over who is at fault.
- You worry that the accident may have been the result of a malfunctioning or defective vehicle part.
Our Sebring and Lakeland auto accident attorneys can advise you on your options in the aftermath of a crash and inform you of your rights.
Crash statistics highlight the risk for residents of Polk County and Highlands County
Statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles show that residents of Polk County are at much greater risk of being in a motor vehicle accident than residents of Highlands County. In 2019, about one in every 60 people in Polk County was involved in a crash, while the ratio in Highlands County was approximately one in every 86 people.
In 2019, Polk County recorded a total of 11,933 crashes, killing 119 people and injuring 8,073. There were also 296 motorcycle crashes, which caused 26 deaths. A total of 329 crashes involved pedestrians, 25 of whom died from injuries. These numbers were fairly consistent with the results of 2018, except that motorcycle crashes in that year only killed 12 people.
In Highlands County, 2019 saw 1,229 total crashes, killing 29 people and injuring 945 people. There were 39 motorcycle crashes, which caused 5 deaths. A total of 36 crashes involved pedestrians, five of whom died from injuries. Fatalities in 2019 were up significantly over 2018, when only 20 people died in auto accidents, two were killed in motorcycle crashes, and no pedestrians were killed.
What to do if you are in a car accident
In the minutes after an auto accident, many people find themselves in a state of emotional shock. The sudden, unexpected, life-altering event brings with it many questions. At Sessums Law Group, P.A., we offer friendly personal service and seek the best outcome for you in your automobile accident case. Read on to learn more about what to do after an auto accident to protect your right to seek compensation.
What should I say or not say?
After an accident, responding police officers might ask you to explain what happened. Be polite. Give the officer your driver’s license, registration and insurance information, but respectfully decline to discuss specifics about the accident until you speak to your attorney. We also recommend that you:
- Do not admit fault to anyone.
- Do not share details about the accident on social media.
- Other than the minimum requirement, do not give details of the accident to your insurance company.
What should I do or not do after a car wreck?
Protect yourself from further injury by getting your car out of the roadway if possible. If anyone is injured, call 911. Once you are safe, begin gathering evidence to give to your personal injury lawyer by:
- Taking pictures of the scene
- Taking pictures of any vehicle and property damage caused by the accident
- Getting contact information from other drivers and potential witnesses
- Seeking medical care if you feel you are injured in any way
Not only is a medical consultation crucial to your health, but it is beneficial to a lawsuit to provide detailed documentation of all treatment of your injuries.
Contact a Sebring or Lakeland car accident lawyer today
In the aftermath of an auto accident, you may have many questions, ranging from when to contact your insurance company to how strong your potential case is. Sessums Law Group, P.A. is a firm of experienced Sebring and Lakeland car accident attorneys. We can answer these and any other queries you may have regarding your case. Call the Lakeland office at 877-826-5630, the Sebring office at 863-658-4796 or contact us online today at any of our locations for a free consultation.
