{"id":372673,"date":"2017-06-15T14:51:52","date_gmt":"2017-06-15T19:51:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/florida-law\/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident-in-fort-lauderdale.html"},"modified":"2018-12-06T01:00:00","modified_gmt":"2018-12-06T06:00:00","slug":"what-to-do-after-a-car-accident-in-fort-lauderdale","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/florida-law\/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident-in-fort-lauderdale.html","title":{"rendered":"What to do After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What to do After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

It’s the weekend and you’re going to Fort Lauderdale Beach, known as "The Venice of America," for some much-needed rays of sunshine. You pack the kids, the dog, and cooler in the car and head to the coast. Before you go, you realize you’re out of sunscreen. Not to worry. There’s a Walgreens at the intersection of East Sunrise Blvd. and Andrews Ave. When you arrive, you see plenty of traffic at the busy corner. Cars speeding by, people are on their cell phones. As you try to make your way across the intersection, you are rear-ended after a sudden stop. Your perfect Sunday just became a nightmare. What should you do? What should you expect? Here’s some information to help guide you through what to do after a car accident in Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\r\n

What to do at the scene?<\/h2>\r\n

First, you must stop at the scene of the accident-whether the accident involves a pedestrian, a moving car, a parked car or someone’s property. Florida state law requires drivers in a crash to stop and stay at the scene to exchange information or render reasonable assistance to the injured. If you leave, you can be charged with hit-and-run<\/a>. Hit-and-run penalties are severe. Depending on the damage or injuries, you may be fined, sent to jail or both. You also could lose your driver’s license.<\/p>\r\n

Immediately seek medical attention following a car, motorcycle, or auto accident. Be sure to explain how the injuries occurred to your doctor or surgeon.<\/p>\r\n

Call the Fort Lauderdale Police Department<\/a>, the Florida Highway Patrol<\/a>, or 911 as soon as possible. If you hit a car, truck or other vehicle that is parked with no one in it you must inform the owner. Leave a note with your name, address, and license plate number.<\/p>\r\n

Try to remain calm and give the dispatcher the correct address of your emergency and your phone number. Make sure to stay on the phone until the dispatcher tells you to hang up. If the accident involves injuries, the Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue<\/a> may also arrive.<\/p>\r\n

An officer will respond to your location and take a report. This means assessing the damages and interviewing key witnesses to help determine the likely cause of the accident.<\/p>\r\n

What information should I gather at the scene?<\/h2>\r\n

Be prepared to exchange information with the other driver-your name and driver’s license number, the vehicle identification number of the car you are driving, the name and address of the car’s owner, the name and address of your insurance company and your insurance policy number. Make sure the investigating officer records complete insurance information on the crash report for all parties involved. Some other information you may want to collect includes:<\/p>\r\n