Personal injury accidents aren’t just a problem for big cities. Riverview’s explosive growth over the past few years has caused people to be injured at rates never seen before in the city. As of the census in 2010, Riverview had a population of 71,050. But, the most recent census in 2020 put the number of residents in Riverview at 107,396! And, this information does not take into account the massive growth in the last couple of years all around US 301 and in the neighborhoods nearby.
If you have traveled on US 301 in Riverview, you must have noticed all of the Urgent Care and 24 hour walk-in clinics that have been built. This goes along with the construction of St. Joseph’s South on Big Bend Rd. All of these medical facilities are capable of treating personal injury accidents for residents of Riverview.
If you have been injured in a personal injury accident in Riverview, I can help. Our office is located just a few blocks north of the intersection of US 301 and Big Bend Rd. in Riverview. We handle all types of injury claims. If you have questions after reading this article, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Steps After a Personal Injury Accident in Riverview:
1. Seek Medical Treatment
If you have any type of soreness or pain after the accident, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Use common sense about where to go. If you have serious injuries, go to the hospital or to an urgent care/walk-in facility. I always recommend that you go to at least an urgent care or walk-in facility after the accident. Insurance companies will question your injuries if you don’t get treatment for a few days and then show up at a chiropractor’s office. So, err on the side of caution and get yourself checked out immediately.
2. Take Photos
Always take photos at the scene of the personal injury accident. Even if you think that fault is crystal clear, take pictures. If you were involved in an auto accident, take pictures of the damage to the vehicles. If you were involved in a premises liability case, take photos of what caused the accident. After you leave the accident scene, it is important to document any visible injuries. Scrapes, road rash, bruises, abrasions, and scarring must all be documented over time. When it comes to personal injury claims, a picture is truly worth a thousand words.
3. Gather Witness Information
Once the witness to the accident leaves the scene without giving his/her information, that witness is lost forever. It is just too risky to rely on another person or a business to admit fault. Plus, that person’s insurance company isn’t even bound by what they say to you. So, always protect yourself and get the contact information for any witnesses. This is especially important when the police are not involved in the investigation. It is sad to say, but you just cannot trust other people with your well-being.
4. Make a Report of the Accident
Always contact the police to report an auto accident. It is extremely important for the officer to complete an independent investigation and write an accident report. This accident report determines fault and will be used by everyone throughout the course of the case. If the accident occurred in the store, notify the manager, not a clerk. This notice is important because it permits the store to do their own investigation and document the issue. It is very helpful at determining credibility for your accident claim.
5. Notify the Insurance Company but Do Not Discuss Injuries
If you were in an auto accident, you have an obligation to notify your own company within a reasonable amount of time. You can generally discuss what happened, but do not go into detail about your injuries. Also, never give a recorded statement without a lawyer present. You have no obligation to cooperate with the opposing insurance company. While I generally don’t have any issues with my clients discussing the damage to the vehicle and getting a rental car, I prefer my clients to not discuss anything about their injuries.
6. Get Medical Treatment With an Injury Specialist
One common mistake that I see is when people try to be seen by their primary care or family doctor. They call, set up an appointment a few days later, and then get a call the morning of the appointment that the doctor does not treat personal injury cases. By then, valuable days have been wasted and it affects the value of the case. The other problem that I see with primary care doctors is that they are not equipped to handle personal injury cases. Their billing and documentation is poor. They are also more inclined to tell you that you will be fine with rest and to not order further testing. A specialist in personal injury accidents will see injuries like yours frequently. They will know where to send you to for follow-up treatment. You will get better faster and your case will be more valuable. If you need help finding a specialist, I can refer to good doctors that are nearby.
7. Consult With a Personal Injury Lawyer
It is always a good idea to speak to a personal injury lawyer after the accident. There is no way that the average person can handle an injury claim on their own. Do your research before you hire the lawyer. Read the reviews and their credentials carefully. I hope that you will consider us as part of your search for a lawyer.
How Soon Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident?
The general rule is to speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. The first few days and weeks are the most important time for any injury claim. It is during this initial time that we set up your claim, investigate the accident, and set up your medical treatment.
Perhaps the most important decision that you will make during the course of your case is which doctors to see. Because we have handled so many accident claims, we know who to refer you to. You will need to see someone who specializes in personal injury accident cases. I cannot stress enough that the type of doctor that you see, how he/she charges you, and how well they treat your injuries are critical.
There is also no risk in speaking to a personal injury lawyer shortly after the accident. You can get your questions answered and your claim set up for success.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer in Riverview Charge?
All personal injury lawyers in Riverview charge on a contingency basis. This means that the lawyer is paid a percentage of the money that is recovered. The standard percentage is ⅓. I guarantee every lawyer that you speak to will charge the same percentage. The best part of the arrangement is that If the personal injury lawyer does not recover money for you, you do not owe him/her anything. Therefore, it is no risk to you. You never have to put any money down, pay a retainer, or have a payment plan. A contingency arrangement allows you to hire the best possible personal injury lawyer in Riverview to help you with your case.
Contact a Riverview Personal Injury Attorney
At Riverview Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas, we specialize in accidents involving serious injuries. We have observed how the increased traffic and population has affected people’s safety. If you have driven on US 301 or on I-75 in Riverview recently, you know what we mean. The traffic is constantly heavy and auto accidents are a constant danger.
If you or a loved one has been injured and has questions about what to do next, please contact us for a free consultation. We would be honored to be your guide through this difficult process and to answer your questions. With our help, we are confident that we will help you recover the compensation that you deserve.
This article was researched and written by Riverview Personal Injury Attorney Sean McQuaid. Riverview Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas is the personal injury division of Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. Our firm is a tier one ranked law firm by US News and World Reports. In 2021, our firm was voted Best of the Bay by the Tampa Bay Times and won Best Law Firm in Tampa Bay by Creative Loafing. Mr. McQuaid is an AV rated lawyer, a Florida Super Lawyer, and Florida Trend Legal Elite award winner among his numerous awards and accolades.
