After a driver has been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Gainesville, they are required by law to contact their local law enforcement agency if the incident resulted in at least $500 in property damage, injuries to another, or a death. In addition, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) says that law enforcement must also be called if the accident involved any of the following:
- An alcohol-related crash
- A hit and run accident
- A crash that involves a commercial motor vehicle such as a large bus or semi-truck
- A crash that will require a vehicle to be towed away from the scene
If an accident did not result in any of the above-mentioned outcomes, then a driver can file a crash report online with the FLHSMV. The form that is used to report a crash can be viewed here. The form can either be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the following address:
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Crash Records
2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 28
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Exchanging Information
There are plenty of other responsibilities a driver has after engaging in an accident aside from reporting it to the police. For starters, motorists must remain at the scene of the accident and exchange their personal information with anyone else who was involved. This should include:
- Their name
- Address
- Registration number of the vehicle
- Driver’s license number
If a driver is not required to call 911 because there were no injuries or deaths or the property damage is estimated to be worth less than $500, they are still required to exchange information with the other drivers involved.
In the event injuries were sustained, then a driver is expected to render “reasonable assistance” to anyone who was involved in the accident.1 A driver can render reasonable assistance by transporting an injured party to the local hospital or by ensuring they notify law enforcement at the time they report the crash that there are possible injuries.
How soon after an accident should a driver contact a Gainesville, FL car accident lawyer?
Whether the accident was minor or severe, a person who has been involved in a car accident in Gainesville should contact an attorney right away so they can become informed on what their legal rights are and what their next steps should be. If an accident victim is unable to contact a lawyer directly after a crash, they do so as soon as possible to avoid making any mistakes that could jeopardize their chances of recovering any compensation they may due.
If a driver was injured in a collision in Gainesville and they are ready to speak with a lawyer, they can contact Koberlein Law Offices for legal help and guidance.
Koberlein Law Offices can be reached at any of their office locations listed down below:
855 SW Baya Drive
Lake City, FL 32025
Phone: 386-269-9802
Website: www.klo-attorneys.com
118 Ohio Avenue N, Suite A
Live Oak, FL 32064
Phone: 386-516-2626
8443 SW 14 Lane
Gainesville, FL 32607
Phone: 352-519-4357
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