What to Do After a Car Accident in Brevard County: 10 Steps
A car accident on I-95, U.S. 1, or Wickham Road can change your week, your finances, and your health in a matter of seconds. Brevard County records more than 8,300 crashes in a single year, and the people involved come from every part of the county, from Palm Bay and Melbourne to Titusville and Cocoa Beach. What you do in the first minutes, hours, and days after a crash can shape your recovery and any insurance claim that follows.
Quick answer: After a car accident in Florida, call 911, move to a safe place, report the crash to police, exchange information, document the scene, see a doctor within 14 days, avoid admitting fault, notify your own insurance company, keep every record, and speak with a Brevard County personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement.
10 Things to Do After a Car Accident in Brevard County
1. Call 911 and Check for Injuries
Check yourself and your passengers first. Call 911 even if everyone seems fine. Adrenaline can mask pain, so sometimes you do not feel symptoms until hours or even days after. Calling 911 sends police and emergency medical responders to the scene and creates a time-stamped record of the crash.
2. Move to a Safe Place and Stay at the Scene
Florida law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop and remain at the scene. Leaving can lead to criminal charges. If the vehicles can be driven and no one is seriously hurt, move them out of the travel lane and turn on your hazard lights. On busy roads like I-95, State Road 528, or the Pineda Causeway, safety comes first. Always be aware of your surroundings.
3. Report the Crash to Police and Get the Report Number
Florida law requires a crash to be reported when it involves an injury, a death, or apparent property damage of $500 or more. Depending on where you are, the responding agency may be the Florida Highway Patrol, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, or a city department such as Palm Bay, Melbourne, Titusville, Rockledge or Cocoa police. Ask the officer for a name, badge number, and crash report number. The full report can take several days to become available.
4. Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Collect the other driver’s full name, phone number, address, driver’s license number, license plate, and insurance company and policy number. Note the make, model, and color of each vehicle. A quick photo of the driver’s license and insurance card is faster and more accurate than writing it down. Florida requires drivers to carry personal injury protection and property damage coverage, but many carry only the minimum and some carry nothing, so confirm what coverage the other driver has.
5. Document the Scene
Take photos and video before vehicles are moved if it is safe to do so. Capture the position of each car, the damage, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, weather, and any visible injuries. Write down the time, the street, and the nearest cross street or mile marker. If witnesses stopped, get their names and phone numbers. Dash camera footage and nearby business cameras can also matter, and that footage is often overwritten within days.
6. See a Doctor Within 14 Days
Florida is a no-fault state, and personal injury protection coverage generally requires you to receive initial medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to qualify for maximum benefits. Go to an emergency room, urgent care, or your primary care doctor, even if you feel mostly fine. Whether you are near Holmes Regional in Melbourne, Palm Bay Hospital, Viera Hospital, or Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, a medical record connects your symptoms to the crash. Follow your treatment plan and keep your appointments. Gaps in care are something insurance companies look for.
7. Be Careful What You Say and Post
Stick to the facts when you speak with police. Do not guess about speed, distance, or fault, and do not apologize because that can be misconstrued as an admission of fault. Florida uses a modified comparative negligence rule, which means if you are found more than 50% at fault you are barred from recovering. Stay off social media about the crash, your injuries, or your activities. Posts and photos can be pulled into a claim later.
8. Notify Your Own Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurer promptly. Most policies require timely notice, and delays can create problems. Be careful what you tell your own company and keep it simple. The other driver’s insurance adjuster may call within a day or two and ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to give one, and it is reasonable to decline until you have spoken with an attorney.
9. Keep Every Record
Start a folder, paper or digital, on day one. Include the crash report number, medical bills and records, prescriptions, repair estimates, rental car receipts, pay stubs, and a note of every missed day of work. A short daily journal of your pain, sleep, and limits on normal activities can help show how the injury affects your life. Keep damaged items such as a child car seat or a cracked phone until your claim is resolved.
10. Talk to a Brevard County Injury Attorney Before You Settle
Early settlement offers often arrive before the full extent of an injury is known. Once you accept, the claim is generally closed. Florida’s deadline to file a negligence lawsuit is two years for most injuries from accidents after March 24, 2023, down from four years before the 2023 tort reform law. Evidence, witnesses, and records are easiest to secure early. If a commercial truck or a rideshare vehicle was involved, more parties and more insurance policies may be part of the claim. A free consultation costs nothing and gives you a clear picture of where you stand.
Why Brevard County Families Call Alpizar Law
Alpizar Law is a local, family-owned personal injury firm with more than 80 years of combined experience and hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for injury victims. The firm holds an AV® Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, and the partners are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum® and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®. John, David, and/or Scott Alpizar are personally involved in every case, so you speak with the attorneys handling your claim. You can read more about our attorneys and review our case results.
The firm represents auto accident victims throughout Brevard County, with offices in Palm Bay, Viera, Rockledge, and Titusville, and clients in Melbourne, West Melbourne, Cocoa, Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, Cocoa Beach, and the rest of the Space Coast.
What to Expect When You Contact Alpizar Law
If you are wondering what the first call looks like, the process is simple.
- Reach out. Call 321-676-2511 or send a message through our contact page. A real person answers.
- Tell us what happened. The consultation is free. Bring what you have, such as the crash report number, photos, insurance information, and any medical paperwork. If you do not have everything yet, that is fine.
- We review the details. An attorney looks at how the crash happened, who may be responsible, what insurance coverage may apply, your injuries, and any deadlines.
- You get straight answers. We explain your options and what the process would look like. There is no pressure to decide on the spot. If you need more time, our Not Yet Ready? page is there for you.
- No fees unless we win. If you choose to hire us, we handle the insurance companies, evidence, and paperwork while you focus on getting better.
Car Accident Questions in Brevard County
Do I need to call the police after a minor accident in Florida?
Yes, if anyone is hurt or the apparent property damage is $500 or more. Most crashes meet that threshold. A police report also gives you an official record to rely on later.
How long do I have to see a doctor after a car accident in Florida?
Generally within 14 days to qualify for maximum personal injury protection benefits. Seeing a doctor sooner is better for your health and for documenting your injuries.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Florida?
For most negligence claims from accidents after March 24, 2023, the deadline is two years. Other deadlines can apply depending on the facts, so speak with an attorney as early as you can.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
You may be contacted quickly. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer, and many people choose to speak with an attorney first.
Do I need a lawyer after a car accident in Brevard County?
Not every minor collision calls for one. If you were injured, fault is disputed, the other driver was uninsured, or an insurer made a quick offer, a free consultation is a sensible step.
Injured in a Car Accident? Talk to Alpizar Law
If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash anywhere in Brevard County, call 321-676-2511 or request a free consultation online. Our main office is at 1528 Palm Bay Rd. N.E., Palm Bay, FL 32905.
This article is general information and not legal advice. Every accident is different, and laws change. Speak with a licensed Florida attorney about your situation.
