Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel times of the year on I-95, I-295 and the bridges into downtown Jacksonville. More cars, tired drivers and holiday celebrations mean more crashes. If it happens to you, the next few days matter a lot.
1. Get medical care within 14 days
Under Florida's no-fault (PIP) law, you generally need treatment within 14 days of the crash to use your PIP benefits. Some injuries, like whiplash or concussions, don't show up right away, so get checked even if you feel fine.
2. Document everything
Take photos of the cars, the road, traffic signals and your injuries. Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses. Ask for the crash report number from JSO or FHP.
3. Be careful with insurance calls
The other driver's insurer may call quickly and ask for a recorded statement. You don't have to give one. Anything you say can be used to reduce what they pay you.
4. Stay off social media
Photos from a holiday party or a post saying "I'm okay!" can be used against you later. It's best to wait until your claim is resolved.
5. Know the deadline
Since Florida's 2023 tort reform, most negligence claims must be filed within two years, not four. Florida also now bars recovery if you're found more than 50% at fault, so evidence about fault matters more than ever.
Drunk driving crashes spike around the holidays. If an impaired driver hit you, there may be extra paths to recovery, including claims against a bar that served a known habitual drunkard.
Have questions about your situation? Call Terrell Hogan Law at (904) 632-2424 for a free consultation. Trusted to fight the hard cases since 1974.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
