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What to Do if in a Car Accident in Orlando

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What to Do if in a Car Accident in Orlando

What to do if in a car accident in Orlando? Call 911 immediately. Be sure to request police and any emergency medical assistance. The police will guide you through the process. Use your cell phone to photograph any damage to the vehicles. If possible, photograph the vehicles in their final resting position before they are moved. Get these photos from as many angles as possible. Also, try to get photographs of any property damage to all of the vehicles involved in the accident. It is important to get as many photographs as possible before your vehicle has been repaired. We recommend photographing the vehicle in its entirety. It is important to adequately photograph the visibly damaged areas, and make sure to include the license plate and VIN in the photographs. Get shots of the pieces of broken glass in the driver’s seat, the bloodstains on the steering wheel, the deployed airbag, and the crunched eye-glasses on the floor. These photographs are priceless when you have been struck by another vehicle in an automobile accident. Personal belongings can add a real human touch when communicating your injuries to the insurance company. Then, once you are ready, call Orlando Car Accident Attorney Joe Knape for the help you need.

Orlando Car Accident Attorney

Photograph any visible injuries. Many times, after a motor vehicle crash, you will have bruises on your thighs, hips, and chest caused by the seat belt/shoulder harness. If the airbag is deployed, you will often sustain burn marks to your face or arms. If the windshield is shattered, especially if you have been rear-ended at a high rate of speed, tiny pieces of glass sometimes shatter, leaving shards of glass in your hair and skin. The photographs help to document the dynamics of the crash, the acute, traumatic injuries to your body and help show the severity of the impact. The photographs tell a story that cannot be easily disputed. As the old saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Gather as much information as you can about the other driver and any witnesses. This information should include the license plate number, name, phone number, address, insurance provider, insurance policy number, and all other relevant information for the other driver. Remember to try to obtain the same information from all of the passengers in the car as well. Get all of the information from all of the witnesses. Ask them what they saw and document what they tell you. Remember to get their names, addresses, and phone numbers.

Cooperate fully with the police. After the police arrive, they will question all parties in and witnesses to the accident. Be sure to report all injuries, no matter how insignificant they seem at the time, to the police. The insurance company may use your failure to do so against you in a settlement or court case. Don’t ever neglect to tell the responding law enforcement officers to put your injury(ies) in their investigative report.

Do NOT admit fault or even partial responsibility for the car accident in Orlando. Unfortunately, you may not be thinking clearly or recalling the facts accurately at the time of the accident because of the shock involved. Don’t ever admit fault. Get an experienced auto accident lawyer to help you navigate the sea of things that must be dealt with in the aftermath of a collision.

Get a copy of the Driver Exchange of Information, Police Report, or Police Report number. The police will either complete a “Driver Exchange of Information” or an actual “Long Form Police Report.” In some instances, the police will simply provide the parties with a business card on which the officer writes the police report number so the parties can obtain the complete report from the internet when it is ready.

Get medical attention. The paramedics will likely ask you if you need to go to the emergency room. It is always a good idea to go to the hospital to be checked out. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Even though you may not have any visible bruises or lacerations, you may have sustained internal injuries or a head injury. The ER will run tests and perform x-rays to determine if everything is ok. If you do go to the ER, make sure you tell them that you are there as a result of an accident, and provide them with your insurance policy so that they may bill the appropriate party. If you do not think your injuries require emergency medical care or if you are unable for some reason to go to the emergency room, we can arrange for you to treat with a doctor at no expense out of your pocket later that day or the next.

Contact an experienced Florida auto accident attorney to help you with your auto accident claim by calling 850-CALL-JOE. We’re available around the clock, 24/7. The experienced auto accident attorneys at The 850-CALL-JOE Law Firm, PA, can make the difference between a small settlement and a substantial award. It is a wise idea to hire a law firm to protect your rights and help you through this very stressful situation.

Your attorney can set you up with an appointment with a doctor if you don’t already have one. Most likely, the attorney can meet you at your doctor’s appointment or your house for your convenience to sign you up and have you fill out the information about your case so they can immediately start work on your claim. After you hire an attorney, the insurance companies are no longer allowed to contact you and must work directly with your insurance company. The only thing you have to worry about is getting better. We can help make the auto accident claim process easy.

What to Do if in a Car Accident in Orlando

Report the car accident in Orlando to YOUR insurance company so it can open your claim. Do not state the other side’s insurance company. It is okay to speak with them about starting a property damage claim to have your vehicle repaired, but do not speak with them about your injuries. The insurance adjuster for the at-fault party will contact you to set up at the time to have someone come out to look at your vehicle. Your insurance company will contact you to start your protection claim.

car accident attorney orlando

Do NOT speak with the other side’s insurance company about your injuries. You are under no obligation to give a recorded statement or answer questions about your injuries. Doing so could seriously jeopardize your claim. You should never give a recorded statement to the insurance company if you plan on hiring an attorney. I could often do more damage than good. If you give the insurance company a recorded statement, they could use any information you give them against you in your case. If you hire an attorney, your attorney will decide if they will allow a recorded statement. It is okay to speak with them about your property damage claim. What to do if in a car accident? Be sure not to accept any settlement offer without consulting Joe Knape, your Orlando Car Accident in Orlando Attorney.

For assistance with other types of litigation, such as your family law case, DUI and traffic case, criminal defense case, or for general legal help, please read our blogs and call Attorney Joe today!

Getting a Divorce in Florida

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Getting a Divorce in Orlando, Florida

The Three Most Important Things to Consider When Getting a Divorce in Orlando Florida are:

What should I know before I start the process of getting a divorce?

The conversation starts in a hundred different ways.

“Honey, I think I want a divorce.”

Sometimes it’s expected.

“I want to try it apart for a while.”

Sometimes it is not.

“It’s just not working anymore.”

Either way, bringing the question of divorce into a marriage is like cracking an egg into a bowl.

There’s no putting it back in the shell.

Telling My Spouse I Want a Divorce in Orlando, Florida

If the thought of telling my spouse I want a divorce in Florida has crossed your mind, don’t make the mistake of speaking without thinking. When you start to consider divorce, you need proper preparation in order to make sure that both the initial conversation and the entire process go smoothly.

Take the time to think about these key factors before you tell your spouse that you need to talk.

Is Divorce the right thing to do? Is Telling my spouse I want a divorce in Florida a good idea?

Divorce is a serious and life-changing decision. It is not the best option for everyone. Talk to a mental health professional or a friend, or spend some time thinking or journaling to make sure that you are fully aware of why you are making the decision to divorce, and whether you are ready.

Ask yourself:

  • Am I prepared to go through with the divorce?
  • Is this based on an emotional reaction or is it an earnest and intentional desire?
  • Am I aware of the negative consequences of this decision?
  • Have I explored the best possible options to resolve our marital issues?
  • How will I behave during and after my divorce?

Financial Aspect to Divorce in Orlando, Florida

Getting a divorce can be expensive, particularly if the process is contentious or if there is extensive property to divide. Even if you don’t want to hire a lawyer to work on your behalf throughout the process, it is wise to consult with a local divorce attorney before opening discussions. Consider the financial aspect to divorce in Florida. You can use your meeting with the divorce attorney to clarify or expand upon any of the questions you may have about court procedures, and learn what information you’ll need before you can move forward.

You can prepare for your meeting and help to protect your financial interests by pursuing the following steps after requesting a divorce:

  • Identify what each of you owns in salary or property, and what each of you owes in debt.
  • Get copies of all joint documents, such as W-2 forms and tax returns.
  • Know what types of insurance and/or pension plans you both carry.
  • Close any and all joint bank accounts.
  • Know how much your lawyer charges, and whether you are working under an hourly rate or a flat fee for the services provided.
>Getting a Divorce in Florida: Children in Florida Divorce

We can’t predict the future. But on a day to day level, there are certain concerns that we can expect to come up in the course of a given month or year.

In a divorce case, some of those questions are necessarily basic. But not everyone takes the time to consider the answers before opening divorce proceedings.

Do you know, for instance, who is going to live where?

Yours may be a situation where you need to get out of the house as soon as possible. Or your divorce attorney may advise you to maintain a position of strength by taking steps to remain in your house.

Do you know whether you have enough money to live on?

How much does it cost to run your household? If you aren’t regularly responsible for paying the bills, you may not know what your regular costs are for rent or mortgage, electricity, water, heat, and miscellaneous expenses like property maintenance. You’ll also need to have a strategy for paying them, whether that will be a savings account, your own credit, or regular employment.

Do you know what will happen to your kids?

If you have children, they represent the most important element to be considered in your divorce.

The most important priority is to make sure that you preserve your relationship with them. Make sure you spend time with them, and that you don’t treat them like pawns in your divorce proceedings. Seek the advice of a qualified custody attorney when beginning proceedings, and be sure to not leave any threatening messages or conduct yourself in a way that reflects on you poorly.

Protect Your Home During the Holidays Florida

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Protect Your Home During the Holidays Florida

Orlando Criminal Defense Attorney Joe Knape wants you and your family to be safe this holiday season. That is why he has written this article “Protect Your Home During the Holidays Florida.” Here are a few tips that can make you holidays safer and more enjoyable.

There is an old saying that goes “Safety begins at home”. For some, the holidays call for exterior lights, lavish decorations and even sound shows. Putting these decorations in place requires home owners to do tasks they are not usually called on to perform, like reaching and stretching from the tops of ladders. Sometimes the ladders get away from you. Dr. Sam Ashoo, the Medical Director at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare says there is no single injury that defines the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but accidents with ladders surely increase, as do sports related injuries.

The holidays also bring to mind lavish meals, with the bounty spread out across multiple tables. All that food has to be prepared, and according to Tallahassee Fire Department Spokesman Mike Bellamy, that can lead to home stovetop and range fires with are a serious cause of fires and injuries.

Criminal Defense Attorney Joe Knape

There is also a serious risk of crimes. Culver’s article cites Tallahassee Police Department spokeswoman Officer Susan Newhouse, who gives some pointers on how not to become a victim. These tips include securing your home by locking the doors and using lights on timers to give the appearance that someone is home, and to make sure the house is not completely dark when you return.

When you shop, protect yourself and your new found treasures by moving your car after you place your packages inside. While this may be a hassle trying to find another parking place in a busy mall lot, it may save you hundreds of dollars by increasing the odds your packages will still be there when you return.

If you find yourself in need of a lawyer this holiday season, call on Criminal Defense Attorney Joe Knape. Joe has his main office in Orlando but will travel to meet you for your case throughout Central Florida. The initial consultation is free of charge. You have nothing to lose. Payment plans are available, and Joe Knape accepts all major credit cards.

Call Central Florida Criminal Lawyer Joe Knape at 850-225-5563 or fill out the contact form at http://site31.meeg.net.

Criminal Defense Attorney Joe Knape

THE 850 CALL JOE LAW FIRM, P.A.

Central Florida DUI Lawyer

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Central Florida DUI Lawyer: Florida Minor Drinking Laws

Take it from a Central Florida DUI lawyer, underage drinking in Florida is as much a part of college life as finals and spring break. According to the Florida minor drinking laws, the difference is, with underage drinking or drug use, you can end up in jail, have a permanent criminal record that will follow you for the rest of your life, and you may be without your driver’s license and without driving privileges for an extended period of time. You have to decide if it is worth it. If you make the wrong choice and are facing the consequences, Central Florida DUI lawyer Joe Knape is there to help. Joe handles dui cases in and around Sanford, Kissimmee, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Daytona Beach, Titusville, and Orlando.

So, how bad can it be? It is a childhood indiscretion, almost a rite of passage, right? Actually, the results of a drug of alcohol related arrest in Orlando can be very bad. First of all, as a minor under the age of 21, you do not even need to be in physical possession of alcohol or drugs to be charged as a Minor In Possession. In Orlando, as well as the rest of Florida, a minor can be charged with possession if they show signs of being under the influence, if they have alcohol of drugs in their system, or even if they are in an area where alcohol is present.

Note: In Florida a server or bartender can serve alcohol at the age of 18. While you can be a bartender or server, you simply cannot sample your product until you reach the age of 21.

If you or your child is arrested for Minor in Possession (MIP) charges, the penalties can be steep. For a first offense you are facing a second degree misdemeanor which carries penalties of up to 60 days in jail, 6 months of probation and/or fine of up to $500. There is also a mandatory 6 month driver’s license suspension, which the Judge can increase up to one year. Penalties for Possession of Alcohol by a minor can be increased if you have had a prior charge of the same crime. For a second offense the charge is a first degree misdemeanor and the penalties include a fine of up to $1000, up to one year in jail, and loss of a driver’s license for up to one year on a first offense, and mandatory two years on a second offense.  A conviction can also affect the outcome of college applications, financial aid applications, finding a job or even finding a place to live.

Florida Minor Drinking Laws: Central Florida DUI Lawyer

If you find yourself facing MIP, DUI/DWI, or any other alcohol or drug related charges, the first step should be to contact Criminal Defense Attorney Joe Knape to make sure your rights are protected.

If you have been arrested for any alcohol or drug related offense, consult Orlando DUI Lawyer Joe Knape. The initial consultation is free of charge. You have nothing to lose. Payment plans are available, and Joe Knape accepts all major credit cards.

Call Central Florida DUI Lawyer Joe Knape at 850-225-5563 to find out more about Florida minor drinking laws or fill out the contact form at http://site31.meeg.net.

Divorce Court Orlando FL

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I Want A Divorce in Orlando – But What If We Have to Go To Divorce Court Orlando FL?

When you are pursuing a divorce in Orlando, sometimes going to court can become one of the most intimidating prospects. Whether you’ve been in court before (for any reason) or have only seen it on TV, the stress of appearing in a divorce courtroom in front of a judge can be yet another emotional challenge. If you have to go to divorce court Orlando FL, consider calling 850-CALL-JOE for help.

Knowing what to expect from a divorce courtroom can make a big difference in how you approach your hearing date. Every divorce process is a little different, but understanding the role of the courtroom in the process will help you to feel prepared and aware of what you need to do to get the best possible outcome for your divorce.

Divorce in Florida: Uncontested or Contested?

Every couple seeking a divorce in Florida will have to appear before a judge in divorce court Orlando FL at some point in the process. That includes uncontested divorces (in which the spouses agree on all terms of the separation) as well as contested (more appearances are necessary).

Even if you can file the paperwork yourself in a simplified divorce process, you and your spouse will still have to present yourselves in court for a hearing to finalize and affirm the marital dissolution agreement and settlement terms. You can pursue a simplified divorce if:

  • You or your spouse have been a resident of Florida for at least six months;
  • You and your spouse are both able to appear to file the forms to initiate the divorce and to attend the final hearing in person;
  • You and your spouse have no children, either born during the marriage or adopted;
  • You and your spouse agree on how property, assets, and debts will be divided.

This is the easiest possible course for divorce. When you and your spouse appear before the judge, you answer a brief series of questions to confirm the details of your case. Among other questions, you’ll be asked how long you and your spouse have lived in the state of Florida, when you were married, and when you separated. You’ll also be asked to confirm that your marriage is irretrievably broken – the legal terminology under which a marriage can be dissolved in Florida.

If all has gone well, at the end of the hearing, the magistrate will sign the final settlement that you and your spouse have created, and grant a final judgment dissolving your marriage.

What to bring to divorce court

The hope is always to be able to resolve the details of a divorce outside of a trial setting. This is the purpose of mediation and even discussions with a licensed divorce attorney. However, this is not always possible. So, to answer your question of what to bring to the divorce court, I will give you a list of documents that we will review in my office.

Appearing in family court is a requirement for those who have children. The court is there to help ensure that the best interests of the child are looked after in the course of dissolving the marriage. Florida provides for “shared parental responsibility,” a co-parenting arrangement that requires joint decisions to be made on established key aspects of a child’s life. If you have children, you and your spouse will appear with your attorneys before the judge to establish time-sharing schedules and a parenting plan.

If possible, it is wise to settle important details like custody sharing and schedules outside of the courtroom with the assistance of attorneys or mediators. Otherwise, the well-being of your children will be placed in the hands of someone who does not know them nearly as well as you do.

Though most couples without children prefer to resolve their divorce in Florida and create their Marital Settlement Agreement without going to trial, sometimes it becomes necessary when the two spouses cannot agree on the division of property, assets, and debts. Should this be the case, each spouse will have to take the witness stand and undergo questioning from their attorneys. A representative for the children may also be called (referred to as a guardian ad litem) as well as expert witnesses if needed on matters like finances, property, or business.

When it comes to divorce in Florida, the question of dividing assets in divorce court Orlando FL, Florida law provides for equal division of all items acquired during a marriage. The judge may make exceptions with certain pieces of property in certain cases. What to bring to divorce court, documents, records, and evidence. For example, the family home may be given to the spouse with primary custody of the children.

Orlando Divorce Court – Orange County

The Orange County Divorce Court / Orlando Divorce Court is located at:

425 N. Orange Avenue,
Orlando, Florida 32801

DUI Crackdown Orlando

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Orlando DUI Defense Lawyer: DUI Crackdown Orlando

Orlando DUI defense lawyer and Central Florida DUI defense lawyer Joe Knape would like to remind you that during the holiday season the Florida Highway Patrol, as well as local law enforcement , will be out in force. Not only will there be the usual increased monitoring of speeders and DUI checkpoints, but this year there will be a DUI crackdown Orlando on what is termed “aggressive driving”.

According to the FHP, about 88 per cent of the traffic fatalities involving a commercial vehicle and a private automobile are caused by driver error. As of November 1st, 2012, the FHP has launched a program called Targeting Aggressive Cars and Trucks. In an effort to reduce crashes, the FHP will be targeting drivers who follow to closely, make unsafe lane changes, and of course, speed.
DUI Crackdown Orlando

DUI Crackdown Orlando | Central Florida DUI Defense Lawyer

This DUI crackdown Orlando campaign campaign is in addition to the usual checkpoints that will be in place to check for people driving while impaired through the use of drugs or alcohol. If you are stopped and arrested for driving while impaired or driving under the influence, it is important for you to contact DUI Attorney Joe Knape immediately.

Once you have been arrested for DUI, you have only ten days to take steps to make sure that you do not lose your drives license. Call Orlando DUI defense lawyer Joe Knape immediately. The automatic administrative revocation will affect your life for a period ranging from 180 days to a year. By contacting Joe Knape, Orlando and Central Florida DUI Attorney, he can represent you at the Department of Motor Vehicle hearing and challenge the evidence and attempt to protect your license from automatic revocation.  The DMV hearing is apart from the criminal trial, although the same evidence will be used at both events. The evidence will include the testimony of the arresting officer and the results of the chemical tests from either your breath or your blood.

If you have been charged with DUI because of or in addition to the DUI crackdown Orlando, all is not lost. You are innocent until you are proven guilty, and working with Joe Knape will insure that you have someone on your side to protect your rights. Losing the ability to drive for up to one year will throw your personal life into chaos and make it difficult to even get to work. Give yourself the opportunity to protect your right to drive. Contact Joe Knape immediately.

If you have been arrested for DUI, consult Orlando DUI Lawyer Joe Knape. The initial consultation is free of charge. You have nothing to lose. Payment plans are available, and Joe Knape accepts all major credit cards.

Call Central Florida DUI Lawyer and Orlando DUI defense lawyer Joseph Knape for help.

Joe Knape, Attorney at Law

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