Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney

Experiencing a Fort Lauderdale car accident can be a life-changing experience. It can take a huge toll on your health, both mentally and psychologically. Because of this, it is important to know what to do if you’ve been involved in a car crash.

What Are The Most Common Car Crash Injuries?

Let’s start by getting a better idea of how a car crash might impact your life. You don’t need to be traveling at a high speed to sustain serious injuries. At low speeds, you will still be able to experience the effects of whiplash. This occurs because of the sudden stop, which causes your neck to snap forward. Whiplash can often cause significant pain. If left untreated, it can reduce mobility in your neck.

The faster that you are traveling, the higher the risk that you will face more dangerous health issues. In this case, you might receive some broken bones. These can take months to re-heal. Next, you might receive some spinal injuries or brain injuries. These are the most dangerous of all. Damage to these sensitive areas can lead to serious mobility issues. In some cases, you might spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair. Damage to the brain can cause serious disabilities. In severe cases, you might require lifelong assistance to perform simple tasks.

It should be noted that the injuries associated with car crashes are not limited to physical damage. It’s common for car crashes to leave victims suffering from mental damages. In this case, people are often left to deal with mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Some people might also develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of being involved in this car crash.

What to Do In A Fort Lauderdale Car Accident?

After a car accident, there are a few things that you will need to do. After the crash, you will need to stay in the car. As you do this, call 911. This allows them to respond to the scene and make an official log of the accident. This will be valuable evidence, which your lawyer can use to prove that the other driver was at fault. If someone else was injured, make sure to check on them. Also, get the names and contact details of anyone who witnessed the accident.

Once the ambulance arrives, you will need to allow them to examine you. Do this even if you want to see your own doctor later. If they recommend it, allow the paramedics to take you to the hospital. You want to make sure that your injuries are treated properly.  If you get into the hospital, you will need to remain there until you are discharged by a doctor. This might mean that you need to call your boss and inform them that you will not be able to go to work in the morning.

After you have been discharged from the hospital, you will need to fill any prescriptions. This shows that you are following the doctor’s advice. The next thing is to contact a car accident lawyer. The sooner you do this, the sooner they will be able to start advising you about your car accident injury case. This will allow you to prepare a strong case, so you can get the compensation you deserve. 

Should I Sign A Waiver?

Some insurance companies have been known to send lawyers to visit potential claimants while they are in the hospital or recovering. There, they will present them with the chance to sign a waiver for a check. You should not sign a waiver. If you do, there is not much that your lawyer will be able to do. Your claim will be limited to the amount that you were presented in the check.

It is also possible that the insurance company might call you after the accident. They will ask you a series of questions, to get you to minimize the seriousness of your injuries. This can help them reduce the amount that they will need to pay you. If you receive one of these calls, it is wise to take it with your lawyer. Alternatively, refer the insurer to your lawyer.

How Does PIP Insurance Work?

Florida is a Personal Injury Protection Insurance (PIP) state. This affects how drivers will be able to claim for compensation after the accident. Let us briefly look at how this might work and how it will affect your claim. In this case, PIP operates as a no-fault insurance policy. In this case, you will be able to make a claim with your insurance company, even if you were responsible for the crash.

However, there is a maximum that you will be able to claim on your insurance. In this case, if you need to claim for additional damages, you will be able to sue the at-fault driver for damages. To do this, you will need to reach a minimum threshold level for damages. Your car accident lawyer will be able to help you do this.

What Damages Can You Claim in A Car Accident?

There are two types of damages that you can claim compensation for in your car accident injury claim. First, you will be able to make a claim for economic damages. This includes things like the costs associated with repairing the damage to your car. It can also include medical bills associated with your recovery. As a result, you will need to keep the receipts associated with any medication that you purchase. This also includes the costs associated with staying in the hospital.

In some cases, you might have ongoing expenses as a result of the crash. For example, your treatment might take several years before it will be finished. In this case, your attorney will need to estimate the amount that you will be owed. This can often be complex, highlighting the importance of getting a good car accident lawyer.

Another important aspect of economic damages is the ability to claim for loss of earnings. This is calculated based on the money that you would have earned if you had been able to go into work during that period. In other cases, you might be suffering from a permeant loss of wages. Calculating the wages that you lost will often be complex. As a result, you will need to get a good personal injury attorney, to make sure that you’re getting the right amount of compensation for your injuries.

You will also be able to claim compensation for non-economic damages. This can cover a wide range of things. For example, it might extend to things like scarring, obtained during the accident. It might also be linked to the emotional trauma that you suffered during the crash. This extends to any mental health conditions which developed after the incident. If you were left disabled, your lawyer can claim for loss of enjoyment, as you will not be able to participate in the activities you liked. These will often be more difficult to calculate. Because of this, you will need a good car accident attorney to help you accurately estimate these costs.

It should be noted that Florida doesn’t have any maximum caps on compensation for damages. As a result, you will be able to sue for the full amount of compensation that you feel that you are owed.

Statute Of Limitations In Florida

In Florida, there is a statute of limitations associated with car accidents. This is the maximum length of time that you have to bring a legal case. Once the statute of limitations is passed, there are not many legal options for your attorney to explore.

In Florida, you will have four years to take the case to court. This time starts from the date of the car accident. If someone was killed, you have just two years to prepare your case. As a result, you will want to go see a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

How Will the Car Accident Case Be Settled?

Once you have prepared your lawsuit, you’ll need to settle the case. In most cases, this will happen through settlement. This means that your case will never make its way into the courtroom. This saves you the legal costs associated with going to court. It also ensures that the other driver does not need to deal with the PR associated with the case.

However, in some cases, the settlement process might not work. If your attorney feels they can get you more compensation, they will take the matter to court. In this case, you must pick a legal team that understands the Florida laws. This will give you the best chance of getting a good outcome.

Contact The Injury Firm

When you’ve been injured in a car crash, your life can get turned upside down. While you were once fit and healthy, you could be facing a lifelong disability. This is a devastating experience emotionally, physically, and financially. If you want help preparing a strong car accident injury claim you should talk to the experts at The Injury Firm. Our team has a long history of fighting for clients, getting them the compensation they deserve. So, schedule a free consultation with our knowledgeable team today to find out how we can help: 954-951-0000