Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney
In Florida, we have no-fault insurance laws, and this governs all car accidents in the state. Unfortunately, this causes plenty of confusion at a time when we're recovering from injuries from a car accident and trying to return to some form of normality in life. With this in mind, we're going to explain everything you need to know in this guide about car accident injuries, car accident lawyers, and compensation. You'll learn the importance of Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys, why PIP insurance doesn't cover everything, how to deal with a Fort Lauderdale car accident, and more.
Dealing with a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident - What to Do Immediately After
Let's face it, a South Florida Fort Lauderdale car accident is on nobody's to-do list today. However, there were over 41,000 accidents on Broward County roads in 2017 alone. Despite all the precautions we take, despite everything we do to remain safe on the road, the sad reality is that car accidents are common. How do you deal with a Fort Lauderdale car accident?
At the Scene
Firstly, it's important to seek medical attention for your personal injuries and ensure that the emergency services are called (whether this is done by yourself, a passenger, or even an eyewitness) and that you receive the necessary medical care even if you think they are minor injuries. In serious car accidents, only attempt to leave your vehicle when you are in immediate danger. For example, this could be when in water or if chemical/gas spills are apparent.
If you are injured, allow the paramedics to treat you. Sometimes, the paramedic will recommend a trip to the hospital, and this is advised for two reasons:
-
To receive the right treatment for your car wreck injuries and long-term health
-
To obtain paperwork showing the extent of your personal injury claims.
After the Scene
Thereafter, one of the most important pieces of advice is to follow all medical advice. Failing to do this could show that your injuries are not as bad as you claim, and this makes it harder for your Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney to fight your personal injury claim.
Of course, you should also communicate with your employer, fulfill all prescriptions, and keep paperwork. This includes paperwork from police reports, medical bills, other reports, etc.
Often, the things you DON'T do are just as important as the things you DO after an auto accident. For example, we urge you not to take money from the car insurance company or sign anything without speaking to your car accident attorney. Rightly or wrongly, insurance companies send adjusters to speak with victims and get them to agree to a lesser settlement (just because they want to protect profits!). The second that you sign a waiver or accept a payment, this immediately hampers your attempts to obtain compensation later.
Also, make sure that an accident report is made out by the Fort Lauderdale police department at the accident scene.
Common Injuries and Accidents
If we could suddenly remove all preventable car accidents from the road, Fort Lauderdale would become a much safer place for all. Unfortunately, this is a problem to which there seems to be no solution. In 2017, over 5,100 car accidents were caused by alcohol consumption while a further 670 car accidents had drugs present.
Elsewhere, the list of preventable car accident causes goes on because the most common accident cause of all was negligence. When getting into a car, we forget that this is a machine with hundreds of pounds of steel. The consequences of a collision, especially with a pedestrian, are potentially fatal. Other causes of car accidents include following other cars too closely and failing to follow the rules of the road.
Not all motor vehicle accidents are preventable, and examples include extreme weather or even a fault from the car manufacturer. In these cases, you and your legal team will likely seek compensation from the manufacturer for allowing a dangerous vehicle onto the road.
We mentioned the potentially fatal consequences of a road accident, and just under 3,120 people died in 2017 as a result of road accidents in Florida. Depending on the extent of the accident, injuries can include:
-
Back damage
-
Spinal cord damage
-
Leg breaks
-
Disfigurement
-
Paralysis
-
Amputations
While some people are lucky enough to walk away with a few scratches, others have their life altered by the motor vehicle accident. Car accident victims may need lifelong treatment or physiotherapy just because of one moment (often the negligence of another road user). Covering the cost of a Fort Lauderdale car accident is a problem for many, and this leads nicely to the next topic.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance
As we all know, to drive on Fort Lauderdale roads we need personal injury protection (PIP) insurance from the insurance company since Florida has no-fault insurance laws, which always provide coverage. The good news is that PIP provides insurance coverage regardless of who caused the car accident. The bad news is that PIP doesn't cover everything, and this could cause you to miss out.
For example, PIP victims receive compensation for medical expenses and a percentage of lost wages. Yet, the amount received never extends beyond the policy limits (and even the state law limits). Furthermore, victims are not eligible to recuperate anything for pain and suffering.
In most cases, the limit is set to $10,000 for victims. What does this mean? Well, it may cover a hospital trip and some medical treatment. This soon runs out, though, and leaves people forking out money for extended medical treatment. This is without even considering the pain and suffering, lost wages, and other costs that arise as a result of a car accident.
FREE CONSULTATION
WE DON'T GET PAID UNLESS YOU WIN
Working with Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Experienced lawyer to File a Liability Claim
For those left with paralysis or an injury requiring frequent physiotherapy, it's fair to say that $10,000 just isn't enough for medical bills. At the same time, car accident victims are unable to work and aren't compensated for their pain and suffering, and this is where liability claims come in which are included in the car accident settlement. There is a common misconception that people in Florida can't claim after an accident because of PIP insurance, but this simply isn't true.
As well as claiming through your own insurance company, experienced car accident attorneys can help to claim on the insurance company of the guilty party. This is called a ‘bodily injury liability claim'. Where PIP falls short, a liability car insurance claim may allow you to fill those gaps and get the compensation you truly need and deserve. This includes pain and suffering, all lost wages, and various other expenses. To file a liability car insurance claim, you will need to have suffered a serious injury whether this is disfigurement, scarring, impairment, or another permanent injury.
It is always a good idea to have uninsured motorist insurance coverage from your insurance company in case the accident was caused by someone without car insurance.
Researching online will bring up stories of people filing a liability claim alone, but the unfortunate truth is that most people who choose to go alone actually fail. While trying to recover from serious injuries from the car wreck, they are not accustomed to the tactics and techniques of an insurance company and make mistakes that implicate the claim. An experienced car accident lawyer will provide value in lots of different ways including free consultation.
Why work with an experienced car accident lawyer when filing a personal injury lawsuit liability claim?
They Have Experience - Perhaps most importantly, car accident attorneys have experience in this area and know the steps that achieve a positive outcome in your personal injury case. Since they spend every day in this area of law, they can help build a strong case and take the pressure off your shoulders.
They Relieve Pressure - After a car accident, you already have lots of pressure. The PIP coverage from the insurance company isn't going far enough, you're not able to work, you're trying to recover from injuries, and bills are still coming through the door. Why go through the car crash insurance claim alone when you have car crash accident attorneys ready to help on your behalf? We get car mechanics to fix our car, why go anywhere other than a professional and reliable car accident attorney to help with a car accident liability claim?
They Gather Evidence - Some cases have car accident victims trying to claim for themselves, and other cases have family members claiming on behalf of a loved one. Either way, gathering evidence for car accident victims to file a personal injury lawsuit is the last thing you want to do at such an emotional time. Wherever possible, a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer will take pictures of the scene, talk to eyewitnesses, contact expert witnesses, and compile all documentation.
They Provide Legal Protection - As discussed earlier, most insurance companies are happy to send adjusters to speak with car crash victims, and they often try to do so before they have a chance to seek legal representation. Personal injury attorneys protect your legal rights and ensure you get the compensation appropriate for the auto accident, rather than settling for something less to appease the insurance provider.
They Have Resources - Finally, some insurance companies fail to make a fair settlement offer to victims. When this happens, it's important to have a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney by your side with the resources to litigate a fair settlement. Again, with no extra effort for yourself, they will fight in your corner and take the case in front of a judge if necessary.
Choose The Injury Firm Today
Sadly, it seems that we will never completely eliminate the threat of car accidents on our roads. If you are the victim of a Fort Lauderdale car accident, contact a Fort Lauderdale personal injury law firm today to get the advice and support you need. At The Injury Firm, we have the passion, determination, skill, and experience to help auto accident victims in their hour of need.
Your potential compensation package may include lost wages, medical bills (both current and future), pain and suffering, and more. Whether the victim is yourself or a lost family member, get in touch for a free case evaluation with an auto accident attorney today! 954-951-0000
