Car accidents can change your life in an instant. The physical, financial, and emotional impacts are traumatic and lasting.
A successful claim requires a solid foundation of evidence. Detailed records, such as maintenance or repair logs for roadways and vehicles, paystubs or salary slips to prove lost wages and expert testimony, all support your case.
Damages
If you suffer severe injuries in a car accident, your legal right to compensation often includes multiple categories of damages. These include medical costs, lost wages, future expenses, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
The skilled car accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale can calculate these noneconomic damages to determine how much your case is worth. This is important because insurance companies and jurors usually pay more for severe injuries.
While you may need to state the police, it is best to direct all other communication to your lawyer. Some drivers who know they are at fault will try to get you to say something that can later be taken out of context and used against your claim. This is why immediate documentation of the crash is so necessary. You can even use your smartphone to record the accident. This video can be saved for a limited time and provides critical evidence for your claim.
Medical bills
If you’re hurt in a car accident, your first concern will likely be how to pay your medical bills. Florida law requires all drivers to carry personal injury protection insurance, covering some economic losses, such as medical bills and lost wages.
However, this isn’t enough in many cases. If your bills and ongoing treatment exceed your PIP plan limits, you must recover damages from the at-fault party responsible for your crash.
This process is complicated and often takes time. Fortunately, your Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can connect you with litigation financing, which can help you cover your medical bills and other expenses until your case settles. This option is handy if serious injuries require extensive medical treatment. Depending on your situation, this may include surgery and lengthy physical therapy. A skilled attorney will be able to assess your case and determine whether this is an appropriate option for you.
Pain and suffering
Car accidents can have a devastating physical, emotional, and financial impact. It’s essential to consult with Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers who can expertly handle the legal issues so you can focus on healing and getting back to normal.
Economic damages include medical bills, vehicle repair invoices, lost wages, and other costs associated with the accident. Noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, are compensation for the physical and mental trauma you’ve suffered because of the accident.
Insurance companies often use formulas to determine what your case is worth, and an experienced car accident attorney will know how to calculate this amount. They can also help you understand what might be considered a diminished quality of life, which could be included in your award for damages. For example, this would include the inability to perform certain activities or enjoy a particular hobby.
Lost wages
Car accidents can often result in missed income because of a person’s inability to work. These lost wages can be a part of a victim’s damages award. An attorney will help you prove your loss of earnings by collecting payroll and other related records.
Car accident lawyers are skilled at determining the damages a victim should receive. They start by choosing the at-fault party’s duty of care. This includes their obligation to operate a vehicle safely and within Florida laws. They will then examine whether the at-fault driver breached this duty of care by, for example, driving while drunk or texting.
Florida’s roadways are notoriously dangerous, especially in Fort Lauderdale. The city’s high population of tourists and its reputation as a spring break destination make the area a frequent target for reckless and distracted drivers. The city also has many traffic problems due to its size and busy streets.
