Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney

Yes, it is important to call the police after a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Even if the accident was minor, you should contact the police to report it and get an incident report for insurance or legal purposes. Make sure to exchange insurance information with all drivers involved and take pictures of vehicle damage before leaving the scene.

If the other driver does not have insurance, try to get as much information and evidence from them as possible. This should include their name, contact information, license plate number, and a description of the other vehicle. Take pictures of the damage and keep notes of what happened at the scene. You will need this information if you decide to file a first-party claim through your own insurance company, such as a personal injury protection (PIP) claim or an uninsured motorist (UM) claim. You should also talk to a car accident attorney to see if there is a way to file directly against the uninsured driver.

Even if you are not experiencing any symptoms or pain after an accident, it is crucial to request a full medical evaluation as soon as possible. You are not a doctor and cannot adequately assess the extent of any injuries you might have sustained; neglecting to see a doctor puts you at risk for permanent or long-term damage. Not only will seeing a doctor protect your health, but it will also help strengthen your case if you choose to pursue a personal injury claim in Fort Lauderdale.

Another reason why seeking medical attention is important is so you can understand what an adequate offer of compensation would be. It would be impossible to know if you are receiving a fair offer if you have not been fully evaluated by a medical professional. As such, you should never accept a settlement offer from the at-fault party’s insurance company without fully understanding the extent of your injuries or without consulting a car accident lawyer serving Fort Lauderdale beforehand. If you accept this offer, you will not be able to reopen your case if it turns out the offer did not adequately cover your losses.

If you've been injured in a car accident you should call a car accident lawyer serving Fort Lauderdale as soon as possible because there is a deadline for filing a claim. Florida's statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is four years, which means your case must be filed within that timeframe.

Another important reason to talk to a personal injury attorney quickly is the preservation of evidence. Your attorney may need to collect witness statements, obtain medical records, and have your automobile examined in order to win your accident case. The more time passes, the harder it can be to get reliable evidence to support your car accident case.

When you're suffering from injuries and dealing with the costs of repairing your automobile, the last thing you want to worry about is paying attorney fees. In Florida, personal injury lawyers operate on a contingent fee, which means all legal fees associated with your case are taken out of the final recovery amount, so you pay no upfront costs or hourly retainers. A typical contingent fee is about 33% but can be higher or lower depending on the agreement you make with your Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer.

The need to go to court for a car accident case in Fort Lauderdale will depend on the details of the incident. In most cases, insurance companies and lawyers can settle claims out of court. However, if there is a dispute or disagreement between the opposing parties, they may need to resolve it through litigation in a court of law.

The amount of time it takes to settle a car accident case in Fort Lauderdale will vary depending on the complexity of the incident and whether the other driver’s insurance company wants to cooperate. Generally, if a settlement can be reached, then the case will take around six months. If no settlement is possible or there are a lot of back-and-forths, then it could take longer than a year to reach a conclusion. It is important to work with an experienced lawyer who can guide you through the process and avoid unnecessary delays.