Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A. Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A.
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Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney

Call (954) 467-8800 to Fight for Fair Compensation After an Auto Accident in South Florida

It is an unfortunate fact that car accidents are enormously prevalent in modern-day society. Tens of thousands of collisions occur every day, and a large percentage of these result in severe injuries to those involved. Such damages can have a significant impact on your life. For instance, you might become physically disabled or require expensive medical operations and therapy that prevent you from working for several weeks.

In addition, you may be entitled to substantial monetary compensation when you have sustained severe injuries in a car accident.

At Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A., our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers fight for you to recover the compensation deserved for car accident injuries sustained at the hands of a negligent driver. We have more than six decades of personal injury experience on our side. In addition, we are passionate about helping those who have suffered injuries.

As a result, our car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale can meticulously investigate your car accident case and aggressively advocate on your behalf.

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What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale?

If you’re ever in a car accident, you should take these steps immediately:

  • Make sure everyone involved is safe and unharmed. If medical attention is needed, call 911 immediately.
  • Secure the scene of the accident by turning on your hazard lights and setting up warning cones or flares if necessary.
  • Exchange insurance information with all drivers involved in the accident. Take pictures of vehicle damage as well as license plates for your records.
  • Notify the police about the accident even if it was a minor one; you may need an incident report for insurance or legal purposes later.
  • Contact your insurance company right away to file an incident report and get help with repairs and any claims you may have due to the accident.
  • Call a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney at your first opportunity to discuss whether you should file an injury claim in addition to your car insurance claim.
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Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

Until a car accident victim retains legal representation, the insurance company knows they are dealing with someone who does not know the law as well as they do. Insurance adjusters often take advantage of injured victims while dealing with the financial, physical, and emotional consequences of an injury, pushing them to accept a low settlement when they deserve much more!

Did you know? On average, insurance payouts are 3.5 times higher for individuals that retain a personal injury lawyer.

By hiring a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer from Schlesinger Law Offices, you receive an experienced legal advocate who understands the law and has the tenacity to fight for your rights and every penny of compensation you deserve! In addition, we have courtroom experience and are prepared to take your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be negotiated with the insurance company. Call (954) 467-8800 to discuss your South Florida car accident case during a free consultation!

Advocating for Victims of Car Accidents in South Florida

How Is Fault Determined in a Car Accident?

The process of determining liability after a car accident is quite complex. That is because innumerable factors could have contributed to the crash. It takes a highly experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer to uncover the circumstances of the impact to prove who or what was at fault.

Claims Are Generally Categorized in One of Three Ways:

At Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A., our Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers are familiar with the science behind car accidents and are far better equipped to secure compensation than those with little to no experience. The process of analyzing a crash involves the application of as much science as it does of law. We also utilize professional investigators to determine precisely what occurred during the car collision. Our car accident lawyers serving Fort Lauderdale can use this information to prove who was liable for your injuries and hold them accountable.

Florida's No-Fault Insurance Rule for Car Accidents

For auto accidents only, Florida has a no-fault insurance law that means you must file a claim with your own insurance company, instead of filing a claim against the other driver. The advantage of this no-fault rule is that if you are injured in a car crash, you can receive compensation regardless of who is at fault. The downside is that a personal injury protection policy (PIP) is often not enough to fully compensate a victim if their injuries are very serious. Thankfully, cases that involve serious injury are an exception to Florida's no-fault liability system.

If your injuries meet the following requirements, you may be able to file a claim against the at-fault driver or a third party to pursue additional compensation:

  • The injury is permanent
  • There is significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
  • There is significant and permanent loss of a bodily function

Let the Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys at Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A. fight for the full amount of compensation you deserve. Our experienced team can assist you with filing the initial claim with your insurer and help you seek any additional damages you are entitled.

What Is Comparative Negligence?

Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means you can still recover compensation in a car accident case even if you are partially at fault for the accident; however, your recovery of damages will be reduced. The judge will determine what percentage of fault each party shares for the accident. When recovery is awarded, that percentage will be deducted from the total.

For example, if a judge concluded that you were 10% at fault for the accident that caused your injuries and a jury awarded you $50,000 in compensation, you would receive a final recovery of $45,000. Insurance companies may also use the comparative negligence rule when determining a settlement, so even if your case does not go to trial (which is most likely), the comparative negligence rule can still affect you.

What Damages Can I Be Compensated For After an Accident?

In car accident cases, as with other personal injury lawsuits, damages can be broken into two categories: economic and non-economic. Financial damages include expenses incurred due to the accident, such as medical bills or lost wages. In contrast, non-economic injuries take less tangible costs, like emotional trauma and loss of future earning potential.

The Most Common Damages That Can Be Recovered in a Car Accident Include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Automotive repair bills
  • Lost wages
  • Long-term therapy/rehabilitative care

Additionally, the surviving family members of a loved one who was killed in an auto accident can claim damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. There are many legal options on the table in car accident cases, so it's important to speak with an experienced car accident attorney serving Fort Lauderdale as soon as possible!

Car Accident FAQs

Do I Have to Call the Police After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale?

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.

What if the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?

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.

What If My Injuries Presented Themselves Long After An Auto Accident?

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.

When Should I Talk to an Attorney About My Case?

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.

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

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.

Will I Have to Go to Court for My Car Accident Case?

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.

How Long Will It Take To Settle My Car Accident Case?

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.

Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A. Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A.
I can't thank the team of lawyers from Schlesinger Law Firm for their high quality of professionalism and persistence in pursuing my lawsuit. They always made me feel part of their family.

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