If you or someone you love was injured in a negligence-based accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. However, obtaining it can be a time-consuming, complex legal and insurance matter.
A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can investigate your accident, collect evidence, and deal with the insurance company. They can also negotiate on your behalf and fight for the best possible financial recovery for you.
You do not have to handle all the moving parts of your claim without legal support every step of the way. You can learn more about how a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can help with your case.
Most law firms in your area will offer a free injury claim evaluation that allows you to learn more about your right to fair compensation and the at-fault party’s financial liability.
The Case-Building Benefits of Hiring a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Attorney
Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they cover all the costs of preparing your case. You will not pay any upfront fees, investigative costs, retainers, or court filing fees. The law firm’s compensation is a percentage of your financial recovery. If you do not recover any damages, you will not owe any legal fees.
Another primary benefit of hiring an attorney is the peace of mind it gives you. You will know your case meets all required legal parameters, including complying with the mandatory statute of limitations.
A Lawyer Can Investigate Your Accident’s Cause and Contributing Factors
To recover damages for an accident, another person’s or entity’s negligence must have caused it. If a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney represents you, they can prove its causes and contributing factors by:
- Collecting all official reports related to your accident—police, fire, medical first responder, internal, corporate, etc.
- Interviewing witnesses, including accident eyewitnesses and medical, financial, and other expert witnesses
- Interviewing witnesses during deposition sessions and preparing you to give deposition testimony
- Researching and compiling supportive evidence, including physical evidence and relevant documentation
The lawyer investigating your case will collect evidence of the elements of negligence and work hard to reach a fair settlement agreement with the liable party’s insurance company.
Your Attorney Will Aim to Prove the At-Fault Party’s Negligence With a Strong Case File
Establishing financial liability for your accident means proving the at-fault party’s negligence. An injury lawyer will understand the components of negligence, including:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
The evidence your personal injury law firm will collect to prove these components will vary based on the type of accident you were involved in. It may include:
- Medical records and bills
- Accident reconstruction
- Witness statements
- Expert consultants
- Proof of income
- Social media records
- Accident scene photos and video footage
- Inspections and violations
Your lawyer will bring a pool of team members and resources to your case. They will collect all the evidence needed to prove your right to compensation, so you can focus on recovering.
A Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer Can Document Your Recoverable Damages
A fair financial recovery after an accident can be harder to assess than you think. Because the injuries you suffer in an accident can impact your ability to work, they can have an immediate financial impact, making a speedy settlement offer tempting.
However, a personal injury attorney can protect you from the potential shortfall of a speedy settlement that does not fully account for your accident-related expenses and losses.
Medical Bills and Other Economic Damages
The costs of recovering from an accidental injury can continue long after your claim is resolved, so your lawyer will request compensation for both current and future treatment expenses. Additional economic damages can include:
- Current and future lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage or destruction
- Diminished property resale value
These damages are typically easy to document with bills, receipts, and other documentation. Your attorney will collect these for your case file.
Pain and Suffering and Other Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intangible and can be hard to prove without a lawyer. They can include:
- Physical disability
- Physical disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Your attorney can collect medical records, future prognosis, and additional tangible evidence that supports the value of your intangible damages.
A Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Attorney Can Clarify the Statute of Limitations
Whether you were involved in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, pedestrian accident, slip and fall, or other type of negligence-based accident, Florida law imposes a statute of limitations (filing deadline) on your right to file a lawsuit. The personal injury statute of limitations changed recently, giving you just two years to file.
Additional statutes of limitations generally include:
- Two years to file a medical malpractice lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11
- Two years to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 400.0236
- Six months to notify a government agency of your claim, according to Florida Statutes § 768.28(6)(a)(1)
Depending on the injured party’s age and other factors, Florida Statutes § 95.051 could toll (pause) the statute of limitations. The best way to understand how Florida’s filing deadlines apply to your case is to let a lawyer handle it for you. They can accurately interpret the filing deadline and file your personal injury lawsuit within the allotted time.
Additional Benefits of Hiring a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer
Hiring an attorney can mean taking the burden of the myriad aspects of your personal injury claim off your shoulders. They can deal with the insurance company and represent you at every phase of the negotiation process. With their guidance and support, you can fight for maximum compensation.
Get Immediate Help With Your Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Claim
If you or a loved one was injured in a negligence-based accident, you can pursue compensation from the responsible party. You do not have to build your case or fight for damages alone.
Learn more about how a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can help with your case with a free claim review. Contact our legal team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for yours today.
We Can Help.
