
If you’re involved in a rear-end collision in Fort Lauderdale, we understand that seeking compensation can be difficult. Fortunately, a skilled lawyer from Anidjar & Levine will focus on establishing liability by demonstrating the at-fault driver’s breach of duty, causation, and measurable damages.
To build a strong case, our attorneys gather necessary evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and medical records. By understanding the strategies we employ, you’ll be better equipped to work with your Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer to achieve a favorable outcome.
Establishing Liability in Fort Lauderdale Rear-End Cases
To establish liability, you need to prove that the other driver was negligent and breached their duty of care.
Establishing a duty of care involves showing that the other driver had a responsibility to drive safely and follow traffic laws. Once you’ve established the duty of care, you need to determine the proximate cause, which refers to the direct link between the other driver’s negligence and the accident.
To determine the proximate cause, you’ll need to show that the other driver’s actions, or lack thereof, led to the collision. This can be done by analyzing the circumstances surrounding the accident, such as the speed and distance of the vehicles involved and any distractions or hazards that may have contributed to the crash.
Gathering Evidence for Strong Fort Lauderdale Claims
When gathering evidence for your rear-end collision claim, it’s important to include a variety of types. These include:
Documenting the Scene
As you wait for the police to arrive, take advantage of the opportunity to document the scene of the rear-end collision. This is important in building a strong claim, as it provides valuable evidence to support your case. Here’s what to do:
- Photographing the scene: Take clear, high-quality photos of the accident scene, including damage to all vehicles involved, skid marks, and any other relevant details.
- Documenting vehicle damage: Capture close-up shots of the damage to your vehicle, including any dents, scratches, or broken glass.
- Recording weather and road conditions: Note the weather and road conditions at the time of the accident, as these can impact the outcome of your claim.
- Capturing witness information: If there were any witnesses to the accident, try to get their contact information and a brief statement of what they saw.
Witness Statements Matter
Witness statements can considerably strengthen your rear-end collision claim, providing an unbiased account of the accident that corroborates your version of events. As you gather evidence for your claim, it’s key to identify and obtain credible eyewitness accounts from individuals who witnessed the collision.
When collecting witness statements, your Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer will typically ask questions that elicit specific details about the accident, such as the speed and direction of the vehicles involved, the lighting and weather conditions, and any other relevant factors.
Video Footage Analysis
Many rear-end collisions are caught on camera, and video footage can be a game-changer in building a robust claim. As you work with your lawyer, we will likely want to gather and analyze any available video footage related to your accident. This can include:
- Dashboard camera footage: If either vehicle involved in the accident had a dashcam, it may have captured the collision and the events leading up to it.
- Traffic camera footage: Many intersections and highways have traffic cameras that can provide a bird’ s-eye view of an accident.
- Business surveillance footage: If the accident occurred near a business or parking lot, their security cameras may have captured the collision.
- Private security camera footage: Homeowners or businesses in the surrounding area may have security cameras that caught the accident on tape.
Your lawyer will carefully review this video surveillance footage as part of an accident reconstruction analysis to help piece together what happened and who was at fault. This evidence can be important in building a strong claim and securing the compensation you are entitled to.
Our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers Deal With Insurance Tactics
When dealing with insurance companies after a rear-end collision, you’ll likely encounter tactics designed to minimize their payout or even deny your claim altogether. These tactics can be frustrating and confusing, but it’s important to understand them to protect your rights.
One common claims adjustment tactic is to dispute the severity of your injuries or the extent of the damage to your vehicle. They may request excessive documentation or try to downplay your injuries, claiming they’re not as severe as you say.
Insurance companies also employ settlement delay strategies to wear you down and get you to accept a lower payout. They may request multiple extensions to respond to your claim or delay processing your paperwork. They might even make a lowball offer, hoping you’ll accept it out of frustration or financial necessity.
Taking Cases to Trial When Necessary
While negotiating a fair settlement is often the preferred approach, Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers know that taking a rear-end collision case to trial may be necessary to achieve the compensation you need. In these situations, we will consider doing so:
- The insurance company is offering a lowball settlement: If the insurance company’s offer is lower than what you deserve, your lawyer may decide to take your case to trial to fight for fair compensation.
- There are disputes over liability: If the other party is disputing liability or there are questions about who was at fault, your lawyer may need to take your case to trial to prove your case.
- You have severe injuries or expenses: If you have suffered severe injuries or have significant medical expenses, your lawyer may take your case to trial to increase the chances that you receive the compensation you need to cover your losses.
- The insurance company is not negotiating in good faith: If the insurance company is not negotiating in good faith or is stalling, your lawyer may decide to take your case to trial to hold them accountable.
Our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers Can Help With Your Accident
Our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys at Anidjar & Levine can handle your rear-end collision case. By determining liability, gathering thorough evidence, and skillfully addressing insurance company tactics, we will build strong cases that demonstrate negligence and quantifiable damages.
Contact us today for a free consultation.