It’s impossible to calculate the average settlement for a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, and even if it was, it would not give you an accurate idea of what your case is worth. Each case is unique, and your compensation will depend on your individual injuries and other losses.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can help you seek compensation. They can define the types of damages that are part of the average settlement for a car accident in Fort Lauderdale.
Learn more about your rights and the at-fault party’s legal and financial obligations with a free evaluation of your claim.
The Average Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Settlement Includes these Economic Damages
The economic damages you may recover for a car accident are tangible and typically supported with easy-to-obtain documentation like bills, estimates, and receipts. They generally include:
- Past and future medical expenses: Every part of your treatment protocol, including ambulance fees, emergency care, rehab, therapy, medications, assistive devices, etc.
- Past and future lost wages: Lost wages from all income sources, lost benefits and vacation days, and loss of the ability to earn in the future
- Property damage: Compensation to repair or replace your damaged or destroyed vehicle, its diminished resale value, and any other damaged property inside your car
A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can carefully assess your economic damages and obtain their corresponding documentation for you.
The Average Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Settlement Includes these Non-Economic Damages
A car accident can also leave you with intangible, non-financial damages. These types of damages can be harder to assess and document on your own. The liable party is generally responsible for the following non-economic damages:
- Disabling injuries that could cause lifelong impairments
- Disfigurement, including significant scarring or limb loss
- Pain and suffering, including physical discomfort throughout your recovery
- Mental anguish, including emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
Evidence supporting these damages can include your medical records that describe the extent of your injuries and a written prognosis describing future care. It can also include your written statement on the accident’s toll on your life and lifestyle.
Car Accident Compensation Could Include Wrongful Death Or Punitive Damages
The unexpected loss of a loved one can lead create financial havoc. If your family lost a loved one in a Fort Lauderdale car accident, you could be entitled to a range of wrongful death damages, including:
- Funeral, burial, and cremation costs
- Loss of the decedent’s financial support
- Loss of domestic contributions to your family
- Loss of consortium, companionship, and care
A Fort Lauderdale fatal car accident lawyer can accurately assess your family’s wrongful death damages.
Your personal injury attorney can also fight for punitive damages if warranted. These are intended to penalize egregious wrongdoing and are rarely awarded in personal injury claims. However, your lawyer will examine your case’s circumstances and inform you if punitive damages are possible.
The Importance of Proving Negligence in a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Injury Claim
Understanding and proving the at-fault driver’s negligence is a vital part of your car accident case. Its elements include:
- Duty of care: Each driver’s responsibility to abide by Florida’s rules of the road
- Breach of duty: Any deviation from the duty of care
- Causation: A direct link between the at-fault driver’s actions and your accident
- Damages: The economic and non-economic impact of your accident and injuries
Because comparative negligence could hamper your car accident compensation, a lawyer can also refute any allegations of shared fault that could ultimately diminish your financial recovery.
How a Strong Evidence Collection Leads to a Persuasive Case File
Proving the causes and contributing factors that led to your car accident starts with a strong collection of evidence. To prove your version of events, your case file should include evidence such as:
- Medical records
- Written prognosis
- Medical bills
- Photos and videos
- Police report
- Paramedic report
- Witness statements
- Expert consultations
- Salary history records
Your Fort Lauderdale car accident injury lawyer will do more than collect evidence. They will also sort and organize your evidence and present it to the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim.
How a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Fight for Damages
Without legal representation, understanding car accident damages can be challenging. An experienced lawyer can help you seek fair compensation by representing you during settlement negotiations with the liable party’s insurance company. They can:
- Field each settlement offer
- Weigh its monetary feasibility
- Make appropriate counteroffers
- Negotiate for the best possible outcome
Your car accident attorney can also help you avoid a speedy but insufficient settlement. Taking time to document your damages can ensure you recover all the compensation you are entitled to receive.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Interpret and Comply With the Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations defines how much time you have to file a car accident lawsuit in Fort Lauderdale. In Florida, the personal injury statute of limitations can be confusing since it was recently reduced from its previous four-year limit. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(a), you generally have just two years to file your lawsuit.
Similarly, you generally have two years to file your wrongful death lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(e). If you do not file your lawsuit on time, the court could refuse to allow its filing.
You do not have to interpret the filing deadline on your own. A Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney can handle it for you and file your lawsuit on time.
Get a Free Evaluation of Your Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim
After a car accident, recovering damages can be a long and complex process. However, it does not have to be one you navigate on your own. Our results-driven legal team is here to help.
Learn more about what is included in the average car accident settlement in Fort Lauderdale and how we can help you seek the financial compensation you need and deserve. Get a free review of your car accident claim from a team member at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine.
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