Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers
Accomplished attorneys handle Florida auto injury claims
The sheer force of a car accident can cause life-changing injuries in an instant. You may not fully recall what caused the accident, but once you’ve received medical care, you should schedule a free consultation with our experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys at Fazio, DiSalvo & Abers, P.A. Our firm has decades of experience delivering exceptional results for Florida clients in legal matters arising from all types of vehicle collisions.
Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers who protect your rights
Many types of injuries display only minor initial symptoms that worsen over time. Even if you manage to walk away from an accident with only minor complaints, some conditions could become more serious later. Minor soreness in the neck after a rear-end collision may be an early sign of whiplash, with severe pain developing hours or days after the collision. A bump on the head may initially cause a slight headache or dizziness, only to later reveal a severe concussion or even brain damage.
These are called delayed onset injuries, and they illustrate the importance of seeing a doctor even if you sustain minor injuries. It is also important to know that you have the right to pursue compensation from your insurance or from negligent parties. Our personal injury attorneys advocate for victims of delayed onset injuries. We work closely with medical professionals to support your claim and provide knowledgeable assessments regarding appropriate compensation for the current and future effects of your injury.
Experience matters when choosing a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney
Our firm has helped South Florida car accident victims pursue justice for decades. With a Board-certified trial attorney on your legal team, you can be confident that your matter is in good hands. We make every effort to relieve your burden throughout the legal process. You can call us 24/7 and we will meet at a time that fits into your schedule. You never have to worry about upfront costs, because our firm works on a contingency basis. This means you only pay attorney’s fees as a percentage of your financial recovery after your case has concluded. When necessary, we’ll come to your home or hospital room to discuss your claim.
Common types of injuries from Fort Lauderdale car accidents
Some of the most common injuries stemming from car accidents include:
- Head, back and neck injuries — A sudden stop caused by a crash can cause severe strain to the head, neck and back. Whiplash frequently results from rear-end collisions, where a victim’s neck is jolted back and forth, potentially causing nerve and ligament damage. Concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries often have serious long-term effects. In catastrophic cases, impact to someone’s spinal cord results in partial or complete paralysis.
- Broken bones — Even with airbags, many auto accident victims suffer broken or fractured bones when they make contact with their car’s interior.
- Soft tissue injuries — Victims of vehicle crashes often experience soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains and contusions that could develop into tendinitis or another chronic problem.
- Lacerations and blood loss — Broken glass or a hard collision might open up one or more lacerations that could lead to scarring, infection or potentially fatal blood loss.
- Emotional and psychological harm — An individual can walk away from a major crash and days, or even months later, begin experiencing nightmares and flashbacks caused by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Success in an auto accident claim requires reliable medical support and, possibly, testimony from a doctor with expertise in the field. You can count on us to find the proper experts and present a detailed explanation or your medical condition and all the ways in which it has affected your life.
What to do right after a Fort Lauderdale car accident
Knowing what to do following a crash is important to your physical well-being and your potential legal claim. Your first priority should be getting to a safe location and helping others to do so. Call the police as soon as possible and request an ambulance if anyone requires urgent medical care. If the scene is secure, you might wish to take photographs and/or video that shed light on what occurred. Noting your impressions of what happened and obtaining contact information of witnesses might also be useful during the litigation process. Even if you don’t need to go to the emergency room, you should see a doctor promptly and contact one of our South Florida accident attorneys to get a handle on your legal options. Don’t talk to the other driver, their insurance adjuster or lawyer without retaining a lawyer. Keep close track of your medical records and expenses and be careful about posting statements or photographs on social media that could be misinterpreted and used against you.
What you need for a strong car accident injury claim
Under Florida’s no-fault insurance system, an owner must have at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which is meant to reimburse policyholders for 80 percent of medical costs and 60 percent of lost income. Of course, many crash victims require medical treatment that far exceeds their coverage amount, so they pursue the balance from the at-fault driver. During this process, it is vital to have an attorney who can synthesize physical, witness and expert evidence into a compelling argument regarding liability for the collision. We prepare a comprehensive claim, including detailed information regarding the extent of victims’ injures and the associated healthcare costs.
Discussions with insurance companies after a car accident
Auto insurance companies are determined to pay as little as possible to people hurt in car accidents. They understand the pressure people face when they have doctor’s bills to pay, especially if their injury prevents them from working. If you’re hurt, you might receive a quick settlement offer that you think will cover the costs associated with your injury. However, without detailed knowledge of the law, you might not realize the potential value of your claim. With our attorneys on your side, you’ll be able to identify a low offer and pursue a resolution that truly meets your needs.
Preparing evidence after a Fort Lauderdale car accident
Our firm works from the start to prove that the other driver was at fault. Even if your case never gets to trial, presenting a strong case at the outset often compels insurers to offer a suitable settlement. Each case is unique, and the evidence used in your claim could include:
- Photos and video from the accident scene
- Records from responding police officers and other emergency personnel
- Medical records describing your injury
- Witness interviews
- Cell phone records
- Information from a car or truck’s computer system indicating conditions at the time of the crash
We have decades of experience and a network of experts who can provide valuable support for your auto accident injury claim.
How car accident settlements are determined
You can benefit from hiring a lawyer who is familiar with the way insurance companies treat injury claims. Typically, carriers assess the likely amount of a damage award, along with the likelihood that the plaintiff will succeed at trial. Having a proven firm to handle your case shifts both factors in your favor, increasing the chances that the insurer will settle at or near the amount of your demand. We also negotiate from a position of strength because we are skillful courtroom advocates always ready to go to trial when it is in a client’s best interests.
Fort Lauderdale car accident cases can be complicated
How your auto accident case proceeds will depend on numerous factors. Matters involving extensive injuries and more than two parties likely will take more time and effort to resolve. The driver who hit you might not be the only party who contributed to the collision. You might need to sue the entity responsible for a defective car part or improperly maintained road. Sometimes, the full scope of a victim’s injury is not clear when the lawsuit is filed. Our knowledgeable advocates are capable of handling the most complex cases in pursuit of justice for injured Floridians.
Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers answer common questions
What do you do if the accident was a hit and run?
The Uninsured Motorist coverage on your policy can reimburse you for costs stemming from a hit and run. Leaving the scene of an accident causing injury is a crime, so the police will use whatever information you have about the offending driver in an attempt to identify them. If the individual is found, we can seek relief from their insurance company or their personal assets.
What happens if there is no police report?
You should always notify the police when you’re involved in a car accident where there is any physical injury or property damage. However in the heat of the moment, parties to collision sometimes forget to contact the authorities. This can make insurance claims and litigation more difficult, but our firm will work diligently to gather the information that would have been included in a police report to bolster your claim.
Is there a statute of limitations for a Florida car accident claim?
The standard Florida statute of limitations is two years for auto accident lawsuits and other personal injury claims, but you should not delay to speak with an attorney if you’ve been hurt in a crash. Gathering the evidence needed to construct the strongest case possible gets harder as time passes.
What if you are at fault or partially at fault for the accident?
You can still win damages in a personal injury lawsuit if you are partly at fault for a car accident as long as your share of the responsibility does not exceed 50 percent. However, your financial recovery would be reduced by an amount equal to the percentage of fault ascribed to you.
Contact a South Florida auto accident attorney for a free consultation
At Fazio, DiSalvo & Abers, P.A., we represent car accident victims on a contingency basis, so you pay no attorney fees until we win or settle your case. Our Fort Lauderdale firm takes calls 24/7, offers flexible hours and can meet with you in our downtown office, or in your home or hospital room. For a free consultation, please call 954-463-0585 or email us at: [email protected] today.
