If you’ve been injured in a negligence-based collision, our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney will seek damages to cover your medical bills and other accident-related expenses. We fight for maximum compensation and work to hold liable parties accountable.
At The Schiller Kessler Group, our attorneys have over three decades of experience. Our law firm possesses the resources to pursue the insurance settlement or court verdict you deserve.
A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can help you through every stage of the legal process. Call us now to access a free initial consultation.
Your Car Accident Injuries May Warrant Significant Compensation
Automobile accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, some of which can have long-lasting effects on your physical and emotional well-being. Common injuries following a collision include:
- Whiplash: This injury occurs when the neck is forcefully jerked back and forth, causing strain on the muscles and ligaments. Symptoms of whiplash can include neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and stiffness. It’s important to seek medical attention if you suspect you have whiplash, as proper diagnosis and treatment can help prevent long-term complications.
- Broken bones: The impact of a car accident can cause fractures or breaks in bones. Commonly fractured bones in car accidents include the ribs, arms, legs, and collarbone. These injuries often require immediate medical attention and may necessitate surgery, immobilization, and rehabilitation.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Even a minor accident can cause the brain to jolt within the skull, resulting in a concussion or more severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Symptoms of brain injuries can range from mild, such as headaches and dizziness, to severe, such as loss of consciousness and cognitive impairment.
- Spinal cord injuries: These catastrophic injuries occur when there is damage to the spinal cord, leading to paralysis or loss of motor function below the site of injury. Spinal cord injuries often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
Other bodily injuries in car accident cases include internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, and soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and bruises.
If you sustain any of these injuries in a car accident, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately and consult with a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney. This helps you recover from your injuries and also supports you during the claims process.
More people choose The Schiller Kessler Group because they know that we’re a cut above other personal injury law firms.
How Our Fort Lauderdale Auto Accident Lawyers Account for Different Types of Damages
Determining how much financial compensation you can receive after a car accident in Fort Lauderdale depends on several factors. The specific details of your case, such as the severity of your injuries and the extent of property damage. The amount of compensation will vary based on the specific circumstances of your case and the evidence presented.
Our experienced car accident attorneys work tirelessly to secure fair compensation on your behalf. Through a car accident claim or a personal injury lawsuit, you may recover the following types of damages:
- Current medical bills
- Ongoing medical expenses for any required future treatments, such as physical therapy
- Property damage, such as vehicle damage or damage to personal property, like your cellphone
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
To determine the potential compensation you can receive, our personal injury attorney will thoroughly analyze your case and gather evidence to support your claim.
We assess the extent of your injuries, review medical care records and bills, and consider any future medical treatments or long-term effects of any permanent injuries. We will also consider the impact on your daily life, such as an inability to work or participate in activities you once enjoyed.
We Help Families Seek Justice After Fatal Car Accidents
If your loved one’s accident led to fatal injuries, our Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyers want to seek the justice your family deserves. We can file a wrongful death lawsuit to hold the responsible parties accountable and seek compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Your family member’s accident-related medical bills
- Their pain and suffering
- The income they contributed to the household
We understand that no amount of compensation can bring back a loved one, but your family deserves closure and justice. We will give your case the compassionate, personalized attention it deserves as you grieve in peace with your family.
No matter what time of day it is, you can contact The Schiller Kessler Group to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
How Our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorneys Demonstrate Another Party’s Negligence
Negligence can take various forms on the road, and multiple parties may contribute to a collision. Our Fort Lauderdale, FL, auto accident lawyers will investigate your crash and gather evidence to demonstrate how another party’s actions or inactions caused your injuries.
Take a look at some common forms of driver negligence on the road that can warrant a personal injury claim.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving includes activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, or even just changing the radio station. When our attention is diverted from the road, even for a split second, the risk of an accident dramatically increases. For example, a rear-end collision can occur when a driver glances at a text message.
Speeding
Driving above the speed limit or too fast for the road conditions greatly reduces our ability to react to unexpected situations. Speeding also increases the force of impact in a collision, therefore increasing the risk of severe injuries.
Drunk Driving or Impaired Driving
Impaired driving, whether due to alcohol, drugs, or fatigue, is another major cause of motor vehicle accidents. When our judgment is impaired, our ability to make split-second decisions on the road is compromised. Drunk driving accidents often lead to devastating consequences for both the drunk driver and innocent victims.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving can include behaviors such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and running red lights or stop signs. Reckless driving puts not only the driver at risk but also everyone else on the road.
Evidence Our Fort Lauderdale, FL, Car Accident Lawyers May Gather to Support Your Claim
Our Fort Lauderdale, FL, collision lawyer will gather and analyze evidence to illustrate the at-fault driver’s negligence led to your accident-related injuries. We may use the following documents and records to support your claim or lawsuit:
- Photos of the accident scene
- CCTV or traffic camera footage of the crash
- Testimony from eyewitnesses and accident reconstructionists
- Your medical records and bills
Potentially Liable Parties in Your Car Accident
A negligent driver may not be the only party responsible for your injuries. Other parties may be involved, such as employers who bear vicarious liability for the actions of a commercial driver. A car accident lawyer from our team in Fort Lauderdale can determine which of the following parties should be held responsible for your losses:
- The other driver: The other driver(s) involved in your collision may be held liable if they were speeding, disregarding traffic laws, intoxicated, driving distractedly, or behaving in another negligent way.
- An automobile manufacturer: A car or parts manufacturer may be held responsible for the accident if it was caused by a faulty component or defective vehicle.
- A repair shop: If your crash was caused by a vehicle malfunction that an auto repair shop could have prevented, your lawyer might seek damages from the repair company.
- A local municipality: If your collision resulted from inadequate road maintenance, traffic signage issues, or another safety problem that a local municipality could have prevented, we will work to hold the agency liable for your injuries and losses.
- Other third parties: Even a third-party driver can contribute to an accident, such as in a multi-car pile-up. A car accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale can assess your situation and determine who you should seek compensation from.
Our Fort Lauderdale attorneys will seek compensatory damages from each involved party based on their percentage of fault. When auto accident claims or lawsuits involve multiple parties, insurance carriers may disagree on liability.
Our legal team will use evidence from our investigation to demonstrate the negligent party’s role in your vehicle collision.
How Florida’s Car Accident Laws Can Affect Your Accident Claim
Certain laws are important to consider if you have been involved in a motor vehicle crash in South Florida. Understanding these laws can help protect your rights and ensure you are aware of the legal obligations and responsibilities involved.
Florida is a no–fault state, so regardless of who was at fault for the accident, each person’s insurance provider will cover their medical expenses and related damages up to their policy limit.
However, if your injuries meet the threshold established in Florida Statutes § 627.737, you may be able to pursue a third-party claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Florida Statute of Limitations
In Florida, there’s a statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits, which tells you how long you have to file a lawsuit against the party that caused your accident.
According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you have two years from the day your accident happened to file a personal injury lawsuit. Taking action after the designated filing deadline could bar you from receiving damages.
Modified Comparative Negligence Law
Additionally, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that if you are found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be limited. For example, if you are deemed 20% at fault and your damages amount to $10,000, your compensation may be reduced by 20% to $8,000.
However, if you are more than 50% responsible for the crash, you cannot pursue compensation from another party, which is why it’s crucial to consult with a car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale.
Our Fort Lauderdale, FL, Collision Attorneys Provide Personalized Legal Representation
Our team at The Schiller Kessler Group knows that every car accident case is unique, so we tailor our strategies for each client. Our skilled car accident lawyers fight for the maximum amount of compensation you deserve based on the specific details of your case.
We will negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement and, if necessary, pursue legal action against the responsible party if you suffered severe injuries. We keep you updated every step of the way and make ourselves available to address any concerns you may have.
This is the type of personalized legal services you can expect from our law firm.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale has experienced a significant number of traffic incidents, with hotspots like W Commercial Blvd and Powerline Road (NW 9th Avenue) and East Oakland Park Blvd and North Federal Highway seeing frequent crashes. According to an NBC Miami report, intersections such as NW 9th Avenue and W Sunrise Blvd and NW 9th Avenue and NW 62nd Street are some of the most dangerous, with over 190 accidents reported at each location. These areas are now the focus of efforts to improve safety and reduce collisions.
If you were injured in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, your claim may be filed through the at-fault party’s insurance company or through the Broward County Court system if a lawsuit is necessary. With over 40,304 crashes reported in Broward County in 2023, the area sees a high volume of car accident cases, especially along high-traffic routes like I-595 and Sunrise Boulevard.
Following these post-accident tips can help with your personal injury claim:
Report the Accident
Ideally, you will have an official police report after calling them to the scene of the accident. Even if you did not initially call the police, you should report the collision through Florida’s Crash Portal within 10 days. Having an official report will help our lawyers gain more information about what caused the accident.
Don’t Admit Fault
When giving your statement to the police and speaking with the other driver(s) involved, remember not to apologize or admit fault. Doing so could harm your case and prevent you from getting the damages you need to cover your losses.
Exchange Insurance Information With the Other Driver
Most accident victims receive compensation via an insurance company claim, so it’s critical to the success of your case that you take down the other driver’s insurance policy details. You’ll want to pass their insurance information on to our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys so we can file your claim properly.
Document the Accident and Your Injuries
Whether you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, our attorney will need evidence to back up your case. While we can gather evidence during the investigation phase of your case, it can also be helpful to have evidence straight from the accident scene.
Take photos of the accident scene, including the vehicles, road obstructions, and any other objects involved in the incident. If you have any noticeable injuries, take photos of them as well.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Waiting to get checked out by a medical professional is one of the biggest mistakes you can make after an accident. Delaying treatment can worsen your physical injuries and make it harder to heal.
Forgoing medical care also hurts your claim. If the insurance company or the at-fault driver’s defense attorney finds out that you waited to get treatment, they might try to claim that your injuries aren’t as severe as you say they are.
Don’t Wait to Hire an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Contacting our car accident lawyers from Fort Lauderdale ASAP will give us more time to work on your case so we can meet your legal deadlines. Once you’ve hired an auto accident attorney from our team, we will work quickly to protect your right to seek maximum compensation.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer From Our Firm
At the Schiller Kessler Group, our experienced attorneys understand how difficult it can be to deal with the aftermath of a serious car crash. Our team is committed to fighting for injured Floridians and getting them the compensation they deserve.
We’ve helped more than 30,000 individuals just like you get the compensation they need to improve their lives after an accident, and we have the case results and client testimonials to prove it. Contact us to work with a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer from our firm. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we do not charge upfront.
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