Fort Lauderdale is well-known for its dangerous roads, so car accidents are unfortunately far too common. Auto accidents not only cause you physical and emotional harm and property damage. They can also damage you financially.
It is best to pursue all available options to claim compensation if you experience an auto accident. If you have trouble settling the insurance claim by yourself, finding a car accident lawyer in the Ft. Lauderdale area could be the answer.
A professional car accident lawyer can explain your various options and help you to pursue a maximum payout. You could get a higher amount of compensation from your insurance company. Alternatively, you could reach a settlement with the driver who caused your injuries.
Car accident cases, particularly personal injury claims, can be complicated in Florida. Here is what you need to know.
Florida’s No-Fault Laws and Accident Claims
Florida’s No-Fault laws require all drivers to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage as part of their auto insurance. The coverage pays for the policyholder’s bills, regardless of fault, up to a minimum amount. The minimum limit is usually $10,000. However, if you sustain severe injuries from an auto accident, you may need broader compensation.
For instance, your medical bills could exceed the PIP limit, or you could require long-term medical treatment. An auto accident attorney can help you navigate the complex Florida No-Fault laws. This entails assisting you in filing a claim for compensation.
Do you need a Ft. Lauderdale car accident lawyer?
Have you experienced any type of accident involving a vehicle in Florida? If so, a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can help you in various ways.
A lawyer can analyze your situation and decide whether you have a valid legal claim. Your lawyer can negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf. A car accident lawyer helps you to get compensation for medical expenses above the amount provided by your PIP. He or she helps you to gain compensation for expenses such as car repairs and also lost wages.
If settlement discussions fail, a car accident lawyer can represent you in court. A lawyer makes the complicated situation of filing a lawsuit much easier. Can you do it yourself? Yes, but you must take the time to make sure you do not overlook some part of the process.
Common Car Accident Types and Injuries in Ft. Lauderdale
Various types of auto accidents commonly occur in Fort Lauderdale. These include head-on collisions, side-impact collisions, rear-end crashes, and pileups. Those types of car accidents can result in injuries.
The most common Fort Lauderdale auto accident injuries include:
- Whiplash: The ligaments in your neck are stretched beyond their normal range when your head is thrown backward or forward violently. Whiplash causes immobilizing pain.
- Broken Bones: Victims of auto accidents can suffer breaks in various places, such as hands, arms, legs, and ribs. Broken ribs can damage internal organs and result in internal bleeding.
- Pinched Nerves: If something presses on a nerve, it causes you constant pain and suffering. Common problems experienced after car accidents include bulging disks and strained muscles in the spinal column.
As well as physical injuries, car accident victims can experience mental and emotional trauma. Emotional injuries can be just as severe as physical injuries and require medical treatment, such as therapy and medication. Common mental and emotional injuries that occur from car accidents in Fort Lauderdale include PTSD, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies.
Car Accidents in Ft. Lauderdale by the Numbers
Fort Lauderdale is known for a shockingly high rate of auto accidents. There may only be 165,000 people living in Fort Lauderdale, but the city sees around 12 million visitors each year. The mix of everyday commuters and tourists on area roadways leads to a high volume of car accidents.
According to police reports, Fort Lauderdale saw approximately 5,400 car crashes in 2017. Out of those, there were 2,100 injuries and 26 deaths.
Indeed, Fort Lauderdale not only has some of the most dangerous roads in Florida. It also has the second-highest rate of pedestrian deaths from vehicle accidents in the whole country. Broward County experienced the second-highest number of car accidents in the state in 2018.
A Car Accident Lawyer Ft. Lauderdale Can Help
Personal Injury Protection coverage pays for your medical care, regardless of whos was at fault in an auto accident. However, it only pays up to a certain amount. That means if your medical bills run higher, you must pay the remainder.
If you were not responsible for the accident, that seems rather unfair. For example, PIP usually prevents you from pursuing a claim against the at-fault party. But that does not apply to every situation, including these exceptions:
- You have permanent injuries.
- You experience significant and permanent loss of an essential bodily function.
- The presence of significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement.
If such exceptions apply to your situation, you could be exempt from the No-Fault system. A car accident claim lawyer can help you pursue maximum compensation from the driver who caused your injury.
Other reasons for contacting a lawyer after experiencing an auto accident include:
- You may be entitled to a higher amount of compensation than that offered by your insurance company.
- There may be financial assistance for things that are not covered by your PIP or medical insurance.
- You could get compensation for all of your medical bills beyond the limit paid out by your insurer.
How Brian Pabian Can Help
If you have experienced personal injury from a car accident, attorney Brian Pabian can help. He has over 20 years of litigation experience, so you can be assured he is highly-skilled and qualified.
Unlike many large personal injury law firms, Brian Pabian works directly with you. There is no complicated system of going through secretaries, paralegals, and others. Brian personally answers all of your questions and replies to your messages himself.
He also explains all of your rights and options in a clear, straightforward manner. Brian will make sure you are informed at every stage of your case as it moves forward. The complex world of personal injury law should not keep you from receiving the support and justice you deserve. Call today to get started.