When You’ve Been Injured In An Accident, What Happens Next?
Personal injury accidents such as slip-and-fall accidents, dog bites, and auto accidents happen all the time. Regardless of how prepared you are, accidents will happen. No one wants accidents to happen. If your accident was due to someone else’s negligence, you should immediately contact a Broward County personal injury lawyer.
At Englander Peebles, our primary focus is ensuring you get the justice and compensation you deserve. We won’t rest until you get a fair settlement for your injuries. Our personal injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, can help you secure compensation for lost wages, property damage, mental anguish, medical bills, and lost earning capacity.
Contact our personal injury law firm in Fort Lauderdale today for a free case review. Our lawyers deal with a wide range of personal injury cases. We can guide you throughout the claims process. Get started today by calling 954-928-9909. We are ready to evaluate your personal injury claim.
What Should I Do After An Injury?
The moments after an accident can be traumatizing, painful, and confusing. There are some crucial steps that you should take immediately after an accident. If you disregard taking these steps, you may severely hurt your personal injury claim. In the unfortunate event of a Fort Lauderdale accident, you must not panic. Always try to remain calm and follow these steps:
Get Medical Treatment If Needed
Never ignore seeking medical care after an accident. Ignore any party that advises you to disregard medical treatment. Don’t let any other party convince you that you are okay. That’s the role of a medical professional, not a driver or a grocery store owner. Make sure you visit a doctor for comprehensive checkups after your accident.
Your adrenaline may mask serious complications. Injuries such as concussions may not be apparent after an accident. They may surface in a day or a week. If you ignore medical care, your insurance provider may argue that your injuries weren’t caused by the accident.
Take Photos/Video If You Can
Always take pictures and videos of the accident. You can photograph any vehicle damage as well as the surroundings of the scene. Photographs may also include hazards such as leaking chemicals, slippery floors, and missing guardrails. All these hazards can result in severe injuries. Do not forget to take notes about your accident. It’s easy to forget the specifics of your accident after a while.
Get The Names And Numbers Of Any Witnesses
Make sure you get the contact information of all the involved parties. This can include their names, phone numbers, addresses, registration information, driver’s license and license plate number. Always get a hold of eyewitnesses before they leave the scene of the accident. Remember, it is nearly impossible to track witnesses once they leave the accident scene.
Report The Incident
Always contact the police after an auto accident in Florida. They will document the accident and produce an incident report. If you don’t contact the police, it’ll end up as your word against the other party’s word. This makes it harder for you to recover any compensation. Don’t flee the scene of the accident before the police arrive.
For accidents at someone’s home, an apartment complex, or a business, notify the property owner or the manager/landlord.
Never Admit Fault
The other party’s insurance adjusters will look for any admissions to limit or deny your claim. Admitting fault can severely hurt your claim. Never admit fault to the other driver, the police, the other party’s attorney or insurance adjusters.
Do not speak to the at-fault party’s representatives without an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney present. It’s also not advisable to agree to anything or sign any documents before speaking to your attorney. Anything you say to an insurance agent can be used against you when you file a personal injury claim.
Call A Personal Injury Lawyer
Contact an attorney at Englander Peebles immediately after your crash. We will send our skilled lawyers and investigators to the scene of your accident immediately. Our lawyers will help you understand your legal options and whether you have a personal injury case in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Why Do I Need A Lawyer?
If you have been hurt in an accident, knowing the proper steps after your accident can be an overwhelming process. Understanding Florida’s personal injury laws isn’t an easy task. This isn’t something you can get within a day or two. You need to know how to file a claim, establish liability, and handle insurance companies.
You require the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer near Fort Lauderdale to help with your case. Here’s how Englander Peebles can help you with your claim:
Case Preparation/Filing A Lawsuit
Our legal team will investigate your case to establish liability. We will look into all pieces of evidence, including medical records, employment records, police reports, and surveillance footage, to determine all at-fault parties. Englander Peebles will also interview eyewitnesses to get their accounts of the incident.
Once we conclude our investigative phase, our lawyers will file your personal injury claim on time. This claim will include all parties involved in your crash. We will notify them that you’ll be seeking a financial settlement for your damages. Englander Peebles will guide you throughout this process.
Settlement Negotiation
At Englander Peebles, our experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers will help you secure a favorable settlement. We will aggressively negotiate with the opposing parties to ensure you get maximum compensation for your injuries. If the insurance company presents a lowball offer, our legal team will make a counteroffer that genuinely represents the compensation you deserve.
Trial Preparation & Representation
In the event both parties can’t reach an amicable agreement, Englander Peebles will file a lawsuit. Our lawyers won’t accept any offer that doesn’t cover 100 percent of your injuries and damages.
At Englander Peebles, our seasoned trial lawyers in Fort Lauderdale will defend you in court and prove negligence. We will prove the direct link between the defendant’s negligence and your injuries. Our attorneys will also show the court that you deserve maximum compensation for the defendant’s reckless actions.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
In personal injury claims, compensation is referred to as damages. This term shows that the plaintiff is trying to recover and get back on their feet in areas that were damaged by the accident. These areas may include finances, health, and wellness.
If you’ve suffered injuries after an accident in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you may be entitled to compensation. Florida courts may award these types of damages in personal injury lawsuits:
Economic Damages
These damages are awarded to personal injury victims to compensate for any losses they incurred during and after the accident. They help rectify financial issues that the victim may be going through due to the accident. They include:
- Past, present, and future medical bills
- Lost income
- Therapy and rehabilitation expenses
- Transport expenses
- Lost earning capacity
- House modifications
- Home care costs
Non-Economic Damages
These damages are usually sought together with economic damages. They are abstract damages that are harder to quantify. They don’t have a specific price tag. They include:
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of relationships
- Humiliation
- Loss of enjoyment
Punitive Damages
These damages aren’t awarded in all personal injury claims. They are meant to discipline the liable party for their reckless or negligent actions. Punitive awards are also intended to discourage the public from committing similar actions in the future. The state of Florida has a $500,000.00 cap on the compensation plaintiffs can receive for punitive damages.
How Is Liability Determined?
In order to secure maximum compensation in a personal injury case, you should first unearth the at-fault party. This helps to determine whether the party was negligent. An experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer should prove the defendant’s negligence led to the accident and your injuries. At Englander Peebles, our legal team will conduct an exhaustive investigation into your case to determine liability.
The state of Florida applies comparative negligence rules when determining fault. If you are in any way at fault for your accident, this will affect the amount of compensation you receive. You may still be eligible to receive compensation in Florida even though you are 99% at fault for an accident. At Englander Peebles, our lawyers will use these four elements to prove negligence:
Duty Of Care
Duty of care is a concept whereby parties are required to act with reasonable care in the presence of others. This responsibility ensures that an individual doesn’t place other individuals in harm’s way or end up injuring them. Nearly everyone has a responsibility not to harm other people.
For instance, it’s a store owner’s responsibility to make sure their store is free from hazards such as spills. They should at all times promptly fix and clean up any mess that may lead to injuries. A grocery store should always take reasonable steps to guarantee the safety of its customers and employees.
Breach of Duty of Care
This concept is established when an individual fails to exercise their duty of care. If someone disregards their duty of care, this action amounts to a breach. This ends up creating a dangerous situation. A breach of duty can be proved if a reasonable person would have acted differently under similar circumstances.
For instance, a driver who speeds and causes an accident could have breached their duty of care. Considerations have to be made when determining a breach. A driver who ignores a posted speed limit breaches their duty.
Causation
A competent personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale should then prove that the defendant’s breach is linked to your injuries or accident. For instance, was it the grocery store’s duty to clean up the spill? Did they clean it up immediately? Did your slip and fall accident cause your back injuries? These questions can help prove the defendant’s liability in your personal injury claim.
Damages
At Englander Peebles, we will prove that you suffered actual damages from your personal injury. You may suffer damages such as lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and any other out-of-pocket expenses. Our legal team is prepared to look into your claim to prove these four elements. We won’t rest until we unearth all at-fault parties.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Florida?
You have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim in Florida’s civil courts. If you don’t file your claim within this time frame, the courts are at liberty to bar you from seeking any compensation. For medical malpractice and wrongful death claims, you have two years to file your claim.
Personal Injury Claims Process
After an accident, you may be overwhelmed and confused. To boost your claim, you should visit a doctor immediately and reach out to a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer. Englander Peebles will notify your insurer about your accident on time. We will also require you to keep track of your medical appointments and bills in an accident journal.
Our lawyers will conduct extensive investigations to build a watertight personal injury claim. We will analyze your medical records, police reports, eyewitness statements, and photographic evidence to determine the value of your case. We will also speak to medical experts and accident reconstruction professionals about your case.
Once we are done, we will file a demand letter seeking maximum compensation for your injuries. Our legal team will also handle settlement talks on your behalf. If this isn’t feasible, we will proceed to trial.
How Much Will A Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
At Englander Peebles, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This implies that you don’t have to pay any upfront fees for our legal services. The Florida Bar is responsible for the regulation of attorney fees in Florida. We will only deduct a percentage of your settlement once we win your case. This will be in line with set regulations for personal injury contracts in Florida.
Types Of Personal Injury Cases We Handle At Englander Peebles
Our legal team is experienced in various types of personal injury cases, including:
Every year, auto accidents leave many Florida residents with severe injuries and complications. Our auto accident lawyers are well-versed in Florida motor vehicle laws. We can help you secure maximum compensation for your crash.
These types of accidents often result in catastrophic injuries. The size and load of a truck make it harder for any driver to steer this type of vehicle when they lose control.
Riders are often exposed during accidents. They may suffer burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and brain injuries during high-impact collisions.
You have the right to seek financial compensation if you or your loved one has been hurt in an accident involving Uber or Lyft.
If you are injured on public or private property, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries. You must prove the owner was negligent to receive a financial award.
If an aggressive dog has bitten you, you may be entitled to damages such as lost wages, medical bills, trauma, and pain inflicted by the bite.
It is the responsibility of property owners to take care of their premises. They should warn the public about any hazards while on their properties. You may be entitled to compensation if you slip and fall or are electrocuted while on someone’s property.
Manufacturers should be held accountable for any defective products such as toys. An experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can prove that a defective product led to your injuries.
No amount of cash can bring back the life of someone you care about. Still, you must not let any negligent party get away with causing their death. You deserve maximum compensation if the loss of your loved one was due to someone else’s negligence.
If the Social Security Administration (SSA) has denied your Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI), contact Englander Peebles today. Let us review your case and offer you sound legal options.
These types of injuries can turn your life upside down. They can completely alter your life and affect your relationships forever. You deserve compensation for catastrophic injuries.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyers For A Free Case Review
If you’ve been involved in an accident and you believe someone else is to blame, reach out to Englander Peebles. We are ready to help you recover compensation for your injuries. Our personal injury lawyers completely understand Florida’s personal injury laws. We can help you secure the best compensation.
Call us today at 954-928-9909 to schedule a free case review. We are available 24/7! Get started today before your time runs out. Remember, you don’t pay anything unless we win!