If you sustained a personal injury in a car accident as a result of another driver’s negligence, you may have the legal right to receive financial compensation.
Aggressive, tired, drunk, and distracted drivers on the road are common causes of collisions creating significant injuries or even death for the other drivers involved in the crash. An experienced lawyer can help protect your rights and assist in filing a personal injury claim to get maximum compensation for your damages.
At 1-800-Injured, we can connect you with a Davie car accident lawyer. 1-800-Injured is a lawyer and medical referral service that can help you find knowledgeable professionals in your area.
Who Pays For Car Damage in Florida?
The majority of car accidents in Davie, Florida, result from a driver’s negligence behind the wheel. If your injuries were caused by a negligent driver, a personal injury lawyer can prove their liability when submitting your car accident claim for compensation.
Drivers in Florida have an obligation to exercise reasonable care when they are driving. This requires that they try to avoid harming other drivers and protect the safety of cyclists, pedestrians, and any others who may be sharing the roadways.
A driver is liable for damages that result from car crashes when they fail to uphold that duty.
How Do I Know If the Other Driver Was Negligent?
Negligent driving is a fundamentally dangerous behavior. When a driver partakes in reckless activities when they are behind the wheel, it could be considered negligence. Some of the more common types of negligent driving include:
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Driving the wrong way
- Illegal passing
- Driving while intoxicated
- Distracted driving, including making phone calls or texting
- Failure to obey traffic signals
Severe injuries can occur with this type of negligent behavior. These injuries can include:
- Head injuries
- Internal injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
The majority of the more severe injuries sustained in a car accident involve partial or full paralysis along with long-term disability.
If the other driver in your collision engaged in negligent behavior, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. They can get to work creating a solid case against the driver to prove their negligence and collect the required evidence to support your personal injury claim. They can then negotiate a fair settlement with the other party’s insurance company or, when necessary, build a solid case for a court trial on your behalf.
What Should I Do If I Am Involved In a Car Accident in Davie?
If you have experienced a car crash in Davie, Florida, there are some crucial steps you should take to protect your personal injury case.
Call Authorities
Immediately following an accident, call 911 so they can send a police officer and ambulance to help anyone who has suffered injuries. The officer will tend to any visible injuries and document the crash scene. They will then put together an official report stating the details of the auto accident. Your attorney can use this accident report to help your personal injury case.
If, after the medics examine you, they have recommended that you receive further medical care at the hospital, it is crucial that you do so. There may be hidden injuries from blunt trauma that only can be found by doctors.
Document the Accident Scene With Photos and Videos
After you have been examined by the medics, if you are physically able to document the accident scene, you will want to get photo and video evidence of your injuries, road conditions, traffic signs, or lights where the accident occurred.
Collect Contact Information From Parties at The Accident Scene
Try to gather the contact information, insurance information, driver’s license number, and automobile information such as the make and model of any involved drivers. If anyone witnessed the accident, try to collect their contact information as well.
Eyewitnesses can give your car accident lawyer details regarding the car accident that can help your case and provide testimony to corroborate your personal injury claim. It is important to be aware of any comments that you make as you speak with the individuals at the scene. Never apologize or admit blame. These innocent statements can be used against you and hurt your case.
Call an Accident Lawyer
As a medical and legal referral service, 1-800-Injured can connect you with an experienced Davie car accident lawyer. The sooner an accident lawyer is hired, the sooner they can begin collecting evidence to prove the negligence of the at-fault party and help you recover compensation for your damages.
Follow-Up With Your Doctor
After the car crash, no matter if your injuries seem minor or if you are feeling no pain at all, you should get checked out by a doctor to ensure there are no hidden injuries. It is important to identify these injuries as quickly as possible so they do not become life-threatening. Your accident attorney can prepare a more convincing and substantial legal claim using your medical records to help you seek maximum compensation.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Davie Car Accident?
Following a car accident in Davie, Florida, there are generally three types of damages you may receive. These damages include:
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate for verifiable out-of-pocket expenses and can include:
- Current and future medical expenses related to hospitalization, ambulance rides, emergency services, surgeries, prescription medications, and doctor bills, as well as other necessary medical treatments.
- Personal property damage, including replacement and repair expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future potential earnings
- Life care services
- Replacement services for the home
- Funeral and burial expenses
Accident victims should hold onto all medical treatment documents, including medical bills and prescription medication receipts, to help their lawyers prove these medical expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses but are a significant portion of your financial recovery and can include:
- Mental anguish
- Emotional pain
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent scarring
- Physical disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
- Permanent disabilities
- Wrongful death
Davie car accident lawyers are skilled in proving these less verifiable losses to help you receive the highest financial compensation for your case.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not awarded to compensate an injury victim for any losses they incurred from the auto accident or for any pain and suffering. These damages are meant to punish the negligent party for their intentional actions and prevent this malicious behavior from occurring in the future. In a Davie, Florida, car crash, a victim must show through unmistakable and convincing evidence that the negligent party has committed acts of intentional misconduct or gross negligence to be awarded punitive damages. The courts in Davie do not award these damages for many car accident claims.
Broward County Motor Vehicle Accidents FAQ
Will I have to go to court to receive compensation?
Most crashes, from fender benders to rear-end collisions, can be resolved outside of court through settlement negotiations. However, if the at-fault party’s insurance company is unwilling to provide you the compensation you need, your attorney can choose to pursue further action and take your case to trial to fight for the financial recovery that you deserve.
What is Florida’s no-fault accident law?
Florida enlists no-fault laws, which means if you are involved in a car crash, you must file a claim through your own insurance company—no matter who was responsible for the accident. However, if your injuries were severe, it is possible to pursue a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault party to receive compensation for damages that were not covered under no-fault laws. An experienced car accident lawyer can better explain your legal options and guide you through the claims process.
Who can be held responsible for my Davie motor vehicle crash?
While it may seem straightforward to determine who is liable for a car crash, this isn’t always the case. In some circumstances, the negligent party can be an individual or company that was not even present at the crash scene. For example, you may be able to pursue compensation from:
- Employers
- The at-fault driver
- Government agencies
- Parts or car manufacturers responsible for a defect that caused the crash
The easiest way to determine responsibility for your car crash is to speak with a knowledgeable Davie car accident lawyer. They can discuss the details of your case and perform their own investigations of the crash to help you determine who was responsible for your injuries and losses.
What is the statute of limitations in Florida?
In Davie, Florida, you generally have four years from the time of the crash to file a car accident lawsuit. However, depending on the circumstances of your car accident case, this timeframe may vary. It may be shorter or longer, and an experienced lawyer can help you understand your legal options and obligations.
In addition, Florida requires that if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you must receive medical attention no more than 14 days from the time of the accident.
If a loved one lost their life in a car crash, you typically have two years from the date of their death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. While financial compensation will not erase the loss and heartbreak of losing a family member, it can ease the financial burden your family may be feeling.
Contact 1-800-Injured to Discuss Your Car Accident Case
As a medical and legal referral network for car accident victims, we can connect victims with the best law firm and lawyers available for their cases. If you have been injured in an automobile accident and depend on financial compensation to provide for yourself and your family, a Davie car accident lawyer can be your ally throughout the legal process. Call 1-800-Injured or reach us online to discuss your case.