FORT LAUDERDALE CAR WRECK ATTORNEY

Many different circumstances can result in an automobile collision. The type of factors that resulted in your accident will be relevant when you file a claim with the help of a car wreck lawyer in Fort Lauderdale. 

All traffic collisions are different, but some causes are more typical than others. The most common causes of Fort Lauderdale car wrecks include:

Aggressive Driving

When a driver operates their vehicle in an aggressive manner, it drastically increases the likelihood of a crash. Other drivers are forced to respond defensively to the negligent motorist’s behavior. 

Some typical examples of aggressive driving are: 

• Cutting off other vehicles
• Unexpected and erratic lane changes or turns
• Following too closely, also known as “tailgating” 

If any of these circumstances led to your car accident or injury, make sure to contact Morgan and Morgan as soon as possible. Overly aggressive drivers should be held liable for the financial and physical damage that they cause.

Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal. When this type of dangerous behavior causes harm, the at-fault party should pay for the resulting losses. 

Using drugs or drinking alcohol can slow drivers’ reaction times. Controlled substances also decrease motorists’ cognitive capacities and distort their perceptions.

Driving under the influence in Florida may result in a criminal charge. Regardless of the status of any related criminal case, victims have the legal right to pursue financial compensation through a civil tort claim.

Driving While Distracted

The ubiquity of digital devices has many positive consequences. However, motorists should not engage with these devices while operating a vehicle. 

Texting and talking on the phone are some of the most common behaviors associated with distracted driving. However, using digital devices is not the only type of distraction that can increase the probability of collisions.  

Other typical examples of distractions for motorists include but are not limited to: 

• Eating
• Distracting passengers
• Self-grooming
• Overly loud music

If the motorist who caused your accident was distracted at the time, you might be entitled to financial recovery. Contact Morgan and Morgan to begin the process of filing a Fort Lauderdale car wreck claim.

Drowsy Driving

When a driver has not had adequate rest, their reaction times are slower. They may also have trouble making reasonable and safe decisions. 

Drowsy drivers often have difficulty maintaining focus on the road in front of them. Long-haul truckers often face this type of difficulty. This is especially true when they are overworked or required to manage unreasonably long driving shifts.

Speeding

Driving faster than the legal speed limit is a common cause of Fort Lauderdale car accidents. According to the FLHSMV’s Traffic Crash Facts Annual Report of 2020, speeding causes more fatal collisions in the state of Florida than running red lights.  

Excessive speed increases the likelihood that a crash will result in severe property damage or severe injuries. When a negligent driver causes damage while speeding, victims deserve justice.  

These are only a few of the most common causes of automobile accidents. Many other circumstances can result in dangerous and devastating crashes. 

No matter the factors that contributed to your collision, it is critical to contact a knowledgeable legal professional after a car accident. You should not be forced to pay for the physical and financial damages that you did not cause.

Even if you are certain that another motorist is responsible for the accident that you experienced, you may be unsure about how to proceed. One of the most important actions to take in the aftermath of a collision is calling the legal team at Morgan and Morgan.  

There are several important facts that car accident victims should understand about the state laws in Florida. If you have any questions about the statutes that may affect your case, make sure to speak with one of the compassionate attorneys at Morgan & Morgan. 

The Statute of Limitations

The term “statute of limitations” refers to a legal time limit by which accident and injury victims must file a related lawsuit. This statute is determined by state law. 

Failing to file a suit before the statute of limitations has expired will result in your claim being dismissed by the courts. In most Florida car accident cases, claimants must begin the process of filing suit within two years of the date of the collision.

Understanding “Negligence” in Florida Tort Claims

When it comes to traffic accidents, the state of Florida operates on a comparative negligence approach. If the other driver were completely at fault for the incident, they would likely be required to cover all of the resulting damages. 

However, if more than one party holds some blame for the traffic accident, a “pure comparative fault” rule applies. This means that each party can be held financially responsible for their percentage of the blame. 

Consider the following example. Suppose that you were involved in a traffic collision where the total damages were calculated at $100,000.  

If the other motorist was found to be 70% responsible and the jury decided that you bore 30% of the blame, your financial compensation would be adjusted accordingly. In this example, you would only be able to secure $70,000. 

While this is still a sizable amount of compensation, it may not cover the entirety of the financial and personal harm that you suffered. Although most car accident claims do not require a trial, some do. 

Negotiations with relevant insurance adjusters may be based on the likely outcome of a lawsuit. Because of this, make sure that you have a skilled and knowledgeable tort lawyer fighting on your behalf. 

The accomplished attorneys at the firm of Morgan & Morgan have plenty of experience with Florida’s comparative negligence statutes. We will work tirelessly to hold the at-fault party in your collision claim responsible.

Many people underestimate the financial and personal consequences of Fort Lauderdale automobile collisions. Because of this, some victims accept unreasonably low settlement offers after speaking directly with an insurance adjuster. 

You should never attempt to negotiate with an insurance company representative without an attorney present. Adjusters know how to effectively undermine the claims of motor vehicle crash victims.  

A skilled legal specialist will ensure that you pursue every dime to which you are legally entitled. Most tort cases involve two distinct categories of financial recovery: “special” and “general” damages. 

Special damages are compensatory payments for the direct monetary losses that victims experience. When you are injured in a car wreck in Fort Lauderdale, you will likely experience many significant economic losses. Some of the most common include: 

• Medical bills and debt
• Expected long-term medical care costs
• Lost wages and income from missed workdays
• Loss of the ability to earn income
• Property damage — such as vehicular repair or replacement costs

Any financial losses that result from the collision can be claimed as special damages. General damages are payments intended to compensate injury victims for their negative physical and psychological experiences.  Some of the typical examples of general damages are payments to make up for: 

• Physical pain and suffering
• Disability and disfigurement
• Emotional turmoil and anguish
• Psychological pain like anxiety, panic, and depression
• Disfigurement and disability (either temporary or permanent)
• Decreases in quality of life

In some cases, car accident injuries are fatal. When someone dies as the result of another person’s negligence, the victim’s estate holder has the right to seek financial compensation through a wrongful death claim. 

Oftentimes, claimants in wrongful death cases pursue damages for the following: 

• The victim’s pain and suffering
• The surviving family’s pain and suffering
• Funerary and burial expenses
• The decedent’s outstanding medical debt
• Loss of consortium or relationship

No matter the nature of your Fort Lauderdale collision case, the compassionate lawyers at Morgan & Morgan can help.

In many cases, yes. Florida state law requires all motorists to offer help when an accident has resulted in injuries.  

All collisions resulting in injuries must be reported to local law enforcement. Even if no one is hurt, an accident must be reported if it involves more than $500 worth of property damage. 

Regardless of the legal requirements, it is a good idea to report any accident to the relevant authorities. A police accident report can serve as powerful evidence in any resulting tort legal claim.

When you have been involved in a Florida car accident, securing reliable legal representation is crucial. A skilled Fort Lauderdale attorney will help you seek all of the financial compensation that you deserve to cover the losses from your accident or injuries.  

Do not settle for less than your case is worth. The legal team at Morgan & Morgan knows what it takes to successfully represent the best interests of Florida accident victims. 

Our compassionate legal specialists are standing by to provide you with a free initial meeting to discuss the facts of your case. To schedule your no-cost case evaluation, fill out the easy-to-use contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website today.