Buying a new car is a fun and exciting experience. However, if your new car is involved in an accident, it could immediately diminish your vehicle’s value and leave you with additional expenses and losses. Dealing with the accident’s aftermath can be complicated and frustrating—but it does not have to be a situation you manage alone.
If you were not at fault in a brand-new car accident, here’s what you need to know about how a Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyer can help you get financial compensation. Your attorney will fight for a fair and accurate assessment of your car’s value, document your additional recoverable damages, and deal with the insurance company. Plus, a local law firm will typically review your case at no cost.
The Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer After an Accident Involving a New Car
A car accident—especially one involving a brand-new car—can have significant financial consequences. The driver whose negligence caused the accident is responsible for its costs. When a lawyer represents you, they can investigate the accident and prove you were not at fault.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Take on the Insurance Company for You
The at-fault driver’s insurance company will demand proof of their policyholder’s negligence and financial liability. When you seek compensation for a brand-new car accident where you were not at fault, your lawyer can prove the other driver’s actions led to the crash.
Your car accident attorney will collect and sort through the evidence and submit it with a settlement demand letter. Your lawyer will also negotiate on your behalf and fight for the best financial outcome for you and your family.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Proves the Legal Elements of Negligence
Proving negligence in a car accident claim means identifying and documenting its required components:
- Duty of care: The at-fault driver’s legal responsibility to obey traffic laws.
- Breach of duty: Any action that violates the driver’s duty (e.g., speeding or illegal lane change).
- Causation: Connection between the at-fault driver’s breach and the crash.
- Damages: Economic and noneconomic damages resulting from the collision.
Your lawyer will collect the evidence you need to validate your claim, including accident reconstruction and police reports, photos and video, and medical records and bills. They will also speak to lay and expert witnesses.
What You Need to Know About the Cost of a Car Accident Lawyer
When you get into a car accident right after purchase, you could attempt to resolve your claim alone. However, you could experience many benefits by hiring a lawyer. In most cases, they will represent you on a contingency fee basis.
Instead of a retainer or hourly fee, the lawyer will receive a percentage of your recovered damages. They will cover all the costs of preparing your lawsuit, and you will only compensate them if you recover money. Moreover, you will not owe any legal fees if you do not receive a monetary award.
How an Accident Affects the Value of a Brand-New Car
A new car purchase requires insurance coverage. Typically, insurance—even full coverage—only covers your car’s value, not its purchase price. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), a new car depreciates (loses value) quickly. After a crash, its value can decrease even more rapidly due to the following factors:
- Damage to its structural integrity
- Lower resale value versus newer cars
- Loss of aesthetic appeal
When assessing the monetary value of your damages after an accident, your lawyer will consult auto experts and authoritative guides like the Kelley Blue Book. They will also fight for the maximum value of your damaged or destroyed car and its diminished value if the insurance company declares it a total loss.
Additional Damages You Can Recover for a Brand-New Car Accident
The cost of repairing or replacing your brand-new car—or getting compensation for its diminished value— is only one expense you can request from the at-fault driver.
Your lawyer can also ask for the following in your settlement demand letter:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehab, therapy, and travel costs
- Past and future losses of income
- Loss of future earning potential
- Lasting disfigurement or impairment
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Wrongful death damages, if applicable
You are entitled to compensation for your car and all other damages related to the accident. Your lawyer will document your recoverable damages and fight hard for the maximum value of your claim.
How Florida’s Statute of Limitations Affects Your Car Accident Lawsuit
The personal injury or wrongful death statute of limitations is generally two years, per Florida Statutes § 95.11. If you misunderstand, misinterpret, or otherwise miss the filing deadline, your lawsuit is at risk of denial or immediate dismissal.
A lawyer can determine the deadline and file your lawsuit within the allotted time. With their guidance and direction, you can avoid the costly consequences of non-compliance.
Get Legal Support for Your New Car Accident Claim
An accident in a new car can feel devastating. If you were not at fault in a brand-new car accident, you want to know how to get maximum financial recovery. The car accident team at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato will investigate your crash and advocate on your behalf.
Call (954) 633-8270 today for your free case evaluation.
