Car Accident Victims Are Entitled to Compensation
If you or someone you love was involved in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can assess and document your recoverable damages. Your lawyer can also provide clarity on the types of compensation available for car accident victims in Fort Lauderdale.
With their guidance and direction, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Your car accident lawyer will also pursue wrongful death damages for the loss of a loved one in a car accident and punitive damages if your case meets its qualifications.
Types of Compensatory Damages Available to Car Accident Victims
Compensatory damages in a Fort Lauderdale car accident claim generally fall into the following four categories:
- Economic damages, which are concrete and accompanied by documentation
- Non-economic damages, which are intangible and can be more challenging to quantify
- Wrongful death damages, typically awarded to the decedent’s parents, spouse, and children
- Punitive damages, which are intended to penalize the at-fault party for egregious wrongdoing
You do not have to estimate the value of your losses on your own. The lawyer handling your case will assess your damages or prove their validity or value.
Medical Bills and Additional Economic Damages
Car accident claims typically start with assessing your economic recoverable damages, which are easily documented. According to Florida Statutes § 768.81, they include:
- Past and future lost income
- Past and future medical bills
- Property damages or loss
- Property losses
Wrongful death damages, if warranted, also include economic damages such as medical and funeral expenses and loss of the decedent’s support and services. Your law firm will compile the documents that prove the costs you incurred while you focus on getting better.
How Non-Economic Damages Like Pain and Suffering are Assessed
Assessing the value of pain and suffering and other non-economic—or intangible—damages can be difficult on your own. They are typically assessed using the multiplier method. Non-economic damages can also include:
- Disability and disfigurement
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Your lawyer will multiply the value of your economic damages by a certain value, depending on the extent of your injuries. The figure they assign to your case should reflect the toll the accident has taken on your life and lifestyle.
What You Need to Know About Recovering Punitive Damages for a Car Accident
Recovering punitive damages in car accident cases is rare. They are typically awarded only when the at-fault party’s actions are deemed intentional or grossly negligent, according to Florida Statutes § 768.72.
Your car accident lawyer will examine the details of your case to identify any evidence that the at-fault parties’ actions meet the required parameters. Examples include:
- Intentionally running you off the road
- Road rage and other intentionally dangerous behavior
- Known, but undisclosed, car or part manufacturing issues
If you qualify for this additional form of compensation, your legal team will inform you and include them in your list of recoverable damages.
Avoid a Potentially Costly Delay in Filing Your Lawsuit
Florida’s personal injury statute of limitations changed from its previous four-year filing deadline in 2023. Currently, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you have two years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Of course, exceptions can apply, but it’s best to act as soon as possible.
Failing to comply with the filing deadline could mean you cannot file your lawsuit at all, or it will be dismissed without its merits ever being heard. A car accident attorney can help you accurately interpret the filing deadline based on the specific details of your case. They can also help you avoid the costly consequences of non-compliance.
A Lawyer Will Collect Proof of the Cause and Cost of Your Car Accident
Evidence in a car accident case can come from various sources, making collecting it a detailed and time-consuming process. Evidence needed to prove third-party liability in personal injury cases includes:
- Accident-related medical records
- Police and first responder reports
- Accident scene reconstruction
- Accident witness statements
- Medical and other expert testimonials
Evidence that proves the monetary value of your compensation request includes:
- Medical, rehab, and therapy bills
- Employment and salary history
- Property repair or replacement bills
If a lawyer represents you, they handle this potentially daunting task for you. They will also submit your case file to the at-fault party in an organized manner alongside a demand letter.
Call Our Team to Explore Your Car Accident Compensation Options
If you or a loved one was injured in a negligence-based vehicle collision, our law firm will describe the type of compensation available for car accident victims in Fort Lauderdale. We will also handle the financial recovery process from start to finish.
Our client-focused team will take time to clarify your legal and financial recovery options. Learn more by calling the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato at (954) 633-8270 to get started today.
