A car accident can leave you with a plethora of medical bills—and prevent you from going to work to earn money to pay those bills. A car accident lawyer can guide you through this difficult time by helping you seek compensation for your accident-related expenses and losses. Your personal injury attorney can also gather evidence to prove the elements of negligence that allow you to seek economic and non-economic damages.
Your Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney can guide you through the legal process and help you fight for maximum compensation while you focus on getting better.
Protect Your Right to Car Accident Compensation By Filing Your Lawsuit on Time
Most car accident cases settle out of court. 
However, your personal injury lawyer may still choose to file a civil lawsuit because reaching a settlement agreement can take time, and filing a personal injury lawsuit shows the responsible party’s insurance company you mean business. Filing your car accident lawsuit within the statute of limitations is important because:
- The insurance company may stop negotiating if you miss the deadline
- The court may refuse to allow you to file your lawsuit if the deadline expires
According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit . However, taking legal action on time can be hard because the filing deadline could change based on the victim’s age and other factors, per Florida Statutes § 95.051. A car accident attorney can help you interpret the deadline and avoid missing it.
The Importance of Car Accident Evidence Preservation
Once you have exchanged information with the at-fault driver at the accident scene, allow your personal injury lawyer to handle any further communication. They will also collect car accident evidence that aims to:
- Prove the accident’s cause
- Prove your financial losses and other costs related to the accident
- Guide your personal injury claim toward an accident settlement with the negligent party’s insurance provider
We cannot overstress the importance of evidence in car accident claims. Thankfully, your legal team will handle evidence collection for you and may even be able to access information and evidence you would find hard to obtain on your own, including:
- The accident police report
- Witness statements
- Testimonies from accident reconstruction experts
In the meantime, we encourage you to avoid posting photos or narratives about the accident on social media since the at-fault party’s insurance company could later use this information to damage your claim.
A Car Accident Lawyer Serving Fort Lauderdale Can Gather Evidence to Prove Economic Damages
Economic damages after an accident come out of your pocket. They typically include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future loss of income
- Property damage or destruction
When a motor vehicle accident lawyer represents you, they will document these costs in detail. For example, medical bills include those for medications, assistive devices, etc. Property damage includes your car and personal property and its diminished value post-repair. A detailed list of these damages can help avoid the liable party’s insurance company undervaluing or underpaying your claim.
Collecting Financial Evidence for Car Accident Claims
Evidence that proves the value of your economic damages can include bills, receipts, estimates, invoices, and proof of income. Your legal representation will collect these items on your behalf.
Pain and Suffering and Other Forms of Non-Economic Damages After an Automobile Accident
The pain and suffering you experience after a car accident includes the physical and emotional discomfort of your injuries and recovery. It is one of many intangible damages that can be hard to quantify or assign a value to on your own. Other non-economic damages include:
- Permanent disability
- Disfiguring injuries
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
Because car accident injuries can change your physical abilities, accident victims can also request fair compensation for the inability to engage in previously enjoyed activities. This is known as loss of enjoyment of life.
Prove Your Intangible Damages By Safeguarding Evidence of the Accident
Your lawyer will gather tangible evidence to document your intangible damages, including medical records, medical referrals, and a written prognosis. Your auto accident lawyer might also ask you and your friends and family for statements about your previous and current quality of life.
Wrongful Death Damages for Surviving Families After a Car Accident
When you hire a car accident lawyer to represent your family, 
they will clarify which family members can recover financial compensation from a wrongful death action. In most cases, this will include the decedent’s spouse, parents, and children, per Florida Statutes § 768.21.
Recoverable wrongful death damages generally include funeral and burial expenses, loss of your loved one’s income, and loss of their domestic contributions to your family. You can also request a financial recovery for family members’ loss of companionship, guidance, and consortium.
Your Car Accident Attorney Serving Fort Lauderdale Will Advocate for Your Family
Much of the same crucial evidence that substantiates economic and non-economic damages can support your family’s wrongful death. Your auto accident lawyer will also collect compelling evidence that might be difficult for you to handle, including a death certificate and autopsy reports.
Get Help Maximizing Your Compensation After a Car Accident
If a car accident created a financial strain for you or a loved one, our personal injury law firm can help you seek a fair settlement. Learn more about maximizing your compensation with strategies employed by our car accident law firm in Fort Lauderdale by contacting us today.
Call (954) 633-8270 now for a free initial consultation with our legal professionals at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato.
