Suffering injuries in a car accident can leave you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. You may be dealing with mounting medical bills, lost wages from missed work, pain and suffering, and uncertainty about your future recovery. In times like these, it’s essential to have an experienced Pompano Beach car accident lawyer on your side. Read on to learn what to do after an accident and how to find the best attorney to represent your interests.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer After an Accident in Pompano Beach
After any car accident, it’s important to get legal help from a qualified Pompano Beach car accident lawyer right away. Here are some key reasons why:
- They can investigate the accident – Your lawyer will interview witnesses, review police reports, take photographs, and gather evidence to build your case. Having detailed documentation about how the crash happened is crucial.
- They negotiate with insurance companies – Car insurance providers are focused on minimizing payouts. An attorney levels the playing field and deals with insurers so you don’t have to.
- They determine all available compensation – Your lawyer understands what economic and non-economic damages you may be entitled to through the at-fault driver’s liability coverage or your own policy.
- They handle the claims process – Paperwork, deadlines, and legal terminology can be confusing. Your attorney takes care of the claims process smoothly so you can focus on your recovery.
- They can file a lawsuit if needed – If insurance settlement offers seem unfair, your lawyer can build a strong case and take it to court to help get you the maximum compensation.
Key Types of Car Accidents That Occur in Pompano Beach
Pompano Beach streets see thousands of accidents every year. Some of the most common car crashes we see in our community include:
- Rear-end collisions – When one vehicle crashes into the back of another, often due to tailgating or distracted driving. Whiplash and spinal injuries are common.
- Head-on collisions – These dangerous crashes involving front-ends colliding account for a large portion of traffic fatalities.
- Sideswipe accidents – When two vehicles traveling in the same direction swipe or scrape against each other. Fault can be hard to determine.
- Rollover crashes – Vehicles that go off-road or get hit hard can flip over or roll repeatedly. These accidents frequently cause serious injuries.
- Single vehicle accidents – Running off the road, hitting a stationary object, or flipping over with no other vehicle involved. Can be caused by impaired or drowsy driving.
- Pedestrian accidents – Collisions involving a vehicle striking a pedestrian. Tend to cause traumatic brain, spinal cord, and internal injuries.
5 Signs You Need to Hire a Pompano Beach Car Accident Lawyer
Not sure if you should hire a lawyer for your car accident claim? Look for these signs it’s time to call an experienced attorney:
- You suffered severe injuries like broken bones, burns, spinal damage, brain trauma, or amputation.
- Your medical bills have reached tens of thousands of dollars or more.
- You’re facing permanent disability, scarring, loss of income, or diminished quality of life after the crash.
- The insurance company is denying your claim or offering an unfairly low settlement.
- You’re struggling to navigate the insurance claims process due to your injuries.
If any of the above apply, an accomplished Pompano Beach car accident lawyer can take over your case and help you maximize compensation.
Questions to Ask When Selecting a Car Accident Attorney
Not all lawyers possess the same experience and track record for getting clients strong financial recoveries. When researching attorneys, here are some questions to ask:
- How many years have you practiced car accident law? Look for at least 5-10 years handling these cases.
- What is your success rate? An attorney should have a proven record of winning favorable settlements or verdicts.
- What percentage of your practice focuses on car accident law? Find a firm specializing specifically in injury cases.
- Have you taken similar auto accident cases to trial before? If negotiations fail, a lawyer shouldn’t hesitate to take your case before a judge and jury.
- How quickly will you investigate my accident? Timing is critical, so prompt investigation and evidence gathering is key.
- What attorney fees or costs might I pay? Best to understand any potential expenses upfront.
Vetting lawyers thoroughly can help you select the right one to handle your car accident injury claim.
Why Consider Frankl Kominsky for Your Pompano Beach Accident Case
If you or a loved one suffered harm in a Pompano Beach area traffic crash, the accomplished car accident attorneys at Frankl Kominsky can help. Here are some of the key reasons injured victims choose our firm:
- Decades of proven experience – With over 40 years handling accident cases, we have a long record of success.
- We go to trial often – Insurance companies know we won’t hesitate to take a case to trial before a jury if needed.
- We handle the details – Our team manages every aspect of your case so you can focus on your health.
- We get results – Our clients have rated us 5 stars for helping them secure favorable recoveries.
- Personalized attention – Every client gets our individualized focus. Your case matters most to us.
Our Pompano Beach car accident lawyer offer free consultations for injury victims. Contact us today to learn how we can help you pursue maximum compensation.
Your Legal Options After a Pompano Beach Car Accident
If you or someone you love suffered harm in an auto collision, you have legal options to pursue damages including:
- Liability claim – If the other driver caused the crash due to negligence like speeding or distracted driving, their insurance should pay your claim.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist claim – Turn to your own auto policy for coverage if the at-fault driver lacked sufficient insurance.
- Personal injury lawsuit – If insurance won’t pay adequately, a lawsuit can compel the other driver to compensate your damages.
- No-fault insurance – In Florida, your own PIP policy covers medical expenses, lost wages up to 60% regardless of fault.
An experienced Pompano Beach car accident lawyer can analyze your case specifics and pursue your best route to maximum compensation for all your losses.
Gather Information at the Accident Scene
Taking key steps at the crash scene can significantly bolster your future injury claim. Be sure to:
- Call the police and cooperate fully with their accident report.
- Take photos of property damage, skid marks, and injuries.
- Get contact info for witnesses who saw what happened.
- Seek medical care even for minor aches – injuries can worsen over time.
- Avoid apologizing or admitting fault – it can be used against you later.
- Don’t sign any documents from insurance companies without talking to a lawyer first.
Having solid evidence helps prove liability and damages when pursuing your legal recovery options.
Beware of Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance carriers don’t have your best interests at heart – their goal is minimizing payouts to accident victims. Some common tactics they use include:
- Trying to rush you into a fast low-ball settlement. Don’t agree to any offer without your lawyer reviewing it first.
- Claiming you shared partial fault simply because you were involved in the accident, even if you did nothing wrong. Fault has specific legal definitions.
- Saying your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim or that some aren’t related to the collision. Your lawyer will prove every injury and expense resulted from the accident.
- Wanting to record a statement about the event that they can use against you. Politely decline to give any formal statement before consulting your attorney.
Having an aggressive negotiator on your side levels the playing field against unfair insurance practices.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Proves Your Claim
Proving negligence and damages resulting from the crash is the key to any car accident injury claim. Your attorney will take steps including:
- Obtaining police reports, vehicle damage estimates, and medical records.
- Consulting accident reconstruction experts to analyze what happened.
- Questioning witnesses to establish events leading up to the crash.
- Researching the at-fault driver’s history, training, sobriety, and other factors.
- Documenting the full extent of your physical injuries, pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost income, and diminished quality of life.
Thorough investigation and skillful negotiation by your lawyer can lead to the insurance company making a fair settlement offer to fully cover your losses. If not, they can build a convincing court case on your behalf.
What Damages Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help Recover?
Don’t suffer financially because of someone else’s negligent actions behind the wheel. A knowledgeable attorney can pursue compensation for many types of car accident damages including:
- Medical bills from hospitalization, procedures, therapy, rehabilitation, medication, assistive devices and in-home care
- Future medical costs for ongoing care
- Lost income due to missing work during recovery
- Loss of future earnings capacity if disabilities prohibit you from returning to your occupation
- Property losses like vehicle repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship if a loved one was killed
- Punitive damages if the other driver showed gross negligence (like drunk driving).
Maximize what you recover by having an accomplished Pompano Beach car accident lawyer demand all available damages you’re entitled to.
Why Car Accident Cases Settle Before Trial
Very few injury lawsuits actually proceed all the way to a trial. Instead, most settle out of court. There are some key reasons why:
- Trials are expensive and unpredictable for both sides. Settlements allow more control over the outcome.
- Strong evidence makes liability more clear. Defendants often prefer to settle when negligence appears obvious.
- It allows both sides to avoid the risks of losing at trial. Even injured plaintiffs face the small risk a jury may find in favor of the defense.
- Judges will often order mediation or arbitration to find middle ground anyway. This facilitates mutually agreeable settlements.
- Experienced car accident attorneys have a good sense of what a claim is truly worth. Their settlement demands accurately reflect potential trial awards.
However, reputable lawyers aren’t afraid to take a case to trial if it becomes necessary to get a plaintiff fair compensation. The threat of trial gives them important negotiation leverage during settlement talks.
How Long After a Car Accident Can I File a Claim?
Every state sets legal time limits on how long accident victims have to pursue injury claims after an event. In Florida, the statute of limitations is generally four years from the date of the crash for filing a personal injury lawsuit.
It’s wise to contact a Pompano Beach car accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident to get the claims process started well before time limits expire. Prompt legal action also helps secure evidence while it’s still fresh and maximize the chances of a favorable recovery. Don’t let insurance companies take advantage by trying to delay your claim until the window for legal action closes.
Can I Handle My Own Car Accident Claim?
Attempting a car accident injury claim without legal representation is extremely challenging. Insurance carriers have teams of attorneys and claims adjusters looking to limit what they pay out. They handle claims every day while injured laypeople rarely do.
By working with an experienced Pompano Beach car accident lawyer, you even the odds and have an advocate to handle complicated legal procedures. Your lawyer also fronts case costs rather than you paying out of pocket. In the end, their ability to secure a substantially higher settlement than you could on your own outweighs their fees. Don’t go it alone – protect yourself with dedicated legal representation.
Key Takeaways
- Seek medical attention after any car accident even if you don’t feel hurt at first – delayed symptoms are common.
- Talk to a car accident attorney before providing any formal statement to insurance companies.
- Don’t accept an early settlement offer before understanding the full extent of your damages.
- Keep detailed records about how the accident happened, your injuries, and your financial losses.
- An experienced lawyer can negotiate skillfully with insurers and prove your losses deserve maximum compensation.
- The best attorneys have decades of specialized experience and a proven track record of success.
Suffering injuries in a car crash can be devastating. Get your recovery on track by contacting an accomplished Pompano Beach car accident lawyer ready to aggressively pursue your rights to damages. Consultations are free, so call today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Injury Claims
Should I report a minor car accident?
Yes, you should report even a minor accident to the police. Having an official report on file strengthens your ability to make an injury claim later if needed. The report also helps document what happened while it’s still fresh.
Can I still get a settlement if I was partly at fault?
Florida uses pure comparative negligence rules. This means you can recover damages reduced by whatever percentage you shared in causing the accident. So if you were 30% at fault, your settlement would be reduced by 30% but you can still recover 70% of damages.
What if the other driver doesn’t have sufficient insurance?
If the at-fault driver lacks enough liability coverage, turn to your own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy for additional compensation up to those policy limits. An attorney can help tap all available sources.
Should I see a doctor my lawyer recommends?
Your attorney may recommend reputable doctors who frequently work with accident injury victims. However, you have the right to choose your own medical providers. Make sure you have trust in whoever treats you.
How quickly do car accident cases settle?
There’s no single timeline – each case differs based on injuries, evidence, and willingness to negotiate fair amounts. Simple cases with minimal damages could settle within a few months. Major injury cases involving legal disputes can take over a year, though many still settle before going to trial.
Having the right legal guidance can make all the difference after a Pompano Beach car accident. Consult a knowledgeable attorney to start building your strongest case and get the recovery you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.
