Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer

At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers are deeply committed to recovering compensation for victims of vehicle accidents. Established in 2003, our firm’s experienced car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale have a proud record of success, securing millions in compensation through verdicts and settlements.

Our focus remains steadfast: meeting the needs of our clients by striving for a fair outcome in every case. With our auto accident lawyer team in Fort Lauderdale, you don’t need to stress about negotiating with insurers, proving fault, or gathering evidence. We offer free consultations, and you won’t pay us until our Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyers win your case.

You can get answers to these questions today:

• Do you need a lawyer for a Fort Lauderdale car accident claim?
• Has your firm recovered compensation in the past?
• What should you do after being in a collision?
• How can our accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale calculate your expenses?
• What is Florida’s “serious injury” threshold?
• How does Florida’s no-fault insurance system work?
• Are car accident settlements taxable in Fort Lauderdale?
• What types of factors could have caused your car accident?
• What types of injuries merit compensation in Florida car accidents?

We have answers to these questions and more.

Let Our Lawyers Handle Your Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim

Our car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL, have represented injury clients across Florida with determination and expertise for two decades. Skilled in personal injury statutes, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers offer comprehensive legal services, including vehicle accidents.

Working with our accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL, post-collision can bring numerous benefits. Our services include:

• Negotiating a fair settlement
• Investigating your case and presenting its evidence
• Reviewing state and local laws
• Providing you with updates
• Notifying you of potential offers
• Proving negligence

Our legal team offers personalized representation and direct attention throughout your claim. You will work directly with one of our partners, Jason and Debi Chalik. We will take the time to understand your situation and craft a specific approach to your case to maximize your potential settlement.

We strive to establish a comfortable, stable attorney/client relationship from the start. Mutual trust and respect help us to build a stronger, more substantial case consistent with your goals and expectations. Open communication is key, which is why we remain available to you throughout the case, even if it means visiting you at home or in the hospital.

Our Car Accident Attorneys Work on a Contingency-Fee Basis

Post-accident, you might consider legal help but worry about costs. Our Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer works on a contingency fee basis. Our car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale FL team requires no upfront payment to start your case. Payment comes as a percentage of your award, meaning no out-of-pocket expenses.

Schedule a free consultation with our car accident lawyers near me for more information. We will discuss your case, answer your questions, and offer strategic steps forward at no cost.

Our team can also speak with you free of charge during a free consultation. We will discuss your case and answer your questions without requiring any payment.

We Have a History of Recovering for Car Accident Clients in Your Position

Our track record speaks for itself. Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers have recovered millions for clients in Fort Lauderdale. Most of our cases are settled through negotiations with insurers, and we’re prepared to stand by your side if court proceedings are necessary.

Some of our multi-million-dollar outcomes include:

• We secured $5 million for our claimant who suffered injuries due to a defective car part.
• We won $3 million for our client who filed a case against Bridgestone and Ford.
• We recovered $2.2 million for our client who was hit as a pedestrian.

You might have seen our team speak on popular news outlets like USA Today, 60 Minutes, CNN, and Inside Edition. We are committed to our clients’ well-being. With us on your side, you can expect familial, compassionate representation.

Former Clients Appreciate the Commitment We Have to Their Cases

Our firm is unique compared to other law firms in Fort Lauderdale because of the personalized attention we provide as we manage your case. When you hire us, you work directly with our partners Debi and Jason. You also have an entire legal team contributing to your case and working for the compensation you deserve.

After deciding to hire us, former clients leave reviews like the following:

• “I really can’t say enough great things about this Firm. Honest, ethical and great communicators. Dell, made me feel like family and answered all my questions numerous times. The experience that Jason and his team have is quite obvious. They kept me comprised about my case at all times. Very happy client!!” -Charles P.
• “Chalik and Chalik took great care of me and my case from day one…I would recommend Chalik and Chalik to anyone…I’m happy that I found Chalik and Chalik and had an amazing case worker in Ms.Dell. Much love and if you’re looking for a solid legal team to represent your case you’ve actually found it in Chalik and Chalik.” – Anthony S.

Our Lawyers Know What It Takes to Prove Negligence

With any personal injury case, our attorneys must prove the elements of negligence. This means we must:

• Show that the other driver owed you a duty of care and demonstrate how they failed to do so
• Prove that you have injuries and losses related to the accident, and show that the other driver’s actions are directly the cause of your losses

Some cases can be especially tricky for the average person to handle, so let us handle the entire process. We can prove negligence in cases that involve:

• Distracted driving: Engaging in activities like texting, talking on the phone, or using a navigation system while driving.
• Speeding: Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for road conditions.
• Driving under the influence: Operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or medication.
• Failure to yield: Not yielding the right of way at stop signs, yield signs, or when merging.
• Improper lane changes: Changing lanes without signaling or checking blind spots.
• Ignoring traffic signals: Running red lights or stop signs.

Parties Who May Be Liable for Compensating You After a Florida Traffic Accident

In a car accident case, identifying all potentially liable parties is crucial for ensuring fair compensation for your damages. Depending on the specifics of the incident, liable parties may include:

• Other drivers: Individuals who directly caused the accident through negligence, such as distracted driving or speeding.
• Vehicle owners: Owners of the involved vehicles, especially if they knowingly allowed an unfit driver to use their vehicle.
• Employers: Companies may be liable if the accident involved an employee acting within the scope of their employment.
• Vehicle manufacturers: If a vehicle defect contributed to the accident, the manufacturer might be liable.
• Maintenance companies: Entities responsible for vehicle maintenance, if poor maintenance played a role in the accident.
• Government entities: If poor road conditions or inadequate signage contributed to the accident.

Identifying every party with potential liability requires thorough investigation and legal analysis.

Our Car Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL Will Calculate Your Accident Expenses

Our team of personal injury lawyers will calculate the value of your accident-related losses, such as your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. This will involve:

Totaling Your Monetary Damages After an Automobile Accident

We will estimate the value of your personal injury claim by adding up your economic damages. These types of damages are relatively straightforward to calculate.

We will use the following documents in our calculations:

• Emergency room and hospital bills
• Diagnostic tests, treatments, and physician’s bills
• Receipts for prescriptions and any medical devices you’ve required
• Receipts for your medical-related transportation costs
• Your employment records
• Repair estimates for your vehicle
• Any other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident and your injuries

We may also consult with economists to learn more about your anticipated expenses.

Adding Up Your Non-Financial Losses from a Vehicle Collision

Leave it to our team to determine the cost of your non-financial losses. These damages are calculated based on:

• The extent of your injuries
• Your age
• Whether you will have a long-term disability
• How much your injuries have affected your relationships
• How much time you missed from work
• Your quality of life
• Your mobility

Florida does not put a cap on non-financial damages. You can seek these types of damages through a personal injury lawsuit if your insurance policy does not adequately cover your losses.

Injuries You Can Seek Compensation for Following a Car Accident in Florida

If you suffered injuries in a motor vehicle crash, you could be entitled to seek compensation. Whether your injuries will heal in a matter of days or a matter of weeks, if you incurred medical expenses, you could be compensated for those costs.

Some common types of injuries that could qualify for compensation include:

• Head trauma and skull fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries
• A broken pelvis
• A herniated disk
• Whiplash
• Spinal cord injuries
• Loss of limb
• Wrongful death

Some of the damages you may be able to recover compensation for include:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Mental anguish

We will review the details of your Fort Lauderdale car accident case to help you understand what damages you can recover.

Wrongful Death in Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents

If you lost a loved one in a Fort Lauderdale, FL, vehicle crash because of someone else’s negligence, we extend our sincere condolences. We understand that a financial award is a small consolation after you lose someone you love, but it may help to ease the financial burden and provide some measure of justice for your loss.

Our wrongful death lawyers are here to support you through every step of the legal process, so you can take the time you need to mourn.

With a wrongful death claim, we will help you seek compensation for your economic losses, including medical bills, funeral expenses, burial expenses, and lost income from your deceased loved one. In addition, we will work to hold the at-fault parties responsible for the non-economic losses you suffered, such as loss of companionship, loss of advice, loss of emotional support, and mental anguish.

We firmly maintain that at-fault parties should be held fully responsible for the injuries they caused. Our attorneys forcefully pursue justice on behalf of victims and their loved ones, so you can seek the compensation you deserve for your losses.

What Should You Do After Being in a Collision?

Your actions following your Fort Lauderdale car accident can significantly affect your claim. It also helps to understand the financial recovery process itself. The following measures could promote your case’s overall outcome:

Filing Your Car Accident Case Within the Appropriate Deadline

First and foremost, you’ll need to file your lawsuit within the legal time limits. Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a) grants you two years to file your car accident injury lawsuit.

This may seem like a long time, but it’s imperative not to wait until the last minute. You could be barred from seeking compensation in court if you miss the deadline.

Our personal injury attorneys can assess your situation, explain your options, and file your case by the two-year deadline.

If your loved one passed away because of a Fort Lauderdale car accident, we extend our condolences. Our car accident attorney can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit while you focus on your family. Per Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d), accident victims have two years to take legal action for wrongful death.

Keeping and Gathering Important Evidence Related to Your Car Accident

The following evidence can support your right to compensation:

• Photos of the accident scene, your vehicle, and your injuries
• The police report
• Video footage
• Eyewitness statements
• Statements from your doctor

If you do not have these pieces of information, do not worry. Your car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL, can gather them for you. They also may be able to use documents other than those listed above. You can bring any evidence you have to your car accident lawyer for use in building your personal injury lawsuit.

Following Through With Your Medical Treatment Plan After an Auto Accident

Seek immediate medical care following your collision. You should also:

• Attend all follow-up appointments
• Stick to your treatment plan
• Document all your appointments
• Keep a running list of all medications
• Keep track of all the doctors, physical therapists, and other practitioners you see
• Ask for copies of your medical records, bills, and other reports, such as a police report

If you incurred a serious injury, keep records of how your condition impacts your daily life. These records help us determine the monetary value of your pain and suffering and any future medical expenses you may incur.

If you delay or forgo treatment, you risk having an insurance company undervalue or outright deny your claim. You deserve to make your maximum medical recovery and seek fair compensation, so make sure you see a doctor and follow through with your prescribed treatment plan.

Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies

After a car accident, it’s wise to exercise caution when dealing with insurance companies, including your own. Insurance adjusters, despite appearing helpful, aim to minimize the company’s payouts. Conversations you have with them can be used to undermine your claim. They might interpret your words to suggest you were at fault or downplay your injuries.

Without proper legal representation, you risk accepting a settlement far below what you deserve. An attorney from our firm can handle these negotiations on your behalf, ensuring that your rights are protected and you receive compensation for your damages, injuries, and any long-term impact the accident may have on your life.

Stay Off Social Media

After a car accident, staying off social media is crucial for protecting your legal rights and claims. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often monitor the social media accounts of individuals pursuing claims for any content that could undermine their case. Photos, comments, or even check-ins that suggest you’re more physically capable or less injured than claimed can be used against you, potentially reducing your compensation.

Moreover, seemingly innocent posts can be misconstrued or taken out of context to challenge the severity of your injuries or your account of the accident. To safeguard your claim, it’s best to limit your social media presence until your case is resolved.

Avoid Accepting a Settlement from the Responsible Party at the Accident Scene

Refusing a settlement at the scene of your car accident is crucial for several reasons. At this early stage, the full extent of your injuries and the damage to your property may not be immediately apparent. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal trauma, can take days or even weeks to manifest symptoms.

Accepting an on-the-spot settlement likely means waiving your right to pursue further compensation, potentially leaving you with inadequate funds to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other unforeseen expenses. Without a thorough assessment of the damages and legal advice, you risk settling for much less than what’s necessary to fully recover from the accident’s impact.

Call a Car Accident Law Firm for Your Free Initial Consultation

A free consultation at a car accident law firm offers several key benefits. Firstly, it provides an opportunity to understand the legal merits of your case without financial commitment. You gain professional insight into the potential for compensation and the steps involved in pursuing a claim.

During the consultation, the personal injury law firm can assess the specifics of your accident, advise on the possible outcomes, and estimate the compensation you might receive. It’s also a chance to evaluate the law firm’s experience and approach, helping you decide if they’re the right fit to represent you throughout the claims process. Essentially, this risk-free meeting empowers you with information to make informed decisions about your legal options following a car accident.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

Accidents can be overwhelming for any driver, and there are a lot of things you may not even think of when dealing with your accident. Our law firm is here to answer some of the questions we hear the most.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Get for my Fort Lauderdale Auto Collision?

There are two primary types of accident compensation in a personal injury accident: economic and non-economic damages.

• Economic damages are awarded for losses that have a direct financial value. This can include medical care costs, physical therapy and rehabilitation costs, lost income or wages, and other losses. Anything with a receipt is an economic loss. While these are easier to estimate, it’s easy for accident victims to lose track of losses or undervalue something complicated, like future income losses.
• Non-economic damages estimate the costs of less tangible losses that do not have an exact financial value. This may be your pain and suffering, your loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and other very real, emotional harm to you. While money cannot truly make up for these losses, you are still entitled to seek damages from the liable party.

Both of the above categories of losses are considered “compensatory damages,” but there is a different category of compensation called “punitive damages.” Punitive damages are extremely rare, and most victims may not qualify. These damages are considered in cases where the liable party acted extremely recklessly.

How Does Fort Lauderdale’s No-Fault Insurance Claim System Work in Car Accident Cases?

Florida is considered a no-fault state for vehicle accidents, which means that each driver must maintain continuous insurance coverage designed to cover medical expenses and property damage, no matter who was at fault. Per Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), motorists must carry:

• A minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage
• At least $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage

Your PIP coverage will pay for your financial losses regardless of who is responsible for the accident. If your injuries pass the serious injury threshold, you can pursue compensation from a third party.

We understand that insurance matters can get complicated. Rather than schooling yourself on these issues, let our team handle the insurance company.

What Is Florida’s “Serious Injury” Threshold for a Car Accident?

Florida Statutes § 627.7407 says that Florida is a no-fault state. To recoup damages following a collision, you generally file a claim with your insurer.

However, Florida Statutes § 627.737 allows drivers to collect compensation from at-fault drivers, assuming they meet certain criteria.

This is called the “serious injury threshold,” and it applies when you experience at least one of the following:

• Significant disfigurement
• Permanent limitation of a bodily organ
• Significant restriction of a bodily function

If any of these conditions apply, you may file a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. Unlike your PIP benefits, these claims allow you to receive compensation for general damages, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress.

Are Car Accident Settlements Taxable in Fort Lauderdale?

Some portions of your car accident settlement are taxable. Pain and suffering, for instance, may be subject to taxation. However, federal law protects those who seek economic damages for injuries. You won’t be taxed for damages like medical bills and lost wages.

If you have any questions about taxation in Fort Lauderdale, ask your auto accident lawyer for more details.

What Kinds of Motor Vehicle Accidents Can an Auto Accident Attorney Help With?

Many collisions result from driver negligence and are, therefore, preventable. As South Florida residents, we know firsthand how dangerous Fort Lauderdale roads can be. Construction, rain and flooding, angry or unpredictable drivers, and congested roads and highways make driving challenging even for the safest driver. There are many types of accidents and many factors that may have contributed to your crash. Here is just a sample of accident types we help with:

Speeding

Speeding is both dangerous and illegal. Driving over the limit increases your risk of being in a collision. Nearly one-third of all car accidents can be attributed in some way to speeding, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Speeding may result in minor accidents, but it can also cause devastating accidents that leave you with serious harm.

Road Rage

Road rage makes motorists impulsive and dangerous while driving. They may behave in a manner that is aggressive, unsafe, and threatening. If you are injured in an accident due to another driver’s road rage, that driver may be liable for your injuries. Someone’s reckless driving caused your injuries, but you should not have to suffer for their actions.

Drunk Driving

Florida Statutes § 316.193 prohibits drinking and driving. If a drunk driver hurt you, we could pursue compensation regardless of whether they went to jail. In addition, the state of Florida allows some victims to file for punitive damages if they can prove that the driver was “guilty of intentional misconduct or gross negligence.” A drunk or intoxicated driver can cause catastrophic injuries and fatal accidents, especially if they cause something like a head-on collision. Let our Florida collision attorney help you determine which damages you can claim.

Distracted Driving

According to the NHTSA, distracted driving was the cause of 3,522 fatalities in a recent study. Florida outlaws distracted driving, such as texting and driving. We can subpoena the other driver’s phone records to determine if this was a factor in your accident. These accidents can often end in rear-end collisions, especially on busy highways.

Inclement Weather Conditions

Poor weather conditions are a contributing factor in motor vehicle crashes. As Floridians, we are no strangers to poor weather. Examples include heavy rain, wind, and fog. Motorists are expected to adjust their driving to meet these conditions. Otherwise, they could be found negligent.

Can I Get a Settlement If I Was Partially at Fault for My Car Accident?

Yes, even if you were partially responsible for your accident, you can seek a financial reward for your loss. However, there is a limit under Florida’s comparative negligence rule. Florida’s modified comparative negligence law means you cannot be more than 50 percent responsible for the accident. If you are, you lose your right to damages.

The insurance company may try to say you were more at fault than you really were, shifting the greater percentage of blame to you. This tactic could mean you walk away with nothing, even though you are still recovering financially, emotionally, and physically.

However, our law office knows how to combat these methods, and we know what it takes to show that the negligent driver is responsible for paying for your losses. You deserve compensation for damages, so don’t face the other party and their insurer alone.

Reach Out Today to Discuss Your Fort Lauderdale, FL, Car Accident Case with Us

Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today to learn more about working with a car accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale. You can complete a free case review to explore your legal options at no obligation. We offer personalized legal care and tailor our strategies to suit each client’s unique needs. When you work with our car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, you will never feel like another case file on a desk.

If our auto accident injury attorneys proceed with your case, we will gather evidence, handle all legal communication with the insurance company, and conduct negotiations. If we cannot reach a suitable settlement, we will not hesitate to defend your right to fair compensation at trial.

Call us today so we can begin working on your case. Do not hesitate to hold a negligent driver responsible for their actions– call us for a free initial consultation today.