Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer

Serious injuries can change your life and leave you with expensive medical costs, the inability to work, and pain and suffering. It is only right that the liable party pays for your losses. A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer will help establish the defendant’s fault and fight to help you secure the financial compensation you are legally entitled to.

Consultations are free and there is no fee unless your case is won.

Choose Us for Our Track Record & Personalized Approach

Since 1995, we’ve won numerous seven-figure settlements and judgment awards for our clients. Notable examples include:

• $22.1 Million settlement for a catastrophic brain injury due to a defective product
• $6.5 Million settlement for a catastrophic personal injury case settled in federal court
• $1 Million settlement for a defective tire accident resulting in a brain injury
• $1 Million settlement for a client who was hit by a ride-sharing service driver

Another factor that separates our firm from others is the high level of individual care and commitment that we provide. The firm’s owners, Jason and Debi Chalik, are dedicated to providing personalized attention to each client. They directly handle every case, which is unique in the legal field.

We also never apply a one-size-fits-all approach to our personal injury cases. You shouldn’t have to feel like another case file on a desk. Instead, we tailor our legal strategy to suit the needs of each individual client. For example, we may suggest starting your case with legal action instead of negotiating a settlement with an insurance company. Each case is unique and requires different strategies. We will make it a point to listen to your story and figure out what the best course of action is.

If you need help with a personal injury claim, contact us now for a complimentary case evaluation. Support is available 24/7.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

In 2020, the U.S. documented 5.4 million preventable injuries and over 200,000 preventable deaths. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), preventable injury-related deaths are one of the top causes of death across the U.S. And the numbers show no signs of decreasing. Florida is no exception.

Personal injury cases cover many different types of accidents. Some of the most common that we handle include:

• Bicycle accidents
• Birth injury
• Boating accidents
• Bus accidents
• Car accidents
• Construction accidents
• Dog bites
• Medical malpractice
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Truck accidents
• Wrongful death

Motor vehicle accidents are a particularly large focus of our practice. Miami New Times noted that I-95 in Fort Lauderdale is one of the country’s most dangerous one-mile stretches of highway, seeing 91,000 accidents in the past 20 years—50 times the national average.

This and other dangerous highways and interstates are the scene of many auto accidents that result in unexpected injuries. This could include life-changing and severe injuries such as paralysis, disfigurement, and amputation. If you’re suffering from catastrophic injuries such as these, we want to help you hold the responsible parties accountable.

Even if you don’t see the type of accident you were involved in listed above, we still want to listen to your story. If you suffered injuries that another party caused, you may have a valid injury claim. Our attorneys in South Florida will provide transparent feedback after listening to the details of your case.

Our Reviews: Clients Speak to How We Prioritize Them

• “Very clean office, professional staff, and the highest quality of service, because of Jason Chaliks tenacity, and fierceness in the courtroom I was awarded $250,000 in a slip & fall injury. Thanks Chalik & Chalik!!!!” – Jeffrey H.
• “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 [informed] about my case at all times…” – Charles P.

You can check out more client testimonials to learn about what it’s like working with us.

Understanding Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Cases

Personal injuries can have life-altering consequences, affecting not only your physical well-being but also your emotional and financial stability. At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, we understand the challenges you face after an accident and are committed to providing compassionate legal support and expert representation. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers have extensive experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases, including car accidents, slip and fall incidents, medical malpractice, dog bites, and more. We believe in holding negligent parties accountable for their actions and will fight diligently to secure the best possible outcome for your case.

Is It Worth Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Whether it’s worth hiring a lawyer depends on the specific circumstances of the legal issue in question. However, in general, hiring a lawyer can be incredibly beneficial and can often be the best course of action.

• Increased Settlement Amounts: With skilled legal representation, there is a better chance of receiving maximum compensation. Lawsuit settlements can be up to 30-40% higher with the help of a lawyer. 
• Representation in Court: While only a small percentage of cases go to court, it’s essential to have a strong trial lawyer when they do.
• Legal Expertise: You can rely on a lawyer’s thorough understanding of local laws and statutes, damage assessment, legal paperwork and legalese, and other intricacies that are involved in lawsuits and personal injury claims.
• Peace of Mind: After an accident, you deserve to rest and focus on your health, not hassle with the legal process. This is a challenge a personal injury attorney can take off your shoulders.

What a Lawyer Will Do for You

Our goal is to provide you with honest and personalized legal representation. In doing so, we will manage your case while you focus on your physical and mental well-being.

Proving Liability in a Personal Injury Case

Our personal injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale will help build a case that proves fault, liability, and the value of your damages. When establishing negligence, the following factors are considered:

Duty of Care

The other party owed you a legal duty of care, meaning the defendant had a duty to behave reasonably so as not to harm you. To name some examples:

• Drivers must drive safely and not endanger others.
• Property owners must keep their premises free of hazards.
• Physicians must provide you with the utmost standard of care.

Breach of Duty

The other party breached their legal duty of care by acting negligently. Using the same examples as above:

• A driver decides to speed or operate a vehicle while drunk.
• A property owner doesn’t put a caution sign up to warn visitors about a broken floorboard.
• A physician operates on the wrong side of the body.

Lack of Care Leads to Your Injuries

A personal injury lawyer will establish that the defendant’s negligence caused your accident and injuries. In some cases, medical experts may be called to testify that the accident directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries—not some other incident.

Your Injuries Caused Financial & Non-Financial Struggles

Personal injury lawyers must provide evidence that the victim suffered damages as a result of the accident. Damages include the physical, emotional, and financial effects of the injuries.

Comparative Negligence in Florida

Note that Florida is a pure comparative negligence state, per Florida Statutes § 768.81. You can still seek compensation for an accident for which you are partly to blame. However, your partial fault will reduce compensation by your percentage of fault. Thus, it is essential to collect all available evidence to establish the defendant’s fault.

In addition, if you are dealing with a party who is attempting to place more blame on you than you’re responsible for or they’re claiming that you’re entirely to blame, it’s essential to have strong legal representation. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale, you’ll have a greater chance of receiving fair compensation.

Evidence Collection in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

When establishing the defendant’s liability, evidence plays a key role. Our personal injury law firm can assist you in collecting the necessary evidence, including but not limited to:

• Police report
• Accident or incident report
• Medical records
• Eyewitness statements
• Income statements
• Photographs of the accident scene
• Video surveillance footage
• Expert witness testimony

Navigating the Legal Process & Negotiations

Our legal team will handle all communications with insurance companies and the defendant’s lawyers, evaluating settlement offers, and ensuring your case meets Florida’s statute of limitations and other deadlines.

We can also help negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer, we are prepared to take the case to court and represent you in litigation.

Communication Throughout Your Personal Injury Case

The last thing you want when choosing a law firm is to feel left in the dark. The legal team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers returns phone calls and emails and will keep you up to date with the latest developments in your case.

When you work with a lawyer at our family-owned firm, you hire our family to fight for yours.

Recoverable Damages in a Personal Injury Case

We take a personal approach with our clients to get to know them and how their injuries affect their day-to-day lives. We want to understand how your injuries are impacting you physically and emotionally, as well as financially.

Some of the damages we may seek to recover in your personal injury claim or lawsuit include:

• Medical costs (current and future)
• Lost wages and benefits
• Diminished earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Diminished quality of life

The types of damages we may seek depend on how the accident and your injuries have affected you. For example, let’s say you got into a serious rear-end collision on I-95 and sustained spinal cord or other permanent injuries. You would probably be entitled to more compensation than someone who slipped and fell at The Galleria and had minor injuries.

Learn More: What Are the 3 Categories of Damages?

If You lost a Loved One in an Accident

Our wrongful death lawyers can help you and your family after the loss of a loved one to a fatal accident. We can seek compensation for a variety of losses, such as:

• Funeral and burial or cremation services
• Loss of inheritance for the income your loved one provided to the household
• Loss of consortium for the companionship and services they offered
• Your loved one’s accident-related medical expenses
• Your loved one’s pain and suffering

Not everyone can file a wrongful death lawsuit, though. Typically, a representative of the deceased’s estate files such a lawsuit. If your loved one did not leave a will naming a representative, the court can appoint one. When you discuss your loved one’s accident with our personal injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, they can go over who in your family may have the right to take legal action.

You deserve time to grieve in peace and fair compensation to properly honor your loved one’s memory. You can let our legal team handle the process while you spend time with your family.

Learn More: How To Sue for Wrongful Death

What Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

There is no simple answer to this question, as settlements can range from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars. Personal injury settlement amounts vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the severity of the injuries, the extent of medical treatment required, the amount of lost income or earning capacity, and the jurisdiction where the case is being heard.

It’s important to note that every case is different, and settlement amounts can also be influenced by a variety of factors, such as the strength of the evidence and the negotiating skills of the attorneys involved. It’s always best to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can provide an estimate of what your case may be worth based on the specific facts and circumstances involved.

Time Limit to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida

Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a). This deadline means that we must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years from the accident date, with few exceptions.

Getting started as early as possible affords your lawyer the time to investigate what happened and collect the evidence needed to build a compelling case. In addition, it helps prevent us from missing the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Florida. If that were to happen, the state would bar you from collecting any damages.

Your lawyer can make sure you file your personal injury case on time and meet other applicable deadlines if you give enough notice. From there, they can help streamline the legal process as much as possible.

Still, it takes time to build a case. Our personal injury attorneys in Fort Lauderdale have to conduct an investigation, gather evidence of negligence, and negotiate with insurers. So the sooner you begin working on your case, the better.

What To Do After a Personal Injury

Your actions following an accident can make or break your case. Insurers can employ deceptive tactics to keep you from claiming compensation. While a personal injury attorney can handle the legal process, there are a couple of things you should consider right away.

You can protect yourself and your right to a settlement by following the steps below.

Go to the Doctor

If medical attention is not provided at the scene, seek help immediately. Even if you feel okay at the time, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. A medical professional will assess your injuries, treat you, and provide a complete summary of your injuries. Refusing or delaying medical help can seriously hurt your injury claim.

For example, if you delay or forgo medical care, an insurer may try to argue that you contributed to your injuries and losses. They can then move to undervalue or outright deny your claim.

Furthermore, our personal injury attorneys can use your medical records to establish your losses and connect them to another party’s negligence. This is particularly helpful if you will likely incur future medical expenses. For example, if you suffer from a permanent impairment, you may require physical therapy and in-home aid for years.

You shouldn’t have to pay this price when someone else caused or contributed to your injuries. See a doctor as soon as possible and follow through with your prescribed treatment plan.

File a Police Report

If you were involved in a car accident or have sustained serious or life-threatening injuries, you should file a police report immediately. The responding officer will document the facts of your case, which can provide evidence against the at-fault party. You can submit a police report to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

Our legal team can also help obtain the official police report when we gather evidence for your case. You won’t have to sift through the paperwork. We can compile all the documentation needed for your case.

Don’t Admit Fault

Depending on the circumstances, you may feel guilty about what happened, especially if someone else was also hurt. However, by expressing guilt, apologizing, or stating that it’s your fault, you can lose any compensation you were entitled to.

Don’t Provide an Official Statement

Recorded statements can be used against you during your claim. Insurers may use your words to contradict you, dismiss your case, or worse, place you at fault for your injuries.

If you have to give a statement to an insurer, it’s best to stick to the facts, such as the time and location of the accident and the vehicles involved. Avoid going into too much detail since an insurer may use anything you say to undervalue or deny your claim.

From there, you can refer an insurer to your Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers for more information. We can communicate with them on your behalf.

Consider Working With a Personal Injury Lawyer

The best way to succeed in your case is to be informed of your rights and hire an attorney to uphold those rights under Florida law. Our personal injury attorneys are prepared to represent your interests with the insurance company and get you everything owed to you.

Keep in mind that insurance companies usually have teams of defense attorneys at their disposal. With a personal injury lawyer on your side, you can face them with confidence. We will shield you from any bad-faith practices on their part.

Common FAQs – Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury

What types of cases does Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers handle in Fort Lauderdale?

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers handle a variety of cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall incidents, medical malpractice, birth injuries, wrongful death, dog bites, and more. If you’ve suffered harm due to someone else’s negligence, we are here to help.

How do I know if I have a valid personal injury claim in Fort Lauderdale?

To determine if you have a valid personal injury claim, you must establish that another party’s negligence or wrongful actions caused your injuries. If you were harmed due to someone else’s failure to act responsibly or follow reasonable safety measures, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Consulting with an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer is the best way to evaluate your case and explore your legal options.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Fort Lauderdale?

In Florida, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is four years from the date of the accident or injury. However, specific circumstances may impact the time limit for filing a claim. It’s crucial to act promptly and consult with a personal injury lawyer to avoid losing your right to seek compensation.

What types of compensation can I recover in a personal injury case in Fort Lauderdale?

In a personal injury case, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, rehabilitation costs, property damage, and future medical care. The value of your claim depends on the extent of your injuries and the impact on your life.

Why should I hire Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers for my Fort Lauderdale personal injury case?

Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers is a family-owned law firm with a strong commitment to providing personalized attention and dedicated representation to our clients. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers have a proven track record of success, and we will work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for your case. With our compassionate and skilled team by your side, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal aspects of your claim.

Hire a Personal Injury Attorney at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers Today

Whether you experienced a personal injury from a slip and fall or you were in a severe car accident that another driver caused, our law firm in South Florida can help.

One of our personal injury attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL, could help you recover the compensation you need to pay the bills, get medical care, and more. Call Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

Learn More About the Legal Process

We pride ourselves on being transparent with our clients. Part of this process involves educating them throughout the legal process so they can understand what is going on and take control of their cases. We invite you to browse through our blog and FAQ page to learn more about specific areas of personal injury law. We even have videos and a legal glossary to help you learn about different aspects of the legal process.

The more you know about your case, the better you can make decisions about it. We want to shed light on how personal injury law works, and you can come to us with any additional questions you have along the way.