Plantation, FL Car Accident Lawyers Fighting For Injured Crash Victims
If you were hurt in a South Florida crash, our attorneys can protect your rights
Broward County is one of the most heavily populated counties in the state of Florida, and car accidents are common. A crash only takes seconds but can turn your life upside down for months or even longer. If someone else was at fault for the accident that left you hurt, you deserve financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses. However, the claims process can be complicated.
That’s why you need an experienced Plantation car accident attorney ready to fight for your rights. At Feingold Posner Draizin, we understand the impact that serious injuries from a crash can have. You need treatment and medical expenses are adding up quickly. You’re experiencing financial stress as you wonder how you’re going to pay the bills.
Whether you were hurt in an accident on I-595, a crash on Broward Boulevard, or a collision on Florida’s Turnpike, things can get very confusing very fast. You may have been treated at HCA Florida Westside Hospital, Florida Medical Center, or Memorial Regional Hospital. You may not be sure what to do next.
One thing is clear – the insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible. They handle claims every day and have developed many tactics and strategies designed to pay you less. Whether it’s by way of a settlement or court verdict, our highly skilled car accident lawyers can help you fight back and demand every dollar you deserve under Florida law.
Our car accident attorneys used to represent insurance companies
Because of this unique perspective, we understand their typical evaluation process for claims, including how they assess liability and damages. We’ve learned what motivates insurers to settle claims and how they approach negotiations. And we are very familiar with the tactics and strategies they’ll use to minimize payouts.
Now, we put our experience to work for the injured. Our car accident attorneys don’t believe you should have to accept a lowball settlement offer from the insurance company. We put in the work to build strong cases that insurance companies have to take seriously. Our firm is committed to helping you recover the maximum compensation possible.
“This was my first time involved into a motor vehicle accident. I was a bit shaking up. I was referred to Feingold & Posner and when I tell you this was this best thing that happened, the whole team gave
me welcoming arms. They didn’t treat me like this was just business. I have no regrets I would recommend this team any day.” – Risse D.
Car Accident FAQ
Here are some common questions people have after being involved in a crash:
- What should I do after I’ve been in a car accident?
- The injuries I suffered in the accident are permanent. What can I do?
- How is fault determined in a car accident?
- What if I was partially at fault?
- Why is it important to get medical care right after an accident?
- How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
- How much is my car accident case worth?
- What happens during a lawsuit?
- Will I have to go to court?
- How much does a car accident attorney cost?
Common Causes of Car Accidents in South Florida
In Plantation and throughout South Florida, car accidents are often caused by negligent drivers. Negligence in driving refers to the failure of a driver to exercise proper care in the operation of a vehicle. This includes their responsibility to follow all traffic laws and to take steps to ensure the safety of other road users and pedestrians. Negligent drivers can cause an accident by:
- Speeding and driving too fast for conditions
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving, such as excessive speeding or weaving in and out of traffic
- Failing to stop at red lights and stop signs
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Unsafe lane changes, including failing to signal and cutting off other vehicles
- Illegal turns
- Drowsy/fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving
The problem is that negligent drivers often deny doing anything wrong and refuse to accept responsibility for the accident they caused. If you were injured, this puts you in the position of having to prove negligence. That’s when you need an experienced car accident lawyer who can gather the evidence needed to move your case forward.
Steps to take after a car crash
If you have been involved in a car accident, there are steps you can take that can help protect your health and preserve your options for pursuing a legal claim for compensation. Actions to take after a car crash include:
- Call the police to the scene. They can make sure everyone is safe and complete an accident report that contains important information about the crash.
- Seek medical attention at the accident scene or by going to the hospital or your doctor’s office to get checked out for any injuries you may have sustained in the accident.
- Take photos and video of the accident scene immediately after the crash if you can do so.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment instructions and recommendations.
- Keep records of your bills, invoices, receipts, and other expenses related to the accident, as well as records of your pay stubs or income statements if you’ve missed work.
- Avoid discussing the accident or posting photos or videos on social media while you are still treating your injuries and pursuing your case. Insurance companies have been known to monitor accident victims’ accounts for any posts they can use to undercut their claims.
Be sure to get legal advice as soon as possible following your accident. Florida law gives you two years from the date of the crash to take legal action. But it’s important to begin work on your claim before evidence disappears and witnesses forget key details.
Free ConsultationContact Us TodayHow our Plantation car accident attorneys can help
When you have been injured in a car accident, we can guide you through the legal process and handle every aspect of your claim. That way, you can focus your time and energy on your physical and emotional recovery. Our firm will do all the work necessary to prepare your case and pursue the financial recovery you may be entitled to. Our attorneys can:
- Thoroughly investigate the accident to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and your injuries
- Document your expenses and losses to calculate what full compensation looks like for you
- Go over your legal options with you and ensure you know what to expect at each stage of your claim
- Handle all communications with the insurance company
- File insurance and legal claims on your behalf to pursue a settlement that pays you the financial recovery you need
- Keep you informed on the progress of your case
- Take your case to trial when litigation becomes necessary to demand accountability and justice from those at fault for the accident
If you ever have questions or concerns about your claim, you can call your attorney directly. When you call us, you get us.
Put your mind at ease. Contact us today for a free consultation.
We know you may not be sure if you need an attorney. You may not even be sure if you have a case. But you should know where you stand. We can review the details of your accident, discuss your legal options, and answer your questions. There’s no cost and no obligation. We just want you to have the information you need before deciding what comes next.
If we do represent you, there are no upfront fees or other charges that you need to pay. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation through a negotiated settlement or jury verdict. If you don’t get paid, we don’t get paid, either.
Learn more about how we can help. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
What should I do if I’ve been in a car accident?
The hours following a car accident can be very confusing. If you are involved in a crash, there are several things that you can do at the scene of the accident to both take care of yourself and ensure that your rights are protected. The first thing to do is call 911 to get police on the scene. They will make sure everyone is safe and get help for the injured. Be sure to get medical attention, even if you feel OK.
If you are able to do so, begin to document the scene of the accident by taking photos. This includes photos of everything from the vehicles involved to the scenery around the crash site from every angle and different distances. These photos could prove to be valuable. You should also gather important information, such as the contact and insurance information from the other drivers, license plate numbers, and contact information from any witnesses.
The injuries I suffered in the accident are permanent. What can I do?
Some people suffer injuries in car accidents that eventually heal with time and treatment. But in many cases, victims suffer from life-altering injuries that leave them with a permanent disability. When this occurs, it changes the entire nature of the personal injury case.
It becomes absolutely crucial for you to receive full and fair financial compensation. This can not only cover past and current medical expenses but also ensure that you receive the proper care for the rest of your life. This is why it’s important to have an experienced attorney who can review your medical records and know when a doctor has determined that you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) – the point at which you will no longer get any better. This can help your lawyer calculate the damages you suffered and fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
How is fault determined in a car accident?
For many victims of a car accident, the first question they want answered is how to prove that the other driver was at fault. This, however, cannot be answered with an exact formula, and there is no step-by-step process where fault is determined. Rather, it’s a consideration in which several different factors are evaluated. For example, the first thing that may be looked at is whether or not a driver was breaking a law at the time of the accident. This could be someone who was exceeding the speed limit, driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, or making an illegal left turn.
All of these could easily indicate fault. Another step that may be taken is determining what kind of car accident happened. Was it a rear-end crash? While not always, in most rear-end accidents, the driver behind is usually at fault. That said, there are cases where they are not – for example, if they were cut off or the driver in front of them started backing up. Due to these complications and gray areas, it is important to have a lawyer on your side to help protect your rights.
What if I was partially at fault?
You may still be able to recover financial compensation. As of 2023, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means that claimants are able to recover financial compensation after a crash if they are found to be 50% or less at fault. However, damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault. So, if you were awarded $100,000 in compensation but found to be 30% at fault, you could only recover $70,000. Insurance companies are very familiar with this system and will try to put as much fault as possible on you. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you fight back.
Why Is it important to get medical care right after an accident?
Even if you seem to feel OK after a crash, you should get a medical exam anyway. If you suffered injuries, you need a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment right after your accident. Aside from your health, it can strengthen your legal case when you have your injuries diagnosed and documented extensively by a medical professional.
The insurance company is always going to be looking for an excuse to pay you less or not pay you at all. One thing they may suggest is that your injuries did not come from your car accident. The longer you wait to get a medical exam, the more it gives them the opening to challenge your claim. In addition, you also need detailed documentation of your injuries to leave little doubt about the extent of the damage and recover the compensation you deserve.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
There is a statute of limitations for taking legal action in personal injury cases. If you miss it, you may lose the right to file a lawsuit completely. The court takes this time limit very seriously, and there is very little margin for error. Even missing this deadline by a day can pose a serious problem, and there are very few exceptions that would cause the court to allow a late filing.
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Florida is two years. However, you should not take all of that time to get the process started. It’s important to consult a lawyer well before then because it takes time to investigate and prepare your case. You will also want to allow some time for negotiation with the insurance company before you file a lawsuit.
Free ConsultationContact Us TodayHow much is my car accident case worth?
This depends on many different factors, including the type and severity of the injuries you suffered, the strength of your case, and insurance policy limits. Some cases are worth tens of thousands of dollars, and others are worth millions. Usually, high settlement checks apply to the most serious cases. But in general, you have the right to seek payment for everything that you lost in the accident. Here are some examples of personal injury damages:
- Current and future medical expenses for treating your injuries
- Lost wages for time missed from work and a reduction in your earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death (if your loved one passed away from injuries suffered in an accident).
An experienced accident attorney can determine the total value of your claim, build a strong case that proves you were injured due to negligence, and fight insurance company attempts to limit your compensation.
What happens during a lawsuit?
Many cases settle at the claims stage, and claimants never become plaintiffs because they do not have to go to court. However, if the insurance company denies the claim, or they simply will not be reasonable in settlement negotiations, you may have no choice but to file a lawsuit. This can be a lengthy process that could take up to two years to unfold.
Your court case will begin when your Plantation car accident lawyer files a legal complaint on your behalf, which sets out the facts and legal grounds. The longest stage of your case by far is the discovery phase. This is when the plaintiff and defendant get to request information from each other. You will likely have to sit for a deposition where you are asked questions for up to seven hours. Ultimately, the case will be resolved through a settlement or a trial.
Will I have to go to court?
Possibly, but probably not. While many people associate a car accident case with a courtroom trial, that is actually a rare outcome for a lawsuit. The overwhelming majority of cases settle before they reach a trial, even if you already filed the complaint. The defendant might approach you at some point with a settlement offer, or your attorney may think it’s best to start talking with the other side.
In any event, only a small percentage of personal injury cases make it all the way to trial. While we could never guarantee a settlement, it is the most likely outcome in your case. We can promise that our attorneys will fight for you every step of the way until we reach the best possible outcome.
How much does a car accident attorney cost?
Some people think that hiring a car accident lawyer is out of their budget. They are worried about how they will get the money to hire a lawyer when they may not be earning anything because of their injuries. The good news is that the cost of a lawyer is not a concern for personal injury cases.
You have probably seen tons of ads for car accident lawyers telling you that you owe nothing unless you win. Our firm, like others, works on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not need to write a check for a lawyer to start work on your case. Instead, you agree that we will receive a percentage of your total recovery if you receive compensation for your accident. If you do not receive payment, neither do we.