Navigating the aftermath of a car accident in Hollywood, FL, can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with serious injuries. A critical task in these situations is pursuing an appropriate and fair claim for damages. The best way to do this is to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Our Hollywood car accident attorneys at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers are here to help you. We have decades of legal experience and have recovered tens of million for injured clients.
If you’ve been involved in an accident in Hollywood, Florida, you have rights. contact us today at (954) 287-0566 to schedule a free consultation with a Hollywood car accident lawyer
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How Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’re in an Accident
Florida’s insurance rules can make it difficult to get the compensation you need after a crash. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, a Hollywood personal injury lawyer can help you get what you’re entitled to.
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers can handle all aspects of your accident claim. We have nearly 30 years of legal experience and have been recognized by leading legal organizations for our success.
Here’s how we can help if you’re the victim of a car accident:
- Case Assessment. We begin by listening to your story and will then evaluate your case specifics so we can understand any possible legal recourse.
- Collecting Evidence. To make a persuasive argument for full compensation, we conduct thorough investigations to collect crucial evidence including photos from the accident scene, police reports, medical records, and witness testimonies.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies. Our experienced lawyers can negotiate effectively with the insurance company on your behalf, ensuring that your rights are protected and you receive the maximum compensation.
- Representing You in Court. If negotiations don’t lead to an adequate settlement or if there’s a dispute over who’s at fault in the accident, our lawyers can represent you in court.
Each of these steps plays a key role as we work toward winning fair compensation for car accidents in Hollywood, Florida. For legal help, contact Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Hollywood personal injury attorney.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Hollywood, Florida?
In the state of Florida, car accidents are a significant concern, and 2023 has been no exception. Here are the 2023 statistics as of September 2023:
- There have been 255,177 car accidents in Florida this year.
- These accidents have resulted in 162,491 injuries.
- Tragically, 2,154 of these accidents have led to fatalities.
- In Broward County, where Hollywood is located, there have been 26,075 car crashes.
- These crashes have resulted in 128 fatalities.
- Furthermore, 15,889 individuals have been injured as a result.
It’s crucial for all of us to be aware of these figures and take steps to ensure road safety in our communities.
What is My Car Accident Case Worth?
The value of your car accident case depends on a number of factors. The following are some of the most common determinants of what your case is worth:
Severity
The severity of injuries sustained in the accident plays a critical role in determining case value. More serious injuries usually attract higher settlements than minor ones, as they require comprehensive medical treatment and can significantly affect your quality of life.
Permanence
If the injury leads to long-term ailments or disability, this permanency is considered when establishing compensation amounts as it impacts future earning capacity and ongoing care needs.
Expenses
Any expenses incurred because of the accident are taken into account. This can include current and future medical bills related to your injury, repair costs for property damage, lost wages due to inability work, or any other out-of-pocket expenses that you’ve needed to cover.
By examining these factors along with other circumstances of the accident, an experienced car accident lawyer can determine the potential worth of your incident.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
As an accident victim, you may be able to claim several types of damages:
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate for quantifiable out-of-pocket expenses such as medical bills, future medical costs associated with the injury, lost wages due to an inability to work during your recovery, potential future loss of earning capacity, and property damage, among others.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover intangible losses that cannot be easily measured in terms of monetary value, like pain and suffering from physical injuries, emotional distress due to the accident and its aftermath, loss of enjoyment in life, or reduced quality of life.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are meant specifically to punish defendants whose wrongdoing is particularly egregious — when there’s clear and convincing evidence that their behavior amounted to intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
These are not awarded frequently but could significantly increase a settlement amount when applicable.
Each case is unique, and the types and amount of damages that can be obtained will differ depending on the circumstances.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Car Accident in Florida?
Yes, depending on when the accident occurred, you may still be able to recover compensation in Florida if you are being blamed for a car accident.
For incidents that happened prior to March 24, 2023, Florida’s pure comparative negligence rule applies. This rule allows injured parties to seek damages proportional to their degree of fault in the incident, no matter how much their degree of fault is.
For instance, even if you were found 99% at fault for an accident and another party was just 1% responsible, under pure comparative negligence rules, you can still collect compensation and it will be reduced by 99%.
For accidents happening on or after March 24th, 2023, modified comparative negligence is applicable. In this case, you cannot recover compensation if you are more than 50% at fault. The same proportionate reduction in damages holds true here as well.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All Of Your Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can lead to a wide range of physical injuries given the sudden and severe forces involved. The consequences may span from minor scrapes to significant, life-altering conditions.
Some of the most common injuries in car accidents include the following:
- Whiplash
- Broken Bones
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
- Paralysis
- Nerve Damage
Remember that immediate medical attention after any motor vehicle accident is crucial no matter how insignificant you feel your injury might be.
What Causes Most Car Accidents in Hollywood, Florida?
Several factors can contribute to car accidents. Some of the most common include:
Distracted Driving
This is arguably one of the leading causes of car crashes. It includes any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as talking or texting on your phone or eating and drinking while driving.
Speeding
Driving above the speed limit is not just illegal but also dangerous since it reduces a driver’s ability to react and safely control their vehicle around curves and objects in their pathway.
Drunk/Impaired Driving
Consumption of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs your cognitive skills and diminishes motor controls and reflex responses, increasing the chances for catastrophic collisions on the road.
Reckless Driving
Any act of driving without due regard for road conditions and the safety of other road users falls under this category. This could include dangerous practices like tailgating and changing lanes abruptly without signaling.
Weather Conditions
Bad weather, such as heavy rain or fog, can lead to poor visibility and slippery roads, making it harder to control vehicles, thereby increasing the chances of accidents.
Understanding these common causes helps drivers be more alert on the roads, which can prevent accidents from occurring.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident in Florida?
If you are eligible to file a personal lawsuit after a car accident, you must prove negligence on behalf of the defendant to recover compensation. There are four key elements you must establish:
Duty of Care
You must first demonstrate that the defendant had a duty to exercise reasonable care while driving – this is generally accepted as part of operating a motor vehicle.
Breach
Next, it’s necessary to show that they breached this duty by committing an act or failing to act in a certain way – for instance, by speeding or running red lights.
Causation
The third element is establishing causation, which means proving that the breach occurred because of the defendant’s negligent behavior, and that led directly to the accident.
Damages
Finally, you need to demonstrate that the accident resulting from this negligence led to actual damages. These can include physical injury, emotional trauma, or property damage.
With solid evidence of each of these elements, you stand a good chance of recovering compensation to help you with your recovery.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Florida?
In Florida, the statute of limitations varies depending on when you had your accident.
For accidents that occurred before March 24, 2023, Florida’s statute of limitations is four years from the date of the incident.
If the accident occurred on or after March 24, 2023, you are subject to a shortened two-year statute of limitations.
In either case, if you fail to file your claim within the specific time period, you will lose your right to recover any compensation.
Contact Our Hollywood Car Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
Understanding how car accident claims work is essential after experiencing such an incident. From recognizing the common causes of accidents to proving negligence, knowing what steps are necessary can ensure you have a strong case to obtain maximum recovery.
The best way to ensure this happens is to work with an experienced accident attorney.
Let us help you. If you’ve been involved in an accident in Hollywood, Florida, contact Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Hollywood car accident lawyer, or call us at (954) 287-0566 today.
