At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers handle personal injury and wrongful death cases for victims of car wrecks. Since our establishment in 1995, we have built a winning record of success, recovering millions of dollars of compensation in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
Our commitment has been, and always will be, to meet the needs of our clients by striving for a fair outcome in their case. You don’t have to worry about negotiating with insurers, proving fault, or gathering evidence to prove your case. Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer will handle all those obligations for you.
You can get answers to these questions today:
- Do you need a lawyer for a Fort Lauderdale car accident claim?
- Has our firm recovered compensation in the past?
- What should you do after being in a collision?
- How can our Fort Lauderdale firm 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?
Do You Need a Lawyer for Your Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim?
Working with our Fort Lauderdale, FL, car accident lawyer following a collision can benefit your interests in numerous ways. We can help you by:
- 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
We have been helping people since 1995 and have experience working with auto accident cases like yours.
Find a Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents Lawyer
Near Me (954) 476-1000
Our Car Accident Attorneys Work on a Contingency-Fee Basis
After a Fort Lauderdale car accident, you might want to seek legal help. It’s understandable to worry about how much this will cost. At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, we handle most of our claims on a contingency-fee basis.
We don’t require payment from you to get started on your case. You only pay us if we recover compensation for your damages. The payment your lawyer receives will come as an agreed-upon percentage of the monetary award you recover. This means you don’t owe us anything out of your own pocket for our services.
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.
Chalik & Chalik Car Accidents Lawyer Near Me (954) 476-1000
Our Firm Has Recovered Compensation for Car Accident Clients in Your Position in the Past
Most cases we handle are resolved through negotiations with insurance companies. Even if your case goes to the courtroom (most do not), we will stand by your side throughout all necessary proceedings.
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.
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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 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. Should you miss the deadline, you could be barred from seeking compensation in court.
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
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
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 insurer 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.
For a free legal consultation with a Chalik & Chalik lawyer serving Fort Lauderdale, call (954) 476-1000
How Our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Calculates Your 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
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
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.
How Does Fort Lauderdale’s No-Fault Insurance 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, then 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?
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 attorney.
Common Factors that Cause Car Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 38,824 people died in car accidents across the county. Many collisions result from driver negligence and are, therefore, preventable. More specifically, here are some factors that may have contributed to your crash:
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 NHTSA.
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 held liable for your injuries.
Drunk Driving
Florida Statutes § 316.193 prohibits drinking and driving. If you were hurt by a drunk driver, 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.” Our Florida collision attorney can help you determine which damages you can claim.
Distracted Driving
According to the NHTSA, distracted driving was the cause of 3,142 fatalities in 2020. 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.
Inclement Weather Conditions
Poor weather conditions are a contributing factor in motor vehicle crashes. Examples include heavy rain, wind, and fog. Motorists are expected to adjust their driving to meet these conditions. Otherwise, they could be found negligent.
You Can Seek Compensation for Your Injuries 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 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, and burial costs, 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.
Our Partners Can Work With You on Your Car Accident Case
For more than 25 years, our accident lawyers have successfully represented injury clients in Fort Lauderdale and across the state of Florida. We are well-versed in personal injury statutes and case law for everything from dog bites and premises liability to birth injuries, vehicle accidents, and wrongful death.
Our legal team offers personalized representation and direct attention throughout your claim. In fact, 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.
Reach Out Today to Discuss Your Fort Lauderdale, FL, Car Accident Case with Us
Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers to learn more about working with a car accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale today. You can complete a free case review where you can explore your options at no obligation. We offer personalized legal care and tailor our strategies to suit each client’s unique needs. You will never feel like another case file on a desk when you work with our car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale.
If we decide to move forward with your case, we will gather evidence, handle all legal communication, 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.
Call or text Chalik & Chalik (954) 476-1000