Professional Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer Fights for Your Case

If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, you may see the medical bills piling up and wonder how you’ll pay them while you’re out of work recovering. You deserve to have a legal advocate on your side to ease this burden.

A Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney from Meldon Law will take on your fight like it was our own. We serve our clients with compassion and integrity during one of the most challenging times of your life. We understand how to seek the compensation you deserve under Florida law, and we are ready to fight to protect your rights.

As soon as your injuries are stable after a car accident, a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can help you. The team at Meldon Law works hard to stand up for injured car accident victims. To learn more about your legal options in Florida after a wreck, call us 24/7 or contact us online.

How Long You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

As of March 24, 2023, Florida Statute § 95.11 states that the statute of limitations to file a car accident injury claim is two years from the date of the crash, with certain exceptions for minors and in other circumstances. Prior to that date, the time limit to file a claim in Florida was four years. Now the time limit is just half that.

Now more than ever before, it is important to reach out to a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney sooner rather than later if you’re thinking about filing.

Failing to file a car accident injury claim within this critical two year window will result in your forfeiting your right to recover compensation under Florida law in most cases. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible and having them handle your case could ensure that you meet all deadlines for your car accident lawsuit.

Our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers Will Fight to Get You Compensation

One of the biggest problems those who choose to represent themselves in a car accident claim will face is not understanding the full value of their claim. The insurance company may offer you a quick settlement that you’ll be eager to accept to cover your immediate expenses, but there may be future costs you did not anticipate.

Once you sign a lowball settlement agreement, you will be stuck covering those costs on your own.

We calculate your current and future damages, taking into account everything from the cost of medically necessary transportation to missed opportunities at work. We want to make sure your accident-related costs are covered, now and in the future.

Here are some of the results we’ve achieved for Florida car accident victims in 2023:

• $300,000 Settlement: Car Crash (June 2023)
• $450,000 Settlement: Motor Vehicle Crash (April 2023)
• $250,000 Settlement: Car Crash (February 2023)
• $350,000 Settlement: High Impact Collision (January 2023)

How much will your Fort Lauderdale car accident claim be worth? We can estimate the value of your claim after we review your evidence and the circumstances of your accident.

How a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You

When you suffer injuries in a car accident, Florida law allows you to seek compensation from the at-fault party or parties. You can accomplish this by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or a personal injury lawsuit against them in civil court.

The legal process is complex and requires that you prove the other party was negligent in causing your accident and injuries. This is a specific legal standard, and your attorney should always have extensive experience handling this type of case.

At Meldon Law, we will take on your fight like it was our own. Our personal injury attorneys in Fort Lauderdale are a force to be reckoned with inside and outside the courtroom. We promise to offer you compassion, accountability, reliability, excellence, and a drive for success.

We’ll take the necessary time to get to know you and ensure you understand the legal process. Serving injury victims isn’t just our job—it’s our calling.

Damages You Can Recover in a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim

The losses from car accident injuries can be devastating and life-changing—such as a paralyzing spinal cord injury. Whether you sustained a concussion or suffered catastrophic injuries, treatment costs can devastate you financially.

Medical bills often cause economic hardship, especially when combined with other losses you may incur. Your Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can pursue the following losses on your behalf:

Medical Costs

The extent of your medical costs will depend on the nature and severity of your injuries. If your injuries will require ongoing treatment, the cost of those future treatments may also be compensable, and your Fort Lauderdale car wreck attorney can help you estimate your future medical-related losses.

Lost Wages

Injuries from car accidents can force you to miss work for a significant time. Some injuries require extensive medical care, including surgery, and may be so severe that they require a strict rest period for days or weeks. Other injuries may prevent you from performing at your job, especially if your duties involve heavy lifting or physical activity.

If you suffer permanent impairments, you may be unable to return to the same job and must seek a lower-paying position. We can include all these past and future lost wages in your car accident losses.

Intangible Losses

In addition to financial losses, car accidents can cause many intangible losses, like pain and suffering and emotional trauma. You may also experience a temporary or permanent loss of enjoyment of life if you have to limit your everyday activities significantly or change jobs, or if you experience any long-lasting disabilities, disfigurement, or impairments.

If You Are Partly At-Fault in a Wreck, Can You Still File a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim?

Yes, even if you are partially at fault for a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, you may still be able to file a compensation claim. Florida follows a pure comparative negligence rule regarding car accident cases.

Under the modified comparative negligence system, fault is assigned to each party involved in the accident based on their degree of responsibility. If you are found to be partially at fault, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.

It’s important to note that even if you bear a significant portion of the blame for the accident, you can still pursue a claim for the percentage of damages attributed to the other party’s negligence. However, the other party’s insurance company may argue that you bear a higher percentage of fault to reduce their financial liability.

In cases where fault is disputed or shared, you may want to work with a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney who can help you gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for compensation. We can help demonstrate the other party’s negligence and work to minimize the percentage of fault assigned to you, thereby maximizing your potential recovery.

Car Accident Wrongful Death Claims in Fort Lauderdale

According to Florida Statutes § 768.19, a wrongful death claim can arise when an individual dies due to a “wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract or warranty of any person.”

Per Florida Statutes §768.21, the personal representative or executor of the decedent’s estate may file the claim on behalf of any surviving family members. Those who may benefit include the decedent’s spouse, children, parents, and dependent blood relatives.

Common damages in a wrongful death claim include medical costs, funeral and burial costs, lost income, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering. If you lost a loved one in a Fort Lauderdale car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, a wrongful death attorney can help you understand how Florida’s wrongful death laws apply to your situation.

Proving Negligence and Liability in a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim

To be successful in a personal injury claim or lawsuit, you must prove the at-fault party was negligent. To prove negligence in a Fort Lauderdale car accident case, your lawyer must establish the following four elements:

• Duty of Care: The potentially liable party owed a duty of care to the injured party. In car accident cases, all drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care and adhere to traffic laws.
• Breach of Duty: The injured party must demonstrate that the potentially liable party breached their duty of care. This involves showing that the defendant failed to exercise reasonable care by engaging in negligent actions, such as speeding, running a red light, distracted driving, etc.
• Causation: The injured party must show that the potentially liable party’s negligent actions directly or proximately caused the car accident.
• Damages: The injured party must provide evidence of damages or harm resulting from the car accident. These can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other quantifiable losses.

One or more responsible parties may be liable for the losses sustained in a personal injury case involving a car accident. Proving another party’s negligence requires critical investigative tasks, such as gathering evidence, including accident reports, witness testimonies, photographs, expert testimony, and medical records.

To learn more about how our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers will prove negligence in your claim, fill out our online contact form to schedule your free case review.

Who You Can Hold Liable for Your Damages in a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim

There may be one or more parties who share fault in your car accident. For example, the at-fault driver could have been driving recklessly, but they also could have had a defective tire that contributed to the wreck. In a case like this, both the driver and the tire manufacturer could be held liable.

Potentially negligent parties in a Fort Lauderdale car accident case may include the following:

• Drivers, when engaging in unsafe or inattentive behavior such as speeding, driving distracted or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, disregarding traffic laws, or being reckless.
• Employers, for improper hiring or training of an employee who causes an accident while driving in the scope of their employment.
• Vehicle manufacturers or distributors, when a defect in a vehicle or one of its components, such as faulty brakes, causes an accident.
• Government entities responsible for designing, constructing, or maintaining the road when an accident occurs due to hazardous road conditions, a lack of signage, or inadequate road maintenance.

When you consult with a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer from Meldon Law, we can help you identify the negligent parties and pursue a legal compensation claim. We will examine your case’s specific facts and advise you on how to proceed. Our lawyers know how to prove negligence and determine liability, and we will give you as much relevant information as possible.

Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Insurance Claims and Florida’s No-Fault Laws

Car accident claims in Florida are different from many other states. Before you can file a lawsuit or claim with another party’s insurance company, you must first seek compensation from your own no-fault insurance called personal injury protection (PIP), per Florida Statutes § 627.7407. You should file this claim with your policy, no matter who was at fault in the accident.

PIP claims can be complicated, and having a Fort Lauderdale car wreck lawyer on your team throughout the process can be beneficial. Per Florida Statutes § 627.736, PIP only covers up to 80% of your medical costs and 60% of your lost income. Your attorney can identify when your coverage is inadequate to cover the costs of serious injuries and when you have the right to take additional legal action.

Meldon Law has handled many car accident cases in the Fort Lauderdale area, and we fully understand the procedures, laws, and steps involved in the legal process. Your Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney will explore every option to obtain proper compensation for you, and we won’t back down.

Why You Should Stay Off of Social Media During Your Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim

When you are involved in a car wreck, the first thing you may want to do is tell your friends about it on social media – especially if it wasn’t your fault and you are frustrated and upset. While it’s natural to want to communicate your frustrations to the people who care about you or to reassure them that you’re okay, the truth is, this can hurt your claim’s value.

Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers recommend that you refrain from using social media platforms after a car accident for several reasons:

• Admissibility of evidence: Anything you post on social media, including comments, photos, or videos related to the accident or your injuries, can potentially be used as evidence against you in court. The opposing party’s insurance company or legal team may scour your social media accounts for information that they can use to undermine your claim.
• Misinterpretation of posts: Even seemingly innocent posts or photos can be taken out of context and used to cast doubt on the severity of your injuries. For example, if you post a photo of yourself smiling at a social gathering after the accident, the defense may argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.
• Contradicting your claim: If you make statements on social media that contradict the details of your accident or the extent of your injuries, it can harm your credibility and weaken your case. Inconsistencies between your social media activity and your legal claim can be used to challenge the validity of your case.
• Privacy concerns: Even if you have strict privacy settings on your social media accounts, there is always a risk that your posts, photos, or information could be shared or leaked to individuals outside your intended audience.

To protect your legal rights and the integrity of your personal injury claim, it is best to avoid posting anything on social media related to your accident, injuries, or daily activities while your case is ongoing. If you have any questions or concerns about your social media use, consult with your personal injury lawyer for guidance.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents Our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorneys Represent

Various types of motor vehicle accidents can occur on Fort Lauderdale roads. Some common types of accident claims our Florida car accident lawyers represent include:

• Rear-end collisions: These occur when one vehicle hits another from behind, often due to unsafe driving, including tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden braking.
• Head-on collisions: These car accidents occur when the front ends of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide. They often result when one driver crosses into opposing traffic or drives the wrong way on a one-way street.
• Side-impact collisions (T-bones): These accidents occur when the front end of one vehicle impacts the side of another. They often happen at intersections when one driver fails to yield the right-of-way or runs a red light.
• Sideswipes: When the sides of two vehicles come into contact while traveling parallel to each other, this is called a sideswipe accident. These accidents often happen during lane changes when drivers fail to check blind spots or improperly merge into another lane.
• Rollover accidents: Rollovers occur when a motor vehicle flips onto its side or roof and often involve larger vehicles with a comparatively high center of gravity, such as vans, trucks, and SUVs. They are commonly associated with speeding, aggressive maneuvers, abrupt swerving, or any accident that causes a vehicle to lose balance.
• Multi-vehicle pileups: These accidents involve multiple vehicles and often occur on highways or freeways. They frequently result from unfavorable weather, poor visibility, or chain reactions following an initial collision.
• Pedestrian or bicycle accidents: These accidents involve a vehicle colliding with a pedestrian or bicyclist. They often occur at crosswalks, intersections, or when drivers fail to yield to pedestrians or bicyclists who share the road.
• Hit-and-run accidents: Hit-and-run accidents refer to collisions in which one or more drivers leave the scene without stopping to provide information or assistance. This is illegal, per Florida Statutes § 316.06.

It’s important to remember that each accident is unique. Regardless of the type of accident you’ve experienced, consulting with a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney may benefit you. They can investigate the facts of your case and provide you with feedback regarding your legal rights and options. We can investigate the facts of your case and provide you with feedback regarding your legal rights and options.

Your Car Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale Can Help You File a Claim for These Common Injuries

Car accidents are associated with injuries that vary in severity depending on factors such as how fast each vehicle was traveling, the points of impact, and if those involved were wearing seat belts. If your accident was caused by another party’s negligence, you may end up with serious injuries—and serious bills that you’ll need help covering.

The following are some common types of car accident injuries you may be able to get compensation for:

• Whiplash: This injury occurs when a person’s head is forcefully jerked back and forth, causing strain on the neck muscles and ligaments.
• Broken bones: The impact and force exerted during a collision can lead to fractures, especially in the wrists, arms, legs, and ribs.
• Back injuries: The sudden impact of a car accident can result in back injuries, including herniated discs, spinal fractures, and strains.
• Head injuries: These range in severity from minor concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries.
• Soft tissue injuries: These injuries involve damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons and can include sprains, strains, and bruises.
• Cuts and lacerations: Broken glass, sharp metal, or objects inside the vehicle can cause skin cuts and lacerations.
• Internal injuries: The impact of a car accident can cause damage to internal organs, leading to internal bleeding or organ damage.
• Psychological injuries: Car accidents can result in long-lasting psychological injuries, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Even if you don’t believe you are seriously injured after a car crash, getting medical assistance immediately is crucial. In some cases, injuries may not manifest symptoms right away, and prompt medical attention can help identify the injury and provide effective treatment.

If you don’t go to the emergency room, follow up with a medical professional to assess and treat your injuries as soon as possible. This will create a medical record, which your Florida auto accident attorney will use to prove your claim.

Get a Free Consultation With a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer

Car accident injuries can change your life, and you should not have to bear the burden of your financial losses alone. When you have our personal injury law firm standing by your side, you won’t have to.

Our Fort Lauderdale auto accident attorneys at Meldon Law can evaluate your car accident and advise you on your best financial recovery options. Call our office or contact us online for a free consultation today.