A rear end collision may seem harmless because there are normally no severe injuries sustained, but the cost of property damage might be quite high. Fender benders are no laughing matter. Fort Lauderdale rear end car accident collision injury lawyers can help you initiate the legal process to get compensated.
Some rear end accidents can cause serious bodily injury, even if they occur at low speeds. The state of Florida allows you to recover damages from the liable party if the cost of treatment for your injuries exceeds $10,000. A Fort Lauderdale rear end car accident collision injury lawyer may be able to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Rear End Car Accident Collision in Fort Lauderdale
The first thing you should do is to call the police and exchange contact and insurance information with the liable party. A police report will be important when you file your claim. The second step you should take after a rear end car accident is to see a doctor. Getting medical attention helps you to know the costs of your injuries.
Consider contacting a rear end car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the event. A lawyer can help you determine the full value of your claim. Knowing the full value of your injuries and property damage is key to finding out whether you can make a claim against the liable party. hire an auto accident lawyer who can also help you gather evidence to prove negligence of the other driver.
Who Pays for the Cost of Damages and Bodily Injury?
Being a no-fault state, the first party that pays the damages after an accident in Florida is the insurance company. The personal injury protection benefits can cover up to $10,000 in medical expenses. But the cost of damages you may sustain can quickly surpass the personal injury protection limit. Luckily, there may still be options.
If you have lost a loved one due to the injuries sustained in a rear end collision, Florida law states that the benefits you can receive is $5,000. Dealing with insurance companies on your own can be very stressful. Having a rear end car accident collision injury lawyer who serves the Fort Lauderdale area can help when negotiating with the insurance company.
Claiming damages from the liable party is only possible if you can establish negligence on behalf of the at-fault driver. A personal injury lawyer can help you know the damages you can recover after a rear end collision. Some of the damages you can receive are:
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Burial and funeral expenses in the event of death
- Future cost of treatment
You can also get damages from more than one liable party in the accident. The comparative negligence laws allow you to recover damages based on the percentage of fault of the liable parties.
Liability in a Rear End Accident
Liability in a rear end accident is mainly on the rear end driver who causes the crash. This is because the driver has a duty to exercise a safe following distance. In any case where a party fails to exercise their duty of care, it means that they have acted negligently. Exceptions might include:
- You were driving in reverse
- You applied the brakes suddenly without cause
The liability in a rear end accident may also be on the vehicle manufacturer. Faulty brakes may cause a rear end collision, meaning that the cars' manufacturer. It is important that the cause of the accident be properly investigated. This is one of the advantages of having Fort Lauderdale rear end car accident collision injury lawyers on your side.
You may also be partially at fault for the accident. This does not mean that you cannot receive compensation. But the amount of damages you can recover will reduce proportionately with your share of fault. A car accident lawyer can represent you and defend your interests against other parties that may try to apportion a bigger share of liability to you.
Liability is also affected by what you do or say after an accident. A personal injury lawyer will advise you on what you should say and which parties you can communicate with after the accident. For instance, you can check to ensure other parties are safe after the accident but be careful not to apologize—it could imply guilt.
Why You Need to Take Rear End Accidents Seriously
Rear end car accidents made up a third of all car accidents recorded in the United States in 2019. This type of accident is quite common, but that should not stop you from pursuing your claim. The main reason why you should rear end collisions seriously is because of the nature of injuries you or other passengers may sustain.
Some of the common injuries sustained in rear end accidents are:
- Disc injury
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Injuries caused by your seatbelt or airbag
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
These injuries can put you out of work and in a hospital bed for quite some time depending on their severity. Proving you have sustained such injuries is difficult without medical records. Therefore, you must always seek medical attention if you suffer an accident.
You have to take rear end collisions seriously because the damages you suffer may exceed what you can recover from your insurer. The personal injury protection benefits do not fully cover your benefits. Thus, you and your family may incur a lot of out-of-pocket expenses if you do not pursue a personal injury claim.
Call Fort Lauderdale Rear End Car Accident Collision Injury Lawyer Today
Fort Lauderdale rear end car accident collision injury lawyers will work tirelessly to help you recover damages. Our firm follows a contingency fee policy. Thus, you do not have to worry about paying fees unless we help you win a settlement or recover damages.
Contact Dolman Law Group today and get a free consultation.
Fort Lauderdale Office
150 E Davie Blvd Suite 201-2
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (754) 208-1130