There are few more terrifying experiences than serious car accidents. As bad as the accident itself might be, the aftermath can be even worse. Injury victims often feel frustrated and confused. They know they didn’t cause the wreck, yet aren’t sure how to obtain the compensation they feel they deserve.
Always remember that car accident cases are complex for many reasons. If you’ve suffered a severe injury in a wreck that wasn’t your fault, you’ll need an experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer to achieve the best possible result in your case.
The Law Offices of David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A., can help you. When you choose our firm, you’ll work with a car accident lawyer who will fight passionately for your rights. David Fuchs has more than three decades of experience and a long track record of success. He’s ready to put all his skill and knowledge to work for you.
Why Choose Our Firm?
When you choose a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer, you want someone who understands how to fight formidable opposition and win. David Fuchs is that lawyer. He knows how to determine fault for a car wreck and defeat all insurance companies’ tactics to deny legitimate claims.
These are just a few of the results David Fuchs has delivered for his clients:
- $1.8 million for the victim of a traumatic brain injury.
- $325,000 for a client hurt in a multi-vehicle accident.
- $250,000 in a car accident case.
- $225,000 for the family of a victim in a wrongful death lawsuit.
- $120,000 in a Broward County car wreck case.
Our office is conveniently located on 8th Street, a short walk from Florence C. Hardy Park.
8 Southeast Eighth Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Types of Compensation a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Obtain
No reputable personal injury lawyer will ever promise to win a certain amount. But car accident lawyer David Fuchs will promise to do everything possible to obtain all the compensation you’re entitled to under Florida law.
Car accidents often lead to severe injuries. These injuries result in extensive financial losses, also known as “damages” in legal terms. Damages stemming from a car wreck fall into different categories, including economic and non-economic losses. Here’s a brief look at each.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the tangible losses a car accident victim experiences. These include medical bills, lost income, and more.
The more severe an injury, the more expensive it will likely be to treat. A horrible spinal cord injury, for example, can cost over $1 million in the first year alone.
Treatment often includes not only surgery but also extended hospital stays and intense physical therapy. Injury victims may also need 24-hour care, as well as significant accommodations to their homes. These accommodations may include stair lifts, widening doors for wheelchairs, and many others.
Even if someone doesn’t suffer a life-altering injury, they’ll likely have to miss work for a long time. Being unable to work, of course, means substantial lost income.
If someone’s injury is severe enough, they may never return to their job. They might have to take a position that pays less – if they can work at all. This is a form of damages known as lost earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
It’s typically not difficult for a car accident lawyer to prove economic damages. They can get your medical bills, pay stubs, and other documentation.
But it takes a skilled lawyer, such as David Fuchs, to prove non-economic damages. The reason is that non-economic damages are intangible. It’s much more challenging to place a dollar value on them.
Pain and suffering, for instance, is one example of non-economic damages. Severe injuries lead to horrible pain. Even a so-called “minor” injury, such as whiplash, can cause you pain for weeks, months, or even years after a car wreck. Your Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer will fight to ensure you receive proper compensation.
You may also experience significant emotional distress in the aftermath of the accident. If your injury is permanent, you can be emotionally devastated. Or, you may experience PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), constantly reliving the wreck. You may also have severe anxiety and can’t even get in a car because you’re terrified.
Another form of non-economic damages is lost quality of life. If your injury keeps you from doing the things you love, you can obtain compensation for these losses. You may, for example, be unable to swim, play golf, or even take a walk around the neighborhood. You can be eligible for a significant amount of money as a result.
Car accident lawyer David Fuchs will do everything possible to ensure you receive total compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
Where Do Car Accidents Occur in Fort Lauderdale?
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 40,775 car accidents in Broward County last year. These accidents resulted in 276 fatalities and 23,633 injuries.
The area between Exits 27 and 32 of Interstate 95, running through Fort Lauderdale, is one of Florida’s deadliest stretches of road. Accidents on this stretch led to 17 deaths over three years.
Other trouble spots in Fort Lauderdale include the following:
- U.S. 441
- Oakland Park Blvd.
- U.S. 1
- Las Olas Blvd.
- W. Sunrise Blvd.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
Car wrecks typically happen due to negligence. These negligent acts include:
Speeding
Whenever someone exceeds the speed limit, they risk causing a devastating wreck. Speeding drivers often can’t react quickly enough to sudden changes in the road, such as another motorist having to swerve to avoid a pothole or some other obstruction.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 3,753 people died in speeding-related vehicle accidents in 2021, up 12.7 percent from the prior year.
Impaired Driving
Even a couple of drinks can seriously affect a person to the point where they’re a danger behind the wheel. Drivers who are drunk or on drugs typically don’t exhibit sound judgment on the road.
They tend to drive faster than usual and take more chances. Since impairment slows reflexes, motorists usually can’t safely react. An impaired driver will be more likely to hit a stopped car or be unable to avoid another car that drifts out of their lane.
Distracted Driving
It’s not a stretch to argue that distracted driving is just as bad as driving while impaired. People who watch their smartphones instead of the road pose the same risk. When motorists take their eyes off the road – even for a few seconds – they significantly increase their chances of causing a crash.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Attorney David Fuchs regularly represents clients who have suffered horrific injuries due to car accidents.
These are just some of the injuries that occur far too often:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Severe lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
How Florida Car Accident Insurance Coverage Works
It’s essential you know that Florida is a “no-fault” state. This means that when a car wreck occurs – regardless of who is to blame – drivers must first obtain compensation through their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance policy.
Florida sets minimum limits for PIP policies. They must provide at least $10,000 of coverage per person for bodily injury – with a maximum of $20,000. PIP policies must also pay a minimum of $10,000 for property damage. People who want higher coverage limits must pay more for their coverage.
Insurance also includes Medical Payments (commonly referred to as MedPay) coverage. Policyholders can turn to MedPay once their PIP medical benefits run out.
Fighting Insurance Company Tactics
But what if your medical bills and other damages exceed your policy’s limits? What if your injuries are permanent, and you can no longer work or live your everyday life? If that’s the case, you’ll probably need the help of our car accident lawyers.
You might think the insurance company will do the right thing after a car wreck leads to a severe injury. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case. Insurance companies fight to protect their profits, even if that means an accident victim doesn’t receive the money they have coming to them.
You must take action against the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. You must file a lawsuit if that provider refuses to pay what you deserve. Taking on an insurance company isn’t a job for the average person.
Only a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer will have the skill and experience needed for you to have a chance of winning.
David Fuchs has seen just about every insurance company tactic there is. He also knows how to defeat these often-questionable tactics.
The Challenges of Dealing With Insurance Company Adjusters
One tactic is for an adjuster to trick an accident victim into admitting fault for a wreck. If this hasn’t happened to you yet, it probably will soon.
Adjusters are typically very friendly when initially contacting accident victims. They might ask how you’re doing and say they hope you feel better quickly. The adjuster will then ask your version of how the wreck occurred and if it’s okay for them to record your conversation.
This is where the trick occurs. Adjusters are highly skilled professionals who know how to manipulate people. They’ll ask questions worded in a way so that you slip up and either say you were at fault or that you at least did something to contribute to the crash. If you give them what they want, you’ll have little chance of getting the money you deserve. There’s a chance you won’t get a dime.
Car accident lawyer David Fuchs can shield you from the harassment of an insurance company adjuster. When someone from an insurer tries to contact you, simply refer them to your attorney.
There have been many instances where victims speak with adjusters without having legal representation. They make a mistake and ruin their case in the process.
Please don’t let this happen to you. Speak with a seasoned car accident attorney who can ensure you don’t fall into an insurance adjuster’s trap.
Low-Ball Settlement Offers
Insurance companies hate going to court, so they often try to convince injury victims to settle. But that initial settlement probably won’t come close to paying for all the victim’s damages. If someone accepts that offer, they’ll be responsible for paying for whatever the settlement doesn’t cover.
Please don’t let this happen to you. Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer David Fuchs will ensure the insurer treats you fairly. Never speak to an insurance company representative without first hiring an attorney.
What to Do After a Car Accident
The most important thing to do is follow your doctor’s treatment plan. As essential as this is for your health, it’s just as vital for your case. If you don’t, the insurer will argue that you’re not as badly hurt as you claim. This argument can eventually cost you thousands of dollars.
Please keep all the receipts associated with your medical treatment. Put every bill in a safe place, including miscellaneous expenses such as parking. Your car accident lawyer will use that documentation to prove your medical damages.
You should also obtain the police report, as this can be a critical piece of evidence that can prove your case. If you encounter problems or cannot add this task to your plate, your car accident attorney can handle it for you. Also, keep a daily journal of the pain and emotional distress you’re experiencing. Doing so can help you obtain compensation for the non-economic damages mentioned earlier.
Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer David Fuchs Will Fight for Your Rights
Hiring an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney will be crucial to achieving justice. If you want to speak with David Fuchs, please call our office at (954)568-3636 or use our online contact form for a free consultation. We are ready to assess your legal options at no cost. Folllow #DavidtheLAWMAN on TikTok @davidfuchsflainjurylaw to stay up to date on all things personal injury and more!
David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. – Fort Lauderdale Office
8 SE 8th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
P: (954)568-3636