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Plantation Car Accident Lawyer
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A car accident can turn your life upside down, whether it’s for a few days as you try to figure out repairs and insurance calls or for the rest of your life as you struggle with permanent injuries. No matter where you fall on this scale, you deserve a dependable and aggressive injury attorney that will fight for your right to compensation.
Why Choose Our Firm?
When you choose a Plantation 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.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
Don’t get caught in this logic trap. Yes, the insurance company may have reached out to you already. This often happens when it is abundantly clear that their client is to blame for the crash.
Their goal at this point is to have you sign a liability waiver and to pay you as little as possible to get that signed waiver. When they call, they may sound apologetic, concerned about your health, and willing to do what’s right. None of it is true. Their actions still serve their own goals, which is to make as much money as possible.
Trying to get them to negotiate in good faith is often impossible for Plantation accident victims. Even if you have evidence, you may not know how to present it or what will actually encourage them to give a fair offer.
That’s where we come in. From the very beginning, we will take charge of the entire claim process. From investigating the accident and establishing a solid body of evidence to negotiating aggressively with the car insurance company, everything we do is in your best interests.
David Fuchs has gone head to head with countless insurance companies over the decades he’s been in business, and he brings that entire body of experience to your case. In some cases, the insurance company isn’t willing to play fair.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Plantation
Unfortunately, what you do immediately after a Plantation car accident can damage your car accident claim. It’s important to take the right steps to protect your right to seek compensation.
1. Report the Accident
After checking on everyone in your vehicle, call 911 to report the accident. Let them know about any injuries you and your passengers have suffered so they know how much help to send.
2. Seek Medical Care
If EMTs arrive on the scene, let them check you and your passengers over for injuries. Even if their initial check doesn’t show any major injuries, plan on going to the ER or doctor’s office after the accident for a more thorough check for car accident injuries.
3. Document the Accident
While at the scene of the accident, take photos and video footage of the crash. This will be necessary to prove liability as you seek compensation. Remember, each insurance company will be fighting on behalf of their client. If the other party’s insurance company attempts to shift the blame to you, you want to have evidence showing what actually happened. If anyone stops to help, find out if they witnessed the accident. Gather contact information for any witnesses.
4. Get Contact and Insurance Info
Before you leave the scene of the accident, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. Check with the police officer on-site to make sure you aren’t violating any Florida accident laws by leaving the scene of the accident.
5. Reach Out to a Skilled Attorney
After seeking prompt medical care, one of your top priorities should be hiring a skilled car accident attorney in Plantation. Whether it is clear the other party is at fault or the truth is a bit more unclear, you absolutely need someone whose only goal is to fight for you. Once the other driver’s insurance company finds out what happened, they will act quickly to try to shut down any claims you have.
Types of Car Accident Compensation
As you work with your auto accident attorney, you’ll learn about your options for compensation.
Compensation is typically divided into economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to those that clearly reflect actual financial losses, while non-economic damages offer compensation for non-financial losses. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, some of the compensation options you may explore include:
Medical Bills & Future Medical Expenses.
Medical bills add up quickly after a car accident, even if you’ve only sustained minor injuries. Your attorney will help you maintain documentation of your expenses and bills. For example, you may know that you need to keep copies of medical bills and co-pay receipts, but you may not know that you can track mileage to and from doctors’ appointments and seek compensation for that. If your injuries are severe enough to require long-term or lifelong care, your settlement may also compensate you for the expenses you are likely to incur.
Lost Wages & Lost Future Income.
Whether you spend one day off of work handling the accident or you have to spend months away from work healing, you should not lose your source of income because of someone else’s negligence. A solid settlement will compensate you for the time you have to spend away from work. Serious accidents often leave car accident victims unable to work or progress in their careers, which is why some settlements have damages for lost future income.
Property Damage.
A totaled car or a car that needs significant repairs can leave you financially strapped and unable to meet your obligations. Talk to your attorney about seeking compensation for property damage.
Pain & Suffering.
No one can give you back the time you spent in pain after an accident, but you still should be compensated for that loss. Many settlements include money for your pain and suffering.
Mental Anguish.
Car accidents can be emotionally distressing for victims. Victims may find themselves unable to drive, struggling with sleep issues because of recurring nightmares, or riddled with depression and anxiety.
Do You Need an Attorney Following a Car Accident in Plantation?
If you are in the early stages of figuring out what to do after a car accident, you may be wondering if you really need a lawyer. At this point, maybe you have even been contacted by the other party’s insurance company. If they are offering to pay you a settlement already, why would you need a lawyer like David Fuchs?
Your choice of Plantation car accident attorney plays a big role in how much compensation you receive and how stressful the claim process is for you. You don’t just want an attorney who takes personal injury cases to pad out their other areas of practice, nor do you want someone who is ready to test their new knowledge on your case. You want a car crash lawyer who brings years of experience to the table and knows exactly what it takes to force insurance companies to take your claim seriously.
That’s David I. Fuchs. For more than three decades, he has taken on insurance companies to get his clients the compensation they deserve. Clients enjoy the personal care he offers. As a solo practitioner, he handles every aspect of your case. You will never be pushed off to a more junior attorney or forced to go through a firewall of other legal professionals to get your questions answered. He will work directly with you to create the strongest case possible.
David Fuchs’ experience in personal injury lawsuits shines when it is time to negotiate. With such a long record of personal injury cases, he knows every trick and tactic used by insurance companies, so nothing surprises him. Over the years, he has figured out what it takes to overcome these tactics and bring insurance companies to the table in good faith. If they just aren’t willing to give a fair car accident settlement, David Fuchs is ready to file a personal injury lawsuit and hold them accountable in court.
Throughout the entirety of your car accident lawsuit, you can count on the support and assistance of David Fuchs and his team. Whether you have a question about Florida accident laws, need help getting a rental car, or aren’t sure where you should get medical care, we’re here with you every step of the way.
We Build a Strong Claim
We’re ready for what comes next. David Fuchs will start building an impenetrable court case that proves their liability and your losses. In many situations, this leads to a pre-court settlement. If not, we are more than ready to fight on your behalf in the courtroom.
Your Plantation car accident claim plays a big role in how you move forward from this accident and start planning for the future. Do not try to do it alone.
Plantation Car Accident Attorney David Fuchs Can Help
As you prepare for whatever comes next, a Plantation car accident lawyer wants to be right there with you. Set up a consultation with David I. Fuchs today to get started on your case process.
If you want a car accident lawyer with decades of experience, fierce negotiating skills, and a strong drive to do right by his clients, he’s the right attorney for you. Set up a consultation now.
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
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) 241-1639 or use our online contact form for a free consultation. We are ready to assess your legal options at no cost. Follow #DavidtheLAWMAN on TikTok @davidfuchsflainjurylaw to stay up to date on all things personal injury and more!
Written By David I. Fuchs
David I. Fuchs is a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney with over 36 years of experience and hands-on experience with more than 6,000 cases. He is the founder of David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A., and represents victims of car, truck, and motorcycle accidents with compassion and skill. David holds a J.D. from American University’s Washington College of Law and a B.A. from New York University.