How Much Compensation Will I Recover In My Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim?
According to the FLHSMV, in 2021, Broward county saw more than 41,000 traffic crashes with over 23,000 injuries reported. Auto accidents that involve injuries can be devastating. Fortunately, if you suffered injuries in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale because of another party’s negligent act(s), you can file a personal injury claim and recover compensation.
So, if you sustained injuries in a Fort Lauderdale car accident due to another party’s negligence, how much compensation can you recover in your claim? The amount of compensation you recover in your Fort Lauderdale car accident claim will depend on several factors. There is no average settlement for car accident cases in Fort Lauderdale.
Below is a look at some factors that can affect the value of your Fort Lauderdale car accident claim.
The Nature and Severity of Your Injuries
Usually, more severe injuries result in larger settlement amounts or verdict amounts. Insurance companies and jurors typically give higher settlement amounts and verdict amounts for catastrophic injuries. For example, if you were left with a traumatic brain injury that affects most, if not all aspects of your life, you are likely to recover more money than someone who suffered a broken arm or leg and recuperated quickly. Often, insurance companies and jurors offer more money when an auto accident alters a person’s life permanently.
Future Damages
If your injury negatively affects your ability to work in the future, you have the right to recover compensation for “loss of future earning capacity.” Also, if your injury requires future medical attention, you have the right to recover compensation for “future medical expenses.” These future damages can significantly increase the value of your Fort Lauderdale car accident case.
Non-economic Damages
If you suffered a severe injury in your Fort Lauderdale car accident, your non-economic damages could make up a huge proportion of your settlement or verdict amount. In Florida, non-economic damages include the following;
- Emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
Because non-economic damages are subjective, you have the opportunity of recovering a substantial amount of money for them. However, calculating non-economic damages can be challenging since these damages do not come with receipts and dollar amounts. It is best for you to allow a car accident attorney to calculate your non-economic damages so you don’t risk accepting less than you deserve.
Contributory Negligence
Another factor that can highly impact the value of your Fort Lauderdale car accident claim is whether or not you are also to blame for your accident. In Florida, when a claimant is found partially to blame for their car accident, their compensation is reduced according to their percentage of fault. This is because of the comparative negligence rule that Florida follows. For instance, suppose you are found 30% to blame for your accident. In such a case, your compensation will be reduced by 30%, and you will recover 70% of your compensation.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you suffered injuries in a Fort Lauderdale car accident because of another party’s fault, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm are here for you. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Ocala, Jacksonville, Miami, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, and Fort Myers areas.
Source:
flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/crash-dashboard/
