If a car crash in Fort Lauderdale left you injured, you want fair compensation that covers bills, lost income, and the pain you live with. Insurance companies often move fast with an early offer that sounds okay, but that quick check may miss future costs like ongoing care, therapy, or a changed ability to work. Knowing what you can claim and when to act protects your recovery and your bank account. If you need help assessing an offer, talk to a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney.
What Damages Can You Recover?
After a crash, you may qualify to recover two main categories of damages: economic losses you can prove with bills, and non-economic losses that reflect your pain and disruption. Economic damages pay actual expenses now and in the future; non-economic damages compensate for suffering and lifestyle changes that money still needs to address. Listing everything early helps preserve evidence, and medical records make non-economic losses more persuasive. Below are common examples that victims routinely seek in car accident cases.
Economic damages include:
- Past and future medical bills, including surgery, imaging, prescriptions, physical therapy, and assistive devices.
- Lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and reimbursement for missed benefits.
- Repair or replacement of damaged property, such as a vehicle.
- Out-of-pocket costs like transportation to appointments, childcare, and home modifications.
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional.
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium or companionship.
- Mental health effects, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Disfigurement, scarring, or permanent impairment.
State law defines economic and non-economic losses and explains how courts value them, so document bills, appointments, and daily limitations carefully.
How Insurance Companies Lowball Claims
Insurers want to protect their bottom line, so adjusters use tactics to reduce payouts, even when liability seems clear. They may ask for recorded statements, highlight prior medical history out of context, or offer a quick lump sum before you understand the full scope of your recovery. Adjusters also push for releases that end your ability to claim future expenses, so signing too soon can cost you thousands later. Recognize these moves, keep communication written when possible, and never accept a final offer without knowing your total damages.
A lawyer can push back, add evidence of long-term needs, and counter low offers with medical opinions and wage analyses. Attorneys know how to calculate future care, vocational losses, and appropriate multipliers for pain and suffering. When insurers see a prepared case, they often improve offers rather than go to court. Getting an early assessment prevents missed compensation.
Florida Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits
Florida now requires most negligence-based injury lawsuits to start within two years from the date of the injury, so you must act quickly if you plan to file a claim in court. That two-year deadline applies to typical car crash cases, although certain claims follow different timelines or special rules. If you wait past the deadline, a judge will usually dismiss your suit, and you lose the right to pursue compensation through the courts. Always check deadlines early, because some exceptions and nuances can apply to specific facts.
Claims against government agencies require a different pre-suit notice procedure, and wrongful-death or other special claims follow separate timing rules; for government-related claims, Florida law generally requires written notice to the proper agency within three years, with different timing for certain wrongful-death notices. If your case involves public employees, a city vehicle, or county property, confirm the precise timing and notice steps before you proceed.
Why Hire a Local Lawyer
A local attorney understands Fort Lauderdale courts, judges, and common crash patterns on roads near Las Olas and Victoria Park, which helps build focused arguments. Local counsel also knows the area’s medical providers, typical treatment timelines, and how juries value similar injuries. They handle paperwork, fight lowball offers, and negotiate for future care, while you concentrate on recovery. Talk with someone who handles car accident claims regularly to protect both immediate and long-term interests.
Get Started: Protect Your Claim Today
If you suffered injuries in a Fort Lauderdale collision, document everything now, and consult an attorney before you sign anything or accept a final offer. A local lawyer can review your bills, estimate future needs, and explain filing deadlines that may affect your rights. Protect your recovery, so you do not leave money on the table. Contact a qualified injury lawyer to get a free case review and next-step advice today.
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