How Much Can Someone Sue for a Car Accident in Florida?
Car accidents are often devastating for victims. The financial, physical, and emotional consequences of someone else’s negligent driving translate into damages, and our lawyers can determine how much you should sue for after a collision.
You can sue the at-fault driver for all medical bills and lost wages, as well as any other expenses related to the crash. You can also sue for non-economic damages, which we can prove with your testimony and an expert’s. You might even be able to sue for punitive damages because of the defendant’s gross negligence, and our lawyers can see whether or not that’s possible in your case.
For your free case evaluation from our Miami car accident lawyers, call Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369.
How Much Can You Sue Someone for Your Economic Damages After a Car Accident?
Our lawyers can start by calculating the amount you should sue for to cover your economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages.
Medical Bills
You can sue for all medical damages after a car accident. We can track these damages for you by organizing hospital bills as you receive treatment. Our attorneys will also factor in any future damages your medical team anticipates you incurring as you continue to heal and recover after a crash, even after the lawsuit ends.
Lost Wages
You can also sue for all the lost wages you have incurred. You may be unable to work temporarily because of a concussion, broken bone, back injury, internal injury, or even whiplash. We can estimate lost wages using income records and may even have vocational experts testify about lost future earning capacity.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
You can sue the negligent driver for any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred since the crash. For example, suppose you need special transportation accommodations because of your injuries to get to and from the hospital for ongoing treatments. Or, suppose you even had to make expensive alterations to your home to accommodate a permanent injury. In either case, our Florida car accident lawyers could seek compensation for the damages you would not have incurred if not for the other driver.
How Much Can You Sue for Non-Economic Damages After a Car Accident in Florida?
Non-economic damages can be just as consequential for car accident victims and just as deserving of being covered by a lawsuit. These losses can be confusing and elusive to victims, so having our lawyers’ help is important and can help you determine how much to sue for.
Florida doesn’t limit non-economic damages in car accident cases. This bodes well for victims, allowing them to sue for all emotional or physical pain, mental suffering or anguish, a lowered quality of life, and other intangible damages.
We can determine how much you should sue for after learning more about your pain and suffering, the severity of the injury you sustained, and the injury’s impact on your life and well-being. Many victims underestimate their pain and suffering, and we can ensure you don’t.
How Much Can You Sue for Punitive Damages After a Car Accident in Florida?
Compensatory damages are not the only kind available, and some victims may even get punitive damages to punish the defendant for their gross negligence.
You can sue for punitive damages if the defendant injured you through intentional misconduct or gross negligence, such as drinking and driving. Florida caps punitive damages at three times the compensatory damages awarded or $500,000, whichever amount is greater. Punitive damages are paid in addition to economic and non-economic damages, not in place of them.
You can only get punitive damages from a trial, never from a settlement. When filing your case, our lawyers can make it clear that we are seeking punitive damages from the defendant.
FAQs About Suing After a Car Accident in Florida
How Much Time Do You Have to Sue After a Car Accident in Florida?
Plaintiffs generally have 2 years to sue for auto accidents in Florida. Exceptions exist, but don’t often apply to car accident cases.
How Much Can You Sue for if You Share Fault for a Car Accident?
If you share fault for a car accident in Florida, you can still sue, but you may not get full compensation. Instead, your damages may be reduced by your percentage of liability for the collision, according to Fla. Stat. § 768.81(2).
Are Compensatory Damages Limited in Florida Car Accident Lawsuits?
There are no statutory caps on compensatory damages in Florida car accident lawsuits, so you may get compensated for all the economic and non-economic damages you have suffered due to negligence.
What Evidence Proves Economic Damages from a Car Accident?
We can use medical bills, income records, invoices, expert statements, and property damage assessments to prove the economic damages you deserve from your accident lawsuits.
What Evidence Proves Non-Economic Damages from a Car Accident?
Your testimony helps us prove non-economic damages if your case goes to trial. Additionally, our lawyers may use testimony from mental health experts who have treated you and are familiar with your current quality of life.
How Much Can You Get by Settling a Car Accident Case?
You may get full compensation for all the damages you have incurred if you settle the case out of court. This typically takes time, however, as the defendant’s first few settlement offers will most likely be too low for you to accept.
How Much Can You Get by Taking a Car Accident Lawsuit to Court?
In addition to compensatory damages, you could get punitive damages if you take the lawsuit to court and the defendant exhibited gross negligence. Going to court doesn’t guarantee success unless you have a strong case, which our lawyers can help build.
Call Us After a Florida Car Accident
Call the Miami Gardens, FL car accident lawyers of Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369 for your free case discussion.
