At Gerson & Schwartz, we are committed to representing the rights of individuals who have been hurt in car accidents in and around Miami. Our Little Haiti car accident lawyers understand how to hold negligent drivers liable and work hard to obtain the maximum compensation for each client we represent.
The Miami neighborhood of Little Haiti might have begun as a destination for Cuban residents in the United States, but it has become a rich melting pot of culture from diverse countries across the world. With art, food, music, and entertainment from a wide variety of South American and Caribbean cultures, Little Haiti is now home to a lively population of residents and tourists.
As with any area of dense population, the streets of Little Haiti are the site of many car accidents every day. These accidents can injure drivers, passengers, bicyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, bystanders, and even pets. Accident victims should protect their rights by having an experienced car accident lawyer in Little Haiti represent their legal interests. The experienced attorneys at Gerson & Schwartz have been protecting the residents of the area for over forty-six years.
The Types of Compensation Available to Car Accident Victims in FloridaFlorida law protects victims of negligence. The victim of a car accident who has been injured by another driver’s negligence can recover compensation for all of the losses they sustain as a result of the accident. This can include:
Property DamageAny damage sustained by vehicle due to another driver’s negligence is a legal loss which must be compensated. Even a small scratch or dent qualifies as such a loss. In addition, if you have been deprived of the use of your vehicle while it is being repaired, this too is a compensable loss. Insurance companies will usually compensate this loss by simply arranging for a rental vehicle while yours is being repaired.
Medical ExpensesAny medical expense related to the accident must be compensated by the negligent driver. This includes emergency treatment, such as a visit to an urgent care facility or the emergency department of your local hospital, but it also covers follow-up appointments with your primary care doctor, consultations with specialists, pain management, and any other expense which was incurred as a result of the accident. This also extends to longer treatments such as physical therapy, chiropractic services, and the like.
Lost WagesCar accident victims almost always miss some time from work as a result of the accident. Whether it is immediately after the accident occurs, sick time for recovery, or time off for medical appointments, the time you lose at work results in lost wages.
For an hourly employee, lost wages are a simple calculation of hours missed multiplied by the employee’s hourly rate. Salaried employees must first prorate their salaries to determine the hourly rate, then perform the same calculation. Bonuses, profit-sharing, and other performance incentives are also compensable. It can be difficult to definitively prove the dollar value of such a performance incentive, but if there is documentation to support the value, and if the incentive was lost as a result of the accident, this too is a loss which can become part of any award or settlement that you receive.
Pain and SufferingIn many cases, damages for pain and suffering make up the bulk of a settlement or award for a car accident. Pain is subjective, and it can therefore be difficult to assign a monetary value to an accident victim’s suffering. Insurance adjusters are generally trained to perform a simple calculation based upon the total medical expenses incurred by the victim. This does not take into account the unique nature of pain, and the circumstances which may have exacerbated a particular victim’s pain (such as pregnancy, or an inability to tolerate pain medication). It is important to have an experienced personal injury attorney who can protect your right to be compensated for your individual pain and suffering.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With a Little Haiti Car Accident AttorneyThe Little Haiti personal injury lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz have represented clients injured in Little Haiti and throughout Miami, Florida. They have litigated numerous personal injury claims due to the negligence of another. If you or a loved one has been the victim of injuries sustained in a car accident, contact our firm for a free consultation. Call (305) 371-6000 or email our office at info@gslawusa.com to learn how we will protect your legal interests after any car accident. Se Habla Español.