Hollywood, FL Car Accident Attorney Represents Auto Accident Victims

Personalized and responsive service throughout the auto accident claims process

If you have been injured in a car crash, you need to focus all your energy on recovering your health. But, that’s hard to do when your medical bills are piling up and you’re losing income because you can’t work. To get immediate peace of mind, retain trustworthy and determined representation from the Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A. I have the experience, skill and dedication to pursue the full, fair compensation your injury deserves.

Proving causation in your Florida auto accident case

The most important element in a car crash case is proof of causation. The plaintiff must prove “by the preponderance of the evidence” that the defendant caused the accident. Although this is not as strict a standard as “proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” it can be a difficult standard to meet depending on the facts.

In my practice, I often rely on accident reconstruction experts to investigate the crash and give expert testimony as to the cause.

Factors that affect car accident settlements and verdicts

Even the most clear-cut auto accident cases become complex when you start discussing how much compensation is appropriate. Factors that can influence the amount of a settlement include:

• Evidence of fault — The clearer the evidence of fault, the stronger the plaintiff’s case. There is room for some doubt in a civil lawsuit, but too much doubt can easily lose a case.
• Egregiousness of defendant’s behavior — Although personal injury law is not meant to punish the defendant, the defendant’s bad behavior in causing the accident inevitably influences a jury.
• Severity of injuries — The more severe a victim’s injuries, the greater the compensation.
• Comparative negligence — Under Florida law, if the plaintiff’s own negligence contributed to the accident, the compensation allowed is reduced in proportion to the plaintiff’s percentage of fault.
• Sympathetic qualities of the plaintiff — Likeable plaintiffs get more sympathy from juries and therefore tend to get higher recoveries.
• Degree to which the injuries alter the victim’s life — Identical injuries do not always get equal recoveries. A business executive whose crushed foot has no impact on his career is not going to recover the same damages as a ballet dancer who is forced into retirement.
• Availability of insurance and other assets — When a defendant has “deep pockets,” it is much easier to recover the compensation you deserve. Sadly, it makes little sense to pursue a high judgment that the defendant is never going to be able to pay.

However, in many cases, the greatest single factor determining the amount of your recovery is whether you have professional representation. Studies show that plaintiffs who have representation recover much more in damages, even after deducting attorney fees, than plaintiffs who attempt to represent themselves.

Contact our Hollywood auto accident lawyer to schedule a free consultation

The Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A. provides trustworthy representation for car accident cases. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation, call me at 954-780-8505 or contact our office online. I am conveniently located at 6100 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 211, between Florida’s Turnpike and South State Road 7.