What Aaron Simmons Car Accident Attorneys Do
Aaron Simmons is a law firm based in Lauderdale Lakes that handles car accident cases. Their attorneys work with people who have been injured in vehicle collisions and help them understand their legal options—what claims they can file, what damages they might recover, and how the process typically unfolds.
A car accident attorney's job is to represent your interests after a crash. That means reviewing police reports, gathering evidence like photos and witness statements, communicating with insurance companies on your behalf, and if necessary, preparing your case for court. They also explain what settlement offers mean in plain terms and advise whether accepting one serves your situation better than continuing to pursue the claim.
The firm handles cases where the other driver was at fault, where liability is unclear, and situations involving multiple vehicles or serious injury. They also work with people whose own insurance company has denied or underpaid a claim.
Key Takeaways
- Aaron Simmons attorneys in Lauderdale Lakes represent people injured in car accidents and handle negotiations with insurance companies.
- Most car accident attorneys work on contingency, meaning they take payment only if you recover money—either through settlement or court judgment.
- Your first conversation with an attorney should cover what happened, your injuries, and whether you have already filed an insurance claim.
- Lauderdale Lakes is in Broward County, and Florida law sets time limits on how long you can file a lawsuit after an accident.
- An attorney can review settlement offers from insurance companies and explain whether the amount covers your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
When to Contact a Car Accident Attorney
You do not need an attorney for every fender-bender. If the damage is minor, no one was injured, and the other driver's insurance has already approved payment, you may not need legal help. But certain situations make an attorney valuable.
Contact an attorney if you have been injured and the medical bills are significant, if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured, if the insurance company has denied your claim or offered far less than your damages, or if liability is disputed—meaning the other driver or their insurer claims you were partly or fully at fault. You should also reach out if you have already given a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster and now regret what you said, or if the crash involved a commercial vehicle, a government vehicle, or multiple parties.
Attorneys also handle cases where the injury did not show up when ready. Some people feel fine after a crash and develop pain or other symptoms days or weeks later. An attorney can advise whether your claim is still valid and how to document the connection between the accident and your later injury.
How Contingency Fees Work
Most car accident attorneys, including those at Aaron Simmons, work on a contingency fee basis. This means the firm does not charge you upfront. Instead, they take a percentage of whatever money you recover—typically between 25 and 40 percent, depending on the firm and whether the case settles or goes to trial.
If you do not recover money, you do not pay the attorney's fee. However, you may still owe costs—expenses like filing fees, informed witness fees, or medical record retrieval. The attorney should explain which costs you are responsible for and when you would owe them. Some firms cover these costs upfront and deduct them from your recovery; others ask you to pay them as they arise.
Before signing a fee agreement, ask the attorney to explain the percentage, what counts as recovery (does it include the insurance company's payment for your medical bills, or only additional damages?), and whether costs come out before or after the fee is calculated. A clear written agreement protects both you and the firm.
What Information to Gather Before Your First Meeting
Bring or have ready the police report number and the other driver's insurance information. If you have already filed a claim with your own insurance company, bring the claim number and any written correspondence. Gather photos of the vehicle damage, the accident scene, and any visible injuries you sustained.
Write down the names and phone numbers of any witnesses who saw the crash. If you have medical records from treatment after the accident—emergency room visit, urgent care, doctor's appointment—bring those or be ready to say where you received care. Also bring any documentation of lost wages if you missed work due to injury.
If the other driver's insurance company has already made an offer, bring that in writing. Do not accept or sign anything before the attorney reviews it. If you have already given a statement to an adjuster, write down what you remember saying and when the conversation happened.
Florida's Time Limits for Filing a Lawsuit
Florida law gives you four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for property damage (damage to your vehicle) and four years to file a lawsuit for personal injury (your medical bills and pain and suffering). This is called the statute of limitations.
Four years sounds like a long time, but it is not. Insurance companies move slowly, medical treatment can take months, and gathering evidence takes time. If you wait until year three to hire an attorney, you have only one year left to prepare and file. An attorney will track these important date and make sure your case is filed before time runs out.
The important date applies even if you are still receiving medical treatment. If you are injured and the statute of limitations is approaching, contact an attorney when ready—do not assume your claim is still open just because you are still healing.
What Happens After You Hire an Attorney
Once you sign a fee agreement, the attorney's office will request your medical records, obtain the police report, and send a demand letter to the other driver's insurance company. The demand letter outlines what happened, your injuries, your medical bills, and the amount you are seeking to resolve the claim.
The insurance company then has time to investigate and respond. This phase can take weeks or months. During this time, your attorney may negotiate back and forth with the adjuster, exchanging offers and counteroffers. Most car accident cases settle during this phase without going to court.
If the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement, your attorney can file a lawsuit. This means the case enters the court system, and both sides exchange documents and evidence in a process called discovery. Eventually, the case may go to trial, where a judge or jury decides who was at fault and what you should receive. However, even after a lawsuit is filed, many cases still settle before trial.
Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
Most law firms offer a free initial consultation. Use that time to ask: How many car accident cases has this attorney handled? What is the typical timeline from hiring to settlement? What percentage fee does the firm charge, and how are costs handled? Will the same attorney work on your case, or will it be handed off to another lawyer?
Also ask what the attorney thinks your case is worth based on the facts you have described. A good attorney will give you a realistic range, not a promise of a specific amount. Ask whether the firm has worked with the insurance companies involved in your case before and what their experience has been.
Finally, ask how the firm communicates with clients. Will you get regular updates, or do you have to call and ask? What is the best way to reach someone if you have a question? Clear communication matters, especially if your case takes several months to resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use an attorney from Lauderdale Lakes, or can I hire someone from another city?
You can hire an attorney from anywhere in Florida. Location does not matter much in car accident cases because most communication happens by phone and email. However, if your case goes to trial, the attorney will need to appear in the Broward County courthouse, so choosing someone familiar with that court can be helpful.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
Florida requires all drivers to carry insurance, but some do not. If the other driver is uninsured, you can file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage, which is part of your auto policy. An attorney can help you file this claim and negotiate with your own insurance company, which sometimes resists paying.
Can I still hire an attorney if I have already settled with the insurance company?
Once you sign a settlement agreement and release, you have given up your right to pursue the claim further. An attorney cannot reopen a settled case unless you can show fraud or a serious mistake. Do not sign any settlement without having an attorney review it first.
How long does a car accident case usually take?
straightforward cases with clear liability and minor injury may settle in two to four months. More complex cases with serious injury, disputed fault, or multiple parties can take one to two years or longer. Your attorney can give you a better estimate once they review your specific situation.
What if I cannot afford an attorney's retainer or upfront costs?
Car accident attorneys work on contingency, so there is no retainer. You pay nothing upfront. Some firms also cover costs upfront and deduct them from your recovery, so you do not pay anything out of pocket during the case. Ask the attorney about their cost policy during your consultation.