What Aaron Simmons Car Accident Attorneys Do
A car accident attorney in Lauderdale Lakes handles the claims process after a collision—negotiating with insurance companies, gathering evidence, and representing you if a case goes to court. Aaron Simmons is a personal injury firm based in the Lauderdale Lakes area that takes on vehicle accident cases. Before hiring any attorney, you should understand what they actually do, what it costs, and whether your situation needs one.
Most car accident cases settle through insurance negotiations rather than trial. An attorney's main job is to document your injuries and damages, communicate with the other driver's insurer, and push back if their initial offer is too low. They also handle the paperwork—medical records requests, police report summaries, repair estimates—that insurers require before they pay.
If settlement talks stall, the attorney files a lawsuit in Broward County Circuit Court and prepares for trial. This happens in a small fraction of cases, but it is the leverage that makes settlement negotiations work.
Key Takeaways
- Car accident attorneys typically work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of what you recover rather than charging an upfront fee.
- You do not need an attorney for minor accidents with clear liability and low medical costs, but you should consider one if injuries are serious or the other driver's insurer disputes fault.
- An attorney's value comes from knowing what your case is worth, pushing back on low settlement offers, and handling the procedural work that takes time and knowledge.
- Aaron Simmons and other local firms can be evaluated by checking their track record, how they handle initial consultations, and whether they explain costs clearly.
When You Actually Need a Car Accident Attorney
Not every accident requires legal representation. If you were hit at a red light, the other driver admitted fault to police, your car damage is under $5,000, and you have minor injuries that resolved within weeks, you can usually handle the claim yourself by calling the other driver's insurer and submitting repair and medical bills.
You should talk to an attorney if any of these explore: the other driver disputes who caused the accident; your medical bills exceed $10,000; you have ongoing pain, lost wages, or permanent injury; the other driver was uninsured or underinsured; or the insurer's first offer seems far below your actual costs. Lauderdale Lakes is in Broward County, where traffic is heavy and multi-vehicle accidents are common—liability disputes happen regularly.
An initial consultation with Aaron Simmons or another local firm is usually free and takes 15 to 30 minutes. They will ask about the accident, your injuries, and what the insurer has offered so far. Use this time to ask what they think the case is worth and whether they recommend proceeding. If they pressure you to hire them when ready or refuse to discuss costs, that is a red flag.
How Contingency Fees Work
Most car accident attorneys, including Aaron Simmons, work on contingency. This means they take a percentage of what you recover—usually 33 percent if the case settles before trial, and 40 percent if it goes to court. You pay nothing upfront and nothing if you recover nothing.
The attorney also advances costs: filing fees, medical record requests, informed witness fees, and court reporter fees. These typically run $500 to $3,000 depending on case complexity. If you lose or recover nothing, you do not owe these costs back. If you win, the attorney deducts their percentage and costs from your settlement or judgment before you receive your check.
Ask the attorney to explain their fee structure in writing before you sign anything. Some firms charge different percentages for different stages, and some cap costs at a certain amount. Understanding this upfront prevents surprises later.
What to Look for in a Lauderdale Lakes Car Accident Attorney
Experience with car accident cases in Broward County matters because local attorneys know the judges, the court procedures, and what similar cases have settled for. Ask Aaron Simmons or any firm how many car accident cases they have handled in the past three years and what the average settlement or verdict was. If they will not answer, move on.
Check their online reviews on Google, Avvo, and the Better Business Bureau. Look for patterns: Do clients say the attorney kept them informed? Did the firm return calls promptly? Were fees explained clearly? One or two negative reviews are normal; many complaints about communication or billing are a warning.
Verify they are licensed to practice in Florida by checking the Florida Bar website. Search for disciplinary history—most attorneys have none, but it is worth confirming. Ask whether they handle cases personally or hand them off to junior attorneys after the initial meeting.
The Settlement and Court Process
After you hire an attorney, they request your medical records, the police report, and repair estimates. They send a demand letter to the other driver's insurer that outlines your injuries, costs, and why the other driver was at fault. This usually takes two to four weeks.
The insurer responds with an offer, often lower than your demand. Your attorney negotiates back and forth. Most cases settle in this phase—usually within two to three months, though complex cases take longer. You have to approve any settlement before it is final.
If settlement talks fail, your attorney files a lawsuit in Broward County Circuit Court. Discovery begins—both sides exchange documents and take depositions. Trial, if it happens, occurs six to twelve months later. The vast majority of cases never reach trial; the lawsuit itself usually prompts a serious settlement offer.
Red Flags When Choosing an Attorney
Avoid attorneys who may provide a specific outcome or promise you will "win big." No attorney can may provide results, and anyone who does is breaking ethics rules. Similarly, watch out for firms that pressure you to hire them when ready or refuse to discuss their track record and fees.
Be cautious of attorneys who take every case that walks through the door. Selective firms turn down cases they think are weak, which suggests they focus on cases they can actually win. If Aaron Simmons or another firm says your case is not worth pursuing, that is often honest information, not a sales pitch.
Do not hire based on advertising alone. Billboards and late-night commercials are expensive and do not tell you anything about the attorney's skill or reputation. Personal referrals from friends, family, or your doctor are more reliable than ads.
Alternatives to Hiring an Attorney
If your case is straightforward but you want guidance, some attorneys offer limited-scope representation—they review your settlement offer or draft a demand letter for a flat fee rather than taking the case on contingency. This costs $500 to $2,000 but gives you professional input without a long-term commitment.
Your own insurance company may also help. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, your insurer's claims adjuster can sometimes negotiate with the other driver's insurer on your behalf, though they are not as aggressive as a personal injury attorney.
Small claims court is an option if your damages are under $5,000 and you want to avoid attorney fees entirely. You file in Broward County Small Claims Court, represent yourself, and the judge decides. This works only if liability is clear and the other driver is insured or has assets to collect from.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a car accident case usually take?
Most cases settle within three to six months. If the case goes to trial, add another six to twelve months. The timeline depends on how quickly the insurer responds, whether liability is disputed, and how busy the court is.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
If you have uninsured motorist coverage, your own insurer pays your damages up to your policy limit. Your attorney can still pursue the other driver personally, but collecting from someone without assets is difficult. This is why uninsured motorist coverage matters.
Can I change attorneys if I am unhappy with mine?
Yes. You can fire your attorney and hire another, though the new attorney may need to request permission from the court if a lawsuit is already filed. Ask the new attorney whether they will take over the case and what happens to the first attorney's fee.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Florida uses comparative negligence. If you were 20 percent at fault and the other driver was 80 percent at fault, you can still recover 80 percent of your damages. Your attorney will argue for the lowest percentage of fault possible.
Should I post about the accident on social media?
No. Insurance adjusters and opposing attorneys monitor social media. Posts about your injuries, activities, or recovery can be used against you to argue you are not as hurt as you claim. Tell your attorney what you have already posted and ask them to advise on what to avoid going forward.