Vehicle accidents happen every day in Florida. Minor accidents may result in little more than bumps and bruising for those involved, but larger accidents can have severe consequences. As a result, car accident victims may experience high medical bills, time off work leading to unpaid living expenses, and other forms of financial and emotional strain.
Filing a car accident claim may be the only way to successfully recoup what you’ve lost. For the best chance of gaining success with your claim, you’ll need the help of an experienced and skilled attorney, such as our legal team at Florin|Roebig.
Learn what qualifies you to file a car accident claim in Coconut Creek, what types of damages you can claim, and how much compensation you may be able to win based on your losses.
What To Know About Coconut Creek Car Accident Claims
Coconut Creek has a very active law enforcement department that oversees its roadways and paths for bicyclists and pedestrians. Bicyclists are subject to the same laws as motorists, even when they’re traversing sidewalks and footpaths. Serious injuries can occur when a pedestrian is struck by a bicyclist who should have yielded.
Certain laws apply to drivers in any accident, whether they’re operating a car, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle. Coming to a complete stop at an intersection before turning, following traffic signals, slowing at yellow lights instead of speeding through, and yielding appropriately on turns and at pedestrian crosswalks can save you a lot of hassle.
Know that if you received any citations from the officer at your accident, you have a very limited time frame to pay any fines or let the court know you wish to be heard by a judge.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
You might be able to handle your car accident case on your own, particularly when it’s minor. But for more involved cases, it’s important to talk to an attorney before filing any claims, even though many insurance companies encourage you to start your claim on the accident scene.
Steps to take before filing an insurance claim:
- Once you’ve checked for injuries in your car, you should use your phone to get visual evidence of the scene and any vehicle damage. If the vehicles are moved before you can take pictures, do the best you can. Also, shoot a quick video while turning in a circle. This helps you capture things you may miss initially but might be useful later, like missing or incorrect signage.
- As soon as you can, write a statement about what happened, including details of what you saw, what you did, why you did it, and what the other driver did. If you can get statements from witnesses, that can also help your case.
- When the police report is available, get a copy and read it closely. Mistakes can be made; the sooner you notice them, the better.
- Call Florin|Roebig for a free consultation on your case. We’ve won over a billion dollars for our clients in cases and have earned some of the largest contested jury awards in Florida personal injury cases.
After completing these steps, reach out to your insurance company. With Florin|Roebig on your side, your chances of maximum compensation are much more likely.
“I fight for a fair settlement with extensive resources, including my triple board certification, and I’ve negotiated enough of these to know when the liable party is shortchanging you.”
Fault In Car Accidents
No-fault laws apply to accidents in the state of Florida, and the procedure after a crash is to file first with your own insurance under personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) policies. All residents are responsible for meeting the minimums since these are part of Florida’s driver licensing requirements.
However, these policies won’t cover everything for every accident. You’re limited to a percentage of vehicle damage, lost paychecks, and medical bills up to the amounts listed on your coverage. If you’re unsure of this information, check your paperwork or log into your insurance carrier’s website. Any costs that exceed the limits are your responsibility.
When someone else’s actions lead to your injuries, filing a claim against them can help you recuperate financially. And when your life is completely altered, even temporarily, because of another’s negligent behavior, you deserve compensation.
Negligence
Negligent behavior is determined based on intent. Proving that another person intentionally harmed you can be done, but you have to cover your bases. It’s not enough to tell the insurance company, judge, or jury that the other person did wrong and expect any verdicts to go in your favor. You need evidence, some of which you may obtain depending on your state following a collision.
Modified comparative negligence with the 50% bar rule has guided Florida car accident claims since March 24, 2023. This means that for every accident since then, each involved party is assigned a percentage of responsibility for the incident.
Your compensation is affected by your share of the blame, as is any compensation for other motorists. As long as a party’s responsibility is less than 50%, they are eligible to claim damages. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of your accident or when you discover a related injury to file a claim for damages.
If your accident occurred before March 24, 2023, you have four years to file a claim. Florida’s pure comparative negligence laws inform how claims are handled for these accidents. Parties are assigned blame based on their level of fault for the accident, and all parties can file against the others for damages for whatever portion of the accident is not their fault.
What your attorney does is argue that other parties are more at fault than you are and provide as much evidence as possible to support that claim.
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Liability In Car Accident Cases
Liability is another branch of legality when presenting a claim. Most negligent drivers are also liable, but not all of them. For example, a driver who runs a stop sign is negligent. However, the liability might belong elsewhere if they’re coming from an auto shop that messed up a brake repair or the new brakes are faulty.
Parents can be found liable if their teenage driver causes an accident. Car owners, whether they’re employers or friends of the at-fault driver, can also be held liable in a car crash. This is called vicarious liability — the person or entity financially accountable for the damages doesn’t have to be directly involved.
Strict liability can also be argued in some cases if the at-fault driver’s behavior negates intent, as is the case when they break a traffic law with an action like speeding. Whether they meant to speed is irrelevant. They drove above the posted speed limit and endangered others.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Car accident injuries can be the reason you’re making major adjustments to your daily life. Minor physical damage can still cause you to suffer mentally, especially if you’re involved in a pedestrian accident where you were struck by an oncoming vehicle. When the life you had before an accident no longer exists, there may be something the law offices of Florin|Roebig can do about it.
Your amount of compensation is mostly based on how badly your injury affects you. For instance, if you suffer an injury that’s permanent, such as blindness or amputation, your award may be more. If you’re left with large amounts of medical bills, such as those for ongoing rehabilitation or therapy, your compensation should reflect that, as well. Economic damages can be directly reimbursed based on your receipts to offset how those financially burden you.
Noneconomic damages require a little more to calculate them accurately. While it’s difficult to quantify any claim, experienced car accident lawyers in Coconut Creek can estimate the compensation you may win based on your injuries and other factors. Lawyers with Florin|Roebig can demonstrate your pain and suffering while negotiating your claim or arguing your case.
What To Do After A Car Accident In Coconut Creek
As part of the Fort Lauderdale/West Palm Beach Metropolitan Area, Coconut Creek experiences heavy tourism throughout most of the year. This results in congested streets year-round and plenty of drivers unfamiliar with local roads. Your insurance company may advise you not to file a car accident claim and offer you a settlement instead.
However, pursuing a Coconut Creek personal injury claim may do the following:
- Help with the costs of medical treatment
- Take a reckless driver off the road
- Point out dangerous traffic areas
- Lead to changes in local traffic laws and regulations
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Coconut Creek, Broward County, or South Florida, contact the car accident attorneys at Florin|Roebig to file a claim.
Auto Accident Rates In Coconut Creek
Located 37 miles north of Miami, the butterfly capital of the world is part of Broward County and has a population of 57,348. It is one of the most popular tourist areas, with ports for several cruise lines, and it’s the seventh-largest county in Florida.
In addition to Coconut Creek, the following cities are part of Broward County:
- Boca Raton
- Cooper City
- Coral Springs
- Davie
- Fort Lauderdale
- Hollywood
- Margate
- Pembroke Pines
- Plantation
- Pompano Beach
- Sunrise
- Weston
Collectively, these cities host over 10 million visitors per year. With the amount of traffic the area experiences, higher accident statistics are expected.
Broward County cities experienced these traffic accidents in 2023:
- 40,211 total accidents this year, including automobiles, bicycles, and motorcycles.
- 16,315 people reported injuries after their accident.
- Of these accidents, 268 resulted in death.
- Thirty-one of these accidents involved alcohol and/or drug consumption.
Coconut Creek’s Worst Intersections
All roads can contain hazards that make things difficult for even the most experienced driver. While no roads can guarantee 100% safety, there are roads in Coconut Creek that residents should proceed with caution. Be sure to obey any and all traffic laws. Here is a list of the most dangerous intersections in Coconut Creek Florida.
- Lyons Road and Winston Park Boulevard: Reports suggest that there may be visibility issues at this intersection due to landscaping, signage, or other obstructions. Limited visibility can make it difficult for drivers to see oncoming traffic or pedestrians, increasing the risk of accidents. In addition, the intersection may have unclear or insufficient signage, which can lead to confusion among drivers about right-of-way, lane usage, and turning restrictions.
- Coconut Creek Parkway and Banks Road: Human factors, such as speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and failure to yield, have significantly contributed to accidents over the years at the Coconut Creek Parkway and Banks Road intersection. There have been concerns about visibility at the junction due to landscaping, signage, or other obstructions. Drivers may struggle to see oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or cyclists in poor visibility, raising the risk of an accident.
- State Road 7 and Wiles Road: The intersection of State Road 7 and Wiles Road is a busy area with significant traffic, including vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. The high volume of traffic can make it challenging for drivers to navigate the intersection safely. Drivers in Coconut Creek should adhere to posted speed restrictions and adjust their driving based on traffic and weather conditions. Use caution and patience, particularly during peak hours.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
When you work with our team at Florin|Roebig, you become part of our family. And we take care of our family. We’ll use all resources at our disposal to ensure you’re cared for while you recover, and we handle your personal injury claim negotiations.
Should a lawsuit be argued in a courtroom, our trial attorneys are well-versed in winning cases. You or your loved one must have the best attorneys on your side to achieve the best results in court. Florin|Roebig car accident lawyers have the experience and knowledge to give you fair representation.
Other practice areas Florin|Roebig specializes in that are available to the South Florida region include:
- Medical malpractice
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Premises liability
- Wrongful death
Practical Legal Advice For After A Car Accident
Tommy D. Roebig says,
“Ask for help.“For over 30 years, I’ve witnessed clients struggling to make things work in the face of tragedy, and they often won’t request things they need. I’ve got plenty of resources, and I’ll connect you to whatever I can.”
In addition to asking for help, you can do a few other things that will help your case in the long run, such as:
- Write down any new symptoms or injuries as soon as you notice them.
- Keep a file for all paperwork, including medical expense receipts, previous pay stubs, medical records, and car repair invoices.
- Avoid speaking with anyone who works for an insurance company — they protect the interests of whoever signs their checks.
- Don’t admit fault to anyone; it can be incorrect but still used against you later.
FAQs About Car Accident Attorneys In Coconut Creek
Is Florida a no-fault state for car accidents?
Yes, Florida is one of 12 no-fault states in the U.S., meaning that car accident victims first file claims with their own insurance companies regardless of who’s responsible.
What is the 14-day accident law in Florida?
The 14-day accident law in Florida designates the time period you have for a medical examination of your injuries after a car crash. You cannot be paid under your PIP policy unless a medical professional verifies your physical condition. If you refuse treatment on the accident scene, you can visit your doctor within the two-week timeframe.
What happens when a car accident claim exceeds insurance limits in Florida?
When your car accident claim costs more than your insurance coverage for your PIP and PDL policies, you have options based on your level of fault. When another party is at least partially at fault, you may have a personal injury case against them. You would need to speak with a qualified attorney to determine eligibility.
What happens if you are at fault in a car accident in Florida?
You may owe compensation to other motorists and passengers injured in the accident. If you’re found at fault for a car accident in Florida, contact us at Florin|Roebig for a free case evaluation. We may be able to prove you weren’t at fault or bear less fault than originally assigned.
List Of Top-Rated Car Accident Attorneys Serving Coconut Creek
To achieve the best results in court, you or your loved one must have the best attorneys on your side. Florin|Roebig car accident lawyers consistently win high-value cases for deserving clients just like you.
Members of our award-winning legal team available to help you file a claim in Coconut Creek include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- John J. Hart
- Parker Y. Florin, LL.M.
- Taylor D. Roebig
- Nollys R. Solarte, O.C.
- Lawrence J. Najem, O.C.
- Andrew M. Leone, O.C.
Voted Best Lawyers, Best Law Firm by U.S. News & World Report for the past 10 years, Florin|Roebig has the experience and the knowledge to give you fair representation.
Other practice areas Florin|Roebig specializes in which are available to the South Florida region include:
- medical malpractice
- motorcycle accidents
- truck accidents
- premises liability
- wrongful death
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
How To Get Help From Florin|Roebig Personal Injury Attorneys
When you need someone knowledgeable about personal injury law, trust the experienced trial attorneys of Florin|Roebig. We have proudly served Coconut Creek and surrounding areas since 1985 and will evaluate your case for free.
Reach out to our legal team anytime using the following contact information:
- 24/7 phone line
- Website: Online chat or fillable form
- In-person Palm Beach office location:
777 South Flagler Drive
Suite 800 – West Tower
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Several factors may impact the success of your accident claim and how much compensation you’re eligible to receive.
These include:
- Whether your injuries leave scarring or disfigurement
- How your injuries are expected to impact the rest of your life
- Any lost wages, including those in the future
- The amount of medical debt accrued from your accident
- Ongoing care needs
Another important consideration when you file a car accident claim in Coconut Creek is Florida’s laws regarding comparative negligence. If the courts find you partly responsible for your accident, this may reduce the amount of your compensation. For these reasons, it’s important to have knowledgeable car accident attorneys fight for you in court.
The personal injury law firm of Florin|Roebig has the reputation and success rate you need to win your accident case. Call our car accident lawyers in Coconut Creek for a confidential and free consultation to receive the compensation you deserve.
