Fort Lauderdale has about 8,000 car accidents per year, many of which end in serious injuries and fatalities. We know recovering from a car wreck is hard enough, so rely on the Florin|Roebig law firm to help take some of the weight off your shoulders.
As one of the most decorated personal injury legal teams in Florida, the offices of Florin|Roebig are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee – so we don’t get paid unless we win. Call us today for a free case evaluation for your Fort Lauderdale car accident. Victims can learn about their legal options under Florida law with the help of a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney. We have won over $1 billion in case awards. With significant trial experience, you can count on high-quality legal support.
“Accidents are common with the amount of traffic in the Fort Lauderdale area. Our attorneys are incredibly experienced in personal injury law and winning the maximum settlement for our clients.” – triple board certified attorney Tommy Roebig
A car accident personal injury claim aims to recover compensation for any losses related to the accident, including lost wages, medical expenses, and more. To give yourself the best chance of success when filing a car accident claim in Fort Lauderdale, contact an experienced car accident lawyer for assistance – like the ones at Florin|Roebig, several of whom are board-certified.
What To Know About Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claims
In the past decade, the number of car accidents per year in Ft. Lauderdale has doubled. Several factors contribute to the city’s high rate of car crashes, including local events, the population, and the many tourist attractions. The current population in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is 182,760.
According to the Miami New Times, the most dangerous roadway stretches on I-95 between I-595 and State Road 84. In 2022, it was even declared the deadliest mile in America, with nearly 50 times the number of fatal car accidents as the average highway mile.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
With any car accident claim in Fort Lauderdale, you need to reach out to your car insurance company in a timely manner. However, insurance adjusters often try to reduce what they pay on your claim, so it’s important to have all the information available and know how to answer the trick questions. Even your insurance company will attempt to cut the zeros on your check.
Before you contact your insurance company or file a claim in their app, be sure to have the following documentation:
- Photos/videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries
- Medical records of treatment for yourself or loved ones
- Copies of the accident report
- Receipts for any payments made to medical professionals and auto repair shops
Proper documentation is vital to proving your case if you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. While your legal representation can secure some of the evidence, it adds to how long it takes to complete your claim.
Also, the length of time it takes from filing to settlement can be heavily affected by the severity of injuries and vehicle damages. T-bone and head-on collisions are often caused by distracted or reckless driving, and the at-fault driver owes compensatory damages to injured persons.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida Laws For Car Accident Cases
Car accident cases in the state of Florida hinge on the concept of negligence, which means that you must show that the driver who caused the crash was not exercising the minimum level of care required by law.
Due to an overhaul of Florida’s personal injury laws in 2023, car accident cases may be handled using one of two guidelines: pure comparative negligence or modified comparative negligence using the 50% bar rule.
Before March 24, 2023, responsible parties could file against other parties for any portion of the accident that wasn’t their fault, even if they were 99% at fault. Each party’s fault margin reduces each damages award, and the statute of limitations is four years from the accident or discovery of an accident-related injury. This is pure comparative negligence.
Following March 24, 2023, responsible parties can only file against other parties if they’re found to be less than 50% at fault for an accident. Any more than that, and they’re not eligible for any compensation. However, a person’s fault still reduces any settlements, and parties have two years to file any claims under modified comparative negligence.
Fault In Florida Car Accidents
As one of the few no-fault insurance states in the U.S., Florida requires personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage for all registered drivers. This pays some of your medical bills and lost income immediately following an accident.
When you’ve exhausted your PIP and personal damage liability (PDL) coverage, you may be able to file claims against the other driver’s insurance policies. Speaking with a Florin|Roebig representative for a free case evaluation can help you determine if you want to do so.
The state of Florida requires all personal injury claims related to motor vehicle accidents to be filed within a certain amount of time after the crash, so you need to act quickly after an accident.
Liability In Car Accidents
If you can’t file a claim against the motorist who caused the accident, you may be able to seek damages from the person who owns the vehicle. Companies, parents, and other owners allow employees, minor drivers, and others to operate their motor vehicles. Each can be found liable for an accident involving their vehicle driven by another person under vicarious liability.
Most of the time, your attorney has to prove that the other driver behaved negligently (i.e., knew they were doing something they shouldn’t). However, strict liability allows you to bring claims against a driver who broke the law regardless of whether they were aware of it or intended to break it.
“While the goal shouldn’t be to file against someone just to do so, accident victims frequently find themselves unable to pay for injuries and lifestyle changes forced onto them by someone else’s actions. Reckless or drunk driving behaviors must sometimes be addressed in a lawsuit to bring change,” states Tommy Roebig, partner at Florin|Roebig law offices.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Accidents can cause pain and suffering in addition to physical effects. Treatments that include hospital stays and recovery at home keep you from earning a paycheck. Some injuries completely remove your ability to function as you used to or take a loved one from your life with a wrongful death.
A variety of different factors can affect your car accident claim, including:
- Extent of injuries — The more severe your injuries, the greater the changes to your life and the stronger your claim will be. These can include spine and brain injuries and disfigurement or amputation.
- Time missed from work — The more you miss at work, the more compensation you will likely be able to collect for your injuries. This also applies to work you can’t perform anymore due to your injuries.
- Personal life—Car accident injuries often impact your personal life and relationships, such as reducing your ability to interact with friends and family members. These will be taken into consideration in court.
- Financial consequences — The financial impact of your accident will also play a role in determining the outcome of your case.
Filing a claim against the at-fault party doesn’t undo the harm they’ve caused, but it can help you move forward. You can’t replace what’s lost, but you can use a fair settlement to take care of your future needs, especially if you’re unable to continue your job or other normal life activities.
Practical Advice After All Types Of Car Accidents
There’s an important list of do’s and don’ts following any collision, and we’ve put together some of our top advice for car accident victims below. It’s important to assess property damage and receive medical attention to file insurance claims.
Do:
- Check yourself and other passengers for injuries and help whoever needs it.
- Get picture evidence of the accident scene, vehicles, and injuries.
- Move any vehicles off the road.
- See a paramedic or doctor for medical treatment regardless of bodily injury.
- Call a qualified attorney ASAP if you think you have a case.
- Keep all receipts from the accident together.
Don’t:
- Tell anyone you’re sorry or at fault for the accident.
- Speak to your insurance company before you’ve contacted a lawyer.
- Forego medical care because you feel fine.
- Refuse to help injured persons on the scene unless you’re truly unable to do so.
- Submit a copy of the police report until you’ve read it and contested inaccuracies.
- Forget to exchange contact, license, and insurance info with all motorists.
Our Featured Case Results
Auto Accident Rates In Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is located on the eastern side of the coast. The sunshine attracts tourists from all over to soak up rays on the beach and watch boats in the canals. Unfortunately, the higher number of tourists causes congestion on the roads of Fort Lauderdale, which can lead to accidents.
- Broward County, where Fort Lauderdale is located, reported 40,234 car accidents in 2023.
- 24,517 people were injured as a result of a car accident in Broward County.
- 210 fatal crashes occurred in the county in 2023.
- About 3% of injured accident victims were pedestrians
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
If you are planning to file a car accident claim, you need the right personal injury attorney on your side. The team at Florin|Roebig understands the laws that apply in Florida personal injury cases. Our car accident attorneys maximize your chances of obtaining a fair settlement offer in court with their extensive experience. Call us today or you start a chat with us online or fill out a contact form.
FAQs About Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorneys
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Florida?
Your specific case will determine an attorney’s charges. The contingency fee is usually between 15 and 40% of your settlement, but Florin|Roebig would be able to give you an exact number when you contact us with the details of your case.
Should I hire an attorney after a car accident in Florida?
It’s often recommended that you at least speak with an attorney before filing any claims after a car accident in Florida. While you may not need one to get fair compensation, you’ll have fewer issues getting paid the sooner you hire a qualified legal team.
How much can someone sue for a car accident in Florida?
What you sue for following a car accident are economic damages (like medical bills and missed income) and non-economic damages(like pain and suffering or an estimate of lost quality of life). A judgment may add punitive damages to punish the negligent driver as well.
Experienced attorneys with Florin|Roebig can help you accurately estimate all of your damages, taking into account your unique needs.
How long after a car accident in Florida can you sue?
Either two or four years, depending on when your accident happened and if there are extenuating circumstances. Our track record of high settlements at Florin|Roebig means that we’ll ensure you file under the correct statute of limitations for your case.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
With over 30 years of experience, our law firm has successfully won over $1 billion in settlements from personal injury cases by providing our clients with high-quality legal representation.
How To Get Help From Florin|Roebig Attorneys With Your Car Accident Settlement
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash in Fort Lauderdale, you need to take action as soon as possible to protect your right to recover compensation. You can count on reliable legal advice from the personal injury attorneys at Florin|Roebig.
We have extensive experience representing Fort Lauderdale clients in auto accident cases. Please contact our law offices today for a free consultation and case review to learn more about how we can put our services to work for you.
Call us or you can chat with us online or fill out a contact form. Want to visit our offices in person? Our West Palm Beach office is ready to serve you at:
777 South Flagler Drive
Suite 800 – West Tower
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
