The family-friendly city of North Lauderdale provides an appealing mix of urban and suburban vibes for its diverse population. Unfortunately, it doesn’t escape the area’s comparatively high car accident rates. North Lauderdale is located in Broward County, which reported 40,234 crashes in 2023, leading to 24,517 injuries and 210 deaths.
Even when you drive as carefully as possible, you may still be involved in an accident. In most cases, these accidents occur because one or more drivers on the road behaved negligently. If you were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you can often collect compensation. However, it’s best to pursue your financial settlement with the help of a qualified attorney.
Read on to learn more about filing a car accident claim in North Lauderdale and how an experienced lawyer can help.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Filing most auto accident claims in North Lauderdale involves the following steps.
- Document injuries and damages by taking pictures of your wounds, vehicle damage, and the accident scene.
- File a police report by calling the cops and answering their questions. They’ll file a report on your behalf.
- Notify your insurance company immediately, letting them know that you were in a car crash.
- Gather evidence for your claim, like photos from the scene, your police report, and any crash-related medical documents. Make digital copies of everything.
- Seek legal advice from a car accident attorney. Many law firms offer free case evaluations that can give you the information you need to decide your next steps, including whether or not you want to hire an attorney.
The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring a North Lauderdale car accident lawyer can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case, potentially resulting in far more compensation and far less work on your part—a potential godsend in the aftermath of a car accident.
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can help you:
- Navigate complex legal issues
- Maximize compensation
- Help negotiate medical bills
- Protect your legal rights
Board-certified civil trial lawyer Shaun M. Cummings explains, “You’re not legally required to hire a lawyer to file a car accident claim or lawsuit. However, a good attorney knows how to calculate how much compensation your case should reasonably lead to and how to negotiate with insurance companies to win you that amount. The more seriously injured you were in the crash or the more complicated your case, the more vital hiring an attorney may be.”
The lawyers at Florin|Roebig have won some of the most high-profile cases in the state of Florida, setting records for the most compensation won in certain courts. With an average of over $1 million in compensation won for their clients per case, the experts at Florin|Roebig are here to answer your questions. Reach out for a free case evaluation today.
State Laws For Car Accident Cases
North Lauderdale follows Florida and Broward County laws, which can factor into your car accident case in many ways.
Traffic Laws
Local and state traffic laws often form the basis for determining who is compensated in a car accident and who pays. Insurers and juries will look for evidence that the parties involved in an accident caused the crash by breaking traffic laws such as local speed limits, texting while driving, driving under the influence, and more.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
All Florida-registered vehicles must have the following car insurance coverage:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP covers 80% (up to $10,000) of all “necessary and reasonable” medical expenses for an injury covered under the plan.
- Personal Damage Liability (PDL): PDL covers $10,000 of another driver’s vehicle or property damage in an accident if you’re at fault.
The No-fault System
North Lauderdale follows Florida’s no-fault system, which requires all Florida-registered vehicles to be covered by PIP and PDL insurance. When an accident happens, the law requires all parties to turn to their own insurance (a first-party claim) to pay for accident-related injuries no matter who was at fault.
However, fault still comes into play if one party wants to sue for property damage or if they were badly injured in a crash. They’ll file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer (a third-party claim) for compensation.
Third-party car accident claims require injuries that cause at least one of the following:
- Severe and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury
- Severe and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Legal Remedies Available To Accident Victims
North Lauderdale car accident victims may seek compensation in a few ways.
- First-party personal injury claims: Fast and straightforward but limited, these claims filed with your own insurer usually only cover medical bills and related expenses, which must be sought within 14 days of the accident.
- Third-party personal injury claims: Claims filed against the at-fault party can cover a lot more damages and result in much more compensation, but they usually take longer and are more difficult to get.
- Personal injury lawsuits: You may need to file a lawsuit with the Broward County court if you can’t agree with the third-party insurer on a compensation amount. Often, insurance companies will work hard to reach an agreement to avoid a trial, especially if you have a lawyer, but in the rare case your lawsuit goes to trial, your case will be decided by a jury or judge.
Fault In Car Accidents
Fault (who caused the accident) in North Lauderdale car accident cases is usually determined based on negligence—the failure to take proper care while doing something like operating a motor vehicle. In Florida, all parties can share some fault in a case.
Insurers or juries will look at evidence like traffic violations or reckless driving (which shows negligence) to assign a percentage of fault.
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Liability In Car Accident Cases
Liability describes who’s legally responsible for the compensation of someone harmed in an accident.
Car accident cases in North Lauderdale may use the following to help determine liability:
- Negligence: The more negligent someone’s proven to be, the more liable they probably are.
- Strict liability: Strict liability means someone is responsible for compensation even if they weren’t negligent and didn’t intend to cause harm. This most often happens in car accident cases when a vehicle has a faulty part like a brake pad or seatbelt that contributes to the accident or makes the resulting injuries worse. The manufacturer may be strictly liable in these cases.
- Vicarious liability: Vicarious liability describes when one party is responsible for the actions of another, like a business having to pay compensation to a crash victim because their employee caused an accident while on the job.
Consideration Of Negligence, Degree Of Fault
Under Florida’s new modified comparative negligence law, more than one party can be at fault in a car crash, the degree of fault can decrease their total compensation, and if someone is found to be more than 50% at fault, they cannot receive any compensation.
“For example, you may be ruled 20% at fault for failing to signal before a turn. If you were granted $100,000 in damages, that would mean you’d collect $80,000.” – attorney Shaun Cummings
Insurance companies may try to push as much of the blame on you as they can to avoid paying high compensation amounts, but an experienced car accident attorney will fight on your behalf to make sure you get proper compensation.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Car accidents can change your life in an instant, leading to excruciating pain, disability, psychological harm, and financial problems that can be hard to recover from.
Some common struggles after a car accident include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of intimacy with a spouse or partner
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Death of a loved one
Car accident resources in North Lauderdale may include:
- Emergency services
- Medical care providers
- Insurance companies
- Therapy and support groups for accident survivors
- Victim advocacy services
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit community safety organizations
- Car accident attorneys
Car accident claims and lawsuits exist to help victims be made whole after such a devastating event. If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else, don’t settle for less than you deserve. Reach out to a law firm that has won over $1 billion in total compensation for its clients by scheduling a free case evaluation with Florin|Roebig today.
What To Do After A Car Accident
Car accidents can be dangerous and frightening, especially in high-traffic areas like North Lauderdale. Take care of yourself and your loved ones’ health and safety first, but if you can, follow these steps to set yourself up for a stronger, easier auto accident claim.
After a car accident in North Lauderdale:
- Check for injuries and if you’re injured, seek medical attention immediately. Getting professional care can also create a record of your injuries.
- Contact law enforcement to report the crash and start the process of filing an accident report, which you’ll need for your claim.
- Gather information while at the scene of the accident such as witness contact details.
- Document the accident scene by taking pictures on your phone.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
For every year since it began in 2010, Florin|Roebig has been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers in America.
Florin Roebig car accident lawyers offer many services, including:
- Case evaluation
- Legal representation
- Negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation support
Reach out today to speak to our legal experts about your case and how Florin|Roebig can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Florida?
Typically between 25% and 40% of your compensation. If you don’t win compensation, you won’t be charged.
How much can someone sue for a car accident in North Lauderdale?
There is no cap on the amount someone can sue for damages in a Florida court, including in Broward County. The amount depends on several factors, including your percentage of fault and the severity of your injuries. Contact a lawyer to get an idea of how much your case may be worth.
How long does a car accident settlement take in Florida?
Car accident settlements vary tremendously in length—anywhere from a few months to years. The more serious and complicated the case, the longer it usually takes to settle.
List Of Car Accident Attorneys Serving North Lauderdale
The team at Florin|Roebig has significant experience in car accident cases. Our team is committed to the success and welfare of every client, and we’ll work tirelessly to make sure you get a fair settlement.
Our car accident lawyers serving clients in North Lauderdale include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Nicholas S. Costantino
- Shaun M. Cummings
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Find Help Filing A Car Accident Claim
If you are interested in seeking legal advice from our legal team, you can contact our offices to schedule an appointment.
- Our website, florinroebig.com, has an option for requesting more information.
- You can call our phone number 24/7
- For more information regarding our services and free consultations, you can email us at [email protected]
- Or you can reach us at an office near you below.
Palm Beach Office
777 South Flagler Drive
Suite 800 – West Tower
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
If you have been a victim in a car accident in North Lauderdale, you need the right attorney on your side in court. Having a qualified attorney will make it much easier to file a successful claim and collect the compensation you deserve. To learn more, or to begin the process of filing a claim, please contact the team at Florin|Roebig today with a free consultation.
