Despite being the fourth largest city by population in the Miami metropolitan area, Pembroke Pines is known for its small-town feel and for being ranked one of America’s “Best Places to Live.” Even so, it can’t entirely escape Broward County’s notoriously bad traffic. In 2023, Broward County reported 40,234 crashes, which sadly caused 24,516 injuries and 210 deaths.
Car crashes can be life-altering. Recovering from the emotional and physical damage of a collision can become expensive between medical care, therapy, and any other services you may need.
When it comes to your recovery, you shouldn’t have to worry about expenses. Fortunately, if you can show that someone else was responsible for your car accident, you may be entitled to a settlement by filing a car accident claim. Read more about how to file a claim in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and the reasons hiring a lawyer can be beneficial.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Typically, the car accident claim-filing process involves the following steps in Pembroke Pines.
- Document injuries and damages: Take pictures of any vehicle damage as well as the crash scene and keep documents like your medical bills for evidence.
- File a police report: After a crash, call the cops and cooperate in their investigation so they can file an accident report. You can get a copy of this report from the Pembroke Pines Records Unit.
- Notify your insurance company: Let your insurance company know within 24 hours that you were involved in a crash.
- Gather evidence: Create and safely store copies of your crash scene photos, your police report, medical bills, and other evidence.
- Seek legal advice: Reach out to a car accident lawyer to review your case as soon as possible after your accident. Many law firms offer free case reviews, which can help you determine your next steps and whether you should work with an attorney.
The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
When you hire an experienced Pembroke Pines car accident lawyer, it can greatly relieve the burden of navigating a potentially complex claims process on your own and you can rest assured that your attorney is negotiating to get you the compensation you truly deserve.
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can help you:
- Navigate complex legal issues
- Maximize compensation
- Help negotiate medical bills
- Protect your legal rights
Especially when you’re seeking compensation from an at-fault driver’s insurance agency, that agency has every reason to offer you as little as possible. However, it can be difficult to know how to effectively make your case or to even know how much compensation is fair in your situation—problems solved by a good car accident attorney.
Board-certified civil trial lawyer Shaun M. Cummings says, “Hiring a car accident lawyer is especially critical if you were badly injured by another driver. You’re owed a large amount of compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses, but insurers often try to avoid paying out the amount you deserve. Experienced car accident attorneys are ready to take your case to trial, if it comes to that, and win.”
Florin|Roebig has been helping clients get the compensation they deserve for nearly four decades now, and with an average compensation amount of over $1 million, you can count on high-quality work. Reach out today to schedule a free case evaluation.
State Laws For Car Accident Cases
In addition to local city ordinances, Pembroke Pines follows Florida and Broward County laws, all of which greatly affect the outcome of your car accident case.
Traffic Laws
Both state and local Pembroke Pines and Broward County traffic laws are critical to determining who pays compensation after a car accident. Local police, lawyers, insurers, and courts will look for evidence like traffic cameras or witness reports that someone broke a traffic law (such as speeding or running a red light) to help them determine if someone caused an accident unnecessarily and should, therefore, compensate the injured party.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
Under Florida’s no-fault system, all state-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
In addition to specific insurance coverage requirements, the Florida no-fault law requires individuals to initially seek coverage from their own insurance companies (a first-party insurance claim) after an accident.
However, car accident victims can seek compensation from an at-fault party’s insurer (a third-party insurance claim) in some circumstances—generally, if the victim’s own insurance doesn’t cover all expenses or if their injuries are serious.
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
Pembroke Pines car accident victims can seek compensation in a few ways.
- First-party personal injury claims
- Third-party personal injury claims
- Personal injury lawsuits
Attorney Shaun Cummings explains, “We try to make the strongest case we can when filing a third-party claim, but if insurers aren’t offering our clients reasonable compensation, we need to file a lawsuit. What that does is pressure insurers to get serious about reaching a settlement agreement because otherwise a lawsuit will go to trial—and trials, which are determined by a jury or judge, can be unpredictable and expensive for insurers.”
Fault In Car Accidents
The at-fault party is the party ruled responsible for causing an accident. In Florida, more than one party can be at fault in a car accident, which is usually measured by negligence—the failure to take proper care while doing something like operating a motor vehicle.
Liability In Car Accident Cases
Liability describes who’s legally obligated to compensate a car accident victim.
Car accident cases in Pembroke Pines may factor in the following when determining liability:
- Negligence: Generally, evidence of negligence means someone is at least partially liable for compensation.
- Strict liability: This describes liability even though a party may not have been negligent and didn’t intend harm. In car accident cases, it often applies to manufacturers who created a car part that didn’t work as intended and caused an accident or made someone’s injuries worse.
- Vicarious liability: This occurs when a party is liable because of someone else’s actions. It often factors into car accident cases involving an employee who injures someone in an accident while on the job. The employer may be vicariously liable.
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Understanding Consideration Of Negligence And Degree Of Fault
Florida adopted a modified comparative negligence rule on March 24, 2023, which means:
- Multiple parties can be at fault in a car accident.
- Your percentage of fault decreases your total compensation.
- If you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t collect compensation.
For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault for the accident because you didn’t signal before turning, but you were awarded $100,000 in compensation, you could only collect $80,000.
Insurers may try to argue that you shared the blame for a car accident to avoid paying what you’re owed, but an experienced attorney will be prepared with evidence and counterarguments to maximize your compensation.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Car accidents are a common problem in Pembroke Pines, but they can be very serious. In many cases, car crashes leave their victims with severe injuries that can lead to financial and emotional struggles.
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 Pembroke Pines may include:
- Pembroke Pines Police Department
- 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
Florin|Roebig offers complimentary and confidential case evaluations to help car accident victims figure out the best path forward for seeking compensation. If you’re struggling after a car accident someone else caused, don’t hesitate to contact the offices of Florin|Roebig to find legal support from one of our experienced attorneys.
What To Do After A Car Accident
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, the following actions can help strengthen and streamline your claims process. However, remember that the only necessary step following a crash is to put your and your loved ones’ health first.
After a car accident in Pembroke Pines:
- Check for injuries and seek medical attention if needed.
- Contact law enforcement to report the crash and start the process of getting a police report filed.
- Gather information like witness contact details.
- Document the accident scene by taking photos or video.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
Filing a claim in Pembroke Pines can be complicated, so it’s best to have assistance from a qualified legal representative. For every year since it began in 2010, Florin|Roebig has been chosen 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
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident that led to injuries, please contact the car accident lawyers at Florin|Roebig.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Pembroke Pines, FL?
Car accident attorneys typically charge between 25% and 40% of your compensation. If you don’t get compensation, they won’t charge you.
What is the 14-day accident law in Florida?
The 14-day accident law requires you to seek medical care within 14 days of a car accident to qualify for compensation for your injuries.
Should I get a lawyer after a car accident in Pembroke Pines?
It’s highly advised that you seek representation from an experienced car accident attorney if your injuries were serious or your case involved complications like contested facts or the involvement of a business. Even if you think your case is straightforward, it’s worth reaching out for a free consultation.
List Of Car Accident Attorneys Serving Pembroke Pines
If you’re thinking about filing a car accident claim, hiring an experienced attorney is highly recommended. Without the right attorney, you won’t have the best chance of collecting compensation. The dedicated attorneys at Florin|Roebig understand the intricate laws involved in car accident cases and have extensive trial experience.
Our car accident lawyers serving clients in Pembroke Pines include
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Michael L. Walker, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Luca G Esposito
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
How to Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
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
The car accident attorneys at Florin|Roebig have won over $1 billion in case awards to date. One of our most impressive cases was a motorcycle accident jury trial that awarded a $6.1 million verdict to our client.
If you have been a victim of a car accident in Pembroke Pines, you need to act quickly. Otherwise, you may forfeit your right to collect compensation. To get started with filing a claim or to learn more about your options under the law, please contact Florin|Roebig today to schedule a free consultation.
