Did you or a family member recently get hurt in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, FL? You might be entitled to a significant amount of money. The car accident attorneys at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale can assist you in fighting to maximize your compensation. Contact us at 954-287-0566 today for a free consultation.
Since 1996, our law office specializing in personal injury cases has been a trusted choice for accident victims in Fort Lauderdale. By blending the personalized care of a small firm with the resources of a larger one, we have made a meaningful impact on our clients’ lives. We have successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on their behalf. We are ready to help you pursue the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Give our Fort Lauderdale injury team a call. We’ll listen to your side of the story, assess your legal options, and answer the questions you have.
Why You Should Call Hollander Law Firm
If you are facing the aftermath of a car accident caused by someone else, you are dealing with the consequences of their actions. You deserve to be compensated for the expenses, injuries, pain, and suffering you have endured.
By taking legal action to claim damages, you can seek to hold the responsible parties accountable both legally and financially for the harm they have caused. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
For many years, Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers has been advocating for car accident victims in and around Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With 28 years of experience, we understand the sudden disruption this accident has caused in your life. We also recognize that while money cannot solve everything, it can alleviate some of the challenges you may face in the months and years ahead. That is why we are fully committed to using all our resources to secure a comprehensive financial award on your behalf.
When you hire our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers for help, we will:
- Offer high-quality legal representation at all stages of your personal injury case
- Make sure that your case gets the personal attention it deserves
- Enlist the aid of experts as we investigate your crash
- Gather and analyze evidence to determine causation, fault, and liability
- Handle conversations with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Downplay your role and/or disprove claims that you contributed to your accident
- Negotiate with insurance companies and other parties
- Bring your case to a jury, if necessary.
There’s a reason that former clients recommend our firm to friends and family members. We genuinely care about our clients and get results. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to discuss the details of your injury case today.
Common Car Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
Very. And, given that Fort Lauderdale is the largest city in Broward County, that shouldn’t really come as much of a surprise. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, car accidents in Broward County have become increasingly problematic in recent years.
- 2012: 31,151 accidents
- 2013: 32,595 accidents
- 2014: 34,833 accidents
- 2015: 38,409 accidents
- 2016: 41,755 accidents
- 2017: 41,337 accidents
- 2018: 41,082 accidents
- 2019: 41,114 accidents
- 2020: 34,050 accidents
- 2021: 41,307 accidents
Accidents have surged by about 32 percent in just a few short years’ time.
How Serious Are Car Accidents in South Florida?
In the years spanning 2012 to 2021, there were a total of 2,204 car accident fatalities reported in Broward County. Another 229,039 people sustained injuries because they were involved in a wreck in Fort Lauderdale or surrounding towns.
For every 5 car accidents in Broward County, roughly 2 cause an injury or death.
Broward County Crash Stat Update
In 2021, there were a total of 41,307 motor vehicle accidents in Broward County. That’s between 113 and 114 car accidents every single day. As a result of those accidents, 259 people were killed and another 23,062 sustained injuries.
Overall, there were fewer car accidents reported in 2020 than there were in 2019. Data for 2021 indicates that this was due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As people started going back to normal, car accidents increased 21.31% in 2021 compared to 2020.
As of January 18th, 2022, Broward County has already seen a reported 1,260 collisions. So far in 2022, 4 people have been killed in Broward County car wrecks and another 736 have been hurt.
Leading Causes of Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
Auto accidents happen in Fort Lauderdale every day.
The most common causes of these collisions include:
Distracted Driving
If a driver doesn’t have their hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and mind focused on the task at hand, accidents are much more likely to take place.
Unfortunately, even though many distracted driving practices are prohibited, that’s a common occurrence in the state of Florida. Distracted driving accidents have surged in recent years.
Drunk Driving
Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol is incredibly dangerous. In a city like Fort Lauderdale, where there’s no shortage of spots to enjoy a few drinks, drunk driving isn’t all that uncommon. Sadly, many of these impaired drivers cause accidents on the roads. The result, in many cases, is catastrophic.
Fatigued Driving
Studies show that driving while tired is perhaps just as dangerous – if not more so – than driving while drunk. Drivers who are on the road for long hours or long after dark tend to cause accidents.
Speeding
Speed is a factor in approximately one out of every four fatal car accidents in the nation. In Florida, there are thousands of speed-related crashes every year.
When a driver exceeds the speed limit, they’re robbing themselves of the time and distance that are necessary to react and stop when traffic conditions change. The result: devastating accidents that can have a huge impact on the lives of those involved forever.
Aggressive Intersection Maneuvers
Like all cities in South Florida, Fort Lauderdale has some very crowded thoroughfares. Given the sheer volume of traffic and the number of vehicles and pedestrians on the road, intersections are particularly challenging to navigate. It takes extra care to move through these crossroads safely. Unfortunately, many drivers take risks – including accelerating to “beat” the light or executing dangerous turns without checking in order to see if the coast is clear.
Road Conditions
Some accidents take place because the roads are dangerous or in disrepair. Sharp turns, poorly designed intersections, and potholes all contribute to accidents every year.
Defective Equipment
Accidents sometimes happen, despite the fact that all drivers involved exercised a reasonable degree of caution. In many instances, defective vehicles or safety equipment – such as faulty airbags or brakes – play a role.
We Handle All Auto Accident Cases in Fort Lauderdale
When you’re involved in a car collision in Fort Lauderdale and need compensation, you deserve to work with a trial attorney who has extensive experience handling cases like yours.
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we’ve been advocating for crash victims for more than 28 years. During that time, we’ve handled all types of crash-related cases, including:
- Front-end collisions
- Rear-end accidents
- Frontal or head-on collisions
- Sideswipes and side impact collisions
- Speeding
- T-Bone accidents
- Single vehicle and multi-vehicle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians
- Accidents involving large buses and mass transit vehicles
- Hit and run accidents
- Highway accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Red and yellow light accidents
- Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists
Pur our decades of experience and demonstrated ability to win to work for you. Reach out to our law office today to arrange a free consultation.
Does Florida Have No-Fault Insurance Rules?
Yes. If you’re involved in a car accident in the state of Florida and suffer a bodily injury, you’ll be required to turn to your own insurance company for compensation first. That’s because, under Florida’s no-fault system, all drivers are required to carry no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage.
When you suffer an injury, this PIP coverage is the primary source of compensation for your medical bills and injury-related costs – even if someone else is responsible for a crash.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t seek damages from other parties. You can pursue compensation from a third party and/or another insurance provider if your costs exceed what your insurance company will pay.
What is the Liability For Car Accidents in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Florida state law provides that liability for an accident is shared by all contributing parties. So, you could potentially have a legitimate claim for damages against a:
- Negligent driver or passenger,
- Truck driver,
- Trucking company,
- Mass transit company (private or government-run),
- Bicyclist,
- Pedestrian,
- Motorcyclist,
- Product manufacturer,
- Negligent party’s employer,
- Government agency.
The lawyers at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation into the events and details surrounding your car accident. Our experienced attorneys will work diligently to gather evidence that helps us understand the causes of the accident and, consequently, determine who should be held accountable. Armed with this information, we can start pursuing financial compensation from all those responsible.
Common Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Injuries
Our car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale are here to help you pursue a financial award for all of your crash-related injuries.
Contact us if you’ve suffered:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Soft tissue damage (sprains, strains, bruising)
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Neck, shoulder, or back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury
- Degloving
- Amputation
- Nerve damage
- Seatbelt injuries
- Airbag injuries
- Chest injuries
If someone you care about has recently died in a car accident, we can help you pursue damages from the responsible party through a wrongful death claim.
Money won’t bring your loved one back, but it can offer a sense of relief and help you get by for years to come.
What Happens If I Share Responsibility For a Car Accident in Florida?
First, there’s no need to panic. You can still receive compensation for your injuries as long as you are not fully responsible. In Florida’s comparative negligence system, it is enough for someone else to share some of the blame. However, the amount of money you ultimately receive will be affected by the extent of your own fault.
Your damages will be reduced in proportion to your degree of blame. For example, if you are 33 percent at fault, your damages will be reduced by 33 percent. Additionally, you will be responsible for covering 33 percent of the damages suffered by others in the accident.
Insurance companies often take advantage of this comparative fault system to their benefit. They will search for any reason to shift blame onto you. If they succeed, it can significantly reduce the compensation you receive.
Fortunately, our attorneys are well aware of these tactics. With us on your side, you won’t have to worry. We will vigorously defend you and work hard to minimize your role in the accident.
What are the Damages Available to Car Accident Victims in Fort Lauderdale
Do not underestimate the expenses associated with a car accident. Even if the injuries are not severe, it can still result in costs amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.
The expenses related to a severe accident can easily surpass six figures. Additionally, there are intangible costs associated with pain and suffering. The good news is that you have the right to pursue compensation from those responsible.
In Florida, victims of crashes are generally eligible to seek both economic and non-economic damages.
This can include money for:
- Current medical treatment
- Future medical expenses
- Lost income and lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Disability
- Nursing care
- Rehabilitation
- Chronic physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Property Damage
In some situations, punitive awards might also be available. However, that’s only if the defendant in your case acted intentionally, maliciously, or with gross negligence.
Do I Have Limited Time to File an Injury Claim After a Fort Lauderdale Crash?
Yes, the state of Florida has strict time limits, known as statutes of limitations, for civil car accident cases. In most personal injury lawsuits, you have a maximum of four years to take legal action.
This means that you must file a claim in civil court within four years from the date of your accident.
There may be different time limits if a government entity is involved or if the at-fault driver cannot be located. However, these cases are exceptions, and the four-year limit is the general rule. It is crucial not to miss the deadline specific to your case, as it will result in the loss of your right to file a claim and seek compensation.
To ensure that you have enough time to take action, it is advisable to contact our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys immediately after a car wreck.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale?
We want you to know that we understand that a car crash is stressful. It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the hours and days that follow. Remaining at the scene, seeking medical help, and calling the police and your lawyer is critical after a car accident.
What you do after the crash can – and will – affect any future legal claims you decide to file.
Remember to keep these things in mind:
- Stay at the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident can be considered a hit-and-run. Stay put, make sure everyone is okay, and wait for the police to arrive. If possible, move to the side of the road.
- Contact the police. You’ll want to make sure that your accident is on the record. So, call 911 or the local police. An officer and other emergency responders will be sent to the scene to assess the situation and prepare an accident report. That report can be quite valuable if you decide to file an insurance claim or lawsuit down the line.
- Seek medical care. Get to the doctor after an accident. Accidents can cause severe internal injuries that are difficult to diagnose. By seeking medical treatment as soon as you can after a crash, you ensure that your trauma is properly identified and cared for. As an added bonus, your medical record will be helpful in establishing a relationship between the crash and your injuries. That can be vital to maximizing your financial recovery.
- Avoid the temptation to apologize. You might want to apologize for an accident, especially if you think that you’re (even partly) to blame. Don’t. That can end your claim before it even has a chance to start. Other parties will use your words of kindness against you. So, after you check to see if everyone is okay, just sit tight until the police arrive.
- Direct conversations to your lawyer. An insurance company might reach out to you right after an accident. They might want to discuss the details of the crash or offer you a quick settlement. None of these things are done with your best interests at heart. Insurance companies want to end your case quickly and for the least amount of money possible. So, protect your interests and direct all communication to your experienced attorney.
We offer a free case evaluation to all prospective clients. This way, you have the opportunity to learn about your legal options without any pressure. To schedule an appointment with our car accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, simply give us a call or connect with us online today.
Trusted Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you may have the right to receive compensation for various expenses, including medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Get in touch with Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers to receive assistance in maximizing your recovery.
Our team of car accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and achieving life-changing results for our clients. We have successfully secured settlements and trial verdicts worth millions of dollars for accident victims in South Florida.
With decades of experience, we are prepared to fight relentlessly on your behalf. All you need to do is contact us and ask for our help – it’s as simple as that. Furthermore, your initial consultation is completely free of charge.
Local Auto Repair Shops in Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Differential Repair Shop
350 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 - Southport Auto Repair
101 SW 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 - Master Tech
202 SW 15th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 - Prestige European Auto Repair
711 W Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
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