Car Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL

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Trusted Legal Representation for Car Accident Cases in Fort Lauderdale

Were you or someone you love seriously injured in a car accident? Florida’s no-fault insurance system helps crash victims with things like medical bills, but if you have serious injuries and high losses, your expenses might exceed your policy limits. Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers are here to file your claim, pursue civil legal action outside of the no-fault system, or both.

At Rosenberg & Rosenberg, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers are committed to fighting for victims of negligence. Comprised of award-winning lawyers with decades of collective experience, we have helped car wreck victims recover millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Call now to get started with a free initial consultation with a member of our team.

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    Proving Fault for Your Car Accident Is More Important Than Ever

    Florida Statutes § 768.81, known as the comparative negligence law, once allowed injury victims to sue for compensation regardless of their own degree of fault. In 2023, the rules changed, so now you are only allowed to recover financial compensation if you are less than 50 percent responsible for the accident—and it is up to a jury to decide what portion of fault, if any, falls to you.

    What Can Our Car Accident Lawyers Do to Help You Get Fair Compensation?

    Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Can You Sue Lyft for an Accident?A car accident claim is often the best way for families to recover fair compensation for crash-related losses, so knowing how to navigate the process is very important. Our car accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale can guide you through all legal challenges. Some of the ways we help car accident victims include:

    • Investigating and gathering evidence. Our car injury attorneys have the resources to conduct thorough investigations, gathering evidence such as accident reports from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, witness statements, medical records, and expert opinions. This strengthens your case and supports your claim for compensation.
    • Dealing with insurers. Insurance companies devote tremendous resources to fighting claims because they view having to pay victims as a blow to their bottom lines. At Rosenberg & Rosenberg, our practice is devoted to helping clients level the playing field with insurers and powerful corporate defendants, and to handling all communications and negotiations with these parties.
    • Advocacy and guidance. Personal injury claims are unfamiliar processes for most people, which is why hiring our auto accident lawyers can make it easier to deal with the procedures for filing and handling claims, motions, and other matters in a correct and timely manner. In addition to helping victims avoid costly mistakes, our legal team also has the insight to set and manage expectations, prepare for next steps, and handle any speed bumps that arise.
    • Maximizing compensation. Insurers may take advantage of victims who do not have representation. It is much harder for them to do this when claimants have legal counsel. By leveraging our resources and experience, we construct the strongest possible claims, battle back against insurance companies, and position our clients to receive fair compensation.

    Rosenberg & Rosenberg was founded to serve the local community and defend the rights of the wrongfully injured. We are committed to answering your questions promptly and guiding you through the entire legal process.

    Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claims We Handle

    Rosenberg & Rosenberg has decades of experience fighting for victims injured in a variety of traffic and motor vehicle accidents. From single-vehicle crashes to complex claims involving multiple parties, disputed liability, and fatal or catastrophic injuries, we have the breadth of insight to tackle even the toughest cases.

    We offer full-service support for many types of car accident claims. Our Fort Lauderdale law firm includes:

    Not sure if we can take your case? It will only cost you a few minutes of your time to pick up the phone and find out through a free, no-risk case review. Our legal team can work with you in English, Spanish, or Creole.

    Our Fort Lauderdale Lawyers Have a Reputation for Success

    Over the course of our firm’s 50-plus years in practice, we have helped clients across Broward County and South Florida recover millions of dollars in compensation after they were harmed by the negligence of others. This includes numerous six- or even seven-figure recoveries in high-stakes car accident cases.

    While we cannot guarantee a particular outcome for any given client, our case results demonstrate our commitment to recovering fair compensation for everyone who comes to us for help:

    • $270,000 for a client who needed multiple medical procedures to recover from injuries inflicted in a motor vehicle accident. Thanks to our efforts, they no longer had to worry about paying for treatment.
    • $4.1 million for a client who suffered three disc herniations after being struck from behind by another vehicle in a parking lot. After a 10-day trial, the jury awarded this multi-million-dollar verdict, which far exceeded the insurance company’s initial $300,000 settlement offer.
    • $4.65 million for a student who suffered a permanent brain injury after being struck by a vehicle while visiting Florida during spring break. Our team was able to source coverage from multiple insurance policies, ensuring that our client secured the compensation he needed.

    Rosenberg & Rosenberg’s car accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale are dedicated to pursuing the right amount of damages for each and every client.

    Compensation Our Lawyers Can Recover in a Car Accident Claim

    It is vital that your injury claim take more than your past and present losses into account: you also need money to cover likely future losses.

    Personal injury victims are entitled to a fair financial recovery. Our car accident attorneys often help clients pursue the following types of compensation from the at-fault party:

    • Medical expenses: This covers bills incurred from emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation, as well as future costs associated with treating long-term or lifelong injuries.
    • Lost income: Our legal team can pursue money for income lost due to your inability to work, as well as lost future earnings/lost earning capacity when injuries prevent you from going back to work any time soon.
    • Property damage: If your car or other valuable personal property, such as an electronic device, suffered damage, Rosenberg & Rosenberg can fight for enough money to cover repair or replacement costs.
    • Pain and suffering: You deserve compensation for more than your economic losses. The physical and emotional distress caused by the collision are just as important to consider when filing a claim.
    • Disability: Whether permanent or temporary, partial or total, a disability can greatly affect how you live your life. Your loss of mobility, range of motion, or a body part could entitle you to damages.
    • Reduced quality of life: Some injuries prevent you from taking care of yourself or others, enjoying fun activities, or doing all of the things you did before the crash. No amount of money can make up for such losses, but our attorneys in Fort Lauderdale can fight to make sure the liable party pays for their negligence and does not get away with hurting you.

    How Much Are Car Accident Settlement Worth?

    The value of a car accident lawsuit depends entirely on the facts of the case, including the severity of your injuries, the losses you have incurred, your age and income, and the availability of insurance coverage. If you have questions about how much your Fort Lauderdale car accident lawsuit is worth, our legal team can answer them during a free consultation.

    Common Car Accident Injuries That Could Justify a Personal Injury Claim

    Car accidents can result in a range of injuries, from minor scrapes and bruises to catastrophic injuries that lead to big medical bills, long and painful recoveries, and lifelong limitations. Having litigated car accident lawsuits on behalf of Broward County residents for decades, our personal injury attorneys know how to help victims who suffered many kinds of injuries, including:

    • Traumatic brain injuries
    • Spinal cord injuries
    • Fractures and broken bones
    • Soft tissue injuries
    • Burn injuries
    • Organ damage or internal injuries
    • Neck and back injuries
    • Disfigurement

    As a general rule, those who sustained severe injuries can recover more compensation than those who suffered mild to moderate injuries. However, many different factors go into deciding your recovery, so let Rosenberg & Rosenberg advocate on your behalf for a fair amount of money.

    The Process for Filing a Car Accident Claim in Fort Lauderdale

    While every case is unique, there are some general steps in the car accident claim process that most, if not all, accident victims must follow. Knowing these steps and how our car injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale can protect your rights and interests along the way can be crucial to securing a solid outcome.

    Generally, the Florida car accident claim process works as follows:

    Immediately After the Motor Vehicle Accident

    There are several steps to take in the aftermath of a car crash. These include:

    • Reporting the accident to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, which can establish a legal record of the incident
    • Seeking medical attention, which ensures you will receive needed treatment and documents your injuries
    • Notifying your insurance company, which informs them of your accident and prompts them to start moving forward on your claim

    Of these steps, getting medical care is the most important. Do not take risks with your health or the health of your passengers. Go to the hospital if necessary, and if you choose to forego emergency care, call your doctor to schedule an appointment immediately.

    Building Your Car Accident Injury Claim

    If you are not too badly injured, you can start building your claim even before you leave the accident scene:

    • Take photos of your injuries, the vehicles involved, the roadway, and the general environment
    • Get the at-fault driver’s name, contact information, and registration number—you are entitled to this information under Florida Statutes § 316.062
    • Ask witnesses for their names and contact information so it is easier for us to find and interview them later
    • Wait for the police to arrive and answer their questions succinctly but honestly—do not speculate, and do not admit fault for anything

    Once you start receiving paperwork related to the case, such as medical bills or repair estimates, keep copies of everything. Such materials can help prove your case’s worth.

    Additionally, Rosenberg & Rosenberg’s car accident lawyers can conduct our own investigation to identify the underlying cause, determine potentially liable parties and available sources of compensation, interview eyewitnesses, and collaborate with expert witnesses, if necessary.

    Consulting Our Car Injury Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale

    Many victims of negligence qualify to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. The best way to determine if you can file a civil claim is to speak personally with a member of our legal team as soon as you finish your first round of medical treatment.

    At Rosenberg & Rosenberg, we offer free consultations to help car accident victims assess the merits of their claims and how to best pursue justice.

    Filing Your Accident Injury Claim

    Our auto accident attorneys can assist in filing your claim and handling all communications with defendants and their insurers.

    In many cases, victims and their counsel may need to participate in the process of discovery, in which both sides exchange information, answer interrogatories, and hold depositions. Rosenberg & Rosenberg can prepare you for all of this.

    Negotiations or Trial for Car Accident Damages

    In Florida, most car accident lawsuits can be successfully resolved through out-of-court settlements. At our firm, we come prepared to the settlement table with ample evidence to support our clients’ claims about who was at fault and how substantial their damages were.

    Sometimes, however, insurance companies dispute material facts or refuse to make fair settlement offers. In these cases, it may be necessary to litigate at trial and let a jury decide the outcome. You can depend on our auto accident lawyers to represent you in the courtroom.

    You Receive Compensatory Damages for Your Fort Lauderdale Accident

    With the money you get from a settlement or lawsuit, you can support your loved ones and pay for all of the treatment you need. It may be easier to recover this money with the help of Rosenberg & Rosenberg’s Fort Lauderdale car crash lawyers than it would be on your own:

    • You are still dealing with the emotional and physical fallout of your collision.
    • We assign an entire team, including one of our law firm partners, to your case, meaning that multiple legal professionals will all be working on your behalf while you focus on healing.
    • Our diverse team has experience with motor vehicle accidents of all kinds, so we already know what challenges or obstacles we might encounter—and how to overcome them.

    At Rosenberg & Rosenberg, we make it a point to explain how the car accident claim process works and what our clients can expect. We also provide personalized support and guidance the entire way, giving you all of the information you need to make informed decisions about your case. Call now for a free case review.

    Your Rights After a Car Crash in Fort Lauderdale

    In Florida, accident injury victims have the right to pursue civil claims against individuals and/or entities whose negligence caused or contributed to their crashes. If someone else failed to act with reasonable care and caused your injuries, you can hold them liable for the resulting damages.

    As a victim of negligence, asserting your right to take legal action can help you hold the at-fault party accountable. In the past, our Fort Lauderdale car crash lawyers have confronted liable parties like:

    • Negligent drivers who ignore traffic signals and laws
    • Companies that own and operate trucks, delivery vans, or other commercial vehicles
    • Public entities, such as the Fort Lauderdale Transportation and Mobility Department (TAM), which is responsible for taking care of city roads and operating public transportation vehicles like the LauderGO! Community Shuttle
    • School districts responsible for school bus accidents
    • Property owners or managers who create or fail to address property hazards

    Our law firm can pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to by proving that someone else caused your injuries.

    Florida Car Accident Laws That Could Affect Your Case

    Rosenberg & Rosenberg is very familiar with all of the laws that apply to car injury cases in South Florida. Some laws play a role in most or all cases, including:

    • The statute of limitations, which puts a limit on how long you have to file your case
    • Laws that require negligent drivers to remain on the scene, render assistance, and provide others with their information
    • Insurance laws that require drivers to carry insurance that will cover damage they do to others if they cause a crash

    Other laws only apply to specific situations. For example, we can tell you if auto accident laws like the following might be relevant to you:

    • Florida Statutes § 322.03, which requires all drivers to have proper licenses. If the negligent driver in your case did not have an appropriate, unexpired license, we can use this against them.
    • Florida Statutes § 316.305, or the Florida Ban on Texting and Driving Law, prohibits the use of handheld devices while driving. Our car accident law firm can use such laws to establish the other party’s negligence by showing that they were engaged in illegal behavior.

    How Our Fort Lauderdale Car Crash Lawyers Can Help You Navigate Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System

    Fort Lauderdale Car Accident AttorneyFlorida requires motorists to have PIP coverage. As a form of no-fault insurance, PIP is meant to cover certain losses arising from a car crash, regardless of who is at fault (and even when the injured driver is to blame).

    While PIP can provide meaningful and relatively prompt compensation, it has its limitations. Most notably, PIP insurance claims only cover certain types of losses—such as a percentage of medical expenses and a portion of lost wages—and provides coverage only up to a certain limit. As such, there are times when PIP coverage simply is not enough.

    You Can File a Car Accident Claim With Multiple Insurance Companies

    Fortunately, Florida law allows victims, in some cases, to step outside of the no-fault system and pursue claims directly against negligent parties. You may have grounds to pursue a civil claim outside of your PIP claim if:

    • You suffered serious injuries that exceed a certain threshold defined by Florida law, such as significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.
    • You incurred damages beyond the limits of your PIP coverage.
    • Someone else is to blame for negligently causing the crash.

    At Rosenberg & Rosenberg, we are equipped to manage both PIP and civil personal injury/wrongful death actions. Our auto accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale can review your case and options, no matter how complex your situation is.

    Dealing With the Car Accident Insurance Company: Dos and Don’ts

    Understanding how to handle your inevitable encounter with an insurance adjuster can have a substantial impact on your ability to recover fair compensation. Be aware that insurance adjusters may try to lead you into minimizing your damages or conceding partial fault in an accident. Such statements could be used against you to reduce the amount of your final settlement.

    Rosenberg & Rosenberg does not want you to lose out on compensation because of an insurance company’s tricks. Before you talk to the insurer, review this list of dos and don’ts. Then you can call our personal injury attorneys for more personalized advice.

    What to Do After a Car Accident

    By taking the following precautions, you can protect your rights and make it easier for us to build your case:

    • Read your insurance policy so you know what you are covered for. Our legal team can help you understand your policy if you are uncertain about what it says or means.
    • Let your insurance company know you were in a car accident. You may be able to do this via a form on their website or app or by calling the insurance company.
    • Let Rosenberg & Rosenberg’s car crash lawyers in Fort Lauderdale speak to the insurer on your behalf as much as possible. If they really do need to talk to you directly (e.g., they want to interview you), we will prepare you ahead of time.
    • Always be respectful and polite to the adjuster, even if you are turning down their request.
    • Follow up with the insurance company (or have our Fort Lauderdale attorneys do so) if you have not heard back from them in a while. The insurer is supposed to handle your case in a reasonable period of time. You want to keep the ball rolling and make sure they respect your right to a timely claims process.

    What Not to Do After a Car Accident

    The insurer knows various tactics to get claimants to drop their cases or accept far less money than they deserve. Here is a list of things to be aware of as you navigate your case:

    • Do not give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company. Whatever you say can come back to hurt you.
    • Do not wait to file your claim after your accident. Your claim may be denied if you delay.
    • Do not sign anything, including a release, waiver, or any other document, without first consulting with our Fort Lauderdale law firm. If you sign a document that waives your rights, you cannot revoke your agreement afterward.
    • Do not agree to any settlement offer or deposit any money from the insurance company, as you may not receive a fair amount without our lawyers on your side. The insurer is counting on your willingness to accept a fast but inadequate offer to complete your case as soon as possible. Do not give them the chance.
    • Do not post about your collision on social media. The insurance company will be looking for any material they can use, including your social media posts, to undermine your claim.

    It is often best not to talk to the insurer directly at all. When they get in touch with you, give them our contact information, and our car accident injury lawyers can take care of the rest.

    Fort Lauderdale Car Accident FAQs

    After an automobile accident, it is natural to have many questions about what you should do and what will happen next.

    The questions and answers provided below are a general overview of the kind of information you may find useful. For legal advice that takes the specifics of your situation into account, you are always welcome to talk to our law firm. The car injury lawyers at Rosenberg & Rosenberg will be happy to answer every question you put to us.

    How Long Do Car Accident Settlements Take?

    Every traffic accident case is different. Cases that are relatively straightforward may be resolved more quickly than complex cases (e.g., those involving multiple liable parties). If the insurance company agrees to settle out of court right away, you could get your money sooner than if our legal team needs to spend a lot of time negotiating or take your case to trial.

    When you speak to us for the first time, we will ask many questions about your situation so we can get a rough idea of what steps we might have to take to resolve your claim. We keep our clients updated as their cases move through the system so they always know what is happening and how long the process may take.

    What Happens if Someone Passes Away in a Car Accident?

    As Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports, over 200 people in Broward County lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in 2023. If this is the situation you face, know that you have every right to seek justice by filing a wrongful death case against the at-fault driver. This process is similar to the one for seeking personal injury damages:

    • Keep all evidence related to the accident and your loved one’s passing
    • Identify the party or parties who caused the motor vehicle crash
    • File a wrongful death claim or lawsuit against the liable party’s insurer and pursue an accident settlement or jury award
    • Speak to Rosenberg & Rosenberg’s Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyers as soon as you can to protect your rights and take the legal burden off your shoulders

    On behalf of everyone at Rosenberg & Rosenberg, we are deeply sorry for your loss. The legal representatives with our firm can fight hard to hold the at-fault party accountable so you can obtain a measure of peace. Your family could also be entitled to damages for:

    • Your loved one’s losses: If the deceased was not able to complete a legal action of their own, our wrongful death attorneys could fight for the things they lost, including final medical bills and disability.
    • Loss of companionship: Your loved one meant the world to you, and you can recover damages for the fact that they are no longer with you.
    • Loss of financial support: Anyone who depended on the deceased person’s income can receive compensation for the loss of that support.
    • Funeral bills: This covers the cost of the service, cremation, burial, coffin, estate settlement, and any other end-of-life expenses.

    What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Fort Lauderdale?

    Car accidents have many different causes, chief among them being driver negligence. Some common forms of driver negligence include:

    That said, drivers are not always responsible for car crashes. Our law firm can still help you if your collision involved:

    • Debris left in the street—even something as small as grass clippings can have an enormous effect on road safety
    • Street signs that were missing or knocked down
    • Reduced visibility caused by overgrown branches or poor street planning
    • An employer who pushed their drivers to work until they were exhausted and unable to concentrate
    • An employer who failed to maintain their vehicles or to ensure their drivers were trained and licensed in accordance with state or federal law
    • Cargo loaders who did not ensure the vehicle’s load was balanced and secure

    If you were not to blame for your crash, it is very possible that someone else was. At Rosenberg & Rosenberg, our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys can identify the party (or parties) who you can hold responsible.

    When Should You Hire a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney?

    In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit depends on your circumstances. For instance:

    • For the majority of claimants, the deadline is generally two years from the date of the accident, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11. In other words, if you were injured in a car accident, you have two years to initiate legal proceedings against the party you believe to be at fault.
    • If your loved one passed away because of the car accident, you are allowed two years from the date of their death to begin your case.
    • Under Florida Statutes § 95.051, the deadline may be extended in certain situations, such as if the liable party has left the state.
    • If you plan on suing the government, there are very specific notification requirements you must follow. You typically have a much shorter amount of time to start a case against a government entity than against other kinds of at-fault parties.

    Given these complexities and the potential for exceptions based on the specifics of your case, it is a good idea to let our car crash lawyers review your case as soon as possible. Consulting promptly with Rosenberg & Rosenberg can ensure that you fully understand the applicable statute of limitations and, most importantly, preserve your right to bring a lawsuit and collect compensation.

    What Happens if the Other Driver Fled the Accident Scene?

    As previously mentioned, the responsible party is obligated to provide certain types of information after injuring someone in an auto accident. They must also help you get medical attention if necessary. It is illegal to leave the scene of an injury or fatal accident without performing these tasks. Accidents where this occurs are called hit-and-run collisions.

    Pursuing compensation after a hit-and-run can be difficult. First, we and the police will try to find the driver. If we locate them, we can proceed with a personal injury claim. If the driver cannot be found, our personal injury attorneys can:

    • File a claim with your PIP insurance
    • Look for other liable parties who might have contributed to your accident and who we can pursue for compensation

    Can You Afford to Hire Our Traffic Accident Lawyer?

    We realize finances can be tight, especially in the wake of an accident. It is for this reason we promise our clients that we will not charge them a dime until we win their case.

    Our legal team is confident in our ability to advocate for you, which is why we only collect attorneys’ fees if we secure a financial recovery. If you do not receive compensation by the end of your case, Rosenberg & Rosenberg absorbs the costs so you can walk away without owing us anything.

    Our Fort Lauderdale Car Crash Law Firm Charges Nothing Up Front

    Whether you were involved in a head-on, rear-end, or side-swipe collision, this is a difficult time for you and your family. We understand you want guidance and are here to provide it.

    Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers have over 50 years of experience and a determination to help all of our clients receive a fair settlement for their losses. Call now to get a free case evaluation with Rosenberg & Rosenberg if you have been injured. Our dedicated legal team will provide an honest assessment of your case and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.