Drivers in Fort Lauderdale understand that special caution is needed when navigating its unique roadways. Especially during the winter months, Fort Lauderdale is a desirable destination for tourists who want to enjoy its beautiful beaches, cultural attractions, and energetic nightlife. These visitors are typically unfamiliar with local roads and traffic patterns, posing an increased risk of car accidents. Additionally, Fort Lauderdale is home to a large number of retired and elderly residents. As people age, their reflexes, vision, and cognitive abilities can diminish, making them more prone to accidents caused by driving errors. In such cases, consulting a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can be crucial for navigating the aftermath of an accident.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were a total of 40,218 car accidents in Broward County in 2023. These crashes resulted in 210 deaths and 24,506 injuries.
If you live in or near Fort Lauderdale and have suffered traumatic injuries in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. Recovering from a collision is almost always a painful process, and insurance companies don’t make it any easier.
Call a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney to eliminate the stress associated with your recovery. Hiring a skilled auto accident lawyer like Steinger, Greene & Feiner ensures that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve when insurance companies try to convince you otherwise.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale
Have you been injured in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale? Speak with a knowledgeable Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer before giving a recorded statement to your insurance company. Hiring an auto accident attorney with local legal expertise ensures you will be able to successfully navigate complex insurance claims and Florida’s court systems.
For example, in Fort Lauderdale, you have four years from the date of the car crash to take legal action. However, it’s best to file a personal injury claim sooner rather than later. If you decide to file a lawsuit after some time has passed from the accident, whatever you said to your insurance company during that time will be used against you in your case and you may be unable to get the full compensation you deserve.
Call our car accident lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner in Fort Lauderdale. Our team knows how to navigate Fort Lauderdale’s unique legal landscape like we do its local roadways.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
For over 20 years, Steinger, Greene & Feiner have represented car accident victims in the greater Fort Lauderdale area, so we’ve seen every type of accident imaginable. Our team of Fort Lauderdale car wreck lawyers understands that accidents happen. However, they are preventable.
Knowing how accidents are caused not only helps keep you safe on the roads, but it can also aid your legal defense and claims. Below are some of the most common types of car accidents and their causes:
- Speeding: Driving significantly over posted speed limits reduces reaction time, making it highly unlikely to prevent an accident.
- Distracted Driving: Our cell phones present all sorts of distractions while driving. We use them in the car for music and navigation. However, rear-end collisions can be caused by distracted drivers who fail to stop due to looking at their phones or whatever is going on outside the car. Don’t let this happen to you. Your phone can wait until you’re done operating your motor vehicle.
- Driving under the influence/DUI: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol dulls the senses, slowing reaction times and impairing decision-making. This poses a danger to everyone on the road. There were over 300 crashes including 4 fatalities in Broward County in 2022 due to alcohol-impaired driving according to Florida Traffic Crash report data.
- Reckless Driving: Weaving through traffic, tailgating, and cutting off other drivers are examples of reckless driving that can lead to severe accidents.
- Hazardous Weather: Rainy or snowy conditions create slick roads, increasing the risk of vehicles to slide and lose control. Always exercise extra caution when operating a motor vehicle in these types of conditions.
- Running Intersections: We all have places to be. If you’re running late for work or an appointment, it can be tempting to ignore traffic signage that slows you down. However, disregarding red lights and stop signs by running through intersections is a leading cause of vehicle collisions.
- Inexperienced Driving: Teenage drivers may fail to react appropriately to new driving situations due to inexperience on the road, increasing the risk of motor vehicle accidents.
- Vehicle or Road Defects: Faulty brakes that fail to work when it counts can cause rear-end collisions. Likewise, insufficient drainage can lead to water pooling on the roads. Variables in your vehicle and on the road pose risks to accidents and bodily injury.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Safety should be your first concern immediately after a car accident in Fort Lauderdale. Seek prompt medical attention right away, even if injuries seem minor, as this creates a valuable documentation trail that will be useful in your case later on.
Once you’ve received any necessary medical care and regained your composure, exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers involved. However, do not admit any fault during these exchanges. You should notify your insurance provider about the accident, but consult a car crash lawyer before providing any sort of recorded statement. Insurance companies will try to use anything you say to minimize payouts, so speaking with an experienced auto accident attorney first secures your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Strengthen your case by thoroughly documenting the accident scene for evidence. Use your phone to take photos and videos of all vehicle damage, and injuries sustained, and get accounts from any eyewitnesses. Contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department to file an official accident report and further document your damages.
Don’t discuss the accident details with anyone except your lawyer – and avoid posting anything about them on social media. Attorney-client confidentiality protects your private discussions. Public statements, on the other hand, can potentially undermine your case. An experienced car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale understands these nuances, and timely legal consultation increases your chances for a maximum settlement.
Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Statistics
In 2017, there were 402,385 car accidents throughout Florida. Those accidents resulted in 3,116 fatalities and 254,310 injuries. Alcohol played a role in 5,125 of those accidents, and drugs played a role in 668. Operating a vehicle carelessly or negligently was the most common cause of accidents, followed by failure to yield the right of way and following too closely.
In Broward County, the home of Fort Lauderdale, there were a total of 41,337 accidents in 2017. These crashes resulted in 24,762 injuries and 225 fatalities.
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Getting the Most for Your Car Accident
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, requiring drivers to carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Unless you can prove you suffered an emergency medical condition after a motor vehicle accident in Fort Lauderdale, your insurance benefits may be limited to only $2,500 from your coverage. This may not be enough to cover all your medical expenses. Furthermore, if you are found partially at fault for the accident, the compensation you receive could be reduced even more. The “emergency medical condition” (EMC) allows access to the full $10,000.
While not mandatory for all drivers in Florida, Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) of insurance is essential when filing lawsuits for damages beyond PIP limits. Encouraging drivers to carry BIL coverage would provide additional protection.
An experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney can help maximize the claim benefits you receive. Insurance companies often try to underpay what you truly deserve following an accident. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, many of our attorneys handling these types of cases previously worked for insurance companies, which gives us a unique advantage over other attorneys as well as the insurers we’re fighting against.
For instance, after an accident, your insurance company may offer a settlement covering only the amounts outlined in your PIP policy. This initial offer will likely be far less than what you actually deserve, and it may contain binding language restricting you to that offer amount.
Do not accept this first settlement offer, because the moment you do you forfeit your right to pursue greater compensation for any damages incurred from the accident.
Instead, consult a car accident lawyer with proven records of cases to discuss all your legal options and rights—regardless of who was at fault—to ensure you receive the full and fair compensation you are owed by law.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
Residents and tourists traveling some of Fort Lauderdale’s busiest roads, like I-95, Everglades Parkway, and the Florida Turnpike, will see dangerous results if they’re not careful or if the drivers around them aren’t exercising caution.
Steinger, Greene & Feiner have worked with clients who have been victims in just about every situation imaginable, so we understand the nuances and legal strategies involved with each unique case.
Below are some of the most common types of car accidents and their causes:
- Rear-end Collisions: Rear-end collisions can be caused by distracted drivers who fail to stop due to looking at their phones or whatever is going on outside the car. Based on the point of impact, these types of collisions can result in head, back, and neck injuries. They can be temporary or permanent, so it is imperative to seek medical care immediately following a rear-end collision.
- Head-on Collisions: Perhaps you’re driving at night on a rural highway with a lack of lighting, and an oncoming car neglects to turn its headlights on. You might not see it and it may swerve suddenly, entering your lane and causing a head-on collision. These types of collisions may lead to facial, head, neck, and shoulder injuries which may also be temporary or permanent. Permanent injuries can cause emotional stress or recurring pain and suffering which may affect the quality of life for some.
- T-Bone, or Side Collision: Side collisions can be caused by someone blowing a stop light or running an intersection because they’re late for work. Depending on the speed, an impact on the side of your vehicle can cause injury to the lower back or lower limbs. Broken hips or broken legs are common after a T-Bone, or side collision.
- Parked Car Accidents: Just because your vehicle isn’t moving doesn’t mean you can’t fall victim to a car accident. You may be parked and get struck by another vehicle whose driver can’t see you in their blind spot. Depending on the speed of that other vehicle, the accident may result in an injury.
- Drunk Driving Accidents, DUI: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol dulls the senses, slowing reaction times and impairing decision-making. Intoxicated drivers pose a higher risk of being involved in a car accident involving others. Highway drunk driving accidents can be fatal and involve a number of cars.
Legal Strategies for Car Accident Claims
Successful auto accident lawyers will use a variety of services and techniques to make sure that your rights are protected while you recover from physical or emotional damage sustained in an accident.
When we take on your case, the team of car accident lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner will initiate an investigation to uncover the details of your accident. One of the first steps involves obtaining a copy of the medical and police reports. These documents contain crucial information such as the location, time, extent of injuries, road and weather conditions, determination of fault, and other relevant facts.
An experienced attorney will use the information in these reports to enlist the services of an accident reconstructionist. Accident reconstructionists are experts who apply principles of physics and engineering to recreate the precise sequence of events leading to the collision. Their analysis aids in establishing accident causes as well as faults.
Your car accident lawyer may consult additional experts like medical professionals and psychologists to further strengthen your case. These specialists assess the nature and extent of your injuries, both physical and mental.
Our car accident lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner have been using techniques like these for over a decade, safeguarding the interests of individuals and their families. In addition to connecting you with local community resources for emotional and financial support, we will collect and review all documents and photographs related to the case, negotiate with insurance companies, and prepare for possible litigation. By holistically evaluating your case in this manner, we can calculate and award you a realistic figure for the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Compensation and Damages
If you’ve been in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale and your injury results in medical and other expenses exceeding the scope of your PIP coverage, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover additional losses. These damages are generally divided into two main categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages aim to compensate you for the actual financial losses incurred, such as:
- Medical expenses above the PIP policy limit of $10,000, including hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, and long-term care.
- Lost wages exceeding the PIP limit of $10,000, covering both past income loss from missed work and potential future lost earnings if your injury affects your ability to work long-term.
- Property damage costs, such as vehicle repairs or replacement, along with any out-of-pocket costs for rentals or alternative transportation.
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as prescriptions, assistive devices (like crutches or wheelchairs), and travel costs for medical appointments.
Non-economic damages cover losses that don’t have a direct monetary value but deeply affect your quality of life. These may include:
- Pain and suffering, both physical pain from the injury and emotional suffering caused by trauma.
- Mental anguish and emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life, if your injuries prevent you from engaging in activities you once enjoyed.
- Permanent disabilities or impairments, which may lead to a lifetime of altered living conditions or the need for ongoing medical support.
By highlighting both economic and non-economic damages, our team at Steinger, Greene & Feiner ensures you receive fair compensation that fully accounts for your immediate financial needs and the long-term impact on your quality of life.
Choosing the Right Car Accident Lawyer
Steinger, Greene & Feiner is your best choice for a knowledgeable and compassionate car accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale. We blend experience with success to achieve results for our clients. Our team of dedicated auto accident lawyers has a combined track record of 10 decades.
When seeking legal representation following a motor vehicle accident in Fort Lauderdale, it’s crucial to choose an attorney with the right expertise. You’ll want to work with a lawyer who has relevant knowledge of Florida’s car accident laws and other regulations that may apply to your unique claim. A car accident injury attorney will research the outcomes of past cases and leverage this knowledge to advocate for you and achieve a favorable outcome.
Our Fort Lauderdale Law Office is Rated 4.9 Stars
Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury law firm has received an average rating of 4.9 stars out of 5 with over 500 reviews. Our team works hard to ensure that every one of our clients leaves our Broward County law firm with the maximum check they deserve. We fight for you! You can see all of our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers’ reviews here.
Client Testimonials
2727 Northwest 62nd Street, Fort Lauderdale
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My attorney was Jason Bathaman, am pleased with the outcome of my case. Jason and Matthew facilitated the experience from beginning to the end. Jason was extremely informative and assisted me along the way to assure my needs were taken … More care of. There are many injury law firms across South Florida and I will most definitely recommend this firm. Nothing beats having direct access to your lawyers at all times.Thank you so much . -
Very Professional staff, communication was very clear and in a timely manner. Julia was always available within 24 hours of me contacting her. Made very easy for me to get through this difficult time period of my life. God Bless this firm. … More
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This Law Firm was professional from day 1. They return calls and you speak directly to your attorney. They’re NOT AFRAID of trial either unlike some others. They’re upfront about what’s going on with your case and I appreciate that. Although, … More my case didn’t go to trail because of the other side’s lack of insurance, I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS LAW FIRM WHOLEHEARTEDLY
Speak with an Expert Car Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale
If you have been injured in a car wreck in the Fort Lauderdale area, you have legal options. Our experienced auto accident attorneys at Steinger, Greene & Feiner know how to navigate local and state laws for you, and we are intimately familiar with the local court systems. The sooner you call our Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyers following an accident, the sooner you’ll find relief.
Call Steinger, Greene & Feiner at (954) 302-7080 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneytoday. We also welcome you to our offices: 2727 NW 62nd St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309.