Car Accident Lawyer Serving Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the county seat of Broward County and an extremely popular tourist site in the U.S. This is due to its average year-round temperature of 75.5 °F (24.2 °C) and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. In 2018, Fort Lauderdale hosted over 13 million overnight visitors and it features over 560 hotels with almost 36,000 hotel room accommodations. In addition to its nightlife, beaches and other attractions, there is also the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop, the site of the world’s largest drive-in movie theater which features 13 movie screens. Las Olas Boulevard is also an attractive tourist location that features many diverse shops and it’s also located near the beach. However, along with the attractions, there are also a large number of car accidents which cause serious injuries and fatalities each year.
In 2018, the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported over 41,00 auto accidents in Broward County, Florida, of that, 24,644 resulted in injuries and 237 in fatalities. In December 2018, the county reported a staggering 3,600 car crashes.
Whenever there are a large number of tourists and tourist attractions you also run the risk of having a larger than average number of traffic accidents. Some of the reasons for these accidents can be the result of those drivers who are unfamiliar with the area and, as such, are paying more attention to their current locations as opposed to keeping an eye on the traffic conditions around them. Then you have those vacationers who are driving while intoxicated after spending time in the numerous night clubs in the city. However, the tourists are not all to blame. You still have the local residents who customarily drive while being distracted by cell phones and participate in other forms of negligent behavior when out on the road.
These are things that local hospital emergency rooms see on a regular basis when dealing with auto accident victims. The results of these accidents can range from serious injuries to fatalities and will sometimes require the assistance of a car accident lawyer serving Fort Lauderdale. An experienced car accident attorney may be able to help the victim of a car accident (or their loved ones) pursue compensation for their damages.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Fort LauderdaleThere are many different types and causes of car accidents. Some common causes include:
- Distracted Drivers or Inexperienced Drivers
- Rear-End Collisions, T-bone accidents, Failing to obey traffic laws
- Crashes Involving motorcycles, bikes, pedestrians or commercial vehicles
- Accidents involving Drunk or DUI Drivers
- Accidents involving rideshare services like Lyft and Uber
Whether you speak to a hospital personnel or personal injury lawyers, there are certain types of injuries that are far more common than others. While fatalities sometimes occur, common injuries sustained in car accidents include:
- Back Injuries
- Neck Injuries
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Whiplash
- Various types of bone fractures that may require months to heal
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Muscular tears that may require painful movement rehabilitation
- Paralysis that has resulted from spinal injury
- Disfiguring burns that may require extensive skin grafts
Everyone wants to live in a place in which driving is safe. Therefore, Fort Lauderdale (as the rest of Florida) has very strict laws that are made to keep everyone on its roads safe from negligent driving. Also, Fort Lauderdale Police Officers have the job of making sure that those driving laws are strictly followed. Examples of these driving statutes can be seen when it comes to driving too close to the vehicle in front of you:
- Statute 316.0895 (1) states that “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the highway.”
- Statute 316.0895 (2) states that “It is unlawful for the driver of any motor truck, motor truck drawing another vehicle, or vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer, when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district, to follow within 300 feet of another motor truck, motor truck drawing another vehicle, or vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer.”
You should know that in Florida there is a Statute of Limitations which is involved when filing a lawsuit. In personal injury cases, you’ll have a maximum of 2 years (from the date of the accident) to file your lawsuit. For accidents that have resulted in a fatality, you have just a maximum of 2 years (from the time of the death) to file a lawsuit. If you fail to file your lawsuit within the Statute of Limitations, your lawsuit will likely be dismissed and you may be barred from pursuing your claim. While there are some exceptions, these are extremely rare and should be discussed with an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney. See: Florida Statute section 95.11(3)(a).
See Video: What should I do if I am involved in a car accident in Florida with a drunk driver?
What to Do After a Car Accident in Fort LauderdaleThere are a number of things that you may choose to do after a car accident. These include:
- We encourage you to contact the local police department to report the accident
- Seek immediate medical care by calling Emergency Medical Services or visiting a local emergency room, urgent care, or your own doctor. Keep all copies of your medical records and medical bills.
- Take video and photos of your property damage and the scene of the accident. If you can, take photos of your injuries as well.
- Collect eyewitness statements and contact information including a phone number, email, and home address
- Take photos of the at-fault party's insurance card, registration, and drivers license
In Fort Lauderdale and throughout the state of Florida, there exists a law that requires all motor vehicle drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance. This is also known as no-fault insurance. This means that if you are injured in a car accident, regardless of who was at fault for the collision, your insurance company will be the insurance carrier that is responsible for paying a percentage of your medical bills and lost wages. (SB 896: Motor Vehicle Insurance) Because of this law, Fort Lauderdale drivers are required to carry a PIP policy, which is also known as Personal Injury Protection. The required PIP policy is to be no less than $10,000 worth of coverage. See: SB 896: Motor Vehicle Insurance
While this may seem like a reasonable amount when it comes to car accident medical coverage, in many cases it is far from sufficient. Imagine a car accident in which the accident victim suffered a severe neck injury, lost a limb or suffered paralysis. Just the surgery and hospital stay alone could cost more than $10,000. Add to this, the cost of subsequent medical care and other factors, such as lost job earnings and other miscellaneous expenses. Where is the extra financial support going to come from?
Damages You Can Claim For in a Car AccidentCompensation and damages that you can pursue in your car accident claim include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and/or benefits
- Reduced earning potential
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of Consortium and companionship
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Disfigurement
- Vehicle or property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses
Of course, many car drivers understand that a PIP policy may not be enough to completely cover a serious auto accident. Therefore, many have taken out additional insurance in order to pay for any other accident-related expenses. But what these individuals may not understand is that a serious car accident may end up costing far more than even the total amount of all their insurance resources.
For example, suppose the accident results in a fatality? In such a case, suppose the deceased was the one who provided the entire (or majority) financial support of the family? In addition to funeral and burial costs, what about any lingering medical expenses? Suppose the accident victim requires lifelong care? These are situations that might be discussed with a car accident lawyer serving Fort Lauderdale. Even a so-called “minor car accident” can result in medical expenses that go far beyond what an insurance policy may cover. For assistance, contact the attorneys at Frankl Kominsky for a free consultation for your car accident claim.
How Frankl Kominsky Can Help YouAt Frankl Kominsky, our legal team strives to provide superior personalized service. Our one-on-one approach is something we aim to offer our clients. If you have been injured in an automobile accident due to someone else’s negligent behavior, you should have a dedicated legal team fighting for your rights. Our Florida accident lawyers are committed to helping injured victims. We have over 40 years of combined legal experience handling accident and injury cases, and we are available to assist you in your negligence claim.
Schedule Your Free Personal Injury Consultation TodayContact the attorneys Frankl Kominsky, we are dedicated when it comes to assisting our clients in receiving the best care and obtaining the compensation that they deserve. Your first consultation is absolutely free.
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If you or a loved one are involved in a Fort Lauderdale car accident, discuss your case with a Car Accident Personal Injury Attorney Serving Fort Lauderdale, today! Turn to Frankl Kominsky for comprehensive legal guidance. Call 954-627-1661 or use our Contact Form to set up a free consultation.