Fort Lauderdale, Florida Auto Accident Attorneys
Car accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury accidents and can have a devastating impact on victims. Car crashes can cause catastrophic physical injuries, emotional trauma, and an inability to live your life as you had before.
Along with the pain of severe car accident injuries, victims will have to find a way to pay for steep medical costs, property damage, and lost wages. You need the experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers at The Russo Firm.
A car accident attorney will evaluate your accident to determine if you can file a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages. Our team will help hold the at-fault party responsible for their negligent behavior that led to your injuries.
The personal injury lawyers at Russo Law Firm have decades of experience helping car accident victims and can apply that experience to your case.
Why Choose The Russo Firm for Your Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim?
Following a Fort Lauderdale car accident, you need a personal injury lawyer who has your best interests in mind and the skills necessary to handle your claim effectively. At Russo Law Firm, our car accident lawyers work to get an intimate understanding of your struggles after a vehicle crash. This lets us effectively negotiate a settlement to account for your car accident damages.
The attorneys in our Fort Lauderdale office work locally, driving down the same streets and intersections where car accidents happen. Our car crash lawyers use this knowledge about Fort Lauderdale to add specificity and detail to your car accident claim.
We are also available to regularly communicate with our clients to ensure your thoughts and concerns are addressed in any settlement or award.
Contact Russo Law Firm today for a free consultation to learn how personal injury lawyers can assist with your Fort Lauderdale car accident claim. Call our Fort Lauderdale office at (954) 767-0676.
Where Do Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents Commonly Occur?
Fort Lauderdale, the largest city in Broward County, has its fair share of car accidents caused by distracted driving, speeding, and drunk driving. According to the most recent report from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (FLHSMV) department, there were 40,173 motor vehicle crashes in Broward County, resulting in 24,481 injuries and 209 deaths.
In its most recent Crash Facts report, FLHSMV reported the Fort Lauderdale area had a three-year average of 38,756 crashes with injuries and fatalities, down 1.31% from the previous reporting period. There was an average of 279 fatal auto crashes, an increase of 2.86%, and 21,924 auto accidents with injuries, an increase of 2.80% from the previous year.
There are some streets in Fort Lauderdale that are statistically more dangerous than others, with a higher concentration of accidents over the last couple of years.
The following are some the most dangerous streets in Florida for car crashes:
- East Las Olas Boulevard
- A1A (Fort Lauderdale)
- South Flamingo Road
- Interstate 75/I-75 (Everglades Parkway)
- State Road 84 (Marina Mile Boulevard)
- State Road/SR 91 (Florida Turnpike)
- Pembroke Road
Causes of Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents
Causes of Fort Lauderdale car accidents normally boil down to negligent behavior behind the wheel. It is up to the drivers on the road to exercise caution when operating their vehicles. Any Fort Lauderdale driver who breaches the duty of care they owe other drivers can share liability in a car accident claim.
Duty of care refers to driving safely based on acceptable standards of the road, including following road rules, driving with two hands on the wheel, and keeping your focus on the road rather than a manual, physical, or cognitive distraction.
The following are some of the negligent driving behaviors that can cause a Fort Lauderdale car accident:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving (ignoring road rules)
- Not using turn signals
- Road rage
Types of Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents
Where and how another car strikes your car can dictate the severity of damage to the driver and passengers and how much property damage occurs. Some types of car collisions, such as head-on collisions, put the driver and passengers in greater danger by exposing them to a higher risk of physical trauma.
The type of car collision can also change based on how many cars were involved in the crash. The most common type of auto collision involves two cars. However, congested highways like I-95 can put multiple cars, trucks, and other commercial vehicles in danger of a multi-car accident.
Sometimes, a single-vehicle accident results in catastrophic injury or wrongful death. A seasoned personal injury attorney may discover a defective product was to blame for this type of crash. In these cases, you can seek to hold the manufacturer responsible for your losses.
Following are some of the types of Fort Lauderdale car accidents:
- Rear-end collision
- Sideswipe accident
- T-bone accident
- Rollover accident
- Head-on collision
- Multi-car crash
- Single-car accident
Severe Injuries Caused by Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents
Car accident victims can suffer severe injuries due to the direct, high-speed trauma provided by another moving vehicle. Blunt force trauma from another object striking your body can provide enough pressure to crack bones, injure the brain, or cause internal bleeding.
Severe injuries can also result from impact with objects outside of the car. A car accident can bring a driver or passenger into contact with a hard object, possibly pressing them up against it and causing a crushing injury. Penetrating trauma can occur when a sharp object like shattered glass penetrates the body and causes soft tissue and internal damage.
The following are some of the types of severe injuries that can result from a Fort Lauderdale car accident:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Broken bones
- Back and neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Facial injuries
- Knee injuries
Florida Car Accident Regulations
No-Fault Laws
Florida is a no-fault state, which requires drivers to purchase personal injury protection insurance (PIP) that covers up to $10,000 worth of medical costs and lost wages. PIP is designed to assist in covering medical expenses and, in certain instances, lost wages and other costs stemming from injuries sustained in a car accident, regardless of fault. However, Florida car accident victims are legally allowed to file a fault-based claim or lawsuit for bodily injury damages caused by a negligent party (Florida Statute 627.737)Notifying Law Enforcement
Any driver involved in a car accident that resulted in severe injury, death, or at least $500 worth of property damages must notify the local police department of the car crash.Florida Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim in Fort Lauderdale is two years (Florida Statute 95.11). The statute can begin to run on the day of the accident or the date when you realize you have injuries related to the crash. If a claim is not filed within this time limit, you will no longer be able to bring a claim.Comparative Negligence
Florida courts apply comparative negligence in car accident claims. Comparative negligence involves the court deciding how much each party involved in a car accident contributed to the crash. The court will assign blame to each party involved (including the plaintiff) to determine what percentage each party is responsible for paying. For example, let’s say a driver is distracted, runs a red light, and crashes into you as you pass through an intersection. However, at the time, you were traveling ten miles per hour above the speed limit. Although the distracted driver contributed more to the car accident, their insurance company may argue that you could have reacted to the car and avoided an accident if you didn’t break the speed limit. In this case, the court will determine what percentage you contributed to the car accident and deduct that percentage from your settlement or award. You do not have to try to figure out how these rules and laws apply to your car accident claim. An experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can evaluate the specific circumstances of your crash and help ensure you receive the maximum compensation available.How Can a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer Help With Your Car Accident Claim?
With our experience in personal injury law, we can effectively maximize your potential compensation. A local car accident attorney can assist in the claims process by applying their legal experience and knowledge of the Fort Lauderdale area to put you in the best position to recover damages. Lawyers are skilled negotiators, familiar with dealing with insurance companies.
During a Fort Lauderdale car accident settlement negotiation, the at-fault party’s insurance company will do everything possible to limit your settlement to keep the company’s profits up. We can handle the negotiation, see through any attempts to limit your compensation and combat those attempts to preserve your potential fair compensation.
If we can’t reach a settlement, we are prepared to take your case to court. A personal injury lawsuit will allow you to seek compensation for damages directly from the responsible party through the legal system.
The following are some of the ways a car accident lawyer can help you with a Fort Lauderdale car accident:
- Assess your damages.
- Determine the liable party.
- Draft and send out the demand letter.
- Collect evidence to prove your case.
- Interview expert witnesses.
- Collect records to provide a timeline of your accident and injuries.
- Negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
- Represent you in court.
Establishing Liability in a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim
You can file a Fort Lauderdale car accident claim if another party behaved negligently, resulting in you suffering injuries and other damages.
Filing a car accident claim allows you to attempt to hold the at-fault party responsible for their negligence and receive a settlement from their insurance company.
The first party we look to for liability in a Fort Lauderdale car accident claim is the other driver. If they caused the accident because of negligent driving behavior, they could be held liable for the damages they caused. Some of this negligent driving behavior can include speeding, distracted driving, and not using turn signals.
However, sometimes a car accident seemingly caused by another driver can be the result of a defective car part. For example, defective brakes may cause a car accident that looks like an aggressive driver caused it by blowing a stop sign. In that case, you can hold the designer, manufacturer, seller, or distributor of the defective car part liable in a product liability claim.
Elements of Negligence
With the help of an experienced car accident attorney, you can prove that all four elements of negligence were present in your car accident.
Those four elements of negligence are:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care.
- The other driver breached their duty of care.
- You suffered severe injuries and damages.
- The breach of duty of care caused the damages.
Evidence That Can Help Prove Liability
A car accident lawyer can collect evidence to help prove liability in a car accident claim. This tangible evidence can help to establish the conditions in which the accident happened. It can also show a connection between the car accident and the damages you are pursuing compensation for.
The following is some of the evidence that can help prove fault in a Fort Lauderdale vehicle accident claim:
- Police report
- Witness statements
- Accident reconstruction
- Scene surveys
- Video or photographs
- Medical records
- Insurance statements
- Expert testimony
- Documentation of the victim’s damages
Typical Damages Available for a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim
You can pursue two types of damages in a car accident claim: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are those with a monetary value or bill attached to them, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
Non-economic damages are intangible damages that reflect how your life has changed following the car accident. Here are some examples of each:
Economic Damages
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Disability costs
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
Russo Law Firm Case Results
At Russo Law Firm, we know the pressure victims can feel trying to secure fair compensation for themselves as they deal with the fallout of a car accident. Our main goal is to represent our clients so they can focus on their recovery.
This is not just about handling the claims process but doing everything in our power to secure the best possible financial outcome for car accident damages.
Our car accident lawyers are not interested in quick settlements that leave our clients without full financial restitution. We will work for you and continue the negotiation process until you receive fair compensation. If a fair settlement cannot be reached with the at-fault party’s insurance company, we have no issue with representing you in court.
The following are some of the case results Russo Law Firm has earned for clients:
- $3.3 Million for Automobile Accident Against Drunk Driver
- $2.4 Million for Medical Malpractice Misdiagnosis
- $2 Million for Wrongful Death Trucking Accident
- $1.75 Million Product Liability Jury Award for Crushed Hand
- $650,000 Automobile Accident Jury Award for Reconstructed Knee
Contact The Russo Firm for Help with Your Car Accident Claim
Fort Lauderdale car accident victims need a local car accident law firm that knows the specifics of how the city’s streets, intersections, and highways operate.
This knowledge can add depth to a car accident claim, along with tangible evidence that can help prove a case. Fort Lauderdale car accident victims should seek legal advice from locally based Russo Law Firm.
The experienced car accident lawyers at Russo Law Firm have a proven track record of earning fair compensation for Fort Lauderdale clients for decades.
Our personal injury attorneys believe in providing personalized attention to put you in the best position to receive fair compensation for your car accident damages. Let us help you assess your claim, file your claim, and negotiate a settlement so you can focus on recovering from your car accident injuries.
At Russo Law Firm, we offer free consultations to personal injury victims. Learn how we can help with your case.
If you suffered damages from a Fort Lauderdale car accident, contact a injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale at (954) 767-0676 or leave a message on our online contact page.
The Russo Firm – Fort Lauderdale
110 E Broward Blvd #1700
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
P: (954) 767-0676