Car Accidents

Car Accident Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale

Filing a lawsuit after a serious auto accident is probably the last thing on your mind. But it is important to think about; how obtaining compensation can help you recover as fully as possible and provide resources to make up for lost income. Of course, money cannot bring back your loved one or guarantee a full recovery. Having financial security, however, can remove one source of anxiety and allow you to concentrate on what matters most.

Most Common Types of Car Accidents:

Among the myriad scenarios that play out on Fort Lauderdale’s roads, seven types of accidents stand out due to their frequency and the unique challenges they present to victims seeking justice and compensation:

DUI Accidents: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs judgment, reaction times, and overall driving ability, leading to devastating consequences for everyone on the road.

Hit and Run: These incidents involve a driver causing an accident and then unlawfully leaving the scene without providing contact information or aiding the injured, complicating the victim’s ability to seek compensation.

Distracted Driving: With the rise of smartphones, in-car entertainment systems, and other electronic devices, distracted driving has become a leading cause of accidents. This negligence takes the driver’s attention away from the road, often resulting in collisions.

Rear-end Collisions: Often a result of tailgating or sudden braking, rear-end collisions can cause severe whiplash, spinal injuries, and other harm, even at low speeds.

T-Bone Accidents: Occurring primarily at intersections, these accidents involve the side of one vehicle being struck by the front or rear of another, often due to failing to yield, running red lights, or other negligent behaviors.

Multiple Vehicle Pile-Ups: These accidents involve three or more vehicles and can occur on busy roads or highways, often as a result of chain-reaction collisions. Determining fault can be complex due to the number of parties involved, making legal assistance crucial.

Head-On Collisions: These occur when the fronts of two vehicles collide with each other. This type of accident is especially dangerous due to the high speed and force of impact, leading to serious injuries or fatalities. Common causes include wrong-way driving, driver fatigue, and driving under the influence.

Understanding the type of accident you’ve experienced is the first step towards seeking the compensation and support you need to recover. Our team of car accident lawyers is here to help guide you through this complex process, ensuring you’re not alone in this challenging time.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale?

A car accident is a stressful and overwhelming event, and knowing what to do immediately afterward can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Acting quickly and responsibly will help protect your health, safety, and legal rights.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident in Fort Lauderdale:

• Check for Injuries: The first thing to do is ensure your safety and the safety of others involved in the accident. If anyone is injured, call for emergency medical assistance immediately. If you’re physically able, check on other passengers in your vehicle and the other parties involved.
• Call the Police: Always call the police to report the accident. An official police report is crucial for documenting the incident and can be important when filing a claim or pursuing legal action. The police will also ensure that medical help arrives and that the scene is cleared safely.
• Exchange Information: Collect the names, contact details, and insurance information from all drivers involved. This includes the make, model, and license plate numbers of all vehicles. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information as well. Do not admit fault at this point.
• Document the Scene: Use your phone to take photos of the damage to vehicles, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. If possible, take pictures of skid marks, road conditions, and any traffic signs or signals relevant to the accident.
• Do Not Admit Fault: Never admit fault or say anything that could be construed as an admission of liability, such as “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you.” Even if you feel partially responsible, the determination of fault is a complex process and should be left to the authorities and your attorney.
• Seek Medical Attention: Even if you don’t feel injured, it’s crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Some injuries, like whiplash or concussions, may not show symptoms immediately but can worsen over time. Early medical documentation can strengthen your claim.
• Consult A Car Accident Lawyer: Before communicating with your insurance company or the other driver’s insurer, it’s highly advisable to consult with a skilled car accident attorney. Insurance adjusters may not have your best interests at heart, and a lawyer can help ensure that you’re fairly compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

By following these steps, you can ensure that you protect both your health and your legal rights after a car accident.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents can result in injuries ranging from mild to catastrophic. While some injuries may seem minor at first, others can have long-lasting effects that require years of treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery. 

Some of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents include:

• Cuts and Abrasions: While cuts and abrasions are typically not life-threatening, they carry the risk of infections if not treated properly. In some cases, scarring may result, in requiring additional medical care or plastic surgery.
• Whiplash: Whiplash occurs when the neck and head are forced into a rapid back-and-forth motion, like the cracking of a whip. This injury can cause neck pain, stiffness, dizziness, headaches, and in severe cases, long-term spinal damage. Treatment may involve physical therapy, pain management, and, in some cases, surgery.
• Muscle, Tendon, and Ligament Injuries: When a vehicle suddenly stops or changes direction, the body moves abruptly, leading to muscle strains, ligament sprains, or tendon injuries. These injuries can affect the back, legs, or arms, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty moving.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal injuries are among the most serious and may require immediate surgical intervention and long-term care. The impact of an accident can also cause slipped discs or compression fractures in the spine, which can result in chronic pain and discomfort.
• Head and Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can occur in accidents where the head strikes an object or the windshield. These injuries range from mild concussions to severe brain trauma. TBI can cause cognitive issues, memory loss, emotional changes, and long-term disabilities.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Broken bones typically require immediate treatment, including casting, surgery, and follow-up care. Some fractures may require long-term rehabilitation, and victims may be left with permanent physical disabilities that affect their quality of life.

These injuries can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial impacts. It’s crucial to consult with a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer to ensure you receive fair compensation for your pain, suffering, medical bills, and long-term needs.

Determining Fault in a Car Accident

In order to recover compensation for damages after a car accident, you must first determine who was at fault for the incident. Establishing fault is a critical step in the legal process, as it determines who is liable for your medical bills, property damage, and other expenses.

Key factors in determining fault include:

• Negligence: Proving that the other driver failed to exercise reasonable care.
• Comparative Negligence: In Florida, compensation can be reduced based on the degree of fault.
• Evidence Gathering: Photos, witness statements, and police reports all play a role in establishing fault.
• Police Reports and Traffic Laws: Violations of traffic laws can serve as critical evidence in determining fault.

Determining fault can be complex, especially when multiple parties are involved or the evidence is unclear. That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced car accident lawyer who can help investigate the incident and gather the necessary evidence to build a strong case.

What Happens If the Other Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured?

If the driver at fault in your accident doesn’t have insurance or lacks enough coverage, it can complicate the claims process. However, Florida law requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which can help cover some of your medical costs. Additionally, a car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can help you pursue alternative options for compensation, such as filing a claim with your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or exploring other sources of recovery.

We Handle all Car Crash Claims

Our trial attorneys handle car crash cases resulting from:

Call Our Fort Lauderdale Law Firm Today

Car accidents cause thousands of serious injuries and deaths each year. Drivers and passengers suffer spinal cord injuries and paralysis, head and brain injuries, broken limbs, and damage to internal organs. Some of the injured never return to full functioning even after months or years of treatment and therapy. Others experience the pain of losing a child, spouse, sibling, or parent.

At Coffey McPharlin in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, our attorneys help victims of catastrophic car accidents get the compensation they need to move forward with their lives. You owe it to yourself and your family to find out about your legal options. Call our car accident attorneys at (954) 289-6316 to learn more about how we can put our 20-plus years of combined legal experience to work on your claim.