Experienced Fort Lauderdale Auto Accident Attorney
Fort Lauderdale Auto Accident Attorney
Find out why we have some of the best Fort Lauderdale auto accident attorneys
Have You Been Involved in an Auto Accident? Don’t Navigate the Legal Process Alone.
Goldberg & Loren, Fort Lauderdale’s premier auto accident attorney, is here to provide the expert guidance and support you need during this difficult time. With years of experience and a track record of successful cases, we have the knowledge and skills necessary to fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
If you’re looking for a dedicated advocate who will prioritize your best interests and help you navigate the complex legal system, look no further than Goldberg & Loren. We will handle all aspects of your case, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, allowing you to focus on your recovery and peace of mind.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Don’t wait; your future is at stake.
Factors Contributing to Motor Vehicle Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
Distracted Driving
One of the primary causes of motor vehicle accidents in Fort Lauderdale is distracted driving. With the advancement of technology, more drivers are tempted to use their phones while driving, which takes their attention away from the road. Whether it’s texting, talking on the phone, or using social media, these distractions can lead to serious accidents.
Reckless Driving
This includes behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and changing lanes without signaling. Reckless drivers not only endanger their own lives but also put others at risk on the road.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious problem in Fort Lauderdale as well. Drunk drivers have impaired judgment and slower reaction times, making them more likely to cause accidents.
Every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 39 minutes. In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2020. These deaths were all preventable. [1]
The influence of drugs, legal or illegal, can also lead to motor vehicle accidents. Drivers who are under the influence of drugs may experience impaired vision, coordination, and judgment, making them a danger to themselves and others on the road.
Fatigued Driving & Speeding
Other common causes of motor vehicle accidents in Fort Lauderdale include fatigued driving and speeding. Fatigue can impair a driver’s ability to react quickly and make sound decisions. Speeding, on the other hand, reduces the amount of time a driver has to react to unexpected situations and increases the severity of injuries in the event of an accident.
Fort Lauderdale averages about 8,000 traffic accidents every year. [2]
Typical Injuries Occurring in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Whiplash
One of the most common injuries in motor vehicle accidents is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are suddenly jerked forward and then backward, causing strain on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck. This type of injury is particularly prevalent in rear-end collisions.
Symptoms of whiplash may include neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty moving the neck.
Economic expenses related to whiplash can reach 30 billion dollars a year in the United States [3]
Broken Bones
Another common injury is broken bones. The force and impact of a motor vehicle accident can result in fractured or broken bones, such as arms, legs, ribs, or even the pelvis. These injuries often require immediate medical attention and may necessitate surgery or immobilization to aid in the healing process.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
A TBI occurs when the head sustains a blow or jolt, causing damage to the brain. Even mild TBIs can have severe consequences, including memory problems, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and in some cases, permanent disability.
Spinal Cord
A severe impact can damage the spinal cord, leading to paralysis, loss of sensation, and impaired bodily functions. These types of injuries often require extensive medical care and ongoing rehabilitation to help accident victims regain as much independence and quality of life as possible.
Other common injuries in motor vehicle accidents include internal injuries, such as lacerations to organs or internal bleeding, as well as burns, disfigurement, and emotional trauma.
When individuals sustain these types of injuries in motor vehicle accidents, they face not only physical pain and emotional distress but also substantial medical expenses and potential loss of wages due to their injuries.
This is why it is important for accident victims to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney at Goldberg & Loren. Skilled legal representation can help accident victims pursue fair compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Guidelines to Follow After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale
- Prioritize your safety: The first and most important thing to do after a car accident is to ensure the safety of yourself and others involved. If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic to prevent further accidents. If you or anyone else is injured, call 911 for emergency medical assistance.
- Exchange information: After ensuring everyone's safety, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. This includes names, phone numbers, addresses, driver's license numbers, and insurance details. It's also advisable to gather contact information from any witnesses to the accident.
- Document the scene: Take photos or videos of the accident scene, including the damage to the vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and any other relevant evidence. This evidence can be important when filing an insurance claim or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
- Report the accident: In Fort Lauderdale, it's necessary to report the accident to law enforcement if there is bodily injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500. Call the police to the scene, and an officer will prepare an accident report. Be sure to request a copy of the police report for your records.
- Seek medical attention: Even if your injuries seem minor or non-existent at the time, it's a good idea to get a medical evaluation after a car accident. Due to high adrenaline levels, an injury may take a while to present as painful. A careful examination by a doctor will not only ensure your well-being but also create a record of any injuries sustained due to the accident, which can be important for your personal injury claim.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the accident to your auto insurance company as soon as possible. Be careful about what you say and avoid admitting fault or downplaying your injuries. Stick to the facts and provide them with the necessary information to process your claim.
- Consult with an experienced car accident attorney:
It's advisable to seek legal representation from an experienced auto accident attorney at Goldberg & Loren. We will review your case, assess your rights, and guide you through the insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit process.
Fort Lauderdale saw an 8.71 percent increase in 2017. [4]
Table of Contents
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Factors Contributing to Motor Vehicle Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
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Typical Injuries Occurring in Motor Vehicle Accidents
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Guidelines to Follow After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale.
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Factors Affecting Fair Compensation for Victims of Car Crashes
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Insurance Companies and Faulty Drivers Involved in Motor Vehicle Accidents
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How An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Win Your Case
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What is the Statute of Limitations for Auto Accidents in Florida?
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Sources
Factors Affecting Fair Compensation for Victims of Car Crashes
One major factor that affects fair compensation is the severity of injuries. If you have suffered serious injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord damage, or traumatic brain injuries, you may be entitled to higher compensation.
These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, and may even result in long-term disabilities that impact your quality of life.
Insurance companies and courts take these factors into consideration when determining the appropriate compensation for your pain and suffering.
Another factor is the impact of the car crash on your financial situation. If your injuries have caused you to miss work and lose income, you can seek compensation for your lost wages.
You may be entitled to reimbursement for medical expenses, both past, and future. This includes costs for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any other necessary medical care.
Keeping detailed records of your medical appointments, bills, and any other related expenses will help support your claim for fair compensation.
The determination of fault also plays a significant role in the amount of compensation you may receive. If the other driver was clearly at fault for the accident, their insurance company may be responsible for covering your damages.
If there is a shared fault or multiple parties involved, the compensation may be divided proportionately. Be sure to gather evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and photographs of the accident scene, to accurately determine fault and ensure you receive fair compensation.
Punitive Damages Due to Reckless Driving or Drunk Driving
Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are not intended to compensate the victim. Instead, they are meant to punish the at-fault party and deter others from engaging in similar behavior.
These damages go above and beyond the actual losses suffered by the victim and aim to hold the responsible party accountable for their reckless or intoxicated actions.
Proving the need for punitive damages requires strong evidence that the at-fault driver’s actions were not only negligent but also exhibited a willful disregard for the safety of others.
This can include evidence of excessive speeding, aggressive driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or other behavior that demonstrates a conscious disregard for the law and the safety of other motorists.
In cases involving drunk driving, your auto accident lawyer will seek to present evidence of the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level exceeding the legal limit, witness statements attesting to their intoxication, or any other evidence that supports the claim that the driver was impaired at the time of the accident.
Reckless driving encompasses a wide range of dangerous behaviors, such as tailgating, street racing, running red lights, or driving in excess of the speed limit.
To establish the basis for punitive damages, your attorney will gather evidence such as video footage, witness testimonies, police reports, or any other relevant documentation that proves the driver’s reckless actions directly caused the accident.
Insurance Companies and Faulty Drivers Involved in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Insurance companies are in the business of minimizing costs and maximizing profits. While their primary responsibility is to provide coverage for accidents, their ultimate goal is to protect their bottom line.
As a result, they may employ tactics to reduce or deny claims, leaving accident victims without the financial compensation they need to recover from their accident financially.
When a motor vehicle crash occurs, the insurance company of the at-fault driver will typically conduct an investigation to determine liability.
This process involves analyzing police reports, witness statements, and other evidence to establish who was responsible for the accident. However, insurance companies may attempt to shift blame or downplay the extent of their policyholder’s negligence, in an effort to avoid paying out fair settlements.
Unfortunately, this can leave accident victims in a vulnerable position, especially if they do not have legal representation. Without a skilled and experienced attorney at Goldberg & Loren advocating for the victim’s rights, they may be coerced into accepting lowball settlement offers or pressured to provide recorded statements that could be used against them later on.
How An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Win Your Case
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you know how overwhelming the aftermath can be. Dealing with medical expenses, property damage, and the emotional toll of the accident can leave you feeling helpless and unsure of where to turn for help. This is where an experienced car accident lawyer at Goldberg & Loren can make all the difference.
Our experienced car accident lawyers know the ins and outs of personal injury law and can navigate the complex legal system to help you win your case.
We will handle all communication with insurance companies, ensuring that your rights are protected. We will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Determining Liability or Responsibility in a Florida Auto Accident Case.
To successfully seek compensation for your injuries and damages, you must establish that the other party involved in the accident was negligent.
In Florida, to prove negligence, you must establish four key elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
The duty of care refers to the legal obligation of all drivers to operate their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner.
A breach of duty occurs when someone fails to uphold this obligation.
Collecting evidence to prove causation starts at the accident scene. This includes taking photographs of the vehicles involved in the collision, any visible damage, the condition of the road, and any skid marks. These visual records can help reconstruct the accident and demonstrate how the other party’s actions led to the collision.
If there were eyewitnesses present at the scene, their statements describing what they witnessed could be invaluable. Their objective account of the events can support your version of the accident and establish that the other party was negligent.
When law enforcement officers arrive at the scene, they typically investigate the accident and document their findings in an official report. This report can contain important details about the accident, including any traffic violations committed and preliminary assessments of fault.
Medical records and expert opinions are essential in linking your injuries to the accident. These documents can demonstrate the direct causation between the negligent actions of the other party and the harm you suffered.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Auto Accidents in Florida?
The statute of limitations for car accident claims in Florida, including those relating to rear-end accidents, is generally two years from the accident date.
While two years may seem like a substantial amount of time, it’s important not to delay taking legal action after a car accident. Gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and building a strong case can take time.
Been in a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale? Don’t Navigate the Legal Process Alone.
Goldberg & Loren personal injury attorneys will fight for your rights and ensure that you are fully compensated for your injuries and damages.
Don’t let the stress of dealing with insurance companies and legal paperwork overwhelm you. Goldberg & Loren will handle every aspect of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery and getting your life back on track. With their help, you can rest assured that you are in good hands.
Contact Goldberg & Loren today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step towards getting the justice and compensation you deserve for your auto accident.
Sources
[1] Drunk Driving | NHTSA. (n.d.). NHTSA. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
[2] S. (2022, January 12). Fort Lauderdale Road Safety Overview – Safe Roads USA. Safe Roads USA. https://www.makeroadssafe.org/fort-lauderdale-road-safety-overview/
[3] Whiplash Injury Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment. (n.d.). MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/whiplash/article.htm
[4] Trends in Fort Lauderdale Traffic Accidents. (2018, September 27). Boca Raton, FL Patch. https://patch.com/florida/boca-raton/trends-fort-lauderdale-traffic-accidents
If an auto accident has left you injured you may have a right to compensation. Contact us to find out if you have a case!
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