Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer

March 10, 2023 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman

Did you get into a serious car accident on I-95?

Perhaps you got into a rear-end accident on E. Broward Blvd or N Federal Hwy.

No matter where your car accident occurred in Fort Lauderdale, you deserve a dedicated Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer and a trusted law firm by your side from the start.

Car accidents leave many scars—physical, emotional, and financial. Injured Fort Lauderdale car accident victims should pursue all avenues of compensation for their injuries, including a possible settlement with the driver who is at fault or their insurance company.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in or around Fort Lauderdale, Florida law entitles you to pursue legal action to recover damages, either by means of a settlement or by filing a lawsuit in Civil Circuit Court if the insurance company is unreasonable. Therefore, you should contact an experienced car accident lawyer from our law firm as soon as possible to ensure you don't lose important legal rights.

Why Choose Our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers?

Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers

At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys work tirelessly for our injured clients. We have the experience and resources needed to tackle even the most complex car accident case in Fort Lauderdale. From North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard to East Sunrise Boulevard, we can be with you from the moment your accident occurs.

Our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys are local. We know the streets, intersections, and highways where your accident may have occurred. We also know the insurance companies, courts, and medical institutions that will be a part of your case. This local experience helps us achieve maximum compensation for our injured car accident clients.

We have an excellent track record of success representing injured Fort Lauderdale car accident victims. Some of our most notable car accident cases include:

  • $5 million for a car accident victim who suffered burn injuries
  • $1.58 million for a car accident victim who suffered a spinal cord injury
  • $1 million for a car accident victim who suffered a SLAP tear in his shoulder
  • $939,000 for a car accident victim who was in a T-bone accident
  • $775,000 for a car accident victim and his son who suffered spinal injuries

In many of these cases, the insurance company offered them a low settlement that was a fraction of what they deserved. However, our car accident attorneys were able to build a solid case and negotiate a much higher settlement, one that included enough money to pay for all their damages and injuries.

We are a national, award-winning law firm that has collected millions for our injured clients.

While we are a national law firm, we have strong local ties to Fort Lauderdale. Our office is conveniently located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale at 100 SE 3rd Ave, 10th Floor, just a block from the W. Broward Boulevard and N. Federal Highway intersection. We are also a few blocks from Stranahan Park.

If you are unable to come into our office, we understand. That's why we offer to meet all our injured clients wherever is convenient for them. We can meet in your home, hospital room, or office. We can also meet virtually during this time to better answer your questions. We offer FREE initial consultations so you can explore your legal options without pressure.

At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, we represent clients injured in car wrecks and other personal injury matters. We help Fort Lauderdale accident victims recover maximum compensation for their injuries, harm, and losses. Our car accident lawyers can handle the entire process for you and are only a phone call away. Contact us to schedule your free consultation today, or send us an online message.

Video Transcript: Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer

Stan Gipe:

Hey, I'm Stan Gipe and this is my law partner, Becky Dolman here today. Today we're just discussing kind of a basic subject, but it's really got to do with why it's important that you get an attorney involved in your accident claim in Fort Lauderdale before really reaching out and trying to do it yourself. And both of us have seen a number of cases where people will come to us a month, two months, six months. I've got a guy right now that's actually called me, it's two years after his accident and they've been handling it on their own. I can tell you I have never, ever, ever received a call from someone who was handling their own case for three months that I didn't go, oh my gosh I wish I had been there in the beginning. Because there is so much you learn from experience, okay? So much you learn from doing this that an average consumer, an injured party does not know. Because it's not just about documenting what's wrong with you. Anyone can go to the doctor and get an x-ray that says their arm is broken, that's really simple and most people might think it's that simple. We need a number of different things.

I need to establish that whatever you're dealing with, most usually neck and back type of injuries weren't there before the accident and that the accident caused these injuries. And it sounds simple, it sounds common sense, and you say, as an injured person, of course it caused injuries. I wasn't hurt before the accident. But see, the insurance company, the person who's going to pay you, they weren't there, they don't know that. They're going to be look, going to look for signs in your medical records of degeneration, they're going to look for historical claims. They're going to begin devaluing your claim as soon as it starts. So today, Becky and I want to talk about some of the important factors you need to consider and those things that like insurance companies do to try to devalue the claim that might not always be obvious to sort of a consumer walking into this.

So, Becky, if you want, maybe talk a little bit about why it's so important that you get to the correct doctors right off the bat in an insurance claim or an auto accident.

Becky Dolman:

Right. Well, it's always important to see proper doctors after you've had an auto accident. Typically, you might think you want to go see your main primary care doctor, but oftentimes the primary care doctors are not equipped to handle the documentation that needs to be in the reporting for an auto accident claim. As Stan suggested, we need to be able to show that the auto accident caused your problem, that you did not have these issues prior to this auto accident. So that's a first and foremost. If you've been in a very bad accident, of course the hospital or an urgent care facility would be your best first place to go.

But I'd like to actually take a step back and just say one more quick thing about the insurance companies and trying to deal with them yourself. The first thing they're going to ask you when you call is if you've hired an attorney. And if you've not hired an attorney, frankly, they're just not going to take your claim very seriously. They know that they're going to be able to push you off, say certain things to you, devalue your claims, and that you're not going to have the repertoire in your vocabulary or your knowledge to be able to counter what they're saying. So yes, it's important to pick the right doctor but I think that we also need to stress it is so very important to hire an attorney from the beginning of your case, someone who understands that this is a game the insurance companies play, and that we understand the rules of the game.

Stan Gipe:

Right. Because I can tell you what will happen. You get someone, they walk in, they've been injured and just like every other time they go to the doctor, they show up, they pull out their health insurance card and go say, all right, I'm injured in an accident. Here's my insurance. I need some treatment. Then the doctor looks up at them and says, this is related to an accident. I can't take your health insurance. It's not primary. And you're like, what? I've got health insurance. It should work for everything. This is where it starts to get complex.

PIP insurance is the primary form of payment for any injury related to an automobile accident. PIP is a form of coverage that's under everyone's own automobile policy. Most doctors like your primary care doctor, your standard dermatologist, your cancer doctors, most of these doctors never deal with auto accident claims or very rarely do, they're not set up to bill PIP carriers. There's a different fee schedule that applies. There's different ways of writing off bills and a different method of getting paid, and they only pay portions of the claim. If you do not do this on a regular basis, the billing itself is enough to be big enough hurdle to most offices that they won't let you in the door. There's a number of doctors you go to and they say, look, I can't treat you if it's auto accident. We don't do that.

It's the attorney that's been through this several times before that's seen this problem that knows the doctors in the area that will see auto accident claims, knows the doctors that will provide the correct documentation and knows the doctors that will bill the claim correctly. All of this is a part of building claim value, and as an attorney, that's my job to build your claim value. To make sure that we get you fairly compensated for what happened.

The insurance company, their goal is to resolve the claim as cheaply as possible. That doesn't necessarily mean getting you a fair settlement. That means getting it off, getting it closed for as small a check as possible. There's been times where insurance companies have showed up on the scene of accidents, settled things for $10,000, and people have later gone and got surgery. Too late, you settled your claim. So sure, as an attorney, we're going to take a piece of what we collect for you. It's a third before suit, 40% if we have to file suit. If you look at the end of the day, what attorneys bring to the table, more than outweighs any kind of compensation we're getting on the back end. If you look at the ways we're able to document, we're able to add value, able to defend against the insurance company attacks and able to position these claims throughout the claim process. And you can't lie, I mean, there's no lying. It's all presenting facts, they're all the same facts. It's how the facts are presented. It's being able to get these facts in the best light to present them in a way that they're going to stand up to scrutiny when the insurance company pokes at them.

And then here's the other thing too, okay? No matter how much anyone wants to say it, we can't really say one attorney's better than the other. But I like to equate attorneys and insurance companies to kids in the school yard. Insurance companies are the bullies, there's five bullies in the school yard and there's 100 other kids. If you're really linking up with one of those other kids in the school yard, you want to link up with one that's not scared to punch the bully. And not everyone will do that. There's certain attorneys that like to go to trial, there's certain attorneys that won't go to trial. The ones that go to trial are the ones that punch the bully. So you want to link up with those attorneys that aren't scared to fight for you, they're not going to fold at the end of the day when push comes to shove. You want someone who's going to punch the bully and it works just like it did in the school yard.

When you punch the bully, they go find an easier target and say, you know what? If we got to resolve some of these, let's resolve the people that are punching us and fight the people that won't swing back. That's a whole nother dynamic you really don't get to see as a consumer, but it's huge. It is that same bully mentality that was going on in middle school and in elementary school that is still in the schoolyard or sandbox of insurance company claims today. It's all about bullying, getting bullied and punching back.

Becky Dolman:

I like this analogy.

Stan Gipe:

But it's true. It is so true.

Becky Dolman:

It's so true. Yeah.

Stan Gipe:

It is so very true. So there's a number of different reasons why it's important in Fort Lauderdale get an attorney right away. Fort Lauderdale's a hot bed of activity. There are a number of insurance companies there. There's a number of doctors that will treat you. There's also some mistakes you can make with doctors in the area. There are certain doctors that will be the go-to insurance company, doctor, what's known as CME doctors or independent medical examination doctors. You don't want to end up at one of those, and you're not going to tell you when you walk through the door, hey, I'm an insurance company doctor, I don't think anybody's injured. They're not going to say that to you. They're going to take your money, give you treatment, and then gives you really crappy records and your claim is done.

So there's a lot more to it, but in the initial phases it's super important. Sure, we make money doing this, we absolutely make money doing it, and we enjoy making the money doing it. But look, it's not just all about the money. Every time we get a check for someone, we're doing them a service. We get repeat customers, we get a lot of repeat customers. Almost every client we've worked with, when they get into another accident, they come back. If they felt like they weren't getting a fair deal or felt like things weren't going right, these people wouldn't be coming back. Almost everyone who has an experience with an attorney uses one again the next time, that's because they've learned.

So I don't want to, and I can't really impress it enough it's one of the most important decisions you're going to make regarding any claim, when to get an attorney and who to get, you need to make it initially, you need to get an attorney involved on the front end and get your claim on the best foot, sort of make the best first impression you can with the insurance company because that gives you the best chance of success.

Becky Dolman:

And don't sign anything or give any kind of recorded statements to the insurance company before you hire your attorney.

Stan Gipe:

Oh Becky, you couldn't have brought up a better point. Do not, do not sign anything. Even if they tell you what it means, do not sign it. Make sure an attorney looks at it.

Becky, you were here. I had someone come to me the other day with a document they had signed to get their car fixed. Hey, we're paying to fix this car. And in the document they signed to get their car fixed, this person had agreed not to pursue a personal injury claim and they wouldn't pursue a UM claim against their own insurance carrier too. They come to me and they say, look, no, that's not what they told me it said. I'm like, well, but this is what it says when you read it right? And they go, well, yeah, but that's not what they told me it said. You get into those situations. Do not sign anything. Do not take the insurance company's word for it until you talk to a qualified attorney.

So Becky, with that understanding, we've got a super robust website at www.dolmanlaw.com that anyone can access 24 hours a day. There's information, like thousands of pages of information on just about any type of claim you could want. If you want a quick or more direct way of contacting us, what's the best phone number that can reach us at Becky?

Becky Dolman:

The toll free number is 833-55-CRASH, which is 833-552-7274. You can reach us anytime day or night at that number.

Stan Gipe:

And we really would appreciate the call. And like I say, nothing binding. You're not on the hook when you call. If you're just calling for general information, we'll be happy to talk to you about really anything involving the claim. That being said, always get an attorney involved if you're looking for the best recovery. So this has been another episode of the David Versus Goliath podcast. I'm Stan Gipe. This is my partner, Becky Dolman. And if you ever need anything from us, we would love to see you on our website or hear from you on the phone.

Wondering if You Need a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney?

Not sure if your personal injury claims will require a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney? Save yourself hours of research and consultations by reading our article, “Attorneys Answer: When do you need to hire a car accident lawyer?” In this article, we polled over 20 of the nation’s leading auto accident attorneys regarding when they believe a person should hire local car accident lawyers, as opposed to when it is advisable for an individual to handle their personal injury lawsuit on their own.

However, it never hurts to speak to a car accident attorney about your case. What do you have to lose? With free consultations and work done on a contingency basis, you don't pay us unless we can collect money for you in a car accident settlement or trial verdict.

Remember, insurance companies are not on your side – but WE are. We work to make sure you are not taken advantage of after a serious Fort Lauderdale car wreck. Whether you need a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer or other legal help in the Fort Lauderdale area, Dolman Law is here to answer your questions.

Insurance companies want to pay you as little as possible because that’s what is best for them. But what about what is best for you?

A Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney can help you get the money you need to put your life back together again after a serious accident. Even if you do not believe you need an attorney, it is in your best interest to call our law firm and talk to us.

How Do You Choose the Right Car Accident Lawyer?

The right lawyer for your situation will be an attorney who is experienced with your type of accident and injury. For example, the best motorcycle accident lawyer will have proven experience successfully representing motorcycle accident victims. It's a good idea to read a law firm's testimonials to get an idea of what you can expect if you choose to work with them.

Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney

How You Can Compensation After a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident

All people involved in car accidents in Florida can file a claim based on their no-fault insurance coverage. This allows them to recover basic damages, including medical care coverage and a portion of their lost wages.

Florida Statute § 627.737 governs when and under what circumstances a plaintiff may file a fault-based lawsuit to recover damages due to bodily injuries resulting from a motor vehicle crash. The majority of Fort Lauderdale accidents carry a four-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident. However, a specific exception exists in wrongful death cases, which have a significantly shorter two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident. 

However, it is in an individual's best interest to begin the process as soon as possible, which is the strategy most Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers pursue. This helps to ensure that there is sufficient time to negotiate with the insurance companies to reach an out-of-court, mutually agreeable settlement. The statistics unequivocally show that most personal injury cases are settled before going to court, and even ones that reach the court system are often settled before trial.

Proving Fault and Liability:

Most Fort Lauderdale motor vehicle accidents are evaluated using a negligence standard, requiring that all four elements of negligence (duty, breach, causation, and damages) are successfully established. Proving driver negligence is necessary to show fault and liability, which are crucial in holding the other driver legally responsible. A victim may recover money through an auto insurance claim or civil lawsuit against the other driver with this evidence.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage in Fort Lauderdale:

Florida is a no-fault state, which means that each driver must file a claim against their own insurance to pay for their damages when a car accident occurs. For this reason, the state requires drivers who have a registered vehicle to carry PIP coverage. Therefore, each driver files accident claims under their policy after a car accident. Under state law, PIP coverage pays for 80 percent of medical costs related to an accident and 60 percent of lost wages due to injury and hospitalization. 

In serious accidents that result in severe injuries, medical costs, and lost wages will likely exceed policy limits. Additionally, PIP insurance does not compensate drivers for pain or suffering or other non-economic damages. Once you have exceeded your PIP policy limits, Florida law entitles you to seek additional damages from the at-fault driver in civil court.

Your attorney will help you through your car insurance accident claims process and advise you on when or if escalating your car insurance claim to a lawsuit should happen. PIP only provides coverage up to the policy limits and as allowed under no-fault insurance laws. 

According to Florida state law, each individual must carry $10,000 in PIP coverage. This amount of coverage may cover preliminary medical bills, diagnostic tests, and treatment, but for many people, it is not sufficient to fully cover all their medical bills and expenses, not to mention their lost income, pain and suffering, and various other damages incurred as a result of the car crash.

Eligibility for Filing Third-Party Claims for Bodily Injury Liability:

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident through no fault of your own because another driver caused your accident, you may be eligible to file a bodily injury liability claim with the at-fault driver's insurance carrier. This type of liability claim allows you to pursue the full extent of your damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages in full, pain and suffering, along with a wide range of other losses and expenses incurred due to your motor vehicle accident. 

Because this type of third-party liability claim covers the full scope of damages, it also carries a higher burden, or threshold, that must be met to qualify. This consists  of:

  • A significant impairment affecting an important body part
  • Permanent injuries
  • Considerable scarring and/or disfigurement
  • Accident-related expenses exceeding PIP policy limits 

Consult a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney; accident victims are entitled to pursue compensation for their injuries and all damages (not just a portion), assuming another driver was the cause of their car crash.

Recovering Damages After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale

When filing a fault-based claim or lawsuit, the money damages you can recover cover a broader range of expenses and losses than those available through your insurer and your PIP claim. When you hire a qualified Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney at our law firm to help you pursue an at-fault driver for damages after a car accident, you might be able to recover the following damages:

  • Medical expenses beyond what your PIP policy already paid for, including ambulance service, emergency department visits, hospitalization, radiology, prescription medications, and additional medical attention
  • Future medical costs when an injury requires extensive recovery, multiple surgeries, or results in permanent disability
  • Rehabilitation costs such as physical therapy and assistive devices, including crutches, prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.
  • Additional lost wages not covered by your PIP policy
  • Future lost wages when an injury requires an extended absence from work or a permanent disability prevents a victim from returning to their job
  • Other expenses, including home modifications like wheelchair ramps and handrails, domestic service costs, travel to and from the doctor, and more
  • Non-economic costs for pain and suffering, loss of consortium, scarring and disfigurement, and others that might apply to your case
  • Punitive damages in extreme cases that include intentional harm or gross negligence

If you lost a loved one in a car accident, you might need to contact one of our compassionate attorneys to file a Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawsuit. Surviving family members may recover some of the aforementioned damages, funeral expenses and burial costs, and non-economic costs related to the loss of your family member.

If one of our attorneys represents you in your case, we will identify your accident-related costs and losses and determine a fair value for your insurance claim. We will work with experts, use our experience and knowledge, and gather documentation to show the fair value of your current, future, and intangible damages.

Comparative Negligence in Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Cases

Florida courts apply a comparative negligence rule to personal injury cases, including those that involve car accidents. Comparative negligence, sometimes referred to as comparative fault, considers the extent to which a plaintiff may have contributed to the accident and subsequent injuries. If the court finds the defendant was negligent, they assign a portion of the blame to each party in a lawsuit. 

When they award damages to the plaintiff, they reduce the amount based on the percentage of fault they assigned the plaintiff. Comparative negligence allows victims to recover damages even if they contributed to causing the accident.

For example, a drunk driver swerves into oncoming traffic and strikes your car, causing a head-on collision. The drunk driver is clearly at fault, and the court finds him negligent; however, you were traveling 15 miles per hour over the speed limit. The defense argues that you may have had time to react to the drunk driver and avoid the accident had you not been speeding. Additionally, the excess speed caused your injuries to be worse than they might have been otherwise. The court finds that you are 25 percent negligent, so you can only collect 75 percent of awarded damages.

Comparative negligence motivates the defense to shift blame to the victim to avoid some or all liability for damages. In accidents and lawsuits that involve multiple automobiles, things can get messy. Each party to the defense will attempt to shift blame away from themselves and blame another party for the accident. Insurance companies will continue to pass the buck to one another. It’s usually in your best interest to hire a car crash attorney to recover damages in a personal injury suit, but it’s especially necessary in cases with multiple victims and/or defendants.

How a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents in Fort Lauderdale are overwhelming in every sense of the word. Many of our clients are intimidated by the daunting accident claims process and the aftermath of a car accident. Not knowing where to turn, they delay seeking the compensation they are entitled to. However, waiting too long may prejudice your claim because the law imposes deadlines on how long a victim must bring a lawsuit. At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys can help you in many ways.

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys can analyze your situation and help you determine whether you have a valid legal claim. For example, most car accidents are caused by someone's negligence or a defective car part. However, it is not always clear who is to blame or whether you can make a claim.

We can also negotiate with an insurer on your behalf. If your injuries are serious, you will need compensation for medical expenses above what your PIP benefits provide, in addition to lost wages and property damage. Depending on the circumstances, you might also qualify for additional types of damages. Many clients report being intimidated by insurance agents and insurance companies, so we can ease the accident claims process for you by handling communications with them.

If settlement discussions fail, we can also represent you in court. Filing a lawsuit is complicated, and learning court rules can be challenging for someone new to the legal system. At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, our lawyers can handle the entire litigation process, from filing initial pleadings to discovery through trial. Of course, many cases settle before ever reaching a jury. Still, our experienced trial attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to recover the compensation you deserve.

With an experienced Fort Lauderdale auto accident attorney handling your case, your primary concern should be getting the proper treatment and getting better. Your lawyer will handle the rest and handle your case on what is known as a contingency fee basis, essentially meaning that you do not owe your attorney any up-front fees or expenses of any kind; they don’t get paid unless you get paid.

How Long Does a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim Take to Settle?

Each car accident claim in Fort Lauderdale is unique, and no two are ever the same. For this reason, there is no definitive answer when it comes to the settlement timeline and average settlement amounts because each case involves a variety of factors, all of which may affect the amount and timing of monetary compensation received.

Such factors may include the severity of the injuries and the length of medical treatment required, determinations regarding fault and liability, the case's complexity, the monetary value of the claim based on the damages incurred by the injured party, and the strength of the evidence presented.

Retaining and working with a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney is the best way to make sure you are being compensated promptly and fairly, according to the extent of your injuries and other damages sustained in the accident. In addition, one of our attorneys may be able to navigate the process and recover compensation for you while you continue to heal from your injuries, undergo rehabilitation, and get back to your previous activities.

Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Statistics

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, auto accidents continue to be a serious problem in our state. In 2017, there were over 396,000 crashes, resulting in more than 250,000 injuries. Unfortunately, nearly 3,000 people died in traffic accidents as well. 2018 was equally dangerous, with over 403,000 crashes resulting in over 3,100 fatalities, and 2019 has had over 401,000 crashes resulting in over 3,100 fatalities.

Fort Lauderdale is the largest city in Broward County, making motor vehicle accidents a widespread occurrence. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), motor vehicle accidents are becoming increasingly problematic and frequent, surging by more than 30% within the last several years in Fort Lauderdale and the county. Between 2012 and 2019, Broward County reported 1,677 fatalities and 186,993 injuries because of auto crashes in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area. Roughly 2 out of every five car accidents in Broward County result in an injury or death.

Some of the most notable state roads and intersections in Fort Lauderdale that are statistically common locations for some of the most devastating and serious crashes are as follows: 

  • 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

While these roads are all heavily traveled and the increase in traffic can lead to more accidents, it is important to note that a traffic accident can happen anywhere. Careless and reckless drivers can cause a crash on the interstate, a busy highway, or your neighborhood.

Reported Car Accidents Involving Injuries in Fort Lauderdale


Source: www.flhsmv.gov/

Recent Fatal Car Accidents in Florida – Broward County Statistics

In 2020, there were 33,094 motor vehicle accidents in Broward County, averaging out to about 90 accidents every day. Such accidents often leave those involved with debilitating serious injuries or struggling with the death of a loved one. Broward County reported 199 fatal car wrecks resulting in 212 fatalities and over 12,000 other accidents resulting in serious injuries affecting upwards of 18,000 victims in 2020 alone. 

Overall, 2020 saw fewer reported auto accidents than 2019, but this is likely due to the shutdowns and at-home work assignments related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, despite fewer accidents, those that did take place involved more fatalities than usual. In addition, the crashes that occurred in 2020 were more serious than those that happened in the previous year; they were more likely to cause serious injuries or fatalities.

If your loved one died in a crash in Fort Lauderdale, our attorneys are here for you. We understand how these cases work and will discuss your options with you for free. In addition, we routinely handle wrongful death claims and lawsuits throughout Florida.

Leading Causes of Fort Lauderdale Car Crashes

To recover fault-based compensation in a Fort Lauderdale car accident claim, you must prove what happened and what caused it. This generally boils down to another driver’s actions behind the wheel. The most common causes of Fort Lauderdale collisions vary and may include negligent or reckless behavior, such as:

  • Drunk driving
  • Fatigued driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding
  • Aggressive driving maneuvers

When our attorneys handle a Fort Lauderdale car crash, we investigate the cause of the crash and gather evidence to show that the other driver acted negligently. This is the cause of most accident claims we handle. Evidence could include:

  • The police report
  • Witness statements
  • Accident reconstruction
  • Scene surveys
  • Video or photographs
  • Physical evidence
  • Expert testimony
  • Documentation of the victim’s damages

Causes of car accidents in Fort Lauderdale can also include those beyond a driver’s control, such as unsafe road conditions (i.e., due to inclement weather) and defective safety equipment and parts in the vehicles themselves. Our team also knows how to build these cases and hold the liable parties accountable. If necessary, we will pursue claims against the municipal or state government, a government agency, or a large corporation.

Our Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys Handle All Types of Car Crashes

Fort Lauderdale Car Crash Lawyer

Throughout our years of experience, the attorneys at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, have handled countless motor vehicle accident cases state-wide, spanning from Tampa to Fort Lauderdale car wrecks. We have dealt with a wide range of accidents, including single-vehicle and multi-vehicle crashes, accidents involving trucks/commercial vehicles, motorcycle accidents, boats, rental cars, bicycles, pedestrians, large mass transit vehicles such as buses, as well as ride-share crashes involving services such as Uber and Lyft.

We have extensive knowledge and significant experience with all types of collisions which may occur during the course of an auto accident, including but not limited to:

We know how to prove the cause of any car accident case and develop a factual claim based on it. You can learn more when we review your case and explain our services based on the specific facts of your crash.

Common Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Injuries

Car accident injuries can be large or small, but all should be taken seriously. Every week, our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys see a variety of different types of injuries, such as:

  • Whiplash: When the head is thrown violently forward or backward, or from side to side, the ligaments in the neck can be stretched beyond the normal range of motion. Nerves and ligaments in the upper back and shoulders might also be injured. As a result, victims suffer whiplash and immobilizing pain.
  • Pinched nerves: Anything pressing on a nerve can cause constant pain. Strained muscles or bulging disks in the spinal column are common culprits.
  • Cervical fractures: Blunt force can crack the vertebrae in the neck. A serious break can cause paralysis from the neck down.
  • Broken Bones: Car accident victims often suffer breaks in their hands, arms, and legs. Broken ribs may also damage internal organs and cause internal bleeding.
  • Burns: Gas can spill out of ruptured fuel tanks and catch fire. Battery acid and antifreeze might also splatter, causing contact burns.
  • Partial or complete paralysis: Any damage to the spinal cord can result in a loss of sensation or movement.
  • Death: In thousands of auto crashes, victims suffer fatal injuries, leaving behind grieving family members to pick up the pieces.

In addition to physical injuries, accident victims can also suffer emotional and mental trauma. These emotional injuries can be as serious as physical ones and can require medical intervention to treat, such as therapy and prescription medications. While mental and emotional trauma is typically intangible to the naked eye, the effects can have very real physical effects on a person's life. 

Mental and emotional trauma can interfere with a person's ability to work and even require a change of careers entirely. The damages caused by these injuries are just as valid as typical physical injuries. Some of the more common mental and emotional injuries suffered by those involved in car accidents include:

Fortunately, under Florida law, injured car accident victims filing a fault-based claim can often receive compensation for these injuries as well.

Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers: an Award-Winning Law Firm

The legal team at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, has extensive experience negotiating, settling, and litigating car accident cases for their clients, resulting in the recovery of millions of dollars in damages. The car accident lawyers at Dolman Law Group have a combined 120+ years of experience representing serious and often catastrophic injury victims. We have collected over $175 million for injury victims as a law firm.

Call a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer Today!

Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer
Matt Dolman, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer

Our experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys understand complex state laws, and we know how to negotiate with insurance companies. Our skills go beyond basic knowledge of the litigation process. That is why you should place your trust in us. Let us handle the legal burdens, make sure the paperwork is filed promptly, and negotiate with insurance companies. As a result, your time and energy are better spent on your recovery and following your doctor's treatment plan.

Pursuing your best outcome requires patience and trust. A highly skilled injury attorney at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, will do everything possible to settle the case out-of-court. We can help you reach a fair settlement, but if that's not possible, we are not afraid to go to trial.

Focusing on your health during this trying time is your top priority. The legal details, witness statements, police reports, negotiations, and court filings are best left to a trusted Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer. Dolman Law Group has a long history of success stories where we have recovered substantial compensation for those that have suffered injuries. A positive attitude, patience, and perseverance, along with the support of friends and family, can guide you through this difficult time. By letting Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA handle your car accident case, you can rest assured that your case is in the best hands.

To schedule your free consultation, call (754) 208-1130 or send us an online message. We are here to help.

Fort Lauderdale Office
150 E Davie Blvd Suite 201-2
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (754) 208-1130

What Our Clients Have to Say:

“This firm is amazing! Very professional, they helped me with my case until the end. They were available and very flexible. Dolman Law Group would answer all my calls/emails and wouldn’t hesitate on explaining all of my concerns. They represented me on my case, in which it turned out to have a successful result. Super recommend them!”

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thiara Bandeira
June 2018
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Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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