Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer
Although they happen every day, nobody is ready to be involved in a car accident. Car accidents can result in damages to your vehicle, injuries that you or passengers sustain as a result of the collision, and an intense insurance claims process. However, even after your vehicle is repaired, the damages suffered to you person can last years. This means that a car accident can take a substantial emotional and financial toll on your life and the lives of those you travel with. If you have been involved in a Fort Lauderdale car accident, it is in your best interests to consult a Fort Lauderdale Car accident lawyer, who will assist you every step of the way.
About Ft. LauderdaleAs the county seat for Broward, Fort Lauderdale is a busy place, with millions in the South Florida metropolitan area traveling through the area each year. In addition, because of its intricate canal system, many boaters, yachters head to the area to enjoy its aquatic perks. Ft. Lauderdale is serviced by several highways, including I-75, I-595, and I-95. The major interchange between I-95 and I-295 is known as the Rainbow Interchange. Travelers in the area also use the Florida Turnpike and Sawgrass Expressway.
Broward County 2023 | |
All Crashes | 40, 284 |
Total Injury Crashes | 16, 344 |
Injuries from All Crashes | 24,546 |
Total Fatal Crashes | 211 |
Injuries from All crashes | 29,777 |
Motorcycle Crashes | 1290 |
Pedestrian Fatalities | 62 |
Your Accident Checklist
If you have been involved in a car accident, there are a series of steps you should follow to ensure your safety, shield yourself from liability, and best support your claim for recovery.
- Remain Calm: Adrenaline and tempers may be high. Staying calm is the best way to ensure a more positive outcome. Florida requires that a Traffic Report must be completed if the accident results in at least $500.00 of property damage, injury, or death. Therefore, immediately call 911 to report the accident, and inform the operator of any injuries suffered.
- Move your Vehicle: Although you have just been involved in an accident, your vehicle may still endanger other motorists, and other motorists may still pose a danger to you. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location (e.g. on the far shoulder), where you and the other parties involved in the accident may exchange information.
- Avoid injury/Avoid Altercation: Make sure your car is off, check on the severity of any injuries, and remove yourself from the zone of danger. Also, as mentioned, tempers may be high, so please avoid arguing with the other driver about fault, and be fully cooperative with police.
- Exchange Information: When exchanging information with the other driver(s), make sure to obtain 1) insurance details, 2) driver’s license number, and 3) vehicle registration.
- Secure Witnesses: If possible obtain the names, addresses, and phone numbers of as many witnesses as are willing to provide them.
- Obtain Medical Attention: The full trauma of an accident is not felt for few days. Therefore it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident, even if you may believe your injuries to be minor. This way, you’ll have a medical report for the insurance company if they determine it to be necessary.
- Obtain Pictures of the Scene: Although it is advisable to keep a disposable camera in your car for emergency situations like this, you could have someone bring one to the scene, or use your cell phone. Photographs can prove to be convincing evidence at trial, especially when fault is at issue.
- Do Not Give a Statement to Other Driver’s Insurance Company: You have no duty to provide ANY kind of statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Therefore, you should refuse to make comments of any kind about the accident, and should contact our firm before making a statement to your own insurance company as well.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a Fort Lauderdale car accident you could be owed monetary compensation for injuries to your property or person. Before speaking to the other side’s insurance company, please contact one of the experienced car accident lawyers of Gerson & Schwartz, at (877) 475-2905 for your FREE consultation. After you have provided us with the details of the accident, and if we determine that we can help you fight for what you are owed, we will take the case on a contingency fee basis. This means that we will not collect any fees unless you do. Even if you may have been denied representation by other law firms, please do not hesitate to contact us for you FREE consultation. Certain causes of action are time sensitive, so it is imperative to the success of your case that you contact one of our attorneys as soon as possible.