Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer

fort lauderdale car accident lawyerWhen another person’s negligent or irresponsible driving leads to a car crash in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the consequences can be extremely unfortunate. If you have been in a car accident, hiring a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer is crucial.

A skilled and experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer will fight to protect you after after a serious car wreck. At Schilling & Silvers’ accident and injury law firm, our car accident attorneys know how confusing Florida laws can be and what a headache it can be to have to deal with aggressive insurance companies who don’t have your best interests in mind.

Working with a top-rated law firm after a car crash is essential if you are hoping to recover money from lost wages, physical therapy bills, hospital bills, and damage to your car.

Schilling & Silvers’ injury firm accident attorneys have consistently been recognized in Florida as one of the best Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers and we are proud to continue representing injured accident victims. 

Injury attorneys Aaron Silvers, Jeremy Schilling, and the entire legal team at Schilling & Silvers Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers have a proven track record winning claims for our clients. Contact us today by calling 954.712.8877 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

Recent Car Accident Statistics in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Updated February 2025)

fort lauderdale car accident statistics 2-10-25

As the largest city in Broward County, Florida, Fort Lauderdale sees a huge amount of traffic and has a lot of motor vehicle accidents.

The latest crash facts and recent statistics for car accidents in Broward County as of February 10th, 2025, reflect the risks of getting injured in a crash. In 2023, Broward County saw a staggering 40,304 crashes, leading to 219 fatalities and 25,540 injuries.

Moreover, the county reported 263 deaths from motor vehicle crashes in 2023, emphasizing the severe consequences that motor vehicle accidents can have on the community.

With such high accident rates, many drivers want to know when car crashes happen near me, why they happen, and what is causing them.

Our auto accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are ready to help you begin the road to recovery, contact our law firm right away.

What Are Some of The Reasons For Car Accidents in Fort Lauderdale?

Attorneys Aaron Silvers and Jeremy Schilling recognize that automobile accidents happen every day in Fort Lauderdale. For instance, imagine returning home with your family after a visit to the History Fort Lauderdale Museum, only to be involved in a head-on collision on W. Broward Boulevard due to a wrong-way driver.

Or imagine you are on your way back from an event at the The Wharf and you get t-boned on E. Sunrise Boulevard by a driver who ignored a stop sign.

While every accident involving an automobile is different, there are a lot of reasons they happen so often. Schilling & Silvers Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers believe that understanding some of these reasons and identifying common patterns can help drivers avoid getting in a car wreck.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a major problem and it causes far too many car crashes. Things like texting while you are driving, talking on your phone, or eating, all divert your attention from the road and significantly increase the crash risk.

In 2022 alone, there were 50,000 crashes attributed to distracted driving in Florida. To combat this, the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) launched the “It Can Wait” campaign, urging drivers to keep their focus on the road at all times.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Speeding and aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, frequent lane changes, and road rage, also contribute to the high accident rate in Fort Lauderdale. Don’t you wish people would just stop doing these things?

Driving While Drunk

Drunk driving is another significant reason for car accidents in Fort Lauderdale. The “Never Drive Impaired” campaign by the FLHSMV focuses on helping educate people and reduce crashes caused by drunk drivers.

Teen Drivers

With their inexperience and sometimes unintentionally reckless behavior, teen drivers also cause many automobile crashes. Fortunately, the Florida Teen Safe Driver initiative is making efforts to help reduce the amount of unnecessary accidents. 

Wrong-Way Driving

Wrong-way driving, believe it or not, cause more accidents than you would think. These crashes often happen on highways and are usually caused by impaired or distracted drivers. Nationally, wrong-way driving crashes result in 400 to 500 deaths each year, a stark reminder of the dangers posed by this reckless behavior.

Other Causes of Accidents

While the top causes of auto accidents usually point to driver negligence, there are other reasons too.

Defective vehicle parts, such as faulty brakes or airbags, can injure you badly if something goes wrong. Then there are other factors which are often overlooked such as poor road design or maintenance issues like potholes and inadequate signage.

Regardless of how the accident occured, when in such situations, it’s essential to have our experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys investigate and hold the responsible parties accountable.

To learn more about the common causes of wrecks in Fort Lauderdale, contact Schilling & Silvers’ injury law firm today and speak with a compassionalte and knowledgeable attorney in a free no-obligation consultation at our Fort Lauderdale office.

Establishing Fault and Determining Liability in a Florida Car Accident

If you want to be compensated for your injuries, then determining liability and establishing fault will be critical. Doing this is a multi-step process and will require legal precision. Florida follows a comparative negligence system, meaning that more than one person can share fault. So, depending on how much you contributed to the accident (if you did at all), the compensation you receive will be adjusted based on your level of fault.

The process of proving negligence takes a lot of precision, hard work, and careful planning. Attorneys Aaron Silvers, Jeremy Schilling and the legal team at Schilling & Silvers Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers excel at this. This is what we do every do every day, and we pride ourselves on getting justice for our clients.

Some of the things a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer from our Schilling & Silvers’ accident attorneys will do to establish negligence and win your case include:

Get Important Evidence From the Site of the Crash

Gathering evidence from the accident scene is one of the first steps Schilling & Silver’s injury law firm does when we take on a case. This evidence may include photographs of the vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Statements from witnesses can also provide valuable insights into how the accident unfolded.

It can also include accessing the police report made by the law enforcement officers from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.  This report is a really important for establishing fault since it provides an official account of the incident.

We Look Into Whether There Were Violations to Traffic Laws By The Drivers Involved in the Crash

Another thing we do is look into whether any of Florida’s traffic laws were violated. For example, if a driver ran a red light on East Broward Boulevard, was speeding on U.S.1, or failed to yield at an intersection in downtown Fort Lauderdale, these actions could be considered negligent and contribute to their level fault in the accident.

Meet With Accident Reconstruction Experts

In especially complex auto accidents, accident reconstruction specialists might be employed to recreate the events leading up to the collision. You can depend on Schilling & Silvers’ personal injury attorneys to work with these individuals to strengthen your injury claim.

We Work With the Insurance Companies to Make Sure You Aren’t Taken Advantage Of

As you might expect, insurance companies also play a massive role in determining liability. They review all the evidence, and may also consider factors like the location of the vehicle damage and any admissions of fault made by the drivers involved. Their findings will influence the settlement offers and the extent of compensation each party may receive.

Our legal team will make absolutely certain you aren’t taken advantage of and will protect your interests. If you have any concerns about whether or not you should work with an attorney, scheduling a consultation with Aaron Silvers and Jeremy Schilling is absolutely in your best interest.

You can reach us at calling 954.712.8877 or come visit us at our office near you at 1700 NW 64th St Suite 460, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. You can also fill out a contact form online and reach us that way.

Related: The Importance of Evidence in Florida Car Accident Claims

What Happens If The Car Crash Was Partially My Fault?

If you were partially responsible for the car crash you might still be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. In Florida, there is what is called a “pure comparative negligence” rule. 

Say, for example, if you are found to be 30% at fault for the crash, your total compensation will be reduced by that same percentage.

So, if you do the math, then if your damages amount to $100,000, you would be eligible to recover $70,000.

It’s important to note that in Florida, you can pursue a car crash claim regardless of how high your percentage of fault is. So, even if you are found to be 99% at fault you can try to sue for damages. However, the compensation will be limited to the portion of fault attributed to the other party.

At Schilling & Silvers’ injury firm, we can tell you that navigating the complexities of Florida’s comparative negligence law can be REALLY challenging. So, for this reason, working with an experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney is critical.

Our legal team specializes in Florida auto accident law and we can help if you are injured or unable to work because you’ve been in a car accident. Contact us immediately if this is case because we can make a huge difference and help you recover financially, physically, and mentally.

Related: Legal Guide to Comparative Negligence Laws in Florida

Who Covers The Costs of My Medical Expenses After a Car Accident Injury in Fort Lauderdale?

Florida’s “no-fault” insurance laws have a big impact on automobile accident claims in and how your medical expenses are covered.

Under the no-fault system in the state of Florida, PIP coverage is required for all drivers. This coverage provides $10,000 in immediate medical coverage, allowing you to receive treatment without having to prove fault. After a wreck, many people are surprised to find that PIP only covers 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, leaving the remaining costs to be covered by other means.

What this means is that despite PIP coverage, after an automobile accident, you may still need to seek additional compensation if your injuries are severe or exceed the limits mentioned above. See Florida Statute 627.736 for PIP insurance’s specific requirements and limitations.

Options Beyond PIP

If PIP and the at-fault driver’s insurance don’t fully cover your expenses, your health insurance may cover the rest. Additionally, if you have optional Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage, it can provide extra funds.

Cases Where the Accident Caused Serious, Severe, or Catastrophic Injuries

In cases where your injuries are deemed “serious,” such as significant and permanent loss of a bodily function or permanent injury, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.

But make no mistake, pursuing a claim outside of the no-fault system can be extremely overwhelming. Insurance companies often try to minimize the payout by arguing that your injuries do not meet the legal threshold for a lawsuit. 

This is why working with a Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyer from Schilling & Silvers’ injury law firm is extremely beneficial. 

Related: What is Florida’s Severe Injury Threshold?

What Happens if I'm in an Accident with an Uninsured Driver in Fort Lauderdale?

As we all know, in the state of Florida, auto insurance is mandatory for anyone driving a car. Despite this requirement, a significant number of drivers still operate without insurance. Imagine that.

In Broward County, for example, 6.79% of drivers are uninsured. So, what happens if you’re in an accident with one of these drivers?

When you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, typically, you would file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance to recover damages.

If they don’t have insurance then obviously you can’t do that. So, if you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, that can cover your potential medical expenses, lost income or wages from work, and other damages for which the uninsured driver would have been responsible.

If you don’t have UM coverage, you may consider suing the uninsured driver personally. However, this option is often less effective since uninsured drivers may not have the financial means to pay for their damages, even if they win the lawsuit.

If you have questions about how insurance in Florida works or how to sue an uninsured driver, our injury law firm can assist. Again, this is our specialty and main area of expertise. If you are wondering how a Fort Lauderdale automobile accident attorney can help, the best thing to do is to reach out. 

What Are Some of the Risks of Not Hiring a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney?

The decision of whether or not to hire the best Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer is crucial. Many people may think they can handle the their car crash claim on their own, but this is an extremely risky choice.

Without the guidance of a skilled attorney from Schilling & Silvers Personal injury firm, you will almost certainly face several significant risks. Insurance companies offer low settlements to individuals without legal representation, taking advantage of your lack of experience to minimize their payouts.

This could result in you receiving far less financial compensation than you would have gotten had you worked with our injury and accident attorneys.

Additionally, the legal process can be overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with serious injuries. Missing important deadlines, such as the statute of limitations for filing your accident claim can completely bar you from recovering any compensation. Furthermore, you may not know what evidence will work in your favor, nor how to negotiate effectively with insurance adjusters, or how to build a strong case if your claim goes to trial.

In short, the benefits of hiring an attorney outweigh by a huge margin any reasons to consider not hiring one.  If you’d like to discuss your claim, reach out to us at 954.712.8877. We would more than happy to help you decide what the best option for your specific situation is. As we’ve mentioned above, legal consultations with Schilling & Silvers’ injury law firm are completely free.

What is The Value of My Car Accident Case?

Our personal injury lawyers are often asked “how much is my car accident case worth?”. There is no definitive answer on this. Why? Because, each case is unique and the specifics of your crash and the injuries will significantly determine the final settlement amount.

What Are The Factors Affecting Settlement Amounts?

The severity of the accident is often one of the biggest factors that will impact your settlement. More severe accidents typically result in higher medical bills, longer recovery times, and more substantial pain and suffering, all of which contribute to a larger settlement.

For instance, a highway wreck involving speeding cars causing a permanent disability will likely lead to a higher settlement than a fender bender which resulted in no injuries.

Another crucial factor is the immediacy with which you report the accident and seek medical attention. Promptly reporting the incident to the authorities and getting medical care ensures an official record of the accident and your injuries. This documentation is vital for supporting your claim and can prevent insurance companies from arguing that your injuries are unrelated to the accident.

Additionally, other factors like the clarity of liability, whether the other driver was clearly at fault, and your ability to return to work after the accident will also influence the settlement amount. If liability is disputed, it may lead to a lower settlement offer or a prolonged legal battle.

We have seen some claims settle for amounts ranging from 14,000 to as much as 1,500,000. It all depends on the specifics of your individual case. The easiest way to get an idea of how much your auto accident claim is worth is to speak with our attorneys and we can give you an approximate estimate.

What is The Process of an Auto Accident Claim in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?

It can be difficult to know what to do after being hit by a car. There are immediate steps you will want to take and then there will be additional steps once your file a claim. Here is what the steps in a car accident claim look like:

  • Make Sure That Above All, You Prioritize Your Health and Safety: After an accident, the first thing you should always do, even if you feel fine, is get checked out by a medical professional. Prompt evaluation from a doctor documents and links your injuries to the accident, which is essential for your claim.
  • Immediately Report the Accident to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department: Report the accident to the police if there are injuries, deaths, or significant property damage. 
  • Notify Your Insurance Company Right Away: Notifying your insurance company is the next important step. This is because your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. 
  • Initial Investigation and Gathering of Important Evidence: A Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyer from Schilling & Silvers’ injury firm will gather important evidence essential to the success of your injury claim.
  • Negotiation with Insurance Companies: At this point, our attorneys will negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement.
  • Settlement or Litigation: If a fair settlement is reached, your case concludes with compensation. If not, our legal team may recommend filing a lawsuit, where your case will be presented in court for a judgment.
  • Receiving Compensation: Once a settlement is agreed upon or a court judgment is made, you will receive monetary compensation for your injuries.

Our attorneys are committed to making sure your voice is heard. We aren’t afraid to litigate in court and won’t back down and give in to unfair demands from aggressive insurance companies.

Give us a call today at 954.712.8877 or visit us at our law office. We are available 24/7, so reach out for a free case evaluation.

What is The Statute of Limitations For Florida Car Accident Cases?

In Florida, you generally have two years from the date of your car accident to file a lawsuit. This deadline is crucial for pursuing compensation for injuries, property damage, or other losses.

Key Points to Remember:

  • Standard Timeframe: Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period starts from the date of death.
  • Special Cases: If you are suing a government entity or the accident involves specific circumstances, there may be different or shorter deadlines.
  • Tolling: The statute of limitations can be paused under certain conditions, such as if the injured party is a minor or incapacitated.
  • Importance of Timely Action: Delaying action can weaken your case. Over time memories fade, and important evidence may disappear. The importance of consulting with a legal professional promptly to ensure your claim is filed within the deadline cannot be overstated.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has abundant resources for those needing auto repairs, some of which include:

  • Wales Garage – 2916 SE 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
  • Arctic Auto Center – 3700 W Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
  • Layton’s Garage – 114 SW 9th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
  • Chrome Rose Auto – 215 W State Rd 84, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

Disclaimer: we do not endorse or profit from mentioning these top rated auto repair shops in Fort Lauderdale here on our web page.

Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Client Review

fort lauderdale car accident client review

See our client testimonials here.

Experienced Auto Accident Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Schilling & Silvers Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers understands the challenges you face after an accident and are dedicated to securing the compensation you deserve. We have years of experience securing car accident settlements for our clients in Fort Lauderdale, and can help you as well.

Do not face the difficult road of recovering from an automobile accident alone. Schedule a free consultation with our injury and accident attorneys and take the first step toward justice and recovery.

Looking for a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer near me? Some of the locations which our attorneys serve include Beverly HeightsCity ViewColee HammockIdlewyldNurmi IslesProgresso VillageRio VistaRiviera IslesSailboat Bend,  Seven IslesSunrise KeyTarpon River, and more…

Car Accidents Infographic

car accidents infographic