Fort Myers Personal Injury Lawyer-

Florida Advocates Serves Lee County Injury Victims with the Same Insurance-Insider Expertise We Bring to Clients Across Florida.

When you have been injured in a Fort Myers car accident, motorcycle crash, slip and fall, or any other incident caused by someone else’s negligence, the law that governs your case is Florida law — the same law that applies in Broward, Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, and Lee County. The 14-day PIP rule, modified comparative negligence, the two-year statute of limitations, the Florida Wrongful Death Act — all of it is the same.

What differs is the Lawyer handling your case.

Florida Advocates represents Lee County injury victims with the same insurance-insider perspective and case-building precision we bring to clients across the state. Carlos D. Cabrera was insurance defense counsel before he became a plaintiff’s Lawyer. He knows exactly how insurance companies evaluate, delay, and deny claims — because he used to defend them.

Florida Advocates Serves Fort Myers and All of Florida

Florida Advocates is headquartered in Dania Beach (Broward County), with additional offices in North Miami (Miami-Dade County) and Tampa (Hillsborough County). We serve clients throughout Florida — including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, Lehigh Acres, and all of Lee County.

How We Work With Fort Myers Clients

We meet with Fort Myers clients the same way we meet with clients statewide:

• Phone consultations — initial conversations at no cost to you
• Video conferencing — full meetings via Zoom, FaceTime, or your preferred platform
• In-person at our Tampa office — for clients who can travel to the Gulf Coast
• Travel to Lee County for major cases — Susan and our team travel to meet clients across Florida when the case warrants it

What does not change based on geography:

• Susan Brown’s insurance-insider background — applies the same way to a Fort Myers car accident as to a Fort Lauderdale crash
• Federal court admissions — Susan is admitted to all three U.S. District Courts in Florida, including the Middle District of Florida, which covers Lee County
• The firm’s case-handling resources — accident reconstruction, expert witnesses, medical experts, and economic experts can be retained for any Florida case
• The applicable law — Florida statutes apply statewide

Why Hire a Statewide Firm for Your Fort Myers Case?

Many Fort Myers personal injury victims assume they need a firm physically located in Lee County. That’s not how case quality works.

What actually drives outcomes in Florida personal injury cases:

• The Lawyer’s experience evaluating insurance claims — including from the insurance side
• Federal court admission — for cases that exceed the diversity threshold or involve federal questions
• Resources to advance expert witness costs — accident reconstruction, medical, economic
• Trial readiness — insurers settle for more when they know the firm will actually litigate
• Specialty expertise — insurance dispute work, products liability, defective drugs

Carlos D. Cabrera brings all of this to every Florida case. He has extensive trial and appellate experience, including Lead Counsel Verified status for appellate work since 2015. He is admitted to the Middle District of Florida, which is the federal trial court for Lee County. The geographic distance between Dania Beach and Fort Myers does not affect any of that.

I dropped the claim that he “argued and won cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit,” since that admission isn’t in Carlos’s confirmed credentials (same flag as before). I replaced it with the appellate experience line from his bio. The Middle District admission is in his credentials, so that sentence stays.

Why Carlos D. Cabrera for Your Fort Myers Personal Injury Case

Most personal injury Lawyers have only ever worked one side of a claim. Carlos D. Cabrera worked on both sides before he ever set foot in a courtroom as a trial Lawyer.

Before law school, Carlos worked as insurance defense counsel. He evaluated claims, reviewed medical records, and developed the valuation arguments that insurers use to justify low offers. He was selected to handle his firm’s largest and most complex insurance defense matters, managing cases under specialized handling procedures. He was then recruited by a personal injury firm, which is where he decided to switch sides and represent injury victims himself.

When Carlos takes on your Fort Myers case, he is not guessing what the insurance company will argue. He already knows. “Pre-existing condition.” “Soft tissue only.” “Failed to mitigate.” “Comparative fault.” He has heard them all, because he used to make them.

Now he defeats them.

Learn more about Carlos D. Cabrera →

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Fort Myers

Florida Advocates handles the full range of personal injury matters for Lee County clients:

Vehicle Accidents

Car Accidents Rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, hit-and-runs, I-95 accidents, multi-vehicle pileups
Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer →

Motorcycle Accidents Broward County recorded 761 motorcycle crashes and 37 rider deaths in 2023
Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Lawyer →

Truck Accidents Commercial vehicle crashes on I-95 and I-595

Premises Injuries

Slip and Fall Accidents Florida Statute 768.0755 claims

Premises Liability Negligent security, pool accidents, dangerous conditions

Catastrophic Injuries

Wrongful Death Pursuing accountability for grieving families

• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Amputation
• Burn Injuries

Insurance Disputes

Insurance Claim Denials UM/UIM disputes, PIP denials, bad faith claims
Fort Lauderdale Insurance Denial Lawyer →

PIP Claims Personal Injury Protection disputes

Product Injuries

Products Liability Defective vehicles, medical devices, consumer products
Fort Lauderdale Products Liability Lawyer →

Defective Drugs Dangerous pharmaceuticals

Fort Myers and Lee County Personal Injury Statistics

Lee County is the eighth most populous county in Florida and continues to grow rapidly. With population growth comes traffic — and with traffic comes accidents.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Lee County records:

Lee County’s specific risk factors include:

• Rapid population growth — straining infrastructure built for a smaller community
• Tourist-heavy coastal areas — drivers unfamiliar with local roads
• Senior demographic — Lee County has one of Florida’s highest concentrations of senior residents
• Hurricane recovery infrastructure stress — post-Hurricane Ian rebuild has affected road conditions
• I-75 commercial truck corridor — heavy commercial traffic between Naples and Tampa

Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Fort Myers

Lee County roads we frequently see in personal injury cases include:

Major Highways

Interstate 75 The primary north-south corridor through SW Florida. Heavy commercial truck traffic, high speeds, and frequent rush-hour congestion contribute to multi-vehicle pileups, especially around the Daniels Parkway and Colonial Boulevard interchanges.

US-41 (Tamiami Trail / Cleveland Avenue) A major commercial corridor running north-south through Fort Myers. Frequent business driveways, stoplights, and pedestrian crossings create high-conflict conditions, particularly in the section running through downtown.

Major Local Roads

• Daniels Parkway — major east-west arterial; high-speed and high-volume
• Colonial Boulevard — commercial corridor with frequent intersection conflicts
• Pine Island Road / Bayshore Road — connects Cape Coral to North Fort Myers
• Six Mile Cypress Parkway — heavy commuter traffic
• Summerlin Road — connects Fort Myers to Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach
• McGregor Boulevard — historic palm-lined corridor with heavy tourist traffic
• State Road 80 (Palm Beach Boulevard) — major commercial route to LaBelle
• Caloosahatchee Bridge — high-traffic crossing connecting north and south Fort Myers

Cape Coral and Surrounding Communities

We also handle cases throughout the Cape Coral / Lee County area, including:

• Pine Island Road through Cape Coral
• Del Prado Boulevard — major Cape Coral commercial corridor
• Veterans Memorial Parkway — connects Cape Coral to Fort Myers
• Cape Coral Parkway — main Cape Coral commercial street

If you were injured on any Lee County road, contact us for a free consultation.

Florida Personal Injury Law — What Applies to Your Fort Myers Case

Florida law is the same in Lee County as it is anywhere else in the state. The key principles that govern your case:

Under Florida Statute § 627.736, every Florida driver is required to carry $10,000 in PIP coverage. PIP applies regardless of who caused the crash — but only if you seek medical treatment within 14 days.

Modified Comparative Negligence (Effective March 2023)

Florida Statute § 768.81 follows a modified comparative negligence rule:

• If you are partially at fault below 50%, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault
• If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any damages

Insurers aggressively argue comparative fault to reduce exposure. Building the evidence that defeats fault arguments is core to how we build cases.

Statute of Limitations

• Two years from the date of the accident for personal injury claims
• Two years from the date of death for wrongful death claims
• Four years for products liability and most insurance disputes
• Three years for government entity defendants (with pre-suit notice required)

Stepping Outside the No-Fault System

PIP limits most car accident victims to no-fault recovery. However, you can step outside no-fault and sue the at-fault driver if your injuries meet the serious injury threshold under Florida Statute § 627.737:

• Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
• Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Death

We evaluate every Fort Myers car accident case for both PIP recovery and tort claims.

Damages Available in Fort Myers Personal Injury Cases

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses — emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, future care
• Lost wages — past and future
• Reduced earning capacity from permanent disability
• Property damage — vehicle replacement, personal belongings
• Home modifications and adaptive equipment for catastrophic injuries

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium (impact on spousal relationship)

Wrongful Death Damages

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Lost financial support
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection
• Mental pain and suffering of survivors

Punitive Damages

Available in cases involving egregious conduct — DUI crashes, knowing safety violations, intentional misconduct — under Florida Statute § 768.72.

Lee County Medical and Emergency Resources

If you are injured in Fort Myers or anywhere in Lee County, these are the primary trauma centers and medical facilities:

Trauma Centers — Lee County

Lee Memorial Hospital (Level II Trauma Center)
2776 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: (239) 343-2000
Website

Gulf Coast Medical Center (Lee Health)
13681 Doctor’s Way, Fort Myers, FL 33912
Phone: (239) 343-1000
Website

Cape Coral Hospital (Lee Health)
636 Del Prado Boulevard, Cape Coral, FL 33990
Phone: (239) 424-2000

HealthPark Medical Center (Lee Health)
9981 S Healthpark Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908
Phone: (239) 343-5000

Closest Level I Trauma Center

For the most serious injuries, the closest Level I trauma center to Fort Myers is:

Tampa General Hospital (Level I Adult Trauma)
1 Tampa General Circle, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: (813) 844-7000

Law Enforcement

• Lee County Sheriff’s Office: (239) 477-1000
• Fort Myers Police Department: (239) 321-7700
• Cape Coral Police Department: (239) 574-3223
• Florida Highway Patrol (Statewide): (850) 847-2500

Lee County Courts

Lee County Justice Center (20th Judicial Circuit)
1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: (239) 533-5000 Website

What to Do After an Accident in Fort Myers

At the Scene

1. Get to safety if you can move without worsening injuries
2. Call 911 — Fort Myers Police, Cape Coral Police, Lee County Sheriff, or Florida Highway Patrol depending on location
3. Accept emergency medical treatment — adrenaline masks injury and symptoms may not appear for hours
4. Photograph everything — vehicles, damage, scene, traffic signals, weather, your visible injuries
5. Get the other driver’s information — license, insurance, license plate
6. Get witness contact information
7. Do NOT discuss fault at the scene

Within 14 Days

8. See a doctor within 14 days — even if you feel fine (preserves PIP benefits)
9. Document all symptoms in a daily journal
10. Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts

Protect Your Claim

11. Do NOT give recorded statements to any insurance company
12. Do NOT sign anything from an insurance adjuster
13. Do NOT accept a quick settlement offer
14. Do NOT post on social media about the accident
15. Contact Florida Advocates for a free consultation

Frequently Asked Questions — Fort Myers Personal Injury Claims

About Lawyer Carlos D. Cabrera

Carlos D. Cabrera leads the Personal Injury Department at Florida Advocates. Before becoming a Lawyer, Carlos worked as insurance defense counsel. He was then recruited by a personal injury firm, which is where he decided to switch sides and represent injury victims instead.

Education

• J.D. — St. Thomas University College of Law (2000)
• Managing Editor, St. Thomas Law Review
• B.A. English — Florida International University (1994)

Bar Admissions

• The Florida Bar
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida

Credentials & Recognitions

• Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member
• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member
• Florida Legal Elite Recognition
• Lead Counsel Verified (Appellate, since 2015)
• Former Insurance Defense Counsel

Insurance Insider Background

Worked as insurance defense counsel before law school. Recruited by a personal injury firm. Throughout his legal career has represented both insurance companies and injury victims — which gives him a perspective most personal injury Lawyers simply do not have.

Learn more about Carlos D. Cabrera →

No Fee Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis. That means:

• Free consultation — no cost to speak with us about your case
• No upfront fees — we advance all case costs
• No Lawyer fees unless we recover for you

You will never receive a bill from us while your case is active. We only get paid when you do.

About Florida Advocates

Florida Advocates is a personal injury law firm headquartered in Dania Beach, Florida, serving clients throughout the state of Florida — including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, Lehigh Acres, and all of Lee County.

Office Locations:

Dania Beach (Broward County) — Headquarters
45 E Sheridan Street Dania Beach, FL 33004

North Miami (Miami-Dade County)
13499 Biscayne Blvd #107 North Miami, FL 33181

Tampa (Hillsborough County) — closest office to Fort Myers
238 E Davis Blvd #210 Tampa, FL 33606

Phone: 754-290-3803
Email: info@fladvocates.com

Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Available by phone 24/7 for emergencies

Communities We Serve in Lee County

Florida Advocates represents personal injury victims throughout Fort Myers, Lee County, and Southwest Florida, including:

• Fort Myers
• Cape Coral
• Bonita Springs
• Estero
• Lehigh Acres
• North Fort Myers
• Fort Myers Beach
• Sanibel Island
• Captiva Island
• Fort Myers Shores
• Iona
• San Carlos Park
• Pine Island
• Punta Rassa

If you were injured anywhere in Lee County or Southwest Florida, we can help.

Contact a Fort Myers Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in Fort Myers or anywhere in Lee County, contact Florida Advocates today for a free, confidential consultation.

Call: 754-290-3803
Email: info@fladvocates.com

Call us for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover for you. After all, isn’t that what family would do?

Related Pages

• About Florida Advocates
• Carlos D. Cabrera Lawyer Bio
• Personal Injury Practice Areas
• Insurance Claim Denials Lawyer
• Service Areas
• Contact Us