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10 Verified Car Accident Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale

Awards and recognitions listed are not indicative of future results. Selection criteria vary by organization.

Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer

When You Are Injured, the Insurance Company Has a Plan to Pay You Less. We Have a Plan to Stop Them.

Every day in Fort Lauderdale, people are injured through no fault of their own. Car accidents on I-95. Motorcycle crashes on A1A. Slip and falls at hotels and shopping centers. Dangerous products. Medical mistakes.

And every day, insurance companies work to minimize what they pay these victims — or deny their claims entirely.

Carlos D. Cabrera spent years as insurance defense counsel before becoming a trial Lawyer. He knows the tactics insurers use to reduce claims, the arguments they make to shift blame, and the pressure they apply to force victims into accepting less than they deserve.

Now he uses that knowledge exclusively to fight for injury victims in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Broward County.

Free Consultation | 754-290-3803

Broward County Injury Statistics

Broward County is the second most populous county in Florida — and one of the most dangerous for residents and visitors. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:

Statistic	2023 Data
Total Traffic Crashes	40,286
People Injured	24,548
Fatalities	210
Hit-and-Run Crashes	12,465

These numbers represent real people — workers commuting to jobs, families running errands, tourists enjoying vacation. When they are injured, they face not only physical pain and medical bills but also an insurance system designed to minimize their claims.

Beyond traffic crashes, thousands more Broward County residents are injured each year in:

Slip, trip, and fall accidents
Premises liability incidents
Defective product injuries
Boating and watercraft accidents
Construction and workplace accidents
Medical malpractice

Whatever caused your injury, if someone else was at fault, you deserve an advocate who understands how insurance companies operate — and how to hold them accountable.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Fort Lauderdale

Florida Advocates represents injury victims across the full spectrum of personal injury law:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car Accidents Rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, hit-and-runs, intersection accidents, I-95 and I-595 highway crashes, rideshare accidents, and uninsured motorist claims. Susan Brown has recovered over $400,000 for a rear-end collision victim when the insurer offered under $40,000.

Motorcycle Accidents Left-turn collisions, lane-change accidents, road hazard crashes, and cases where riders face bias from insurance adjusters. Susan Brown recovered $2.5 million for a motorcyclist who was cited at the scene after proving the other driver was at fault.

Truck Accidents 18-wheeler crashes, delivery truck accidents, commercial vehicle collisions. These cases often involve multiple insurance policies and require investigation of trucking company records, driver logs, and vehicle maintenance.

Pedestrian Accidents Broward County recorded 1,112 pedestrian crashes and 62 pedestrian fatalities in 2023. Crosswalk accidents, parking lot incidents, and hit-and-runs involving pedestrians.

Bicycle Accidents Broward County recorded 888 bicycle crashes and 9 cyclist fatalities in 2023. Dooring accidents, intersection collisions, and drivers failing to yield to cyclists.

Premises Liability

Slip and Fall Accidents Wet floors, uneven surfaces, inadequate lighting, broken stairs, and hazardous conditions at stores, restaurants, hotels, and commercial properties. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises.

Hotel and Resort Injuries Fort Lauderdale’s tourism industry brings millions of visitors annually. Hotels, resorts, and vacation properties must maintain safe conditions for guests.

Swimming Pool Accidents Inadequate fencing, missing drain covers, lack of supervision, and dangerous conditions at residential and commercial pools.

Negligent Security Assaults, robberies, and attacks that occur due to inadequate security measures at apartments, parking garages, hotels, and commercial properties.

Other Personal Injury Cases

Product Liability Injuries caused by defective or dangerous products — vehicles, medical devices, appliances, children’s products, and more. Manufacturers are liable for products that injure consumers.

Wrongful Death When negligence or wrongful acts cause a death, surviving family members can pursue compensation for their losses. Florida law allows recovery for lost financial support, loss of companionship, and mental pain and suffering.

Boating Accidents Fort Lauderdale is the “Yachting Capital of the World.” Boating accidents, jet ski collisions, and watercraft injuries require specialized knowledge of maritime law.

Dog Bites Florida holds dog owners strictly liable for bite injuries. Victims do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.

Insurance Bad Faith When insurance companies unreasonably deny, delay, or undervalue legitimate claims, they may be liable for bad faith — exposing them to damages beyond the original policy limits.

What Insurance Companies Do After You Are Injured

The insurance adjuster assigned to your claim is not working for you — even if it is your own insurance company. Their job is to resolve your claim for as little money as possible.

Carlos D. Cabrera knows these tactics because he used to develop them as insurance defense counsel:

Common Insurance Tactics

Requesting a recorded statement immediately Adjusters contact you while you are still in pain, confused, and don’t yet understand the full extent of your injuries. They ask questions designed to get you to minimize symptoms or admit partial fault.

Making a fast lowball offer Insurers offer quick settlements before you finish medical treatment — before you know how serious your injuries are. Once you accept, you cannot ask for more.

Blaming you for your injuries Florida’s comparative negligence law reduces your recovery if you share fault. Insurers aggressively argue that you caused or contributed to your own injuries.

Disputing medical treatment Adjusters question whether your treatment was necessary, whether your injuries are related to the accident, and whether you really need future care.

Hiring “independent” medical examiners Insurance companies pay doctors to examine you and — unsurprisingly — conclude that your injuries are less serious than your treating physicians believe.

Delaying your claim Financial pressure forces many victims to accept less than their claims are worth. Insurers know this and use delay as a strategy.

Carlos D. Cabrera knows these tactics because he used to develop them. Now he defeats them.

Real Broward County Case Results

Recovery	Case Type	Case Summary & Result
$2,500,000	Motorcycle Accident	Our client was riding behind an ambulance when it stopped suddenly, causing a collision. Police cited our client for following too closely, and the insurer denied the claim based on the citation. We investigated the accident, interviewed witnesses, obtained ambulance records, and proved the ambulance driver was at fault. Result: $2.5 million recovery despite the citation at the scene.
$190,000	Car Accident — T-Bone Collision	Our client suffered injuries in a T-bone collision that aggravated a pre-existing back condition. The insurer argued the pre-existing condition, rather than the crash, caused the client’s symptoms. The insurer initially offered $55,000. We documented how the crash transformed a manageable condition into a disabling injury. Result: $190,000 recovery — nearly four times the initial offer.
Over $400,000	Rear-End Collision — Spinal Surgery	Our client was rear-ended and ultimately required spinal surgery. The insurer initially offered less than $40,000. We documented the mechanics of the crash, obtained expert opinions, and prepared the case for trial. Result: More than $400,000 recovered — over ten times the initial offer.
$100,000	FedEx Premises Liability	Our client suffered a finger amputation at a FedEx facility due to dangerous conditions on the premises. We established FedEx’s vicarious liability for the unsafe conditions. Result: $100,000 recovery.
High Six-Figure Settlement	Boat Show Premises Injury	Our client, a tourist visiting a Fort Lauderdale boat show, was injured because of dangerous conditions on the premises. We negotiated a high six-figure settlement without litigation and held the property owner accountable for failing to maintain safe conditions for visitors. Result: High six-figure settlement.

Free Consultation

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is evaluated on its individual facts.

Florida Personal Injury Law — What You Need to Know

The 14-Day Rule
This is the most important deadline in Florida personal injury law.
Florida requires you to seek medical treatment within 14 days of an accident to qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. PIP covers:
80% of reasonable medical expenses — up to $10,000
60% of lost wages
If you wait longer than 14 days to see a doctor — even if your injuries are real — you forfeit your PIP coverage entirely.
Do not wait. Seek medical attention immediately after any accident, even if you feel fine. Many injuries do not manifest symptoms until days later.

Modified Comparative Negligence

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule:

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

Insurance companies aggressively argue comparative fault to reduce what they pay. Countering these arguments requires experience and evidence.

Statute of Limitations

Case Type	Deadline
Personal Injury	2 years from date of injury
Wrongful Death	2 years from date of death
Medical Malpractice	2 years from discovery (maximum 4 years from incident)
Product Liability	4 years from date of injury

Missing these deadlines eliminates your right to compensation — no matter how serious your injuries.

Damages You Can Recover

Economic Damages (Quantifiable Losses)

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Property damage
Home modifications and adaptive equipment

Non-Economic Damages (Quality of Life)

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Scarring and disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium

Wrongful Death Damages

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

What to Do After an Injury in Fort Lauderdale

Immediate Steps

Seek medical attention — Within 14 days for accidents (required for PIP)
Report the incident — Police report for accidents, incident report for premises injuries
Document everything:
- Photograph the scene, hazard, or vehicles
- Photograph your injuries
- Get witness contact information
- Keep records of all medical visits and bills

Protect Your Claim

Do NOT give recorded statements to any insurance company — including your own
Do NOT sign anything from an insurance adjuster
Do NOT accept a quick settlement offer
Do NOT post on social media about the incident
Contact Florida Advocates for a free consultation

Fort Lauderdale Medical and Emergency Resources

If you are injured in Fort Lauderdale, these are the primary trauma centers and hospitals:

Level I Trauma Centers

Broward Health Medical Center (Level I Adult & Pediatric)
1600 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (954) 355-4400

Memorial Regional Hospital (Level I Trauma)
3501 Johnson Street, Hollywood, FL 33021
Phone: (954) 987-2000

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital (Level I Pediatric)
1005 Joe DiMaggio Drive, Hollywood, FL 33021
Phone: (954) 265-5324

Other Hospitals

Broward Health Imperial Point
6401 N Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: (954) 776-8500

Holy Cross Hospital 4725 N Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: (954) 771-8000

Law Enforcement

Fort Lauderdale Police Department
Phone: (954) 828-5700

Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Phone: (954) 831-8900

Florida Highway Patrol — Troop L
Phone: (954) 837-4150

Courts

Broward County Courthouse (17th Judicial Circuit)
201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565

U.S. Federal Courthouse (Southern District of Florida)
299 E Broward Boulevard #108, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 769-5400

Why Carlos D. Cabrera for Your Fort Lauderdale Injury Case

Insurance Insider Experience

Most personal injury Lawyers have only ever worked on one side of a claim. Carlos D. Cabrera worked on both sides.

Before law school, Carlos worked as insurance defense counsel. He:

Evaluated injury claims across all types of accidents
Reviewed medical records to find reasons to minimize payouts
Developed the arguments insurers use to deny and reduce claims
Was selected to handle his firm’s largest and most complex insurance defense matters, managing cases under specialized handling procedures

Then he went to work for a personal injury firm — which is where he decided to switch sides and represent injury victims himself.

When Carlos takes your case, he already knows what the insurance company will argue. He begins building the counter-strategy from day one.

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

Carlos’s federal court admissions mean he can handle complex cases that cross state lines or involve federal questions — not just state court claims.

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

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 (filing fees, expert witnesses, medical records, accident reconstruction)
No Lawyer fees unless we recover for you — If we don’t win, you don’t pay

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

Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were injured in Fort Lauderdale through someone else’s negligence, contact Florida Advocates today. Your consultation is free and confidential. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.

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

Office Location: Florida Advocates 45 E Sheridan Street Dania Beach, FL 33004
Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Available by phone 24/7 for emergencies

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