Florida Car Accident Lawyer | Broward County & Fort Lauderdale

Florida Car Accident Lawyer

403,626 Crashes in Florida in 2023. We Know How Insurers Defend the Resulting Claims — Because We Used to Build Those Defenses.

Florida Advocates represents car accident victims throughout the state — from our offices in Dania Beach, North Miami, and Tampa. When you have been injured in a rear-end collision, T-bone crash, hit-and-run, or multi-vehicle accident anywhere in Florida, you need an attorney who understands how insurance companies evaluate and undervalue claims — and exactly how to defeat the standard insurer playbook.

Susan Brown spent years as a bodily injury insurance adjuster before becoming a trial attorney. She knows from the inside exactly what the insurance company is going to argue against your claim — and she begins building the counter-evidence from day one.

Proven Results: Defeating Insurance Company Tactics

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Proven Results: Defeating Insurance Company Tactics

Recent Results:

🏆 $190,000 — T-Bone Collision with Pre-Existing Condition
🏆 Over $400,000 — Rear-End Collision with Spinal Surgery

$190,000 — T-Bone Collision with Pre-Existing Condition

	The situation: Our client was struck in a T-bone collision when another driver ran a red light. The crash aggravated a pre-existing back condition she had been managing successfully for years.
	The insurance company’s position: The adjuster reviewed medical records, found prior treatment for back pain, and offered $55,000 — arguing the crash did not cause her current symptoms.
	Our approach:  We worked with treating physicians and medical experts to document exactly how the crash transformed a manageable condition into a disabling injury. We built the medical evidence showing the difference between her pre-crash baseline and her post-crash limitations.
	The result: $190,000 — nearly four times the initial offer.

Over $400,000 — Rear-End Collision with Spinal Surgery

	The situation: Our client was rear-ended and required spinal surgery.
	The insurance company’s position: The insurer offered under $40,000, disputing the extent of injuries and necessity of surgery.
	Our approach: We documented the crash mechanism, obtained expert medical opinions, and prepared the case for trial.
	The result: Over $400,000 — more than 10 times the insurer’s initial offer.

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

Florida Car Accident Statistics (2023)

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

Florida consistently ranks among the most dangerous states for drivers in the nation. The combination of high traffic volume, tourist drivers unfamiliar with local roads, aggressive driving, and distracted driving contributes to hundreds of thousands of crashes each year.

Florida Car Accident Law — What You Need to Know

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The 14-Day Rule (PIP)

Florida is a no-fault insurance state under Florida Statute 627.736. Every Florida driver is required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of at least $10,000.

Modified Comparative Negligence (March 2023)

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Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Florida Statute 768.81:

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

Example: If your damages are $100,000 and the insurer convinces a jury you were 25% at fault, you recover $75,000. If they convince a jury you were 51% at fault, you recover nothing.

Insurance companies aggressively argue comparative fault to reduce their exposure. Building the evidence that defeats or minimizes your fault percentage is a core part of what we do.

Statute of Limitations — Two Years

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Special deadlines apply when:

A defective vehicle component contributed — products liability has a 4-year statute of limitations

A government entity is the defendant — pre-suit notice within 3 years under Florida Statute 768.28

The accident caused a death — wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years of the date of death

Florida’s Minimum Insurance Requirements

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Florida only requires drivers to carry:

• $10,000 PIP (Personal Injury Protection)
• $10,000 PDL (Property Damage Liability)

Florida does NOT require bodily injury liability coverage.

This means many at-fault drivers have no insurance to pay for your injuries. When you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, your only option may be your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.

UM/UIM claims are among the most contentious we handle — because your own insurance company becomes your adversary. Susan Brown’s insurance adjuster background is particularly valuable in these cases.

What Insurance Companies Do After a Florida Car Accident

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

Common tactics we see in Florida car accident claims:

• Requesting a recorded statement before you understand the extent of your injuries
• Using your own words to minimize your pain and suffering claim
• Making a fast lowball offer before you have completed medical treatment
• Arguing pre-existing conditions caused your current symptoms
• Disputing the medical necessity of your treatment
• Hiring “independent” medical examiners paid to minimize your injuries
• Allowing surveillance footage to be “routinely deleted”
• Claiming you were partially at fault to reduce your recovery under comparative negligence
• Delaying the claim until financial pressure forces a lower settlement
• Monitoring your social media for content that can be used against you

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Florida

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Distracted Driving

Texting, phone use, eating, GPS interaction, and other distractions are leading causes of crashes statewide. We obtain phone records and texting logs in cases where distracted driving is suspected.

Rear-End Collisions

The most common type of crash on Florida’s congested highways. Rear-end collisions often cause whiplash, herniated discs, and traumatic brain injuries even at relatively low speeds.

Types of Injuries We Handle

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Car accidents produce a wide range of injuries, often more serious than they first appear:

Whiplash and Neck Injuries

Even low-speed rear-end collisions can cause whiplash, herniated discs, and chronic pain that persists for months or years.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Herniated discs, nerve damage, and in severe cases paralysis. Spinal injuries often require lifetime medical care.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Concussions, contusions, and severe TBI can result from any crash, including those without obvious head impact. TBI can cause cognitive impairment, personality changes, memory loss, and permanent disability.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Broken ribs, collarbone, wrist, arm, pelvis, femur, and facial fractures are common in car accidents.

Internal Organ Damage

Blunt force can damage internal organs. Internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent and can be life-threatening

Soft Tissue Injuries

Sprains, strains, and tears that may not appear on initial imaging but cause chronic pain. Insurers routinely undervalue soft tissue injuries.

Psychological Injuries

PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of driving are real injuries with real economic consequences.

About Attorney Susan Brown

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Susan Brown oversees the Personal Injury Department at Florida Advocates. Before becoming an attorney, Susan worked as a bodily injury and workers’ compensation insurance adjuster. She was selected as the designated adjuster for her company’s largest insured, managing complex claims under specialized handling procedures.
That inside knowledge of how insurance companies operate is what sets her apart. She knows exactly how insurers evaluate, delay, and undervalue claims — because she used to do that work herself.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Florida

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At the Scene

1. Get to safety if you can move without worsening injuries
2. Call 911 and obtain an official accident report
3. Accept emergency medical treatment — adrenaline masks injury symptoms
4. Photograph everything:
   • Vehicle positions and damage
   • The other driver’s license, insurance card, and license plate
   • Skid marks and debris
   • Your injuries
   • Traffic signals, signs, and weather conditions
5. Get witness contact information
6. Do NOT discuss fault at the scene — and do not apologize

Frequently Asked Questions

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Damages You Can Pursue

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Economic Damages

• Medical expenses — past and future
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage
• Home modifications and adaptive equipment

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

No Fee Unless We Win

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We work on a contingency fee basis:

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

You will never receive a bill from us while your case is active.

Florida Advocates Office Locations

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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) 238 E Davis Blvd #210 Tampa, FL 33606

Phone: 754-290-3803 Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Available by phone 24/7 for emergencies

Car Accident Lawyers by Location

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We represent car accident victims throughout Florida. Select your location for local information:

If you were injured in a car accident anywhere in Florida, contact us for a free consultation.

Contact a Florida Car Accident Lawyer

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If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident anywhere in Florida, contact Florida Advocates today. Time matters — the 14-day rule for PIP benefits, the 2-year statute of limitations, and rapid evidence deterioration all start the moment the crash happens.

Call: 754-290-3803

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

Related Practice Areas

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• Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
• Truck Accident Lawyer
• Wrongful Death Lawyer
• Products Liability Lawyer
• Insurance Claim Denials