Hollywood Car Accident Attorney

Thousands of Annual Collisions in Hollywood, Florida

Hollywood, Florida, is a thriving location in the south of the state. Served by some major roads and in close proximity to rail and air links, it attracts many leisure and business visitors every year. It’s a popular place to settle down as well.

This can mean that traffic gets busy on the main roads, and on I-95, US 1, and US 441 in particular.

Situated within easy reach of the busy locations of Fort Lauderdale and Miami too, the high volume of traffic means there’s an increased risk of vehicle accidents in the vicinity, particularly when it comes to younger, more inexperienced drivers.

In fact, statistics published by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles show that in 2021, there were 4,081 drivers in crashes aged 15 to 19 and 7,929 aged 20 to 24 in Broward County.

Between 2020 and 2021, there was an increase of nearly 31% for the first group and almost 26% for the second group.

What’s more, in 2022, the age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population of deaths from motor vehicle crashes in Broward County was 14.4. While this may be lower than average for the state of Florida, it still represents a tragic loss of life.

If you have been in a car wreck and need assistance from an experienced Hollywood car accident lawyer, contact our law firm today.

What Are the Major Factors Contributing to These Florida Car Crashes?

Unfortunately, compared to other states in the US, Florida has a high rate of vehicle accidents, resulting in injuries and sometimes even death. Indeed, car accidents are a top cause of death for teenagers.

There are many factors behind the excessive number of car crashes which our legal team sees in Florida. These include:

• Driving with excessive speed
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Distracted driving, which can include eating or texting while driving
• Drowsy driving or driving while overly fatigued
• Reckless driving behavior, including ignoring red lights, cutting off other road users, and tailgating
• Inexperienced drivers making poor decisions
• Poorly maintained vehicles resulting in mechanical failure
• Manufacturing faults in a vehicle or part
• Adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, fog, or even excessive heat, which can trigger mechanical failures
• Poorly maintained roads

How Do I Know If I Have a Car Accident Claim in Hollywood, Florida?

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Hollywood, Florida, you may be wondering whether you have a case for compensation.

Consulting with a knowledgeable attorney will help determine whether this is so. They will review the facts and evidence available to understand if you have a good chance of a successful claim.

These are some of the questions they may ask you about your accident:

• What kind of injuries did you sustain in the accident?
• Did you receive medical care for your injuries?
• Did you have to take time off work because of your injuries?
• How did your accident happen?
• When did the accident happen?
• Were there any witnesses to the accident?

Florida is a no-fault state, so your first recourse would be to your own insurance company. They will usually pay out for your medical care and lost earnings, regardless of who was at fault in your accident.

Florida’s no-fault law limits lawsuits for pain and suffering after car crashes. You can pursue those damages against the at-fault driver if the crash caused (1) significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, (2) a permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, (3) significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or (4) death (Fla. Stat. § 627.737(2)).

To learn more about whether you have a claim or not, contact our experienced Hollywood car accident attorneys today. We offer free case evaluations and are never too busy to speak with you.

How Is Fault Determined in a Hollywood Car Accident?

Florida may be a no-fault state, but if you have suffered damage to your property or permanent or significant injury, you can file a claim for additional compensation. For this to succeed, the fault of the other driver must be established by you or your attorney.

This is usually done by insurance company adjusters in Florida by studying a range of evidence including police reports, witness statements, and other information relating to the accident. Once they’ve taken all of this data in, they will state who is at fault and what proportion of fault should be assigned to them.

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule (Fla. Stat. § 768.81(6)). If you are 50 percent or less at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your share of fault. If you are more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover. For example, if you are 30 percent at fault on a $100,000 claim, you recover $70,000.

Determination of fault is a crucial part of your compensation claim. Remember that insurance companies will not be working in your best interests. That’s why you need to enlist the help of an experienced Hollywood car accident lawyer who can present evidence to reduce or eliminate the amount of fault apportioned to you. This means that you will receive the compensation package that you truly deserve.

What Happens If the At-Fault Party Was Uninsured?

Owners of cars registered in Florida must carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in property damage liability. Bodily injury liability coverage is not required for most drivers. PIP pays 80 percent of reasonable medical bills and 60 percent of lost income, up to $10,000, plus a $5,000 death benefit. You must get medical care within 14 days of the crash, and benefits may be capped at $2,500 unless a qualified provider finds an emergency medical condition (Fla. Stat. §§ 627.733, 627.736).

But if you are in a crash with an uninsured driver, you will need to file a claim to recoup this shortfall.

You may also file a personal injury lawsuit if your injury meets Florida’s threshold for a permanent injury.

However, if the uninsured at-fault driver is in a position of financial hardship, you may have to settle for an amount that doesn’t push them further into difficulties.

In the event that they fail to make the agreed payments, you can:

• Place a lien on their property
• Garnish their wages, where a court orders payment to be deducted at source to be paid directly to you
• Garnish their bank account, where funds are taken directly from the other party’s bank account to benefit you
• Seize their personal property
• Negotiate for the state to confiscate the driver’s license until they have paid you in full

To help you work through these steps and get the compensation you are due when the other driver is uninsured, seek the advice of a skilled personal injury lawyer from The Bald Injury Lawyers.

What Compensation Is Available for Car Crash Claims in Hollywood, Florida?

When your losses exceed the amount of compensation available from your insurance coverage and the other driver was at fault, you can claim for several different types of losses:

• Medical expenses – If found to be at fault, the other driver will be liable for all your medical expenses. These include care immediately after the accident, surgery and ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. This category also covers care you are likely to need in the future.
• Medical supplies – This covers expenses relating to medication and travel costs to and from appointments with healthcare providers.
• Damage to your vehicle or property – Your insurance claim may cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle up to a certain point. Beyond this, you may seek compensation for the rest in a personal claim.
• Lost earnings – This refers to the loss of wages if you have to take time off work following your accident. And if your injuries mean that you can’t work in the same role with equal earning capacity, you may claim for future lost wages.
• Emotional trauma – Accidents can be distressing and traumatic. Your Hollywood car accident lawyer will be able to guide you to claim a fair sum to reflect the pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment that you have experienced as a result of your accident.
• Funeral and burial costs – If you have lost a loved one due to a car accident where the other driver was at fault, you may bring a wrongful death claim for the costs of their funeral and burial.

Accident and Injury Lawyers Serving Hollywood, Florida

After a car accident in Florida, you are bound to experience a range of thoughts and emotions. Following the initial shock, you may feel anxious and stressed about your injuries, future earning potential, and more.

But you don’t have to undergo the process of claiming compensation for your loss alone, the team at The Bald Injury Lawyers is here to fight your corner for you.

We represent clients in Hollywood from our Fort Lauderdale office. Our experienced car accident lawyers understand the laws and processes around personal injury claims and will do everything in their power to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Get in touch to know more about how our professional team can help you. If you’re eligible for compensation following an accident that wasn’t your fault, they will work to get you a fair and just result as swiftly as possible. This will allow you to gain closure from your accident and start living again, with a renewed sense of direction and the peace of mind that you deserve.

In addition to Hollywood, our skilled legal team serves Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Plantation, Davie, and more.