Experienced Auto Accident Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL Fight for Clients’ Rights in Broward County and Throughout Florida in Motor Vehicle Accident Cases
The roadways in Fort Lauderdale and the rest of Broward County are frequently congested, and with most everyone hurried (and sometimes distracted) auto accidents are common. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you know it’s a stressful experience that can leave you shaken and in shock. Our skilled Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers can help during this difficult time.
Worse, it can be difficult to know who to turn to if you feel you deserve compensation for injuries you have sustained, not to mention damage to your vehicle. After you have been injured, you need our auto accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL who you can trust, one who will advocate on your behalf and ensure that you receive full and fair compensation.
At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., we methodically explore every potential avenue to win the compensation that is rightfully yours. We understand how frustrating and emotionally draining it can be to try to navigate the legal system. That’s why our attentive, compassionate Fort Lauderdale car accident Lawyers are there to guide you every step of the way.
Not only do we put our 35 combined years of legal experience to work for each and every one of our clients, but you also receive personal attention from the attorney and staffers who are handling your case. In fact, our auto accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL provide all of their clients with their personal cell phone numbers—and we actually respond to our clients’ calls. Also, our office is bilingual, and unlike many other South Florida law firms, virtually everyone in our office is fluent in Spanish.
Moreover, we have a long tradition of local community service, which further reflects our commitment to supporting the residents of Broward County, Palm Beach County and the rest of South Florida. For example, one of our partners has served on the Board of the Hispanic Education Coalition, the Board of the Florida Justice Association Women’s Caucus, the Board of the Palm Beach County Justice Association, the 15th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, and the Palm Beach Coalition for Immigrant Rights. She also is a Board member of the Palm Beach County Justice Association. And our commitment to the local community is reflected in the results we have achieved for our clients, who can rest assured we are doing everything possible to fight for their rights and get them the compensation they deserve.
Experienced Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers Dedicated To Fighting For Clients’ Rights
For most of us in Fort Lauderdale, getting behind the wheel of our car, van, truck or SUV is second nature. We treat it like it’s no big deal and everything will be fine during the drive. However, driving is one of the most dangerous activities we are likely to engage in.
It may not feel this way, but you are more likely to be involved in or die in a car accident than you are to be killed in a plane crash. Yet so many more people are more scared to fly than drive. This just goes to show that people’s assumptions, feelings or beliefs aren’t always correct.
Another way people can be mistaken is what to do after a car accident in South Florida. Most people think things will always work out, especially when someone else caused the accident. Unfortunately, this isn’t always true.
Car insurance companies and at-fault drivers will usually try to avoid paying anything if they can. This makes it hard for the victim of a car accident to be fully compensated for their injuries and property damage.
If you find yourself in this situation, the Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers of Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. can help you obtain a full and fair recovery following your accident.
Common Types Of Auto Accident Claims
The auto accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. help victims of negligence get compensation for all types of motor vehicle accidents. With more than $30 million recovered and decades of experience, we have practically seen it all. Some of the specific types of car accident claims that we handle include:
- Fort Lauderdale fatal car accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale fatigued driving accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale rear-end accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale head-on collision accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale Uber and Lyft accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale t-bone accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale taxi accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale fender-bender lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale distracted driving accidents and texting while driving accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale single vehicle accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale multi-vehicle accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale drunk driver accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale accident resulting in traumatic brain injury lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale vehicle rollover lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale uninsured and underinsured motorist accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale commercial vehicle accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale hit-and-run accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale accidents caused by vehicle defect lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale tire blowout accident lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale car accident in a construction zone lawyers
- Fort Lauderdale whiplash injury lawyers
Basic Steps To Follow After A Car Accident
The experience Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. has in dealing with car accidents helps us understand how car insurance companies operate. The most important thing you can do for yourself after a car accident is go see a doctor.
Even if you don’t feel like you’re hurt or injured, it’ll be good for you peace of mind. And oftentimes, injuries can exist without you noticing them.
Regardless of your condition after an accident, seeing a doctor can help move a personal injury case forward. It’s easier to prove damages with the help of medical documentation.
One thing to remember is that the “no-fault” law in Florida requires all those injured in a car accident to seek medical care no more than 14 days following the crash. This helps the victim retain their right to seek compensation under personal injury protection, or PIP.
You should also make sure you take the following steps after a Fort Lauderdale car accident:
- Call 911 so emergency personnel can respond.
- Collect insurance and contact information of all parties involved.
- Take pictures of the vehicle damage, insurance cards and the accident scene.
- Identify any witnesses and obtain their contact information.
- Talk to and exchange contact information with witnesses.
- Report the accident to your insurance company.
- Takes notes about that accident for future reference.
- Speak to an attorney about your car accident.
Never admit fault without talking to an attorney first. This doesn’t mean you need to lie, but you can explain to a police officer what you recall from the accident without adding the words, “and it was my fault.”
Even if you truly believe this, you could still be mistaken. Or, the other driver might be at fault, too. But if you mistakenly admit this to a police officer, they may put it in the police report. Then, your chances of making a full recovery for your accident will be so much harder.
Identify The Cause Of Your Fort Lauderdale Car Accident
In order for you to acquire compensation from a car accident, you need to pinpoint who was at fault. This requires determining the cause of the accident.
In most instances, a single person’s negligence could have led to the accident. In other instances, there might have been multiple drivers or vehicles at-fault in the crash.
If there are multiple people at-fault, the car accident legal team of Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. will investigate the crash and determine the comparative negligence of all involved. Common causes of car accidents we’ve dealt with include the following:
- Hazards in the road
- Inclement weather
- Drunk drivers
- Failing to check a blind spot before merging or changing lanes
- Distracted driving
- Manufacturing defects in a car part
- Blown tires
- Poor driving habits of another driver
Our auto accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL know how difficult it can be to live with an injury after a car accident. We also know what it takes to find evidence that supports your claim.
Get Financial Compensation for Auto Accident Injuries in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If another driver’s negligent or reckless actions contributed to the motor vehicle accident that caused your injuries or property damage, you may be entitled to recover compensation from that negligent or reckless party. In some cases, we obtain compensation when the case has gone to trial, but in many instances, the process comes to a conclusion before trial. We put the weight of our skills and experience to work to negotiate with the insurance companies and the attorneys representing the defendant(s), and we frequently help our clients reach a full and fair settlement without them having to endure an emotionally and physically draining trial.
In fact, one of our partners, Charles Cartwright, worked for insurance companies for 15 years before co-founding our law firm in 2010, so he understands the tactics that they use to try to avoid paying full compensation to auto accident victims.
While the circumstances surrounding each case are different, we typically obtain compensation for some or all of the following in any given auto accident case.
- Hospital bills
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses
- Expenses related to in-home care
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., we handle all types of automobile accidents, including:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Side impact collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- Rollover crashes
- Single car accidents
- Multi-vehicle pileups
- Tire blowout accidents
- Uninsured & underinsured motorist accidents
Of course, car accidents have all sorts of causes, including:
- Distracted driving
- DUI
- Driving fatigued
But regardless of the type of crash and its cause, the Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer on our staff can review the facts and circumstances surrounding your case and help find answers to important questions like:
- Who or what caused your car accident?
- Is there a potentially responsible party who was negligent?
- Are you entitled to financial compensation?
If you have been injured in an auto accident in South Florida and believe that a third party may be liable, we encourage you to contact our office today to take advantage of a free consultation.
Contact Our Skilled And Trusted Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers
At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., we are not just another personal injury law firm. We are a part of the local community—including the Hispanic community—and we strive to defend citizens’ rights in the courtroom, while also protecting the integrity of the community as a whole.
For example, attorney Adriana Gonzalez is active in the Hispanic Education Coalition and the Democratic Hispanic Caucus, and also serves the Palm Beach Coalition for Immigrant Rights. Our attorneys and staffers are also bilingual, which enables us to better communicate with many of our clients and their families.
So if you or a family member has sustained injuries in a South Florida auto accident, contact our offices via phone call or this online contact form to schedule a free consultation today. During this initial consultation, we will provide our honest and straightforward opinions as to how to best proceed.
Our offices are conveniently located in downtown Lake Worth, and we are able to offer appointments in the evening or over the weekends if that’s more convenient for you. We can also travel to visit you at home or in the hospital, as we know some accident victims find themselves unable to travel in the immediate wake of a crash.
About Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city on the southeast coast of Florida, renowned for its beaches and canals for boating. Promenade A1A, sometimes known as “The Strip,” is located near the water. Fort Lauderdale is often called the “Venice of America” because to the city’s extensive canal system. Luxurious hotels, boutiques, al fresco restaurants, and watering holes dot its length. Together with the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum, which features pools and a museum dedicated to the sport’s history, there is also Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which features trails and a lagoon. The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival has been held annually since 1986.
Fort Lauderdale is home to Port Everglades, the country’s third busiest cruise port. As Florida’s deepest harbor, it plays a pivotal role in the state’s oil imports. Baleària Bahamas Express operates frequent international passenger ferries between Fort Lauderdale and Freeport on Great Bahama Island in the Bahamas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Lauderdale Auto Accidents
Yes. The statute of limitations is four years in a Florida auto accident case, or two years if you are bringing a wrongful death claim because the victim was killed in said motor vehicle accident. However, it’s always advisable to contact a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer as soon as possible following an injury accident. For one, an attorney can take steps to preserve crucial evidence that might exist.
No. Another good reason to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible is that he or she can speak the insurance adjuster on your behalf. Insurance adjusters typically want to obtain a statement from you about the circumstances surrounding the crash and any injuries you sustained. But it’s in your best interest to speak to an attorney before you talk to an adjuster, so you don’t unwittingly compromise your case.