Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers Who Take Cases to Trial
We represent car accident victims throughout Broward County and South Florida — negotiating hard with insurers and going to trial when they won't pay what you're owed.
Reviewed by John Ameen, Personal Injury Attorney — see our attorneys' full credentials on our About page.
Florida's No-Fault System — and When You Can Step Outside It
After a car accident, the insurance company moves fast. Their adjuster calls quickly, their offer comes early, and their goal is to close your claim before you understand what it's actually worth. Our car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale have spent years on the other side of that dynamic — and we know exactly how to respond.
Whether your accident happened on I-95, Broward Boulevard, US-1, or SR-84, we handle every aspect of your Florida car accident claim: medical documentation, liability investigation, insurance negotiations, and litigation when necessary.
Florida's No-Fault System — and When You Can Step Outside It
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays your initial medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. PIP covers up to $10,000 in benefits, but that ceiling is reached quickly when real injuries are involved.
The more important question is whether your injuries allow you to step outside the no-fault system and bring a direct claim against the at-fault driver. Under Florida law, you can pursue a liability claim when your injuries meet the "serious injury" threshold — which includes significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant scarring or disfigurement, or death.
Most accident victims with genuine injuries qualify. Our attorneys evaluate your situation immediately so you understand which path applies and how to maximize your recovery under both.
What Happens When Fault Is Shared?
One of the most common concerns we hear: "The accident was partly my fault — does that mean I can't recover anything?"
Florida follows a modified comparative fault rule. You can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the crash. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault — but it is not eliminated. If you were 30% at fault and your damages total $200,000, you recover $140,000.
Insurance companies often inflate a victim's share of fault to reduce what they pay. We investigate independently — reviewing police reports, traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction evidence — to establish an accurate picture of who was actually responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Claims in Fort Lauderdale
Past results cannot guarantee future outcomes — every case turns on its own facts, injuries, and liability picture. That said, our attorneys have recovered significant compensation for car accident victims across Broward County and South Florida, including cases involving:
- Rear-end collisions causing herniated disc injuries requiring surgery
- T-bone crashes at signalized intersections with disputed liability
- Highway accidents on I-95 involving multiple vehicles and commercial drivers
- Crashes with underinsured motorists where we pursued all available coverage
- Cases where initial PIP benefits were exhausted and a full liability claim was necessary
If you want to discuss what your specific case may be worth, the most useful step is a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
What should I do after a car accident in Fort Lauderdale?
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine — some injuries don't present symptoms for hours or days. Report the accident to police and get a copy of the report. Photograph the scene, the vehicles, and any visible injuries. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Contact our office for a free consultation as soon as you're able.How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Florida?
Florida's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline eliminates your right to recover, regardless of how strong your case is. If your accident involved a government vehicle or occurred on government property, shorter notice deadlines may apply. Contact an attorney promptly.What is my car accident case worth?
No honest attorney can answer that without reviewing your specific facts — injuries, medical treatment, lost income, liability, available insurance coverage, and whether permanent impairment is involved. What we can tell you is that the first offer from an insurance company is almost never the correct number. A consultation with our attorneys gives you a realistic picture of your claim's value.What if the other driver didn't have insurance?
Florida has a high rate of uninsured drivers. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply. We review all available insurance sources — including your own policy — to maximize your recovery.Do I have to go to court to settle a car accident case?
Most car accident cases settle before trial. However, the reason settlements are fair is often because the at-fault insurer knows the claimant's attorneys are prepared to try the case. We negotiate from a position of full trial readiness, which consistently produces better results than a negotiation-only approach.How much does it cost to hire a car accident attorney?
Nothing upfront. We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis — we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. There are no hourly charges and no out-of-pocket costs while your case is active.
The Law Offices of John Ameen has represented car accident victims throughout Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and South Florida for years. Our attorneys — John Ameen, Mark Tudino, Evan Ostfeld, and Adam Trop — bring combined experience across personal injury litigation and insurance disputes to every case we take. With five office locations across the region, we are accessible to clients wherever they are.
What Insurers Know When You Have a Trial Lawyer
Insurance companies assess risk. When an unrepresented claimant calls, they offer the minimum. When a law firm with a documented trial record is on the file, the calculus changes.
Our attorneys negotiate every car accident settlement with the same preparation we bring to a courtroom. We build the damages case — medical records, expert opinions, lost income documentation, future care costs — before we make a demand. Insurers that see a complete, well-documented claim backed by attorneys willing to try the case make very different offers than they would otherwise.
When a settlement offer is inadequate, we take the case to trial. That willingness is not a threat — it is the reason our clients recover more.
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