Motor Vehicle Accidents

Fort Lauderdale Auto Accident Attorney

The attorneys at Levine & Glassman, P.A. represent clients who have been involved in serious automotive accidents in Broward County, including Weston, Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Tamarac, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, Plantation, Hollywood, Miramar, Miami Gardens, Lauderhill and other cities in Southeast Florida. Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be a traumatic and unsettling experience for anyone, and navigating the legal maze of insurance claims and reports following the incident can be overwhelming. At Levine & Glassman, we understand this, so we have compiled some information that may help ease the process of approaching your car accident claim in Florida.

An important thing to note is that there is no substitute for competent legal support in this time of crisis. We have provided you with this information to serve as a base for your claim, but if you have been involved in a serious car accident, contact the experienced legal team at Levine & Glassman to discuss your claim directly with an attorney. We at Levine & Glassman strive to earn our clients the maximum compensation for the lost income, mental anguish, property damage, medical treatment expenses, and other expenses that may arise as a result of a serious motor vehicle accident.

Five Important Facts to Know About Your Auto Accident Claim in Florida

• If you are involved in an car crash, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage will pay 80% of your medical bills up to $10,000.00. This coverage is regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
• In order to prevail on a claim for injuries arising from another driver's negligence, you must be able to prove that your injuries are permanent in nature.
• If you are involved in an automobile accident, you have a duty to cooperate with your own insurance company, but you should not speak to the other driver's insurance company without consulting with legal counsel.
• Since there are so many uninsured drivers in Florida, it is important to purchase uninsured and/or under insured motorist coverage from your automobile insurance company. If you have such coverage, you can receive compensation from your own insurance company if you are injured by the negligence of an uninsured driver.
• If you are injured by the negligence of someone driving a rental car, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries from the rental car agency in addition to the negligent driver's insurance company.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents

The most common type of motor vehicle accident is one involving a commuter automobile, but this is by no means the only type. The attorneys at Levine & Glassman are experienced in dealing with a variety of motor vehicle incidents, including those involving drunk drivers, semi trucks, bikes, various types of public transportation, and all of the following:

• Automobile Accidents- Most accidents on the road involve standard commuter vehicles like cars, small or mid-size trucks, SUVs, and vans. A personal injury attorney can help you get the most back in the case of a serious accident.
• Motorcycle Accidents - Bikers face a tough ride on the road with other motorists. It's easy to be pushed around when you don't have the structural support of a vehicle. Don't let it happen to you.
• Pedestrian Accidents - Sometimes, looking both ways just isn't enough. A pedestrian is injured throughout the nation every 8 minutes at the hands of a negligent driver, and they can sustain major damage as a result. Protect yourself after you've been hit by securing legal representation.
• 18-Wheeler / Truck Accidents - These rolling behemoths of the road cause 1 in 8 motor vehicle accidents, and have a much higher fatality rate than a standard auto accident. Fight back if you've suffered loss at the hands of a negligent truck driver.
• Victims Traffic Crimes - A traffic crime can occur unexpectedly as a result of another driver's criminal actions. These cases may also be pursued in civil courts.
• Tractor Trailer / RV Accidents - A trailer that's not properly secured can wreak havoc on the road. Contact an attorney to discuss your options if you've been hit by a runaway trailer or if someone hit your trailer.
• Drunk Driver / DUI Accidents - The unpredictable judgment of an inebriated driver is a dangerous thing on the road. Many families have lost a loved one due to a drunk driver. Don't let this injustice go; contact an attorney to deliver justice.
• Reckless Driver Accidents - Careless or deliberately negligent behavior can end in serious injury or even fatality for others. This may include distracted driving, the use of a cell phone while driving, texting while driving, and other scenarios.
• Bicycle Accidents - Sharing the road is something many motorists are excited to do. Cyclists fight to survive on the roads, and we're here to protect them.
• Public Transportation Accidents - Negligent behavior on the part of a public transportation organization can result in damage to a large number of people at once. A joint lawsuit against this kind of negligent behavior may be necessary.
• ATV / Golf Cart Accidents - Defective vehicles or negligent grounds keeping could result in serious accidents while on these seemingly safe off-road vehicles. Learn what you can do in the event of an ATV or golf cart accident.
• Boating / Wave Runner Accidents- Vehicle accidents on the water can be just as dangerous as those on the road, resulting in capsized boats and drowned passengers. Take steps to recover your medical and financial damages after a serious boating or jet ski accident.
• Aviation Accidents - Many people are afraid of flying, and plane crashes caused by negligent behavior certainly don't help. Take action if you experienced a plane crash due to an airline's mistake.

With all of these types of incidents, there are a number of factors that commonly contribute to the occurrence of the wreck. These factors typically involve circumstances that prevent the driver from reacting quickly enough, whether it is driver impairment or distraction, vehicle malfunction, or roadway factors. The most common causes of a motor vehicle accidents include the following:

• Speeding / Driving Too Slowly
• Driver Impairment
• Driver Fatigue / Sleep Deprivation
• Driver Negligence
• Inebriated Driver / DWI
• Emotional or Angry Driver
• Road Rage
• Careless or Reckless Driving
• Vehicle Malfunction / Lack of Maintenance
• Substandard Roadway Conditions
• Driver Distraction
• Texting While Driving
• Inclement Weather
• Risk compensation / Over-Confident Driver

If there are factors in play that could negatively impact the ability of the driver to react quickly enough to changes occurring on the road, the risk of a car crash is significantly increased. This loss of cognitive ability on the road translates directly into more and more serious crashes.

New 2012 Changes to Florida Automobile Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Law

In May of 2012, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a law that essentially reworked the state's PIP law. These changes now requires accident victims to report injuries sustained and seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident. Auto insurance policy holders would only be allowed to seek up to $10,000 in emergency care (if recommended by a qualified medical provider) and up to $2,500 for less severe injuries.

Massage and acupuncture are no longer covered under PIP. All benefits can also be denied if the accident victim refuses to be examined under oath about details relevant to the claim. Additionally, insurers have up to 90 days to review suspected fraud claims rather than 30 days previously allowed.

While these changes in law are likely to be challenged in the coming months, it makes it imperative to evaluate your health immediately following an auto accident. Some injuries may take time for the impact on your life to be made clear. With these changes, it is in your best interests to consider all of your legal options early on with a qualified auto accident attorney to obtain just compensation. Consulting with a lawyer can also help you present a strong case should the insurance company challenge the validity of your injuries and claim.

Levine & Glassman, P.A. - Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

Motor vehicle accidents come in a variety of shapes and forms, and being prepared for them is the best way to prevent them or minimize their damage. If you are injured by a negligent motorist, the attorneys of Levine & Glassman can protect your rights and achieve a fair and just recovery. Contact us today to discuss your case in Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Sunrise, Tamarac, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, Plantation, Hollywood, Miramar, Miami Gardens, Lauderhill, or the surrounding areas. Call us at (954) 332-6100 or fill out our contact form to set up a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys.