Common Car Accident Scenarios in Fort Lauderdale: Causes & Determining Fault

Florida had over 388,000 traffic accidents in 2022, resulting in thousands of injuries and fatalities. Nearly 9% of the state’s crashes occurred in Broward County. 

If you were injured in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you likely have many questions. It’s not always apparent what caused the accident, and determining fault often requires a comprehensive investigation. 

Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our legal team has over 28 years of experience helping car accident victims recover the compensation they deserve for their losses. We’ve used our extensive knowledge, skills, and dedication to recover tens of millions of dollars for injured people throughout South Florida. 

Contact our law office for a free consultation with a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer. We’ll listen to your story and discuss your potential options for compensation. There’s no obligation or risk involved, so call us at 954-287-0566 to schedule an appointment with our compassionate legal team. 

How Our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Prove Fault

How Our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Prove Fault

Some car accident cases are relatively straightforward to prove. Others may require more work due to complex issues, multiple parties, or conflicting accounts of what happened. 

The legal team at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers has dealt with all types of car accident claims. We’re well-equipped to handle the most complex cases and win. 

If you hire our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys for help proving fault in your claim, you can expect us to: 

  • Thoroughly investigate the collision to determine how it happened and who shares liability 
  • Gather evidence proving every aspect of your claim, including causation, fault, and the value of your damages
  • Identify every source of compensation, including insurance claims and/or a personal injury case
  • Negotiate with insurance companies and others for a full and fair financial recovery 
  • Represent you at trial if we fail to reach a favorable settlement agreement 

To learn about our legal services and how we can help you after a car crash in Fort Lauderdale, FL, call our law firm to schedule a free initial consultation. 

Common Car Accident Scenarios in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Traffic accidents can happen in various ways – but most occur due to negligence. Below we discuss some common car accident scenarios, what causes them, and how to determine fault.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end crashes are one of the most common types of car accidents in Florida and throughout the country. These collisions happen when a trailing vehicle hits the back of another vehicle. 

Rear-end accidents are sometimes referred to as fender benders, but this term can be misleading. Passenger vehicle occupants can suffer serious injuries in these accidents, depending on the speed of the vehicles at impact. 

Common causes of rear-end accidents include: 

Most often, the trailing driver is at fault for a rear-end collision. Florida law requires all drivers to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, taking into account the speed and traffic conditions.

However, the front driver may share fault under certain circumstances, such as if they brake check a tailgating driver or cut someone off. Proving liability in these situations is complicated and will likely require eyewitness testimony, traffic cam footage, and/or an accident reconstructionist.

Hit-and-Run Accidents 

Florida law requires drivers involved in crashes to immediately stop if they cause injuries, death, or property damage. However, you’d probably be surprised how common hit-and-run accidents are. More than 10,000 annual hit-and-runs have been reported in Broward County in recent years. 

Potential reasons people flee the accident scene include: 

  • They’re afraid of the legal ramifications
  • They’re drunk or impaired
  • They have illegal items in the vehicle
  • They don’t have a valid license 
  • They’re uninsured
  • They have an outstanding arrest warrant
  • Immigration concerns

Hit-and-run drivers are usually at-fault for collisions – which is often why they leave the scene. Traffic cams, police investigations, and eyewitnesses can be used to locate the driver. However, if they aren’t found, you may have legal options for compensation, including uninsured motorist coverage. 

Head-On Collisions

Head-on crashes are some of the scariest and deadliest types of accidents. They occur when the front ends of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide. 

Common causes of these motor vehicle accidents include: 

  • Driver inattention or distraction
  • Losing control of the vehicle 
  • Failure to maintain lane 
  • Driving on the wrong side of the road
  • Road defects
  • Improper or illegal passing
  • Speeding
  • Drunk driving 
  • Misjudging the distance of an oncoming vehicle

Determining fault in a head-on accident is often challenging. The driver who violated a traffic law or drove recklessly is at fault, but identifying who that is will require evidence. A reconstruction specialist may be necessary to assist in proving liability.

T-Bone Accidents 

T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions or broadside accidents, occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a “T” shape. 

T-bone collisions are often caused by: 

The driver who violated a traffic regulation or drove carelessly is usually at fault. That’s typically the driver who collided with the side of another vehicle. However, the other driver may share responsibility if they were speeding, disregarded a traffic signal, or drove recklessly. 

Traffic camera footage, eyewitnesses, and other evidence is often necessary to prove fault for a T-bone accident. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Auto Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL for Help Determining Causation and Fault

Were you hurt in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, FL? Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers will help you prove causation, liability, and every other aspect of your claim. 

Contact our law firm to schedule a free case evaluation to learn more about how we can assist with your Fort Lauderdale personal injury claim.

Other Common Car Accident Claims We Handle

Our car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale handle all types of car accidents:

Additional Resources