A September three-vehicle crash on Riverside Drive in Coral Springs left an 81-year-old driver in critical condition and hospitalized an 18-year-old driver, according to police reports. Coral Springs Police had not determined a cause, and a traffic homicide investigator is reconstructing vehicle speeds and impact angles to understand what happened.
The Andres Lopez Law Firm, a Broward County personal injury practice, advises anyone hurt in a similar collision to understand Florida's fault rules before speaking with an insurer. The firm's car accident lawyer in Coral Springs, FL can explain how those rules affect a claim and help victims pursue fair compensation.
Under Florida law, when several drivers are involved, each driver's share of fault can differ, and that share controls what an injured person can recover. According to Fla. Stat. § 768.81(6), a plaintiff found greater than 50 percent at fault generally cannot recover damages in a negligence case. A plaintiff found 50 percent or less at fault can recover damages reduced by that percentage. Additionally, under Fla. Stat. § 95.11, most negligence claims arising after March 24, 2023 must be filed within two years, down from four. Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage pays initial medical bills up to $10,000 regardless of fault, but treatment generally must begin within 14 days of the crash. Police reconstructions, vehicle data, and camera footage often shape the fault determination, and some of that evidence can be lost quickly.
Insurers may request recorded statements within days of a crash, before the facts are settled. Statements about speed, distraction, or injuries can later be used to assign a larger share of fault to an injured driver. Learning what dealing with insurance companies after a car crash involves can help drivers avoid those missteps.
"A crash like this can look simple from the outside, but fault is rarely one driver's alone," said Andres Lopez, founder of The Andres Lopez Law Firm. "We gather the evidence early so our clients are not held responsible for more than their share."
The implications for Florida drivers are significant. In multi-vehicle crashes, the difference between being found 50 percent at fault and 51 percent at fault can mean the difference between recovering damages and receiving nothing. The two-year filing deadline adds urgency, as does the rapid loss of evidence such as surveillance video and vehicle data. PIP coverage provides immediate but limited medical payments, leaving victims to pursue additional compensation through the fault system. The Coral Springs case remains under investigation, and no cause has been determined.
The Andres Lopez Law Firm represents injury victims and immigrant families across Broward County, including Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Pompano Beach. Andres Lopez founded the firm in 2011 and is a member of the Florida Bar and the Broward County Bar Association. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and has been recognized by Super Lawyers. Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so no fee is owed unless the firm wins.
