Car accidents are the most common reason people call my office — and no two are alike. A low-speed fender-bender can still leave you with a herniated disc that flares up months later, while a high-speed collision on I-95 can change a family's life in an instant.
What they have in common is an insurance company that starts building its defense within hours. An adjuster may call you the same day, sound friendly, and ask for a 'quick recorded statement.' That call is not for your benefit. Before you give any statement or accept any check, it is worth understanding what your claim is actually worth.
Local knowledge that matters
I grew up here and drive these roads every day — Indiantown Road at rush hour, the I-95 and Florida's Turnpike interchanges, Military Trail, US-1 through Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens, and the always-busy stretches near the Gardens Mall and Abacoa. Knowing where and how local crashes happen helps me reconstruct what really occurred and hold the right party accountable.
What to do after car accidents
- 1
Call 911 and report the crash
A police report creates an official record. Ask how to obtain a copy of the crash report number before you leave.
- 2
Get checked by a doctor promptly
Adrenaline hides injuries. Florida's PIP law also requires you to seek care within 14 days to preserve certain benefits.
- 3
Photograph everything
Vehicle damage, the scene, skid marks, traffic signals, and your visible injuries — from several angles.
- 4
Exchange information, not opinions
Get names, insurance, and plate numbers. Do not apologize or admit fault at the scene.
- 5
Don't give a recorded statement
You are not required to speak to the other driver's insurer. Talk to a lawyer first.
Common injuries I see
- Whiplash and soft-tissue neck/back injuries
- Herniated and bulging discs
- Concussions and traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones and fractures
- Shoulder and knee tears
- Lacerations and scarring
How Florida law applies
- Florida is a no-fault (PIP) state
- Your own Personal Injury Protection coverage pays the first $10,000 of medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault — but only if you seek treatment within 14 days. Serious injuries can move your claim outside the no-fault system and against the at-fault driver directly.
- You have two years to file
- Florida shortened the deadline for most car-accident injury lawsuits to two years from the date of the crash. Miss it and your claim is usually gone forever.
- Modified comparative negligence
- Under Florida's 2023 law, if you are found more than 50% at fault you recover nothing. If you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your share. How fault gets assigned matters enormously — and it is often disputed.
How I help with your case
- Deal directly with the adjusters so you never have to.
- Gather the crash report, camera footage, and witness statements before they disappear.
- Work with your doctors to document the full extent of your injuries.
- Value your claim honestly — including future care and lost earning capacity — and fight for it.
Car Accidents — frequently asked questions
Almost never on the first offer. Early offers are designed to close your claim before the full cost of your injuries is known. Once you sign a release, you cannot ask for more — even if you need surgery later. Let me review it first; the consultation is free.
You may still recover. Florida uses modified comparative negligence — as long as you are 50% or less at fault, you can recover a reduced amount. Insurers routinely exaggerate your share of the blame, which is exactly what I push back on.
Nothing up front. I work on a contingency fee, meaning I only get paid if I recover money for you. The first consultation is always free.
If you were not hurt, maybe not. But 'minor' crashes cause real injuries all the time, and a five-minute call costs you nothing. If there's no case, I'll tell you.