Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Statistics

Fort Lauderdale is Broward County’s largest city and part of one of Florida’s largest metropolitan areas, along with Miami and West Palm Beach. Per the United States Census Bureau, more than 180,000 people make up the city’s population. With thousands of people visiting and living there, the risk of having a car accident is always present.

While we know crashes happen along busy I-595 and local roads like Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale car accident statistics showing how many crashes occur in the city aren’t readily available. However, a look at general data from surrounding areas in Broward County can give a glimpse into how widespread and serious the problem is.

Broward County Traffic Accident Statistics

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports various types of crashes and injuries in the state’s counties annually. According to its data, the following occurred in Broward County in 2022:

• 40,836 total traffic accidents
• 23,747 injuries from accidents
• 15,979 accidents causing various injuries
• 12,537 hit and run accidents
• 274 fatalities from accidents
• 261 fatal accidents

This data likely includes crashes involving passenger cars. While the data isn’t specific to Fort Lauderdale, it indicates that road accidents happen in Fort Lauderdale and its suburbs year-round, affecting thousands of people. 

Fort Lauderdale Accident Victims Can Suffer Losses After a Crash

These collisions can cause various kinds of injuries that range from minor-to-severe injuries. Serious wounds include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputations
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Burns, cuts, lacerations, and bruises
• Broken bones
• Organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Soft tissue injuries
• Sprains
• Whiplash

What to Do After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale

After a car accident, you should get to a safe place, which is away and out of traffic, if you can. You can move your vehicle to the shoulder of the road and turn on your hazard lights so that other motorists can see you. Check yourself and anyone riding in the vehicle for injuries.  

You should also dial 911 and ask for medical help and police assistance. When the police arrive, they will fill out an accident report, which you should get a copy of. You should also get information from the other driver(s) involved, including the following:

• Name
• Address
• Driver’s license numbers
• Insurance policy numbers
• Vehicle information (e.g., year, make, model, license plate numbers)
• Contact information (e.g., phone number, email address, etc.) 

Keep the conversation short and cordial, and do not discuss, imply, or admit to fault. You could jeopardize your insurance claim if you say something to make others think you caused the accident in Fort Lauderdale.  

Seek Medical Attention Promptly After a Fort Lauderdale Car Wreck

Do not delay seeking medical help after a car accident. Even if you feel fine afterward, you should accept medical aid at the crash scene or see a doctor immediately. You also can go to an emergency room, a walk-in clinic, or an urgent care facility right after. 

Getting a medical exam will confirm your health status and let you know what kind of injuries you have and what to expect. You can get a diagnosis and tell your doctor about your symptoms. You will also receive the appropriate treatment from a medical professional who can attest to how the accident affected you. 

Going to a doctor right after an accident also helps you document your injuries and establish that the collision directly caused your injuries and financial losses. Keep all receipts and follow all the doctor’s instructions. 

Car Crashes Can Leave Mental, Emotional Scars

Car accidents are traumatic experiences for many people. In addition to physical injuries, wrecks can cause mental and emotional issues that could last a lifetime, including:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleep disturbances
• Isolation and social withdrawal

If you were in an accident recently and notice you haven’t been feeling quite the same mentally or emotionally, you may want to seek therapy or counseling. The costs of these services can be added to a claim or lawsuit for damages in a personal injury lawsuit.

Hiring a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney After a Car Wreck

After you take care of your medical care and physically feel better, you can talk to a personal injury lawyer about filing an insurance claim or lawsuit to recover your losses. Car accidents are expensive, so you should not pay for a crash you did not cause. An attorney can lead your case for damages against the negligent party while you recover.

Hiring legal representation ensures you protect your right to take legal action before the statute of limitations deadline expires for your case. In Florida, injured parties filing an injury lawsuit generally have two years to recover damages, per Florida Statutes § 95.11. 

You will want to act as soon as possible after a car accident in Fort Lauderdale. An attorney will keep your case on track to avoid missing this deadline. The civil court must receive your lawsuit filing two years from the date of the car accident, or it will likely dismiss your case.

A Lawyer Can Help You Seek Damages After a Fort Lauderdale Car Crash

Once you hire an attorney, they can take care of your entire case while you focus on recovery. The legal process will be easier to manage and follow as they will take care of the following for you:

• Investigating the car accident in Fort Lauderdale to determine what caused it
• Documenting the accident with evidence (e.g., a police report, medical records, witness testimony, photos, video footage, etc.)
• Naming all liable parties that could owe you financial compensation, including third parties that were not at the accident scene (e.g., a manufacturer of a defective vehicle or vehicle part, a government entity responsible for road upkeep, etc.)
• Identifying your economic and non-economic damages (e.g., your medical bill, loss of income, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damages if you lost a loved one)
• Determine which damages you can recover under personal injury protection (PIP), Florida’s no-fault insurance coverage
• Lead negotiation talks with the liable party’s insurance company for a favorable settlement 
• Preparing and filing an injury lawsuit if the attorney cannot settle the matter outside of trial
• Answer your questions and concerns and update you on all case developments

Call Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation

Fort Lauderdale car accident statistics are only part of the story, but crash victims know how it ends. Car crashes can be devastating, and it can take months or years to recover from them. If you want to review your legal options after a wreck in the area, a car accident attorney with Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers can explain the steps to take next. 

We have represented South Florida clients for nearly 30 years and recovered settlements and judgment awards for people harmed by negligence. We can hold the person who caused your accident in Fort Lauderdale responsible. Call us today for a free consultation. We do not charge any fees unless we win your case.