When you live in South Florida, driving often feels like a challenge. Heavy traffic, distracted drivers, and unpredictable weather make the roads riskier than many people expect. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you already know how quickly life changes. Suddenly, you may face medical expenses, lost wages, and pressure from the insurance company—all while dealing with the pain of your injuries.

Even if you’re just looking to understand the risks on our roads, it helps to know what types of car accidents happen most often. Learning about these accidents shows how they occur and why they matter when it comes to personal injury claims in Florida.

1. Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are among the most frequent motor vehicle accidents in South Florida. They often occur in stop-and-go traffic or when a negligent driver is distracted. Even low-speed crashes can lead to soft tissue injuries or spinal cord injuries. Florida now uses a modified comparative negligence rule, which bars recovery if you are found more than 50 percent at fault, (Fla. Stat. § 768.81).

2. Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are less common than rear-end crashes, but they usually cause catastrophic injuries or wrongful death claims. These collisions often happen when a driver drifts into oncoming traffic, sometimes due to drunk driving or distracted driving. Victims in these cases often require extensive medical treatment and long-term care, leading to significant personal injury claims.

3. Side-Impact or T-Bone Accidents

Side-impact collisions frequently occur at intersections when one driver fails to yield or runs a red light. The injuries sustained can be severe because the sides of vehicles offer less protection than the front or rear. Car accident attorneys often use accident reports, medical records, and police reports to build strong personal injury lawsuits after these crashes.

4. Multi-Vehicle Accidents

South Florida highways see many car accidents involving multiple vehicles. When a crash occurs in heavy traffic, one collision can quickly involve several cars. Accident victims often struggle with the legal process because multiple insurance adjusters and companies become involved. In these cases, working with a lawyer for an auto accident can make a difference when sorting through liability and seeking compensation.

5. Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving accidents continue to rise across Florida. Texting, adjusting GPS systems, or eating behind the wheel can all cause a crash. Under Florida law, texting while driving is prohibited. If the other driver was distracted, that fact can strengthen your car accident claim and increase the likelihood of securing fair compensation for medical bills, lost income, and property damage.

6. Drunk Driving Accidents

Despite strict penalties, drunk driving continues to cause many auto accidents in South Florida. These crashes often result in catastrophic injuries and wrongful death claims. Victims may face long recovery times, mounting medical expenses, and emotional distress. While drunk drivers can face criminal charges, victims must still pursue a civil claim to be able to recover compensation for their losses.

7. Hit-and-Run Accidents

Florida ranks high in the nation for hit-and-run crashes. When the other driver flees the accident scene, your own insurance coverage, such as personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured motorist benefits, come into play. These cases are complicated, but accident victims can often still recover compensation with the right legal strategy.

Key Factors in a Florida Car Accident Claim

After a crash, several factors determine how your personal injury claim moves forward and what compensation may be available:

• Liability: Identifying whether the other driver was negligent, distracted, or impaired affects fault.
• Insurance Coverage: Florida law requires PIP coverage, but serious injuries may allow you to step outside no-fault rules and pursue a car accident lawsuit.
• Evidence: Police reports, accident scene photos, and medical records play a vital role in proving your injuries sustained and property damage.
• Compensation: Most car accident cases involve negotiations with insurance companies. An experienced car accident lawyer can work on your behalf to seek full and fair compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and emotional distress.

Together, these factors shape the strength of your personal injury case and influence the amount of compensation you may be able to recover under Florida law. While these factors shape the strength of your case, what you do in the days immediately following a crash can make the difference in how smoothly your claim moves forward.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

After a car crash in South Florida, knowing what steps to take can protect your right to recover compensation and prevent insurance companies from limiting your claim. The process typically includes:

1. Seeking Medical Treatment. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, seek medical treatment right away. Florida’s personal injury protection system requires initial services within 14 days to qualify for PIP benefits (Fla. Stat. § 627.736). Timely care documents your injuries and links them to the crash. If your injuries meet the permanent-injury threshold, you may pursue non-economic damages in a lawsuit.
2. Notifying Insurance Companies. You are required to notify your own insurance company when an accident occurs. Depending on the circumstances, the other driver’s insurance company may also be involved. Insurance adjusters often contact accident victims quickly, sometimes pressing them to admit fault or accept an early settlement.
3. Obtaining a Copy of the Accident Report. After you’ve notified your insurance company, request a copy of the police report for your records. This document can support your personal injury claim, provide details of the accident scene, and serve as evidence of the other driver’s negligence. Reports are available online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or from the responding law enforcement agency.
4. Consulting a Lawyer for an Auto Accident. Car accident attorneys play a vital role in proving the other driver’s negligence and protecting your rights. An experienced lawyer for an auto accident can:

• Investigate the accident scene and gather evidence
• Review police reports and medical records to strengthen your case
• Negotiate with insurance companies to advocate for fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage
• File a personal injury lawsuit if your injuries meet Florida’s permanent injury threshold under Fla. Stat. § 627.737, if your damages exceed PIP coverage, or if the insurance company refuses to pay what the law allows

Whether you are dealing with spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, or emotional distress, by following these steps, you strengthen your case and put yourself in a position to pursue maximum compensation under Florida law.

Talk to a Lawyer for Car Accidents Who Knows South Florida

At Cohen and Juda, you don’t get handed off to case managers. You work directly with attorneys who know how to pressure insurance companies and build strong personal injury cases. Since you searched online for a “personal injury lawyer near me,” you’ve already taken the first step toward protecting your rights after a South Florida car crash.

Our team has decades of experience handling car accident injury claims across South Florida. Whether you’re facing lost income, medical expenses, or serious injuries, we fight to recover fair compensation from negligent drivers and their insurance companies.

Call (954) 424-1440 or complete our confidential online form today to schedule your free consultation. No fees unless we win.

Copyright © 2025. Cohen and Juda, P.A. All rights reserved.

The information in this blog post (post) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Cohen and Juda, P.A.
8211 W Broward Blvd, Suite 310
Plantation, FL 33324
(954) 424-1440
https://www.cohenandjudaflorida.com/