Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer

Ft. Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer Credentials and Professional Recognition

Daniel B. Reinfeld is AV Preeminent® 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and holds Avvo’s highest attorney rating—a 10.0 “Superb.” Dan obtained a $1.6 million unanimous jury verdict in a car accident case involving an injured pedestrian, included in TopVerdict’s Top 100 Verdicts in Florida in 2024. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Dan is also a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, organizations whose membership is limited to attorneys who have served as lead counsel in qualifying million- and multimillion-dollar verdicts or settlements. Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members. ​

Ft. Lauderdale Personal Injury Laws and Insurance Claims

Florida personal injury claims are governed by filing deadlines, comparative negligence rules, and applicable insurance coverage. Most negligence lawsuits arising after March 24, 2023, have a two-year statute of limitations under Florida Statutes § 95.11, subject to exceptions. Under § 768.81, Florida's modified comparative negligence rule generally bars recovery when an injured person is more than 50% at fault in covered negligence cases. Certain claims are excepted. Florida's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law, § 627.736, provides limited medical and disability benefits after qualifying motor vehicle accidents. Separate rules govern recovery of pain and suffering under § 627.737.

Compensation for Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Victims

A Fort Lauderdale personal injury claim may include medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, and other economic damages. Depending on the injury and applicable law, compensation may also include pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages may be available in qualifying cases under Florida Statutes §§ 768.72–768.73. Property damage and other documented losses may also be recoverable.

Personal Injury Representation Throughout Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale accidents occur on major roads such as Broward Boulevard, Sunrise Boulevard, Federal Highway (US-1), and I-95, as well as in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Flagler Village, Victoria Park, and surrounding neighborhoods. Car crashes, pedestrian collisions, bicycle accidents, and unsafe-property injuries may require Fort Lauderdale Police Department reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, and other evidence. Daniel B. Reinfeld, PA represents injured clients throughout Fort Lauderdale from its Hollywood office, personally handling investigations, insurance claims, settlement negotiations, and litigation.

Investigating Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Claims

Accidents in Fort Lauderdale may involve reports from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, the Broward Sheriff's Office, or the Florida Highway Patrol, depending on where the accident occurred and which agency responded. Evidence may include traffic-camera recordings, nearby business surveillance, photographs, and witness statements. When litigation is necessary, qualifying Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawsuits may proceed in the Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Broward County, subject to jurisdiction and venue requirements.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Claims

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Fort Lauderdale?

Most Florida negligence lawsuits accruing after March 24, 2023, must be filed within two years under § 95.11. Different statutes of limitations and notice requirements may apply to older accidents, wrongful death, medical negligence, and claims against government entities. Prompt investigation also helps preserve surveillance footage, witness testimony, crash reports, and other evidence before it disappears.

Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for an accident?

Yes, depending on your percentage of fault and the type of claim. Under Florida's modified comparative negligence rule, recoverable damages in covered negligence cases are reduced by the injured person's percentage of responsibility. A person found more than 50% responsible generally cannot recover. Certain statutory exceptions apply. Accident reports, photographs, witness statements, video evidence, and accident reconstruction may help establish liability.

What damages can I recover in a Ft. Lauderdale personal injury case?

Compensation may include past and future medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Economic damages compensate financial losses; noneconomic damages address qualifying personal harms. Recoverable damages depend on the evidence, applicable law, and any insurance or statutory limitations.

How does Florida PIP insurance work after a car accident?

Florida Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance generally provides up to $10,000 in qualifying benefits, subject to statutory limits. PIP ordinarily pays 80% of covered medical expenses and 60% of qualifying lost income. Initial medical treatment generally must occur within 14 days, and medical benefits may be limited to $2,500 without the required emergency medical condition determination. PIP does not pay pain and suffering damages. A separate bodily injury liability claim may be available against a negligent driver.

Can I recover pain and suffering after a Ft Lauderdale car accident?

Yes, if the legal requirements are met. Under § 627.737, certain motor vehicle injury claims require proof of a qualifying injury before recovering noneconomic damages, including pain and suffering. Qualifying injuries include specified permanent injuries, significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death. The motor vehicle threshold does not govern every premises liability or other negligence claim.

What evidence helps prove a Fort Laud personal injury claim?

Evidence may include FLHSMV crash reports, police reports, photographs, surveillance video, witness testimony, medical records, diagnostic imaging, insurance policies, and employment records. Truck accident claims may also involve electronic vehicle data and commercial records. Slip-and-fall claims may depend on incident reports, inspection records, and evidence of a dangerous property condition. Preserving evidence early can strengthen liability and damages claims.

How much does a Ft. Lauderdale personal injury lawyer cost?

Daniel B. Reinfeld, PA offers free consultations and handles accepted personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. Attorney fees depend on a recovery, subject to the written fee agreement and applicable Florida Bar rules. The agreement explains the fee percentage, litigation expenses, and responsibility for costs.

Can I sue if an insurance company denies or undervalues my injury claim?

Yes, when a legally supportable claim exists and applicable deadlines are met. A personal injury lawsuit may be necessary when an insurance company disputes negligence, challenges medical expenses, denies liability, or offers inadequate compensation. Litigation may involve discovery, depositions, expert testimony, mediation, settlement negotiations, and jury trial. An insurer's refusal to settle does not automatically establish bad faith.

What if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage?

You may have an uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claim under your own automobile insurance policy. UM coverage may provide compensation when the at-fault driver has no bodily injury liability insurance or insufficient coverage. Hit-and-run accidents may also qualify, depending on the policy and circumstances. Reviewing all available insurance policies is essential to identifying potential sources of recovery.

Can I pursue compensation after an Uber, Lyft, motorcycle, or truck accident?

Yes, depending on liability and available insurance coverage. Uber and Lyft accidents may involve different insurance limits based on the rideshare driver's status. Motorcycle riders generally are not covered by Florida's ordinary PIP requirements merely because they own a motorcycle. Commercial truck accident claims may involve the driver, trucking company, employer, maintenance contractor, or other responsible parties. Investigating coverage and preserving evidence are essential.

Can I hire a FTL personal injury lawyer at your Fort Lauderdale office?

Yes. Daniel B Reinfeld, PA offers in-person consultations at our Fort Lauderdale office at 110 SE 6th Street, Suite 1700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, by appointment only. Please contact our firm to schedule and confirm your appointment before visiting due to the attorney's availability. Dan spent approximately half his legal career working in downtown Fort Lauderdale, including positions with the Broward County Public Defender's Office, Wicker Smith, and Luks Santaniello. He personally handles accepted personal injury cases, from accident investigation and insurance claims through settlement negotiations and trial preparation.

Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer — Free Consultation, No Fee Unless We Win

Injured in Fort Lauderdale? Call (954) 923-6110 for a free consultation with attorney Daniel Reinfeld. We handle accepted personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning no attorney's fee unless compensation is recovered. Litigation costs and expenses are addressed in the written fee agreement.

​