Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida

Introduction: Why Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Residents Need a Clear Personal Injury Guide

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a picturesque Broward County beach town just north of Fort Lauderdale. State Road A1A, East Commercial Boulevard, and the Anglin’s fishing pier attract thousands of tourists and locals every season. With that traffic comes risk. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) recorded 41,381 crashes in Broward County in 2022, resulting in 268 fatalities and more than 23,000 injuries. Even a seemingly minor collision, slip on a wet restaurant floor, or boating incident off Anglin’s Pier can trigger complex legal and medical questions.

This guide is written for injury victims who ask, “Where can I find a personal injury lawyer near me who knows Lauderdale-by-the-Sea?” We explain your Florida rights, outline the claims process, cite the key statutes, and point you toward local resources—without legal jargon. While we slightly favor the injured party, every statement below is grounded in authoritative sources such as the Florida Statutes, Chapter 768, the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, and recent court opinions from the Fourth District Court of Appeal.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Florida

1. The Legal Definition of “Personal Injury”

Florida law recognizes a personal injury as harm to a person’s body, mind, or emotions caused by another’s negligence, strict liability, or intentional act. Common examples include car crashes, bicycle collisions on Galt Ocean Mile, slips at beachfront hotels, and medical malpractice at Broward Health facilities.

2. The Statute of Limitations—Fla. Stat. §95.11(4)(a)

Under Fla. Stat. §95.11(4)(a), you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a negligence lawsuit (the period was shortened from four years for causes of action that accrue on or after 3/24/2023). Medical malpractice and wrongful-death actions have separate periods—each two years from discovery or date of death, but never more than four years from the incident (§95.11(4)(b)–(c)).

3. Comparative Negligence—Fla. Stat. §768.81

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system. If a plaintiff is more than 50% at fault, they recover nothing. If fault is 50% or less, damages are reduced by that percentage. For example, if you were 20% responsible for a bike–car collision on A1A and your damages are $100,000, you could still collect $80,000.

4. No-Fault Auto Insurance—Fla. Stat. §627.736

Florida’s no-fault scheme requires every motorist to carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP pays 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, up to policy limits, regardless of fault. You may file a bodily-injury claim against the at-fault driver only if you meet the “serious injury” threshold defined in §627.737.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

1. Auto and Pedestrian Collisions on State Road A1A

Congestion near Commercial Boulevard causes frequent rear-end crashes. Tourists unfamiliar with local crosswalks create additional hazards for pedestrians and cyclists.

• PIP first: Your own PIP covers initial medical bills.

• Liability claim: If injuries are “serious,” you may pursue the negligent driver’s bodily-injury coverage.

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): Recommended because Florida does not mandate BI coverage.

2. Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents in Beachfront Businesses

Hotels, restaurants, and retail shops on El Mar Drive must maintain premises in a reasonably safe condition. Under Fla. Stat. §768.0755, a victim must prove the business knew or should have known about a dangerous transitory substance and failed to act.

3. Boating and Water-Sport Injuries

The Atlantic coastline and Intracoastal Waterway are hubs for jet-ski and charter-boat rentals. Negligent operation, lack of safety equipment, or alcohol consumption may create liability under maritime or Florida negligence law.

4. Bicycle and E-Scooter Crashes

The Town’s sharrows and bike lanes reduce—but do not eliminate—vehicle–bicycle contacts. Injured cyclists can claim against the driver’s auto insurance, their own PIP (if they own a vehicle), and possibly the municipality if roadway design contributed (sovereign immunity caps of $200,000 per person, §768.28 apply).

5. Hurricane-Related Injuries

During storm season, downed power lines, debris, and negligent property maintenance can cause harm. Homeowners, landlords, and contractors may face liability under premises and construction-site safety rules.

Florida Legal Protections & Injury Laws

1. Duty of Care and Breach

Every negligence action requires proof that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached it, and caused damages. Florida recognizes higher duties for common carriers (e.g., tourist shuttle buses) and property owners inviting the public.

2. Damages Available

• Economic: Past and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity.

• Non-Economic: Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life.

• Punitive: Only if defendant’s conduct was intentional or grossly negligent (§768.72), capped at three times compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater.

3. Wrongful Death Act—Fla. Stat. §§768.16–768.26

If a Lauderdale-by-the-Sea resident dies from injuries, the personal representative may recover funeral costs, loss of support, and loss of companionship for surviving family.

4. Strict Liability for Dog Bites—Fla. Stat. §767.04

Owners are liable for bites occurring in a public place or lawfully on private property, regardless of prior viciousness. Comparative negligence still applies.

5. Attorney Licensing & Contingency Fees

All Florida lawyers must be members in good standing of The Florida Bar. Contingency-fee agreements for personal injury cases must comply with Rule 4-1.5(f) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, including a written contract and a 3-day cancellation window.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Florida

Seek Immediate Medical Attention Broward Health Imperial Point and Holy Cross Health are the closest hospitals. Emergency documentation links injuries to the event and satisfies PIP’s 14-day treatment rule. Document the Scene Take photos of vehicle positions on A1A, wet floors in a beachfront café, or defective rental equipment. Secure witness contact details. Report the Incident Call the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Police Department for traffic accidents or file Form FR-10. Falls in a hotel should be reported to management in writing. Notify Your Insurer PIP claims must be initiated quickly; an EUO (Examination Under Oath) may be required under policy language. Track All Expenses Save hospital bills, prescription receipts, rideshare costs to therapy, and days missed from work. Consult a Florida-Licensed Personal Injury Attorney An attorney can preserve evidence, calculate damages, and negotiate with insurers.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

While minor fender-benders may be resolved through PIP alone, legal counsel is advisable when:

• Injuries meet the serious-injury threshold (e.g., significant scarring, broken bones).

• The at-fault party’s carrier denies liability or offers a low settlement.

• You face potential comparative negligence accusations.

• Multiple defendants are involved (e.g., a ride-share driver and a negligent road-construction contractor).

• The claim involves governmental entities subject to §768.28 notice requirements.

Florida attorneys usually work on contingency fees—no recovery, no fee. Under Rule 4-1.5(f)(4)(B), the maximum fee for recovery up to $1 million is 33⅓% if settled before an answer is filed and 40% thereafter.

Local Resources & Next Steps for Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Victims

Medical Facilities

• Broward Health Imperial Point – Level II trauma services, 6401 N. Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale.

• Holy Cross Health – 4725 N. Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale.

Court Information

Broward County civil personal-injury cases are filed in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Central Courthouse, 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale. Cases valued under $50,000 may proceed in County Court; higher values go to Circuit Court.

Government & Law Enforcement

• Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Police Department (BSO District 13) – 4513 Ocean Drive, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles crash portal: County-level crash statistics.

Victim Services

The Broward County Victim Services Unit offers counseling and compensation-claim assistance: 954-765-4133.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently, and the application of law depends on specific facts. You should consult a licensed Florida attorney for advice about your individual situation.

Take Action Today

If you were injured due to someone else's negligence, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and legal consultation.