Personal Injury Lawyers in Plantation

Common Accident Types and Injury Scenarios in Plantation and Broward County

Plantation sits at the center of several major Broward County transportation routes. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Traffic Crash Facts reports, Broward County consistently records tens of thousands of crashes annually, with many resulting in injuries.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Serious Injuries in Broward County?

Serious injuries in Broward County are frequently caused by preventable negligence. Motor vehicle accidents remain the leading source of catastrophic injuries, particularly when drivers engage in risky behaviors.

Distracted driving continues to be a major factor, with texting, cell phone use, and in-vehicle technology taking drivers’ attention off the road. Speeding significantly increases the force of impact in a crash, making injuries far more severe, especially on highways. Impaired driving involving alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medications remains a persistent cause of devastating accidents. Aggressive driving behaviors such as unsafe lane changes, tailgating, and running red lights frequently result in multi-vehicle and intersection crashes.

Certain roads in Broward County see a higher concentration of serious injury accidents. High-speed corridors like I-595 and Florida’s Turnpike are often associated with catastrophic injuries due to the velocity involved in collisions. Major surface roads including University Drive, Pine Island Road, and Sunrise Boulevard experience a large number of intersection accidents, pedestrian strikes, and congestion-related crashes.

Commercial vehicle traffic also contributes to severe injuries. Accidents involving delivery trucks, tractor-trailers, and company vehicles tend to cause greater harm because of their size and weight. These cases are often more complex, involving corporate liability, multiple insurance policies, and investigations into driver training, safety procedures, and vehicle maintenance.

Serious injuries in Plantation and throughout Broward County also often result from slip and fall accidents caused by unsafe property conditions, negligent security incidents leading to assaults or violent crimes, motorcycle and pedestrian accidents where victims have little physical protection, dog bites that cause permanent scarring or nerve damage, and wrongful death claims arising from preventable negligence.

What Injuries Tend to Have the Biggest Long-Term Impact?

Some injuries affect victims long after the accident itself, affecting their ability to work, live independently, and enjoy daily life. The most serious injuries often require extended medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.

Traumatic brain injuries can have lasting effects on memory, concentration, emotional regulation, and personality, even when symptoms are not immediately obvious. Spinal cord and neck injuries may lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, nerve damage, or partial paralysis. Fractures and orthopedic injuries often require surgery and long-term physical therapy and may never fully return to pre-injury function.

Internal injuries are particularly dangerous because they are not always immediately detected, yet they can result in organ damage, internal bleeding, and long-term medical complications. Soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash, torn ligaments, and muscle damage are frequently underestimated but can significantly limit a person’s ability to work and perform everyday activities.

Serious personal injuries also take a toll on mental and emotional health. Many injury victims experience anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a violent or life-altering accident. Sleep disturbances, fear of driving or traveling, and emotional distress related to chronic pain, disfigurement, or loss of independence are common. Mental health treatment, counseling, and medication are often necessary components of recovery.

Because the long-term physical and psychological impact of an injury plays a critical role in determining compensation, thorough medical documentation is essential. Following medical recommendations and consistently reporting both physical symptoms and emotional struggles helps establish the full extent of the harm suffered and the true cost of a serious injury.

Florida Personal Injury Laws That Affect a Plantation Claim

Florida law sets the framework for every personal injury case in Plantation and beyond, but recent legislative changes have made timing and fault more critical than ever.

Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, for example, most negligence-based personal injury lawsuits must now be filed within two years of the date of the injury. This shortened statute of limitations was part of legislative changes enacted through HB 837.

For Plantation residents, this means delaying action can permanently bar a claim, even when injuries are severe. Evidence loss is another concern, as records and video footage may not be available later.

How Does Florida’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule Work?

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system under Florida Statutes § 768.81. Fault is assigned as a percentage to each party involved.

If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you may recover nothing. If you are 50 percent or less at fault, compensation is reduced by your share of responsibility. This rule commonly comes into play in multi-vehicle crashes and slip and fall cases where insurers argue the injured person “should have seen” the hazard.

How Do PIP and the Serious Injury Threshold Affect Car Accident Claims?

Florida’s no-fault system requires most drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection, or PIP. Under Florida Statutes § 627.736, PIP covers a portion of medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault, but only if treatment is timely and properly documented.

To pursue compensation beyond PIP, including pain and suffering, many cases must meet the “serious injury threshold” outlined in Florida Statutes § 627.737. This typically involves significant or permanent injury. Whether a claim meets this threshold often depends on early medical documentation and consistent care.

What To Do After an Accident or Injury in Plantation

After an accident or injury, your health and safety should come first. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Some conditions take time to show symptoms, and prompt treatment also creates important medical documentation. If you are able, report the incident to the appropriate authorities, whether that means calling the police after a car crash or notifying a property owner after a slip and fall. Collect evidence at the scene by taking photos, saving damaged property, and gathering contact information from witnesses.

In the days that follow, keep detailed records of your medical care, missed work, and any communication with insurance companies. Be cautious when speaking with adjusters, as their goal is often to minimize payouts. Before accepting a settlement or signing any paperwork, it is wise to understand your legal rights. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you evaluate your options, deal with insurers, and pursue fair compensation while you focus on healing.

Where Should You Go for Emergency Care After an Injury in Plantation?

If injuries are serious or symptoms are concerning, emergency evaluation is important. People injured in Plantation often receive initial care at nearby facilities such as HCA Florida Westside Hospital, Broward Health Medical Center for trauma-level care, or the Cleveland Clinic Weston Emergency Department.

Even if you don’t think you need emergency care, it’s important to seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible after your accident. Prompt care does more than address injuries. Medical records created soon after an accident help establish when symptoms began and how they relate to the incident—issues insurers frequently challenge.