South Florida Injury Attorney Blog

Six vehicles were involved in a chain-reaction crash that sent nine people to the hospital, WFLX TV reported March 9. The crash started early in the morning, when one car slowed down because of mechanical problems and a vehicle behind it didn’t stop in time. From there, four more vehicles crashed in an accident that one witness described as similar to an explosion, with a pickup truck catching fire. A total of nine people were injured in the Boca Raton car wreck, but nobody was killed.

Legal liability is probably the last thing on the minds of victims and their families right after a serious accident like this one. But as a Broward County car accident lawyer, I know that working out legal responsibility for the crash could be a serious headache for the victims in the days ahead. In general, responsibility for a rear-end crash is placed firmly on the person in the rear vehicle by auto insurance companies. Drivers may be able to prove otherwise, especially if there’s a police report backing them up, but it can be an uphill battle. Circumstances may be different in a chain-reaction crash like this, but it probably won’t be clear overnight. Meanwhile, auto insurance companies may already have decided how to apportion blame.

If an auto insurance company incorrectly rejects your claim, blames you for an accident that wasn’t your fault or offers less than your claim is worth, you don’t have to accept it. Many people don’t realize that they can and should negotiate with insurers to get the full value of their claims. The settlement offered to you by a claims adjuster is typically at the low end of a range of values that the insurance company thinks the case is worth. If you don’t like it, you’re free to say so and make a counteroffer backed by the evidence in your case, including police reports. If the insurance company still won’t budge, but you’re sure you’re right, it may be time to bring in a South Florida auto accident attorney for help.

Cohn, Smith & Cohn has practiced accident and injury law in South Florida for nearly 25 years. Our lawyers have handled hundreds of Florida auto accident lawsuits, and we’re proud of our substantial record of success. If you’ve been hurt or lost a loved one in a car wreck in Florida, we can help you fully understand your legal options at a free, confidential consultation. To set one up, please call our Hollywood/Pembroke Pines office at (954) 431-8100 or contact us online.