A September three-vehicle crash on Riverside Drive in Coral Springs left an 81-year-old driver in critical condition and hospitalized an 18-year-old driver, according to a three-vehicle crash on Riverside Drive. Coral Springs Police had not determined a cause, and a traffic homicide investigator is reconstructing vehicle speeds and impact angles.
The unresolved cause underscores a key issue for anyone injured in multi-vehicle collisions: Florida’s fault rules. The Andres Lopez Law Firm advises crash victims to understand those rules before speaking with an insurer. A car accident lawyer in Coral Springs, FL can explain how those rules affect a claim and help victims pursue fair compensation.
In multi-vehicle crashes, each driver’s share of fault can differ, and that share controls what an injured person can recover. Under Fla. Stat. § 768.81(6), a plaintiff found more than 50 percent at fault generally cannot recover damages in a negligence case. A plaintiff found 50 percent or less at fault can recover damages reduced by that percentage.
Time limits also matter. Under Fla. Stat. § 95.11, most negligence claims arising after March 24, 2023 must be filed within two years, down from four. Personal injury protection coverage pays initial medical bills up to $10,000 regardless of fault, but treatment generally must begin within 14 days of the crash.
Evidence can disappear quickly. Police reconstructions, vehicle data, and camera footage often shape the fault determination. Insurers may request recorded statements within days of a crash, before the facts are settled. Statements about speed, distraction, or injuries can later be used to assign a larger share of fault to an injured driver. Learning what dealing with insurance companies after a car crash involves can help drivers avoid those missteps.
“A crash like this can look simple from the outside, but fault is rarely one driver’s alone,” said Andres Lopez, founder of The Andres Lopez Law Firm. “We gather the evidence early so our clients are not held responsible for more than their share.”
The Coral Springs case remains under investigation, with no cause determined. For injured parties, the legal clock and the evidence clock are already running.
