Lighthouse Point, FL Personal Injury Attorneys Near You

Introduction: Personal Injury in Lighthouse Point

With just over 10,000 residents, the City of Lighthouse Point in northeastern Broward County enjoys tranquil canals, marinas, and easy access to U.S.-1 and I-95. Unfortunately, these same thoroughfares, along with busy commercial corridors on Sample Road and Federal Highway, generate their share of traffic crashes, slip-and-falls, and boating incidents. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Crash Facts, Broward County recorded more than 41,000 traffic collisions in the last full reporting year. A portion of these accidents occurred within Lighthouse Point’s 2.4-square-mile footprint. Whether you were rear-ended near Lighthouse Drive, injured while shopping at the Shoppes at Beacon Light, or hurt on the Intracoastal Waterway, Florida law gives you important rights to medical care and monetary compensation. This guide—prepared by an experienced legal content team and grounded exclusively in authoritative sources—walks Lighthouse Point residents and visitors through the essentials of pursuing a personal injury claim in Florida. We favor the injury victim’s perspective while staying strictly factual and professional. You will find key statutes, procedural steps, local medical resources such as Broward Health North (less than five miles away in Deerfield Beach), and when to engage a personal injury lawyer Lighthouse Point Florida to protect your interests.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Florida

Florida civil law allows a person harmed by another’s negligence, intentional act, or strict-liability offense to seek damages. Your rights arise chiefly from Florida Statutes Chapter 768, which governs negligence actions, wrongful death, and comparative fault. Key points include:

• Negligence Standard (§ 768.81): You must show the defendant owed a legal duty, breached that duty, and caused damages.

• Comparative Negligence (modified): After the 2023 amendments to § 768.81, Florida applies a 50% bar. If you are more than 50% at fault for your own injuries, you cannot recover. If you are 50% or less responsible, your award is reduced proportionally.

• Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages: Victims may pursue medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages require clear and convincing evidence of intentional misconduct or gross negligence under § 768.72.

• No-Fault Insurance (§ 627.736): For motor-vehicle crashes, each driver’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays up to 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, capped at $10,000, regardless of fault. Serious injuries that exceed PIP thresholds permit a liability claim against the at-fault driver.

• Statute of Limitations (§ 95.11(4)(a)): Most personal injury actions must be filed within two years of the date of injury for incidents occurring after March 24, 2023. Earlier injuries may have a four-year limit. Wrongful-death lawsuits must be filed within two years of death (§ 95.11(4)(d)).

These rights apply equally in Lighthouse Point, whether the defendant lives locally or elsewhere. Claims arising on the city’s streets are generally filed in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court in Broward County, located in Fort Lauderdale.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Florida

1. Motor-Vehicle Collisions

The busy arteries surrounding Lighthouse Point—especially NE 36th Street, Federal Highway (US-1), and Sample Road—are common crash zones. Distracted driving, speeding, and DUI offenses frequently appear in Broward County crash dockets. Victims initially turn to their PIP benefits, then pursue bodily injury claims when their injuries meet the serious injury threshold in § 627.737.

2. Slip, Trip & Fall Accidents

Florida premises-liability law (§ 768.0755) requires business owners to exercise reasonable care in maintaining their property. Tourists and residents shopping at Publix or dining along Lighthouse Point Marina may slip on spilled liquids or uneven docks. Photographs, incident reports, and quick medical evaluation at facilities such as Broward Health North often prove pivotal in these claims.

3. Boating & Watercraft Injuries

With the Intracoastal Waterway on its eastern boundary, Lighthouse Point hosts numerous recreational boaters. Collisions, propeller strikes, and falls overboard may invoke both federal maritime principles and Florida negligence law. Operators must follow Fla. Stat. § 327.33 (careless operation) and carry required safety equipment.

4. Bicycle & Pedestrian Crashes

Federal Highway’s narrow bike lanes and Lighthouse Point’s minimal sidewalks can place cyclists and walkers at risk. Under Florida law, drivers owe a heightened duty of care to vulnerable road users (§ 316.027). Injured cyclists often access PIP benefits under their own auto policies or a resident relative’s policy.

5. Dog Bites

Florida imposes strict liability on dog owners for bites occurring in public places or lawfully on private property (§ 767.04). Victims may recover without proving the owner had prior knowledge of aggression. Comparative negligence still applies if the victim was teasing the animal or trespassing.

Florida Legal Protections & Injury Laws

Comparative Negligence in Practice

Courts assign each party a percentage of fault. If a Lighthouse Point resident slips on wet tiles at a waterfront restaurant but was texting while walking, a jury may find the victim 20% negligent. A $100,000 verdict would then net $80,000. However, if the plaintiff’s share exceeds 50%, recovery is barred under the new modified standard.

Caps on Damages

Florida currently has no caps on economic or non-economic damages in ordinary negligence cases. The Florida Supreme Court struck down medical-malpractice non-economic caps as unconstitutional in Estate of McCall v. United States, 134 So. 3d 894 (Fla. 2014). Punitive damages remain capped at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $500,000 (§ 768.73).

Evidence & Discovery Rules

Claims filed in Broward County follow the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. Important provisions include:

• Rule 1.350 – Requests for production of documents.

• Rule 1.370 – Requests for admissions.

• Rule 1.310 – Depositions upon oral examination.

Plaintiffs must also comply with pre-suit notice requirements in certain contexts, such as medical malpractice (§ 766.106). Failure to do so can result in dismissal.

Attorney Licensing & Fees

Only attorneys licensed by the Florida Bar may practice law in the state. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis regulated by Rule 4-1.5(f)(4)(B), capping fees at 33⅓% to 40% of recovery depending on the litigation phase and amount. Written fee contracts are mandatory.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Florida

Seek Immediate Medical Care

Florida PIP benefits require you to obtain treatment within 14 days (§ 627.736(1)(a)). Nearby facilities for Lighthouse Point include Broward Health North (Level II trauma center) and Holy Cross Health Urgent Care in Pompano Beach.

Report the Incident

File a police report for motor-vehicle crashes (Fla. Stat. § 316.066) or an incident report with the property owner for slips and falls. Timely documentation preserves evidence.

Collect Evidence

Photograph the scene, obtain witness contact information, and preserve damaged personal property. In boating cases, notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission if injuries exceed $2,000.

Notify Insurance Carriers

Call your insurer but avoid detailed recorded statements without counsel. Under Fla. Stat. § 627.4265, insurers must pay undisputed PIP benefits within 30 days.

Track Expenses & Symptoms

Maintain a pain journal, receipts, and mileage to medical appointments. These records support economic and non-economic damage claims.

Consult a Lighthouse Point Accident Attorney

An initial consultation is usually free. A lawyer can calculate damages, evaluate liability, and file suit before the statute of limitations expires.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

While minor fender-benders may resolve through PIP alone, several red flags signal the need for a lighthouse point accident attorney:

• Medical bills exceed PIP limits.

• Permanent injuries—defined under § 627.737(2) as significant scarring, loss of bodily function, or death—are alleged.

• The at-fault party disputes liability or claims you were more than 50% responsible.

• An insurance adjuster pressures you to sign a release quickly.

• The incident involves complex law—e.g., maritime accidents, multiple defendants, or government entities requiring pre-suit notice (§ 768.28(6)).

An attorney licensed in Florida can file suit in Broward County Circuit Court, engage accident reconstructionists, subpoena security footage from Lighthouse Point’s canal bridges, and negotiate liens with Medicare or private health insurers to maximize florida injury compensation.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Medical Facilities

• Broward Health North – 201 E Sample Rd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33064

• Holy Cross Health Pompano Beach Urgent Care – 1110 E Sample Rd, Pompano Beach, FL 33064

• Florida Department of Health in Broward County – 2421 NW 49th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

Court & Legal Aid

• Broward County Circuit Court – 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Legal Aid Service of Broward County Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service

Government Safety & Crash Data

FLHSMV Crash Dashboard Florida Law Weekly – Recent Appellate Opinions

Understanding your rights is the first step toward recovery. Keep copies of all records, stay off social media regarding the accident, and schedule a comprehensive case review with a qualified attorney.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and each case is unique. Consult a licensed Florida attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

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.