Personal Injury Lawyer Guide for Lighthouse Point, Florida

Introduction: Why Lighthouse Point Residents Need a Local Personal Injury Guide

Lighthouse Point sits on the Intracoastal Waterway in northern Broward County. The city’s proximity to U.S.-1, Federal Highway, and the busy NE 36th Street corridor means local traffic can spike quickly—especially during seasonal tourism peaks and weekend boating events at Lighthouse Point Marina. Even with a population under 12,000, serious car collisions, bicycle crashes on the Lighthouse Point Shared-Use Path, and slip-and-fall incidents in waterfront businesses still occur. When an accident happens, victims often search online for a “personal injury lawyer Lighthouse Point Florida” who understands the nuances of state statutes and Broward County courts. This guide delivers a strictly factual, Florida-specific overview of your legal rights, deadlines, and next steps. It slightly favors the injury victim by emphasizing protections in Florida law, but remains evidence-based and authoritative.

All references come from verifiable sources such as the Florida Statutes, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, published opinions from the Fourth District Court of Appeal, the Florida Bar, and data released by the Florida Department of Health. If you need immediate medical care after an accident, Broward Health North in nearby Deerfield Beach operates a Level II trauma center only about three miles from Lighthouse Point City Hall. Call 911 for emergencies.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Florida

Negligence and the Duty of Care

Most Florida personal injury claims rest on negligence: the failure to use reasonable care, resulting in damages. Under Fla. Stat. §768.81, Florida applies a modified comparative negligence standard. A claimant who is more than 50% at fault cannot recover damages, while those 50% or less at fault may recover a reduced award proportionate to their percentage of fault.

Statute of Limitations

The deadline for filing most negligence-based personal injury lawsuits in Florida is two years from the date of injury, per Fla. Stat. §95.11(4)(a) (revised in 2023). Wrongful death actions carry a two-year limit under Fla. Stat. §95.11(4)(d). If the defendant is a governmental entity, you must also provide notice under Fla. Stat. §768.28(6) and typically wait 180 days before filing suit.

Florida’s No-Fault System

For most motor-vehicle accidents, Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law (Fla. Stat. §627.736) requires injured drivers and passengers to turn first to their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, regardless of fault, for up to 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, capped at $10,000. You may step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver when you suffer a “significant and permanent injury,” as defined in Fla. Stat. §627.737.

Damages You May Recover

• Economic damages: medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation costs, replacement services.

• Non-economic damages: pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life.

• Punitive damages: only when the defendant’s conduct was intentional or grossly negligent, capped under Fla. Stat. §768.72.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Florida

Motor-Vehicle Collisions

Broward County recorded more than 34,000 crashes in 2022, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Traffic Safety Dashboard. In Lighthouse Point, Federal Highway (U.S.-1) and Sample Road (SR-834) are frequent sites of rear-end collisions and left-turn accidents. Victims may need to meet PIP filing deadlines: seek initial medical treatment within 14 days or PIP benefits drop to $2,500 (Fla. Stat. §627.736(1)(a)).

Premises Liability

Florida property owners owe varying duties of care to invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Slip-and-fall claims inside grocery stores along N. Federal Highway often invoke Fla. Stat. §768.0755, which requires injured plaintiffs to prove the business had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition.

Boating and Maritime Accidents

Lighthouse Point’s canals and easy access to Hillsboro Inlet create heavy weekend boating traffic. Florida leads the nation in recreational boating accidents, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2022 report. State personal injury laws generally apply, though federal maritime law may also govern offshore incidents.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Injuries

With year-round cycling weather, Lighthouse Point residents regularly use the shared-use path along NE 24th Avenue. When motorists fail to yield at crosswalks, injured cyclists or pedestrians may seek damages under the same negligence framework; PIP may still apply if the victim owns a motor vehicle.

Dog Bites

Florida imposes strict liability on dog owners under Fla. Stat. §767.04. The victim does not need to prove the owner knew the dog was vicious. Comparative negligence can reduce recovery if the victim’s actions provoked the dog.

Florida Legal Protections & Injury Laws

Comparative Negligence in Practice

Under Fla. Stat. §768.81, juries assign each party a percentage of fault. Suppose you were injured in a Lighthouse Point intersection collision and are deemed 20% at fault for speeding. If the jury awards $100,000, you can recover $80,000 (the defendant’s 80%). However, if you are found 51% at fault, you recover nothing in most negligence actions after the 2023 tort reform changes.

Damage Caps and Immunities

• Sovereign immunity: Claims against state or local entities are limited to $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident (Fla. Stat. §768.28(5)).

• Medical malpractice: Florida caps noneconomic damages only in limited wrongful death cases involving Medicaid recipients (Fla. Stat. §766.118). Broad caps were struck down as unconstitutional in North Broward Hospital District v. Kalitan, 219 So.3d 49 (Fla. 2017).

Evidence and Discovery Rules

The Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, particularly Rules 1.280 (Discovery) and 1.350 (Production of Documents), govern how parties exchange evidence. Broward County Circuit Court— Seventeenth Judicial Circuit—handles civil claims exceeding $50,000. Cases arising in Lighthouse Point are typically filed in the courthouse located at 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale.

Settlement vs. Trial

Statewide, approximately 90% of personal injury claims settle before trial, according to statistics compiled by the Florida Bar’s Civil Trial Law Section. Mediation is mandatory in Broward County civil cases under Administrative Order 2021-60-Civ before a trial date is confirmed.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Florida

Seek Immediate Medical Care Visit Broward Health North (201 East Sample Road) or another licensed provider within 14 days to preserve PIP benefits. Follow all treatment plans, as gaps in care can be used against you. Report the Incident • Car crash: Call 911; Lighthouse Point Police Department or the Broward Sheriff’s Office will generate a Florida Traffic Crash Report. • Slip and fall: Ask the store manager to complete an incident report; request a copy. Document Evidence Take photos of vehicle damage, hazardous conditions, or dog bite injuries. Keep receipts for out-of-pocket costs and log missed workdays. Notify Insurance Florida PIP policies require “prompt” notice. Provide basic facts only; avoid detailed recorded statements until you consult counsel. Track Statutory Deadlines Set calendar alerts for the two-year limitation period and 180-day notice requirement if a government entity is involved.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

Florida law does not require you to hire an attorney, but complex statutory and procedural rules can jeopardize unrepresented claims. Consult a lighthouse point accident attorney if:

• Your medical bills exceed PIP limits or you suffered permanent injury.

• The insurer disputes liability or suggests you are more than 50% at fault.

• A governmental agency is involved, triggering pre-suit notice rules.

• Evidence (e.g., surveillance footage) may be lost without a preservation letter.

Florida attorneys must hold an active license from the Florida Bar and follow the Rules of Professional Conduct. You can verify a lawyer’s standing through the Florida Bar Lawyer Directory.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Hospitals: Broward Health North – Level II Trauma Center, Deerfield Beach. Police Reports: Lighthouse Point Police Department, 3701 NE 22nd Ave, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064. Crash reports available online via FLHSMV Crash Portal.

• Court Information: Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida – Civil Division, 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale.

Victim Assistance: Broward County’s Victim Services Unit offers counseling and compensation application help (Broward Victim Services).

Preparing to file a lawsuit involves drafting a complaint under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.110, paying the filing fee (currently $400 for most circuit civil cases), and effectuating service of process via a Broward County sheriff or certified process server within 120 days (Rule 1.070).

Legal Disclaimer

The information contained in this guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and every case is unique. You should consult a licensed Florida personal injury attorney for advice regarding your individual 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.