1. Morgan & Morgan
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Mass Tort Litigation
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Truck Collisions, Slip and Fall, Workplace Injuries, Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Product Liability, Nursing Home Abuse, Class Actions
Background: One of the largest personal injury law firms in the United States with over 1,000 attorneys and more than 30 years of experience. The firm has recovered over $25 billion in damages for clients nationwide. Offices throughout Florida allow the firm to serve clients in Pembroke Pines and surrounding Broward County communities.
Location: 600 N. Pine Island Road, Suite 400, Plantation, FL 33324 (Serving Pembroke Pines)
Contact: (877) 667-4265 | https://www.forthepeople.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation. Contingency fee with no payment unless recovery is obtained.
2. Garnes Injury Law
Focus Area: Personal Injury Representation
Practice Areas: Motor Vehicle Accidents, Slip and Fall, Workplace Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Premises Liability, Rideshare Accidents, Wrongful Death
Background: Led by Attorney Erika Garnes (Florida Bar No. 1002976), the firm provides personalized representation throughout Broward County and Florida. The legal team focuses on understanding each client’s unique circumstances and developing tailored litigation strategies. Attorneys speak both English and Spanish to serve the diverse Pembroke Pines community.
Location: 2641 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 101, Hollywood, FL 33020 (Serving Pembroke Pines)
Contact: (954) 905-2683 | https://garnesinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee arrangement available.
3. The Law Offices of David I. Fuchs
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Accident Claims
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Motorcycle Crashes, Truck Collisions, Pedestrian Accidents, Bicycle Accidents, Slip and Fall, Wrongful Death, Catastrophic Injuries
Background: Attorney David Fuchs provides personal attention to each case, distinguishing his practice from larger volume firms. The firm has experience handling claims involving serious injuries throughout Broward County. Attorneys are familiar with local courts and insurance company practices in the South Florida market.
Location: 1000 E. Hillsboro Boulevard, Suite 105, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 (Serving Pembroke Pines)
Contact: (954) 568-3636 | https://www.southfloridapersonalinjurylawyers.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation case evaluation. No fees unless compensation is recovered.
4. Cohen & Juda Personal Injury Law
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Auto Accidents, Wrongful Death, Slip and Fall, Premises Liability
Background: The firm represents victims throughout South Florida who have suffered injuries due to negligence or wrongful acts. Attorneys maintain open communication with clients throughout the legal process and focus on recovering fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. The firm has earned numerous positive client reviews.
Location: 8211 W. Broward Boulevard, Suite 310, Plantation, FL 33324 (Serving Pembroke Pines)
Contact: (954) 424-1440 | https://www.cohenandjudaflorida.com
Consultation: Free consultation. No attorney fees unless recovery is obtained.
5. Schrier Law Group
Focus Area: Full-Service Personal Injury Representation
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Bicycle Accidents, Wrongful Death, Product Liability, Catastrophic Injuries, Premises Liability, Slip and Fall
Background: The firm provides comprehensive legal representation for personal injury cases throughout the Pembroke Pines community and Broward County. Attorneys are familiar with Florida’s personal injury laws and handle cases from initial investigation through settlement or trial. The firm stays current on changes to Florida tort law including recent statutory modifications.
Location: 12555 Orange Drive, Suite 232, Davie, FL 33330 (Serving Pembroke Pines)
Contact: (954) 639-4155 | https://www.schrierlawgroup.com
Consultation: Free case consultation. Contingency fee structure.
Personal Injury Laws in Florida
Statute of Limitations
Florida reduced its personal injury statute of limitations from four years to two years effective March 24, 2023, under House Bill 837. Claims arising from accidents occurring on or after this date must be filed within two years. Medical malpractice claims are also subject to a two-year statute with additional requirements including a four-year statute of repose and seven-year cap for fraud or concealment. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death under Florida Statutes Section 95.11(4).
Negligence Rules
Florida changed from pure comparative negligence to modified comparative negligence effective March 24, 2023. Under the current rule in Florida Statutes Section 768.81, an injured party can recover damages only if their share of fault is 50% or less. If the plaintiff is more than 50% at fault, no recovery is allowed. When fault is 50% or below, damages are reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of responsibility. This represents a significant change from the prior system where recovery was possible even at 99% fault.
Damage Caps
Florida generally does not cap economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases. Previous caps on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases were struck down by the Florida Supreme Court as unconstitutional. However, claims against government entities may be subject to sovereign immunity limitations. Punitive damages are available in cases of intentional misconduct or gross negligence and require clear and convincing evidence.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Florida operates as a no-fault state with unique insurance requirements. Drivers must carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL). PIP covers 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages regardless of fault, up to policy limits. Unlike most states, Florida does not require bodily injury liability coverage, though it is recommended. Drivers must seek medical treatment within 14 days of an accident to receive PIP benefits. To sue the at-fault driver, injuries must meet a serious injury threshold including significant permanent loss of function, permanent injury, or significant scarring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Florida’s no-fault system affect my ability to sue after a car accident in Pembroke Pines?
Florida’s no-fault system requires you to first seek compensation through your own PIP insurance for medical expenses and lost wages. You can only pursue a claim against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet certain thresholds defined in Florida statute. These include significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, or significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement. Minor injuries typically cannot support a lawsuit regardless of the other driver’s fault.
What is the 14-day rule for PIP benefits in Florida?
Florida law requires that you receive initial medical services and care within 14 days of a motor vehicle accident to be entitled to PIP benefits. If you do not seek treatment within this window, your PIP insurance company can deny coverage for your medical expenses. This rule applies regardless of how minor or severe your injuries may seem immediately after the accident. Emergency room visits, urgent care, or treatment by a licensed physician within the 14-day period satisfies this requirement.
How did Florida’s 2023 tort reform changes affect personal injury claims?
House Bill 837, effective March 24, 2023, made substantial changes to Florida personal injury law. The statute of limitations was reduced from four years to two years for negligence-based claims. The negligence system changed from pure comparative fault to modified comparative fault, meaning plaintiffs more than 50% at fault cannot recover damages. The law also modified bad faith insurance claim procedures and limited attorney fee multipliers in certain circumstances. These changes apply to accidents occurring on or after the effective date.
Are there special traffic concerns in Pembroke Pines that lead to accidents?
Major corridors including Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Road, and Flamingo Road experience significant traffic volume and accident frequency. The intersection of multiple shopping districts creates pedestrian crossing hazards. School zones near the numerous educational facilities in Pembroke Pines require extra caution during arrival and dismissal times. The proximity to I-75 and Florida’s Turnpike means commercial truck traffic passes through residential areas. Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements have been ongoing but accidents involving vulnerable road users remain a concern.
What should I do if I’m injured in an accident involving an uninsured driver in Florida?
Despite legal requirements, many Florida drivers operate without proper insurance. If injured by an uninsured driver, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage provides compensation for your injuries if you purchased this optional coverage. UM coverage applies whether you are in your vehicle, in another vehicle, or struck as a pedestrian. Without UM coverage, you would need to pursue the at-fault driver personally for damages, which may be difficult to collect. Given Florida’s uninsured driver rates, purchasing UM coverage provides important protection for Pembroke Pines residents.