West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer

Injured in a car crash? You deserve help, and not headaches. Our West Palm Beach car accident lawyers offer no-fee legal advice and have recovered millions in compensation for our local clients.

With more than 20 years of experience and strong ties to the Palm Beach community, we understand your stress, pain, and financial worries, and we’re here to help you move forward. We know the tactics insurance companies use to undervalue the victims’ claims, and we don’t let them get away with it.

You don’t pay unless we win. Get your free case review today.

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach

Florida’s two-year statute of limitations, as of 2023, means time is limited to file your claim. Missing this window can bar you from recovering damages.

Our experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyers understand the complexities of Florida’s legal system, including how deadlines and requirements can vary depending on the type of accident and vehicles involved. You can focus on healing while we handle every step, from investigating your crash to negotiating with insurance companies, to deliver meaningful results:

• Maximizing compensation: We assess the full scope of your damages including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, to secure the highest possible recovery.
• Navigating complex legal processes: We manage all paperwork, filings, and negotiations so you don’t have to deal with legal stress.
• Proving liability: Lawyers gather evidence, witness statements, accident reports, and expert testimony to build a strong case that proves fault.
• Negotiating with insurance companies: We know the tactics insurers use to minimize payouts and push back to protect your rights.
• Providing peace of mind: With a professional legal team handling your case, you can focus on recovery knowing your lawyer is fighting for your best outcome.

Steinger, Greene & Feiner team’s car accident attorneys in West Palm Beach and the nearby area are dedicated to collecting and presenting the necessary evidence to prove your case and maximize the compensation you’re owed.

Proven Results. Local Knowledge. The Right Car Accident Lawyer Near You

Why is Steinger, Greene & Feiner your best choice for a car accident attorney in West Palm Beach?

We know how to navigate its legal systems like we do its roadways. We care about the community and understand its local jurisdictions, as evidenced by the results we’ve been able to achieve for our clients.

Our legal representation has resulted in billions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Some of our past settlements include:

• $13,000,000 Settlement for a car accident involving a bicyclist
• $11,500,000 Settlement for death resulting from an auto accident
• $10,000,000 Settlement for death resulting from an auto accident

Car Accident Laws in Florida

Florida operates under a no-fault auto insurance system, which requires drivers to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This PIP coverage is designed to cover medical expenses regardless of who is at fault in the accident. However, if you cannot prove that you’ve suffered an emergency medical condition after a motor vehicle accident, your insurance benefits may be limited to $2,500 of that coverage.

If your medical bills exceed the $10,000 PIP coverage, you may have the right to sue for additional compensation. This often requires proving that your injuries are severe enough to meet the legal threshold for pursuing a claim beyond PIP limits. An experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyer can help you explore your legal options to determine if full litigation is warranted.

Beyond insurance rules, Florida’s recent changes to its statute of limitations also affect how quickly you need to act after a crash.

Florida Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits

In 2023, Florida law stipulates that you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injuries resulting from a car accident. This is a change from the previous four-year limitation. If you fail to take action within this timeframe, you may lose the right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.

Additionally, Florida follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning that if you are found partially responsible for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you are 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 20%.

Regardless of the specifics of your case, our personal injury lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner are deeply familiar with local laws and can guide you to secure the maximum coverage and compensation you deserve.

What Part Does Negligence Play in a Car Accident Case?

To get compensation after a car accident, we need to show the other driver was careless or acted in a way a reasonable person wouldn’t — that’s called negligence.

This means proving they didn’t follow traffic laws, drive safely, or take steps to avoid causing harm. Their actions must have directly caused your injury and financial losses, like medical bills or lost wages.

Florida follows a pure comparative fault rule. That means you can still get compensation, even if you were partly at fault. But your payment is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re 30% at fault, your compensation is reduced by 30%.

That is one more reason why having an experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyer by your side can make all the difference. And while understanding the law matters, what you do in the moments right after a crash can make or break your case.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Car Accident

A car crash can leave you shocked and uncertain about what to do next. Here’s how to protect your health and your claim right at the accident scene:

1. Safety should be your first priority in the moments following an auto accident. Seek prompt medical care, even if injuries seem minor, as this establishes a documentation trail that will later be helpful for your case.
2. Report the accident. Dial 911 or contact the police and provide detailed information to the dispatcher.
3. Once you’ve regained your composure and received proper medical attention, gather contact information and insurance details from the other drivers involved, but do not admit fault during any of these exchanges. 
4. You should also inform your insurance provider about the accident, but consult a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer before providing them with any sort of recorded statement. Insurance companies will use anything you say to try to minimize payouts, so speaking with an experienced car wreck attorneys first will help secure maximum compensation.
5. Strengthen your case by thoroughly documenting the accident scene for legal evidence. Use your phone’s camera to capture photos and videos of vehicle damage, injuries sustained, and eyewitness accounts. 
6. Contact the West Palm Beach Police Department to file an official report, further documenting the damages.

Refrain from discussing your case with anyone except your lawyer, especially avoid posting about the accident on social media. Attorney-client confidentiality protects your private discussions, while public statements can potentially undermine your case.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in West Palm Beach

Every crash tells a story. Car accidents in West Palm Beach stem from various causes, each impacting the severity of the accident and resulting injuries.

• Drunk Driving: Drunk driving remains a significant issue in Florida. In 2023, Palm Beach County reported 245 alcohol-related crashes, leading to 140 injuries and six fatalities. Despite gradual declines, it remains a critical concern with severe consequences.
• Distracted Driving: Activities like texting, eating, or adjusting controls while driving divert attention from the road, leading to cognitive, visual, or manual distractions. These distractions significantly increase the risk of accidents.
• Improper Lane Changes or Turns: Ignoring traffic signs or signals can lead to dangerous accidents, particularly during improper lane changes or turns.
• Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Disregarding traffic signals often results in serious collisions involving other vehicles or pedestrians .
• Speeding: Speeding is a leading cause of accidents. Adhering to speed limits is crucial, even when time is tight, to prevent accidents.
• Tailgating: Following too closely behind another vehicle reduces reaction time, often leading to rear-end collisions.
• Mechanical Failures or Tire Blowouts: Mechanical issues or tire blowouts can cause vehicles to swerve unexpectedly, increasing the risk of multi-vehicle accidents.

The accident often has a direct impact on the crash type.

Common Types of Car Accident Cases in West Palm Beach

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were a total of 26,238 car accidents in Palm Beach County in 2023. These crashes resulted in 182 deaths and 16,243 injuries. Some of the most common types of car accidents and their causes are the following:

• Rear-end Collisions: Rear-end collisions can be caused by distracted drivers who fail to stop due to looking at their phones or whatever is going on outside the car. Based on the point of impact, these types of collisions can result in head, back, and neck injuries. They can be temporary or permanent, so it is imperative to seek medical care immediately following a rear-end collision.
• Head-on Collisions: Perhaps you’re driving at night on a rural highway with a lack of lighting, and an oncoming car neglects to turn its headlights on. You might not see it and it may swerve suddenly, entering your lane and causing a head-on collision. These types of collisions may lead to facial, head, neck, and shoulder injuries which may also be temporary or permanent. Permanent injuries can cause emotional stress or recurring pain and suffering which may affect the quality of life for some.
• T-Bone, or Side Collision: Side collisions can be caused by someone blowing a stop light or running an intersection because they’re late for work. Depending on the speed, an impact on the side of your vehicle can cause injury to the lower back or lower limbs. Broken hips or broken legs are common after a T-Bone, or side collision.
• Rideshare Accident: It involves any collision where a driver, passenger, or another party is injured while an Uber, Lyft, or similar service is in operation. These crashes can occur under many of the same circumstances as other vehicle accidents—but they often involve additional legal complexities due to multiple insurance policies and liability disputes between the driver and the rideshare company
• Parked Car Accidents: Just because your vehicle isn’t moving doesn’t mean you can’t fall victim to a car accident. You may be parked and get struck by another vehicle whose driver can’t see you in their blind spot. Depending on the speed of that other vehicle, the accident may result in an injury.
• Drunk Driving Accidents, DUI: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol dulls the senses, slowing reaction times and impairing decision-making. Intoxicated drivers pose a higher risk of being involved with or involving others in car accidents. Highway drunk driving accidents can be fatal and involve a number of cars.
• Distracted Driving Accident: This type occurs when a driver’s attention is diverted from the road due to activities such as texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or conversing with passengers. These accidents can happen in various forms, including rear-end collisions, side-swipes, or more severe impacts, depending on the circumstances.
• Hit and Run Accident: This happens when a driver involved in a collision flees the scene without providing contact information or offering assistance to the injured. This type of accident can leave victims without immediate help and complicate the process of obtaining compensation for injuries or damages.
• Reckless Driving Accident: This types involves operating a vehicle with a willful disregard for safety, often characterized by excessive speeding, aggressive maneuvers, or ignoring traffic signals. Such behavior significantly increases the likelihood of accidents, leading to severe injuries or fatalities.

Steinger, Greene & Feiner has over 20 years of experience representing car accident victims across the greater West Palm Beach area, and we’ve seen every type of crash imaginable. Our team of West Palm Beach car accident lawyers is equipped to handle any type of case.

Common Car Accident Injury

The types of serious injuries caused by the accident may include:

• Cuts and bruises. Loose objects like phones or bottles can become projectiles during a crash, causing cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
• Whiplash. The sudden motion of a rear-end collision can strain neck muscles, leading to stiffness, pain, headaches, or even chronic issues.
• Head injuries. Rapid impact or hitting the steering wheel can cause concussions or brain injuries that may affect memory and coordination.
• Broken bones. Arms, legs, and ribs are vulnerable in high-impact crashes and may take months to heal, affecting daily life and work.
• Internal bleeding. Blunt force to the torso can damage internal organs and requires immediate medical attention.
• Herniated discs. Back injuries like slipped or herniated discs can cause lasting pain, numbness, or muscle weakness.

These injuries don’t just cause pain, but also bring medical bills, lost income, and emotional stress that can last long after the accident.

What compensation can I receive in a car accident lawsuit?

If your injury leaves you with medical and other expenses beyond the scope of PIP, you may be able to file a car accident lawsuit to recover your losses. Generally, these damages are divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages pertain to compensation for the real money you lost, such as:

• Medical expenses above $10,000
• Lost wages above $10,000
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Additionally, your lawsuit may help you recover compensation for non-economic damages you suffered. These are losses that have nothing to do with tangible money. Non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional pain or distress
• Loss of enjoyment in life
• Permanent disabilities and impairments.

The attorneys can review your case and help you understand exactly what your claim may be worth.

What to Expect from Your Auto Accident Lawyer

When you hire a Steinger, Greene & Feiner car accident lawyer, we handle every step of your case so you can focus on recovery. Our job is to protect your rights, uncover the truth about your crash, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

We begin with a detailed investigation including reviewing police and medical reports, analyzing the scene, and gathering evidence such as photos, witness statements, and video footage. If needed, we work with accident reconstruction experts who use engineering and physics to determine exactly how the collision occurred and who was at fault.

To build a strong claim, we also consult medical specialists and psychologists who assess both the physical and emotional impact of your injuries. This helps ensure your case reflects the full extent of your damages.

Our attorneys collect and review all documentation, negotiate directly with insurance companies, and prepare for trial if necessary. But in most cases, we reach a fair settlement without ever going to trial.

With over two decades of experience representing injury victims across West Palm Beach, our team knows how to secure results that truly reflect what you’ve lost, and our clients’ reviews are the strongest proof of that success.

Get in Touch with Our West Palm Beach Car Accident Attorney Near You

Call our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys at (561) 566-5021 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential, no-obligation consultation either online or at our office at 1645 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, 8th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Our office is easy to find — we’re right off I-95, near the Palm Beach Outlets, with convenient on-site parking available. Get direction to it.

Don’t wait to get the legal help you need. The sooner you call, the sooner we can start fighting for your compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions