Accident Attorney Serving Sunrise, FL
Sunrise is one of Broward County’s most commercially active cities — home to Sawgrass Mills, one of the largest outlet malls in the country, and Amerant Bank Arena, the venue for major concerts and professional sports events. That commercial draw means Oakland Park Boulevard, Sunrise Boulevard, Commercial Boulevard, and I-595 handle enormous traffic volumes throughout the week, not just on event days. The convergence of local commuters, out-of-town shoppers, and event traffic creates frequent congestion and a higher-than-average risk of serious accidents. When a crash, fall, or other injury occurs in Sunrise, the path to fair compensation can be complicated — especially without experienced legal representation.
HLM Injury Lawyers, based in nearby Coral Springs, represents accident victims in Sunrise and throughout Broward County. Attorney Eric A. Hernandez is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida who clerked for Chief Justice Charles T. Wells of the Florida Supreme Court. He has more than 25 years of trial experience and is recognized as a Super Lawyer and Florida Trend Legal Elite. He handles cases in both English and Spanish. Call (305) 842-2100 today for a free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Common Injuries in Sunrise Accidents
The mix of high-speed freeway traffic on I-595, commercial congestion near Sawgrass Mills, and residential traffic on Sunrise and Commercial boulevards produces a wide range of serious injuries.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Rapid deceleration in a collision, or a direct head impact, can cause concussions or more severe TBIs. Cognitive effects — memory loss, difficulty concentrating, mood changes — may not be obvious at the scene but can become debilitating.
- Spinal and Neck Injuries: Rear-end crashes at congested intersections near Sawgrass Mills and on Commercial Boulevard are a frequent cause of cervical and lumbar injuries, including herniated discs and nerve compression.
- Broken Bones: High-energy collisions on I-595 or at busy commercial intersections can fracture arms, legs, hips, ribs, and the pelvis. Complex fractures may require surgical fixation and extensive physical therapy.
- Internal Injuries: The force of a crash — particularly at freeway speeds on I-595 — can cause internal organ damage that does not produce immediate pain but becomes life-threatening without prompt care.
- Parking Lot and Premises Injuries: The heavy foot traffic at Sawgrass Mills and other Sunrise commercial centers creates slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall hazards. Property owners are responsible for maintaining safe conditions.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Whiplash, muscle strains, and ligament tears cause persistent pain and limited function that may affect your ability to work and perform daily activities for months.
- Pedestrian and Cyclist Injuries: Event-day and shopping congestion near Amerant Bank Arena and Sawgrass Mills endangers pedestrians and cyclists. With no physical protection, a person struck by a vehicle almost always suffers severe injuries.
What to Do After an Accident in Sunrise
Taking the right steps after an accident in Sunrise helps protect both your physical health and your legal options.
1. Call 911. Always report the accident and request law enforcement. An official crash report is critical evidence in any personal injury claim.
2. Seek medical care immediately. Go to the emergency room or urgent care the same day. Many serious injuries — including TBIs and internal trauma — develop gradually. Early documentation also ties your injuries directly to the accident.
3. Photograph the scene thoroughly. Capture the vehicles, the road, signage, traffic controls, and all visible injuries. Near commercial areas like Sawgrass Mills, there may be additional surveillance cameras worth identifying for your attorney.
4. Get witness contact information. With the volume of pedestrian and vehicle traffic in Sunrise, eyewitnesses are often present and can be valuable in establishing liability.
5. Do not give recorded statements. The at-fault driver’s insurer may contact you within hours. Do not provide a statement without first consulting an attorney — recorded statements are frequently used to reduce or deny claims.
6. Call HLM Injury Lawyers at (305) 842-2100. An early attorney investigation can secure surveillance footage and physical evidence before it disappears.
Florida Law — What Sunrise Residents Need to Know
- Statute of limitations: Under Florida’s 2023 tort reform law (HB 837), you have two years from the date of your accident to file a negligence claim in civil court. That deadline is strict — missing it generally ends your right to recover.
- PIP insurance: Florida requires drivers to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection coverage. To access your benefits after an accident, you must begin medical treatment within 14 days of the incident.
- Modified comparative negligence: Florida bars recovery entirely if you are found 51% or more responsible for the accident. If your share of fault is lower, your compensation is reduced proportionally.
- Serious injury threshold: To pursue pain and suffering damages beyond what PIP covers, your injury must meet Florida’s serious injury threshold — significant or permanent impairment, significant scarring or disfigurement, or death.
Why Hire Eric Hernandez for Your Sunrise Injury Case
- A Prosecutor’s Perspective: Eric Hernandez’s background as a federal prosecutor means he approaches every injury case with a disciplined, evidence-focused strategy. Insurance companies know Eric can take a case to trial — which changes the dynamic of every negotiation.
- Direct Attorney Access: Eric personally handles each client’s case at HLM Injury Lawyers. You will not be passed off to a junior attorney or support staff. When you have a question, your attorney answers it.
- Trial-Ready Representation: With more than 25 years of trial experience, Eric is not just threatening to go to court — he has done it successfully, time and time again. That record gives your case real leverage.
- Bilingual / No Fee Unless We Win: Eric handles cases in English and Spanish, serving Sunrise’s diverse population with the same high level of care and attention. HLM Injury Lawyers works on contingency — no fee unless we win. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was hurt in a slip-and-fall at Sawgrass Mills — can I file a claim? Potentially. Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises safe. If you slipped or tripped due to a hazard the owner knew about or should have known about, you may have a premises liability claim. Call (305) 842-2100 to discuss the specifics.
What if my accident happened in the Amerant Bank Arena parking lot? Parking lot accidents and falls on commercial property can involve property owner liability as well as driver negligence. An attorney can identify all responsible parties and available insurance coverage.
What if I was involved in a multi-vehicle crash on I-595? Multi-vehicle accidents can involve complex questions of liability and multiple insurance policies. Eric’s litigation experience makes him well-suited to handle these complicated cases and identify all responsible parties.
Does it matter that the accident happened near a commercial venue? Commercial areas often have more surveillance coverage, more witnesses, and more potentially liable parties than residential accidents. These factors can strengthen your case. An attorney can investigate quickly before evidence disappears.
Contact HLM Injury Lawyers — Free Consultation
If you were hurt in an accident in Sunrise, call HLM Injury Lawyers at (305) 842-2100 for a free consultation. We serve Sunrise, Coral Springs, and communities throughout Broward County. No fee unless we win.
