US-1 Accident Lawyer South Florida

US-1 runs the entire length of South Florida’s eastern corridor, threading through Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, and Palm Beach Gardens before continuing northward. For daily commuters, delivery drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, this highway is unavoidable. It is also one of the most dangerous stretches of roadway in Palm Beach County. The mix of high-speed through traffic, dense commercial driveways, frequent traffic signals, and heavy pedestrian activity creates conditions where crashes happen with alarming regularity, and where the injuries are often serious. If you were hurt on US-1 in South Florida, the driver who caused the crash and the insurance company behind them are not looking out for your recovery.

What makes crashes on this corridor legally complicated is not just the severity of the injuries. It is the overlap of competing insurance interests, the involvement of commercial vehicles, and the tight deadlines Florida imposes on injury claims. A rear-end collision at Federal Highway near Atlantic Avenue looks straightforward until the at-fault driver is underinsured, your own PIP coverage is exhausted within weeks, and you are still months away from completing treatment. These are not hypotheticals. They are the situations Brett Steinberg and his team handle for clients across South Florida every day.

Steinberg Law, P.A. represents people injured in crashes throughout the US-1 corridor, from the commercial strip in Deerfield Beach to the congested downtown blocks in West Palm Beach. Brett handles each case personally, which means the attorney you speak with at the start of your case is the attorney who takes it through to resolution.

The US-1 Corridor: Why This Road Produces So Many Serious Crashes

Federal Highway, as it is locally known, is not a simple stretch of pavement. Through South Florida, US-1 changes character repeatedly. In some stretches it widens to six lanes with a painted median. In others it narrows to two lanes running between storefronts with curbside parking. Driveways from strip malls, gas stations, restaurants, and parking lots cut directly onto the highway throughout its length. This creates unpredictable entry and exit points that drivers frequently misjudge.

Pedestrian traffic on US-1 is heavier than on most Florida roads. In Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and West Palm Beach, residential neighborhoods sit within walking distance of the commercial corridor, and public bus stops line the route. Cyclists also use US-1 regularly. When a driver drifting out of a lane or pulling out of a driveway without looking encounters someone on foot or on a bicycle, the consequences can be catastrophic. Several of the largest settlements Steinberg Law has recovered involve pedestrians struck on or near high-traffic corridors like this one.

Commercial vehicles are another constant presence on US-1. Delivery vans, box trucks, landscaping vehicles, and tractor-trailers all use Federal Highway for local deliveries and regional transport. A crash involving a commercial vehicle introduces questions of employer liability, federal trucking regulations, and insurance layers that go well beyond what a standard two-car collision involves.

Types of US-1 Crashes Steinberg Law Handles

• Rear-end collisions at intersections: The traffic signal density on US-1 means vehicles frequently stop short, and distracted or tailgating drivers behind them do not. These crashes are common near high-volume intersections including Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach Boulevard, often causing whiplash, herniated discs, and traumatic brain injuries even at moderate speeds.
• Driveway and parking lot pull-out crashes: Commercial properties along US-1 generate constant vehicle movement into and out of the travel lanes. Drivers exiting driveways often fail to yield to oncoming traffic, resulting in T-bone or sideswipe collisions that can cause severe injury to the driver who had the right of way.
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents: Walkers and cyclists crossing US-1 at marked and unmarked crossings face real danger from drivers who run red lights, fail to yield, or are distracted. Steinberg Law has recovered over a million dollars in multiple car-vs.-pedestrian cases, and Brett understands both the medical complexity and the liability analysis these cases require.
• Commercial and delivery vehicle crashes: Trucks and vans making deliveries along Federal Highway often stop in travel lanes, make sudden turns, or are driven by operators under pressure from scheduling demands. When a commercial driver’s negligence causes a crash, the employer and the company’s commercial insurer are potentially liable alongside the driver.
• Left-turn and U-turn crashes: US-1 sees frequent collisions from vehicles attempting to turn across traffic at designated openings or making illegal U-turns. Oncoming drivers and cyclists often have no time to react, and the impacts from these crashes frequently result in serious injuries.
• Hit-and-run accidents: Given the volume of traffic on US-1 and the frequency of crashes, hit-and-run incidents occur regularly. Florida law provides mechanisms for pursuing compensation even when the at-fault driver flees, including uninsured motorist coverage claims under your own policy. Knowing how to pursue those claims effectively matters.
• Rideshare and for-hire vehicle accidents: Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare vehicles operate heavily along US-1, picking up and dropping off passengers near restaurants and commercial areas. Crashes involving rideshare vehicles involve layered insurance coverage that requires careful analysis of when the app was active and what phase of the trip was underway.

What to Do After a Crash on US-1

If you are injured on Federal Highway, calling 911 brings both Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies or the relevant municipal police department and emergency medical services to the scene. Do not skip medical attention at the scene even if you feel your injuries are minor. Adrenaline masks pain, and some of the most serious injuries from highway crashes, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal trauma, are not immediately apparent. A documented call to emergency services and a transport or evaluation record creates the foundation your injury claim will rest on.

Get the police report as soon as it is available. In Palm Beach County, crash reports are typically filed through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and can be requested through that agency. The report establishes the official account of how the crash occurred, who was involved, and whether any citations were issued. This document matters early in the claims process.

Photograph everything at the scene if you are physically able, including the vehicles, the road layout, any skid marks, traffic signals or signs, and your visible injuries. Witnesses on US-1 often leave quickly, so exchanging contact information with any bystander who saw the crash is valuable. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses can disappear within days, which is one reason attorneys who handle these cases move quickly to preserve it.

Florida requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection coverage, which pays a portion of medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. However, PIP benefits are limited, and the statute imposes requirements about when you must seek initial treatment to maintain eligibility. Delaying treatment beyond a short window after the crash can affect your ability to access those benefits. This is not a reason to panic, but it is a real reason to seek medical evaluation promptly after a US-1 crash.

Florida’s statute of limitations for most personal injury claims gives you a limited period from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing that deadline permanently ends your right to pursue compensation through the courts. Do not rely on informal conversations with insurance adjusters as a substitute for consulting an attorney. Adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you.

Why Steinberg Law, P.A. for a US-1 Accident Case

Brett Steinberg founded Steinberg Law in 2014 with offices in Delray Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, both located close to the US-1 corridor he knows well as a South Florida native. Since founding the firm, Brett has recovered over $25 million in verdicts and settlements for injured clients across the region. His results in car and pedestrian crash cases include settlements of $1,800,000 and $1,850,000 in car-versus-pedestrian matters, a $1,525,000 auto negligence settlement, and a $900,000 motor vehicle recovery. These are not outliers. They reflect a pattern of taking cases seriously, building them thoroughly, and being willing to go to trial when insurers refuse to pay fair value.

That willingness to try cases is not common. Many high-volume personal injury firms settle cases early because litigation is expensive and time-consuming. Brett’s background as a former Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County, where he tried over 25 cases to verdict and argued a motion that was ultimately upheld by the United States Supreme Court, produced a lawyer who is genuinely comfortable in a courtroom. When Brett took a sexual assault case to trial after the defense offered $20,000 to settle, the jury returned a $2,600,000 verdict. The gap between what insurers offer and what juries award when a case is prepared and presented well can be enormous.

Brett is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell, holds a 10.0 Superb rating on AVVO and a 10.0 rating on Justia, and has been recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer every year since 2015. He is a member of the Florida Bar, the Palm Beach County Justice Association, and the Florida Justice Association. Clients at Steinberg Law work directly with Brett throughout their case, not with paralegals or junior associates who rotate through their file. Every case is handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless there is a recovery.

Questions Clients Ask About US-1 Accident Claims in South Florida

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim after a crash on US-1?

Florida law sets a statute of limitations for negligence-based personal injury claims. Missing this deadline generally means losing the right to pursue compensation through the courts. The clock begins running from the date of the crash, not the date you discover the full extent of your injuries. This is one of the strongest reasons to consult an attorney early rather than waiting to see how your medical situation develops.

What if the driver who hit me on Federal Highway does not have enough insurance?

This is one of the most common problems in South Florida injury cases. Florida has a significant population of underinsured and uninsured drivers, and the minimum coverage limits required by law may not cover serious injuries. If the at-fault driver’s policy is exhausted, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage becomes critical. An attorney can help you evaluate all available coverage sources, including any commercial vehicle policies if a business vehicle was involved.

The insurance company already offered me a settlement. Should I accept it?

Early settlement offers from insurance companies are almost always lower than what the claim is worth. Adjusters are trained to close claims quickly and cheaply, often before the full extent of injuries is known and before future medical needs are assessed. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, the case is over regardless of how your condition develops. Brett can review any offer and advise you on whether it reflects the actual value of your damages.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the crash?

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that if you are found partially at fault for the crash, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If a court finds you more than 50 percent responsible, your ability to recover is barred. Insurance companies often try to assign partial fault to injured parties to reduce payouts. How your case is investigated and presented matters significantly when comparative fault is an issue.

What if I was a passenger in the vehicle? Do I have a claim?

Yes. Passengers injured in crashes on US-1 or anywhere else in Florida have the right to pursue compensation against any negligent party, including the driver of the vehicle they were riding in, the driver of the other vehicle, or both. Being a passenger does not eliminate or reduce your rights. Brett handles passenger injury cases regularly, including cases where the at-fault driver is someone the passenger knows personally.

How do rideshare accident claims work when I was in an Uber or Lyft on US-1?

Rideshare accident claims involve insurance coverage that changes depending on what the driver was doing when the crash occurred. If the driver had the app open and was waiting for a ride request, Lyft or Uber maintains a certain level of coverage. If a passenger was in the vehicle at the time, the coverage level is higher. Sorting out which policy applies and in what amount requires careful analysis of the timing of the crash relative to the driver’s app activity. These cases can involve both the rideshare company’s policy and the driver’s personal auto coverage.

My injuries did not show up until a day or two after the crash. Does that affect my claim?

Delayed onset of symptoms is medically common after car accidents, particularly with soft tissue injuries, herniated discs, and concussions. What matters most is that you sought medical attention promptly once symptoms appeared and that your treatment records connect your injuries to the crash. Florida’s PIP statute does impose a specific window for initial treatment, so do not wait to be evaluated even if you feel uncertain about the extent of your injuries.

Can I recover compensation for a crash caused by a pothole or road defect on US-1?

Road defect cases are more complex than standard driver-negligence claims because they involve government entities, notice requirements, and different procedural rules. The Florida Department of Transportation has jurisdiction over US-1, which is a federally designated highway. Claims against government agencies follow different procedures and shorter notice deadlines than standard civil claims. If a road condition contributed to your crash, consult an attorney quickly because the timeline to preserve your rights is shorter than in typical injury cases.

What types of damages can I recover in a US-1 crash case?

Recoverable damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term, property damage, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct such as drunk driving, punitive damages may also be available. The total value of your claim depends on the severity and permanence of your injuries, your medical treatment, and how the crash has affected your daily life and livelihood.

Should I give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company?

You are generally not required to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and doing so without legal guidance carries real risk. Adjusters ask specific questions designed to elicit answers that can later be used to reduce your claim. Before providing any statement to a third-party insurer, speak with an attorney who can advise you on what obligations, if any, apply to your situation.

Representing US-1 Accident Clients Across the South Florida Corridor

Steinberg Law, P.A. represents clients injured on Federal Highway throughout the full South Florida stretch of US-1, from the Palm Beach County communities through Broward and into Miami-Dade. Brett’s offices in Delray Beach and Palm Beach Gardens place the firm squarely within the region where these crashes occur most frequently, and he serves clients from Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Lantana, Greenacres, Royal Palm Beach, and Wellington in the western Palm Beach County communities as well. Clients from West Palm Beach, Lake Park, Riviera Beach, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Jupiter in the northern part of the county receive the same direct representation.

For crashes that occur further south along the corridor, Steinberg Law also represents clients from Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, and into the Miami-Dade communities of North Miami Beach, Aventura, and Sunny Isles Beach. Whether the crash happened on a commercial block in downtown Delray, on the four-lane stretch through Boca’s business district, or near a busy intersection in West Palm Beach, Brett’s team is prepared to investigate, build, and present the case for full compensation.

Talk to a South Florida US-1 Accident Attorney About Your Case

The period after a serious crash on Federal Highway is disorienting. Medical appointments, insurance calls, missed work, and physical pain all crowd together in the weeks following the accident. Having a South Florida US-1 accident attorney in your corner from the start keeps you from making decisions under pressure that reduce what you ultimately recover. Brett Steinberg handles these cases personally, answers his clients directly, and does not push for quick settlements when the case warrants more. If the insurer is not paying what the case is worth, Brett takes it to trial.

Steinberg Law offers a free one-hour consultation, and all personal injury cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no fee unless there is a recovery. Call Steinberg Law, P.A. to speak directly with Brett about what happened and what your claim may be worth.