South Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Published on: June 30, 2025 | by Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A.

Motorcycle accidents often result in devastating injuries because riders have little to protect them from the force of impact. A recent crash in Broward County serves as a tragic reminder of how severe these accidents can be. In that collision, one rider lost a leg and part of an arm. Another suffered significant shoulder trauma. These injuries are far from rare. When motorcycles and cars collide, the human body takes the brunt of the damage.

Why Motorcycle Crashes Are So Dangerous

When you ride a motorcycle, you are exposed. There is no metal frame, no airbag, and no seatbelt. Even a crash at moderate speed can cause serious injuries. High-speed collisions, rollovers, or being thrown from the bike can lead to life-altering trauma. Unlike car crashes, where seatbelts and airbags provide some protection, motorcycle accidents leave riders vulnerable to the road, nearby vehicles, and hard surfaces.

Deadly Head-On Crash on U.S. 98 Highlights Dangers of Lane Departures

Published on: June 22, 2025 | by Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A.

Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a tragic head-on crash on June 21 along U.S. 98 near Pensacola. Early reports indicate a red Honda SUV veered into oncoming lanes and collided with a grey Kia sedan. The Honda’s 26-year-old driver was airlifted to Baptist Hospital but died shortly after arrival. The Kia’s 34-year-old driver declined hospital care at the scene. U.S. 98 remained partially closed for hours as troopers conducted a traffic homicide investigation and cleared the crash site

Why Head-On Collisions Are So Often Fatal

When a vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic at highway speed, the combined force can equal or exceed a crash into a stationary object at twice that speed. This explains why head-on impacts frequently result in serious injuries or death. Maintaining lane discipline and avoiding distractions are essential for highway safety.

Determining Fault After a Major Turnpike Crash in Palm Beach County

Published on: June 15, 2025 | by Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A.

Earlier this month, a major collision involving two SUVs, a minivan, and a semi-truck hauling vehicles sent 14 people to the hospital and closed all southbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike near the Atlantic Avenue exit. These types of incidents often involve a chain of impacts and overlapping insurance claims, which makes early legal action critical for protecting your rights.

Florida’s comparative fault system means that each party’s degree of responsibility directly affects their ability to recover compensation. When several drivers, vehicles, or even commercial carriers are involved, the outcome depends on who acted negligently and how those actions contributed to the resulting injuries and damage. A delay in securing legal representation can make it more challenging to access evidence, speak with witnesses, or defend against unfair accusations.

Untangling Fault in Multi-Vehicle Collisions on Florida’s Turnpike

When a crash involves multiple vehicles, such as the recent Turnpike collision near Atlantic Avenue, sorting out who is legally responsible is rarely straightforward. Florida law uses a comparative fault model, meaning each party’s share of the blame reduces what they can recover. That matters when drivers, passengers, and even commercial carriers suffer injury or property loss in the same event. Insurance companies will often move quickly to assign responsibility in a way that minimizes their liability, even if it means misrepresenting how the crash occurred.

Miami Pedestrian Hit and Run Highlights Challenges of Seeking Justice Without an Identified Driver

Published on: June 13, 2025 | by Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A.

Hit-and-run accidents involving pedestrians continue to pose serious challenges for victims and families throughout South Florida. A recent early morning crash in Northwest Miami-Dade left one man in critical condition after a driver struck him near the intersection of Northwest 32nd Avenue and 95th Street, then fled without stopping to help. According to reports, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene shortly after 5 a.m. and began emergency care, but the driver responsible was already gone.

Pedestrian crashes are often severe due to the vulnerable position of the person hit. When the driver flees, the trauma is compounded by delays in treatment, lack of immediate accountability, and difficulties recovering compensation. These cases involve the initial harm caused by the impact and the emotional and financial toll of unanswered questions.

What Makes Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents So Legally Complicated

When a driver hits someone and remains at the scene, investigators can gather insurance information, interview the person involved, and piece together fault. In a hit-and-run, none of that is possible in the early stages. Without the at-fault party’s name, contact information, or insurance policy, victims are left in limbo. The damage has been done, but the path forward is unclear.

Orlando Crash Raises Questions About Wrongful Death Liability in Florida

Published on: June 12, 2025 | by Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A.

Tragedy struck earlier this month when two lives were lost in a violent two-car collision on Colonial Drive in Orlando. According to reports from the Florida Highway Patrol, the collision occurred near Hiawassee Road and involved a vehicle attempting a left turn into a parking lot. That car entered the path of an oncoming vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. The resulting crash left both occupants of the turning vehicle fatally injured, and the other driver was hospitalized.

Accidents like this are sudden and devastating. For the surviving families, the grief often mixes with confusion, financial pressure, and unanswered questions. In Florida, families who lose loved ones under such circumstances may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim.

What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death in Florida?

Under Florida Statutes Section 768.19, a wrongful death occurs when a person’s death is caused by the “wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract or warranty” of another. This can include fatal car accidents resulting from careless driving, improper turns, failure to yield, distracted driving, or any violation of traffic safety laws.

The right to file a wrongful death lawsuit belongs to the personal representative of the deceased’s estate. This representative acts on behalf of surviving family members, such as a spouse, children, or parents, who suffer emotional and financial loss as a result of the death.

When Hit-and-Run Drivers Cause Fatal Injuries in Miami

Published on: May 29, 2025 | by Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A.

A recent hit-and-run crash in Miami took the life of a woman who was simply crossing the street. While the details continue to unfold, this tragedy highlights an issue that affects far too many families in South Florida. Hit-and-run collisions leave victims and loved ones not only coping with physical and emotional trauma but also searching for answers when the responsible driver disappears.

Florida law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop and provide information and assistance. When someone flees the scene—especially in cases involving serious injury or death—they violate both legal obligations and moral decency. For families left behind, the impact can be devastating.

Pedestrians Face Greater Risk on Miami Roads

Miami’s traffic patterns create heightened danger for those on foot. Busy intersections, poor lighting, and aggressive driving habits all contribute to the elevated risk. Many hit-and-run crashes involving pedestrians occur late at night or in the early morning hours, when visibility is low and traffic enforcement may be limited. Alcohol, distraction, and speeding are common contributing factors.

Even when a pedestrian follows the rules—using crosswalks and waiting for signals—the actions of a reckless driver can end lives in an instant. The absence of protective barriers between a person and a fast-moving vehicle means any contact can lead to catastrophic injury. If the driver fails to stop, the delay in emergency aid can be fatal.

Miami Motorcycle Accident Raises Questions About Crash Risks and Insurance Coverage

Published on: May 19, 2025 | by Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A.

A deadly multi-vehicle collision shut down a significant stretch of I-95 in Miami-Dade during morning rush hour, once again drawing attention to the dangers motorcyclists face on Florida roads. According to news reports, the crash occurred earlier this month around 3:12 a.m. near Northwest 103rd Street and involved a motorcycle and at least two passenger vehicles. Traffic was diverted at 125th Street and did not fully resume until nearly 9:15 a.m. While investigators are still reviewing the cause of the crash, the involvement of a motorcycle raises essential issues for victims and families navigating serious injuries or wrongful death.

Motorcycle accidents tend to result in more severe injuries than standard vehicle collisions. Riders have limited protection and are more likely to be thrown from the bike, suffer blunt force trauma, or sustain lasting disability. In Florida, the law provides options for injury victims to pursue compensation, but motorcycle claims can come with added legal challenges, especially when multiple vehicles are involved.

Why Motorcycle Accidents Are So Often Catastrophic

Motorcycles offer less physical protection than enclosed vehicles, making nearly every crash a high-risk event. Riders often suffer head injuries, broken bones, spinal cord trauma, or internal bleeding. The impact force can be life-altering or fatal, even when helmets and protective gear are used. The scene on I-95, where debris was scattered across both express and main lanes, reflects the violent nature of many bike crashes.

Florida Insurance Claim Denials Can Hurt Injury Victims and Homeowners

Published on: May 2, 2025 | by Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A.

When your home is damaged or you suffer a serious injury, insurance should be there to help you recover. Unfortunately, many Florida policyholders face delays, denials, or paperwork requirements that can interfere with a legitimate claim. A recent Florida appellate decision shows how insurers rely on technicalities to avoid paying out benefits, even when professional services have already been performed.

In The Kidwell Group, LLC v. United Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal reversed the dismissal of a lawsuit based on an assignment of benefits, also known as an AOB. The case involved engineering services provided to homeowners after property damage, which were assigned to a third party so the provider could pursue payment directly from the insurer. The court found that the insurer improperly relied on a statutory technicality to avoid payment, even though the work had been completed and documented.

What Is an Assignment of Benefits and Why Does It Matter in Injury and Property Claims

An assignment of benefits allows a medical provider, contractor, or other professional to bill your insurance company directly after performing services. This is common in both personal injury and property damage claims. For example, if you receive care from a trauma specialist after a car accident or hire a restoration company after a storm, you may be asked to sign an AOB form. This allows the provider to seek reimbursement without forcing you to advance funds.

Florida law does allow assignments of benefits, but insurers often push back by claiming the documents were incomplete, unclear, or did not meet certain formatting rules. In the Kidwell case, the insurer refused to pay because the AOB lacked what it considered a sufficient line-item estimate. The court disagreed, ruling that the attached invoice provided enough detail to meet legal standards.

This ruling matters because it reinforces your right to seek timely help without jumping through endless administrative hoops. If the law allowed insurers to deny claims every time a form was imperfect, many Florida families would face delays they cannot afford.

How This Affects Personal Injury Victims and Their Medical Bills

Injury victims often rely on AOBs after a crash, fall, or other accident. When you are hurt, you should be able to get the treatment you need without waiting for an insurance check. Florida providers often use AOBs to get reimbursed directly by health or auto insurers. That process is designed to protect patients from financial hardship while helping providers secure timely payment.

However, if an insurer later refuses to honor that agreement, it can create serious financial stress. You may face collection notices, pressure from doctors, or disruption in care. The Kidwell ruling helps reinforce the idea that insurers cannot use technical excuses to avoid paying valid claims. If your AOB was reasonably clear and the work was performed, the company should not be able to sidestep its responsibility.

What Florida Slip and Fall Victims Need to Know About Premises Liability

Published on: April 30, 2025 | by Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A.

If you slip and fall on someone else’s property, you may think the property owner is automatically responsible for your injuries. But Florida law requires more than just proving that you got hurt. You also have to show that the owner knew—or should have known—about the dangerous condition that caused your fall. A recent decision by Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal shows just how important it is to include this kind of detail in your legal claim.

Why This Slip and Fall Case Was Dismissed

In the case that was recently decided, someone who fell tried to sue the property owner. However, the lawsuit didn’t explain how the owner knew about the dangerous condition or even whether the condition had been there long enough that they should have known about it. Because the complaint was missing these details, the court threw the case out before it could move forward.

This case is a reminder that if you’ve been injured in a fall, it’s not enough to say the floor was wet or the area was unsafe. You need to explain what made it dangerous and why the property owner should be held responsible. That could mean showing that the hazard had been there for a while, that it had happened before, or that the property owner failed to check or clean the area.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Injury in a Florida Car Crash

Published on: April 20, 2025 | by Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A.

If you were hit by a car while walking in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Whether you were using a crosswalk or simply standing near the road, drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely around pedestrians. Florida law recognizes your right to recover damages if a driver fails to meet that duty and causes harm.

A recent crash in Miami highlights the seriousness of pedestrian accidents. Two women were hospitalized after a collision involving a police vehicle and another car near Northwest 47th Avenue and 7th Street. One of the women was listed in critical condition. Video from the scene showed a chaotic response, with police tape stretched around the intersection and heavy damage to both vehicles. Although full details are still under investigation, the victims face a long road to recovery, and their right to pursue legal action may depend on how quickly they act.

Drivers Must Yield to Pedestrians in Florida

Under Florida Statutes Section 316.130, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and exercise proper care to avoid hitting anyone who is walking on or near a roadway. Failing to do so may lead to civil liability if someone is injured as a result.