Hollywood, FL Personal Injury Guide | Lawyer Near Me

Introduction: Why Local Knowledge Matters After an Accident in Hollywood, FL

Whether you are a year-round resident commuting on I-95, a seasonal visitor enjoying the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, or a service-industry worker on Hollywood Boulevard, accidents can happen without warning. According to annual crash facts from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Broward County consistently reports more than 40,000 traffic collisions each year. Hollywood’s proximity to Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, its dense downtown, and high tourist foot-traffic along A1A increase the likelihood of car, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. Hospital systems such as Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital see thousands of injury patients annually.
This comprehensive guide—written from the perspective of a personal injury lawyer Hollywood Florida residents might search for—explains your rights under Florida law, the steps to protect your claim, and when to involve an attorney. It is designed to slightly favor injury victims by emphasizing consumer protections and statutory deadlines while remaining strictly factual and based only on authoritative sources.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Florida

The Legal Foundation

Florida’s civil justice system gives injury victims ("plaintiffs") the right to pursue monetary damages when someone else’s negligence, intentional act, or wrongful conduct causes harm. Two Florida laws are central:

• Statute of Limitations – Florida Statutes §95.11(3)(a): Victims generally have four years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Medical malpractice and wrongful-death claims have shorter deadlines (two years), but this guide focuses on the standard four-year period.

• Comparative Fault – Florida Statutes §768.81: Florida follows a modified comparative negligence model. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages; if 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Other pivotal rules shaping Florida personal injury cases include procedural requirements in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, pre-suit notice requirements in some medical and governmental cases, and insurance regulations such as the No-Fault/PIP statute (§627.736).

Core Victim Rights

• The Right to Seek Damages: Economic (medical bills, lost wages) and non-economic (pain, suffering, emotional distress) damages may be claimed.

The Right to Legal Representation: Only Florida-licensed attorneys—members in good standing of the Florida Bar—can give legal advice or represent you in court.

• The Right to a Jury Trial: Article I, §22 of the Florida Constitution guarantees civil jury trials; personal injury plaintiffs can demand one.

• The Right to Access Evidence: Florida’s discovery rules (Rules 1.280–1.410 of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure) entitle parties to request documents, interrogatories, depositions, and more.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Florida

While car crashes dominate Broward County dockets, Hollywood, Florida sees a diverse mix of claims:

1. Motor Vehicle Accidents

Collisions on I-95, US-1 (Federal Highway), and Hollywood Boulevard account for the majority. Victims must first look to their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits under Florida Statutes §627.736 for up to $10,000 in medical and disability benefits, regardless of fault. A claim against the at-fault driver may proceed if injuries exceed Florida’s “serious injury” threshold (e.g., significant and permanent loss of a bodily function).

2. Slip, Trip & Fall (Premises Liability)

Hotels along the beach, restaurants in Downtown Hollywood, and large retail centers like Oakwood Plaza owe patrons a duty to maintain safe premises. Florida Statutes §768.0755 establishes plaintiff’s burden to prove a business had actual or constructive knowledge of a dangerous condition in transitory foreign substance cases.

3. Medical Malpractice

Hospitals such as Memorial Regional or private clinics must adhere to the prevailing professional standard of care. Malpractice claims require compliance with pre-suit investigation and expert affidavit requirements under Florida Statutes Chapter 766.

4. Boating & Water-Sports Accidents

Hollywood’s Intracoastal Waterway, marina rentals, and ocean-front activities increase boating mishaps. Operators must comply with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rules; negligence can include speeding in “slow-speed, minimum-wake” zones or operating vessels while intoxicated.

5. Hurricane-Related Injuries

Storm debris, fallen power lines, and defective generators can cause post-storm injuries. Property owners and contractors may be liable for negligent cleanup or unsafe repairs.

Florida Legal Protections & Injury Laws

1. Florida’s Modified Comparative Negligence (F.S. §768.81)

In March 2023, the Florida Legislature amended §768.81 to bar recovery when a plaintiff is more than 50% responsible. If you are 30% at fault for a pedestrian accident on A1A, any verdict will be reduced by 30%. This makes prompt evidence preservation—traffic-cam downloads, eyewitness statements—critical for victims.

2. Damage Caps and Limitations

Florida abolished non-economic damage caps in medical malpractice wrongful-death cases after the Florida Supreme Court’s decision in Estate of McCall v. United States, 134 So. 3d 894 (Fla. 2014). Most other personal injury cases currently have no statutory caps, but punitive damages remain limited to three times compensatory damages or $500,000 under §768.73.

3. Sovereign Immunity (F.S. §768.28)

Claims against the City of Hollywood or Broward County Solid Waste & Recycling Services require notice within three years and are capped at $200,000 per person / $300,000 per incident unless the Legislature approves a larger settlement.

4. Florida No-Fault Insurance (F.S. §627.736)

All vehicle owners must carry $10,000 in PIP coverage. To access the full $10,000, an injured person must obtain medical care within 14 days of the accident and receive a finding of an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC) from a licensed physician, osteopath, dentist, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner.

5. Statute of Limitations Recap

• Personal Injury (general negligence): 4 years – §95.11(3)(a)

• Medical Malpractice: 2 years from discovery, but no more than 4 years overall – §95.11(4)(b)

• Wrongful Death: 2 years – §95.11(4)(d)

• Government Liability: pre-suit notice within 3 years (§768.28(6)) and suit after 180-day investigation period

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Florida

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Visit Memorial Regional Hospital, a Broward Health facility, or an urgent care within 14 days to protect both your health and PIP eligibility. Document every symptom—even seemingly minor stiffness can later reveal a herniated disc.

2. Notify Insurance Carriers

Florida law requires prompt notice of auto accidents to your insurer. Provide basic facts only. Recorded statements to the at-fault carrier should wait until you consult an attorney.

3. Preserve Evidence

• Take cell-phone photos of vehicle positions on Hollywood Boulevard before they’re moved.

• Request a copy of the crash report via the FLHSMV portal.

• Save receipts, prescription bottles, and medical discharge paperwork.

• Keep a pain journal noting mobility limitations and missed workdays.

4. Calculate All Damages

Florida allows victims to claim current and future medical expenses, lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and in severe injury cases, loss of consortium for spouses.

5. Avoid Common Pitfalls

• Social Media Posts – Defense attorneys scour Instagram and Facebook for photos contradicting injury claims.

• Quick Settlement Offers – Insurers may push lowball offers before the full extent of injuries emerges.

• Missed Deadlines – Failing to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires is fatal to a claim.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

Indicators You Need a Lawyer

• Your injuries are severe, permanent, or involve surgery.

• Liability is disputed; police cited both drivers on Sheridan Street.

• Medical bills exceed PIP limits and you face collections.

• The at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured.

• A governmental entity (e.g., Hollywood Public Works) is potentially liable.

An experienced Hollywood accident attorney helps gather expert testimony, negotiate medical liens, and, if necessary, litigate in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court in Broward County or U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida.

Contingency Fees and Costs

Florida Bar Rule 4-1.5(f)(4)(B) caps contingency fees in most injury cases at 33⅓% of the first $1 million if a lawsuit is filed and the defendant answers. Fees must be in writing, and the client has a 3-day cancellation window.

Local Resources & Next Steps

1. Medical Facilities

• Memorial Regional Hospital – 3501 Johnson St, Hollywood, FL 33021

• Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital – Pediatric trauma care

• Broward Health Urgent Care – Hollywood

2. Law Enforcement & Records

• Hollywood Police Department – 3250 Hollywood Blvd (Request accident reports in person or online through the FLHSMV portal)

• Broward County Clerk of Courts – E-filing, docket lookup, and payment of filing fees

3. Court Venues

• Seventeenth Judicial Circuit – 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (Circuit Civil Division handles claims >$50,000)

• Broward County Court – For small claims up to $8,000 if you elect to self-represent

4. Free Information

Florida Bar Consumer Pamphlets Florida Department of Health injury statistics and hospital inspection reports

Understanding Florida personal injury law is the first step; taking decisive action is the next. Timely medical care, diligent evidence preservation, and early consultation with a qualified attorney often make the difference between a dismissed claim and full Florida injury compensation.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, statutory deadlines vary, and every case is unique. Always consult a licensed Florida attorney to obtain advice tailored to your specific situation.

If you were injured due to someone else's negligence, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and legal consultation.