Personal Injury Attorney Near Me: Hollywood, Florida Guide

Introduction: Personal Injury Concerns in Hollywood, Florida

Nestled between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood, Florida is known for its seven-mile beach, bustling Broadwalk, and steadily growing population of more than 150,000 residents. The city’s proximity to Interstate 95, the Florida Turnpike, and U.S. Highway 1 means traffic congestion is a daily reality. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) 2022 Crash Facts, Broward County—of which Hollywood is a part—recorded more than 41,000 traffic crashes in a single year. Add year-round tourism, cruise-port traffic from nearby Port Everglades, and seasonal hurricanes, and the risk of accidental injuries climbs even higher.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car crash on Sheridan Street, a slip-and-fall at Young Circle, or a boating incident in North Lake, you may be wondering what rights you have under Florida law and how to protect them. This comprehensive guide explains your legal options, critical deadlines, and local resources so you can make well-informed decisions. While the information is evidence-based and slightly favors the injury victim, it remains strictly factual, relying on authoritative Florida statutes, procedural rules, and published court opinions.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Florida

Negligence and the Burden of Proof

Most personal injury cases in Florida are based on negligence. To prevail, an injured plaintiff must prove four elements by a preponderance of the evidence:

• Duty – The defendant owed a legal duty of care.

• Breach – The defendant breached that duty through action or omission.

• Causation – The breach directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries (both cause-in-fact and proximate cause).

• Damages – The plaintiff sustained compensable losses.

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard codified in Florida Statutes §768.81. As of a 2023 amendment, if a plaintiff is found more than 50 percent at fault, they are barred from recovering damages (medical malpractice cases remain on a pure comparative basis). If you are 50 percent or less at fault, your recovery is reduced in proportion to your degree of fault.

Statute of Limitations

The deadline to file most negligence lawsuits is two years from the date of injury, per Florida Statutes §95.11(4)(a) (reduced from four years for incidents occurring on or after March 24, 2023). Special time limits apply to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and claims against government entities. Missing the statute of limitations usually results in dismissal with prejudice, so tracking deadlines is vital.

No-Fault & PIP Benefits

For motor-vehicle collisions, Florida’s no-fault system (Florida Statutes §627.730–§627.7405) requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance that pays up to $10,000 of reasonable medical expenses and 60 percent of lost wages, regardless of fault. To qualify, you must seek treatment within 14 days, typically at one of Hollywood’s accredited facilities such as Memorial Regional Hospital. Serious injuries that exceed PIP thresholds allow you to pursue a liability claim for the remainder of your damages.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Hollywood and Statewide

1. Motor-Vehicle Collisions

Crashes on I-95, Hollywood Boulevard, and Dixie Highway account for a significant share of personal injury claims in the area. Rear-end impacts in stop-and-go traffic often cause whiplash and herniated discs, while intersection collisions on Pembroke Road may lead to catastrophic traumatic brain injuries.

2. Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

The Broadwalk is popular with cyclists and pedestrians, but mixed-use pathways can create hazards. Florida leads the nation in pedestrian fatalities per vehicle mile traveled, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

3. Premises Liability (Slip-and-Fall)

Under Florida Statutes §768.0755, businesses must maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. Wet floors in beach-adjacent restaurants, loose pavers on Hollywood’s entertainment district sidewalks, and inadequate lighting in parking garages can all trigger liability if the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.

4. Boating and Watercraft Injuries

Hollywood’s Intracoastal Waterway and nearby Atlantic Ocean foster recreational boating. Florida leads the country in registered vessels, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) logs hundreds of boating accidents annually, some involving impaired operation or failure to keep a proper lookout.

5. Dog Bites

Florida uses strict liability for dog-bite injuries under Florida Statutes §767.04. An owner is liable for damages regardless of prior knowledge of the dog’s viciousness, provided the victim was lawfully on the property.

Florida Legal Protections & Key Injury Laws

The Impact of Comparative Negligence

As mentioned, §768.81 requires a jury to apportion fault. Suppose you slip on a visibly marked wet floor while texting. If the jury assigns you 30 percent fault and your damages total $100,000, you may recover $70,000. An attorney’s early investigation—photographs, witness statements, and surveillance video—helps reduce unfounded fault allocations.

Caps on Damages

Florida does not cap economic damages such as medical expenses and lost earnings. Caps on non-economic damages in medical malpractice were struck down as unconstitutional (Estate of McCall v. United States, 134 So. 3d 894, Fla. 2014). Punitive damages are capped at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $500,000 under Florida Statutes §768.73, unless exceptions for intentional misconduct or intoxication apply.

Government Tort Claims

If you are injured by a city bus operated by Broward County Transit or trip on a broken sidewalk maintained by the City of Hollywood, Florida Statutes §768.28 governs sovereign immunity waivers. Pre-suit notice must be sent to the appropriate agency and the Florida Department of Financial Services within three years (two years for wrongful death), and damages are generally capped at $200,000 per claimant or $300,000 per incident absent legislative claims bills.

Rules of Civil Procedure

Florida Rules of Civil Procedure dictate how personal injury lawsuits progress—from the filing of a complaint to discovery, mediation, and trial. Rule 1.510 (summary judgment) was revised in 2021 to mirror the federal standard, making it easier for defendants to obtain dismissal if no genuine dispute of material fact exists. Properly marshaling admissible evidence early can prevent an unfavorable summary judgment.

Steps to Take After You Are Hurt in Hollywood

Seek Immediate Medical Care

  Call 911 for life-threatening injuries or visit local facilities such as *Memorial Regional Hospital* or *Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital*. Mention every body part that hurts; undocumented injuries may be challenged later.

Document the Scene

  Take smartphone photos of weather conditions, vehicle damage, or the substance that caused a fall. If you cannot, ask a friend or bystander.

Collect Witness Information

  Names, phone numbers, and addresses help establish liability when memories fade.

Notify Relevant Parties

  Report car accidents to the Hollywood Police Department or the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Notify store managers of premises incidents and request a copy of the incident report.

Follow Medical Advice

  Gaps in treatment can undermine your claim. Keep all follow-up appointments and physical-therapy sessions.

Preserve Evidence

  Save damaged clothing, keep prescription bottles, and back up digital photos. Florida courts follow the *spoliation* doctrine—destroying evidence can lead to adverse inferences or dismissal.

Consult a Qualified Attorney

  An early consultation ensures compliance with PIP forms, insurance notices, and statutory deadlines.

When to Seek Legal Help from a Hollywood Accident Attorney

Minor scrapes may not require counsel, but you should strongly consider hiring a personal injury lawyer Hollywood Florida residents trust when:

• Your injuries are permanent or disabling.

• The insurance carrier denies or undervalues your claim.

• Multiple parties (rideshare companies, commercial trucks, government entities) are involved.

• You face allegations of comparative fault.

• The statute of limitations is approaching.

Florida attorneys must be licensed by the Florida Bar and in good standing. You can verify an attorney’s disciplinary history through the Bar’s online portal. Contingency-fee agreements in personal injury matters are regulated by Rule 4-1.5(f) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, which caps percentages based on recovery amounts and litigation stage.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Hospitals & Medical Facilities

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

• Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital – 1005 Joe DiMaggio Dr., Hollywood, FL 33021

• South Broward Community Health Services – Multiple urgent-care clinics

Court Locations

• Broward County Central Courthouse – 201 SE 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (handles circuit and county civil matters)

• Hollywood Branch Courthouse – 3550 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, FL 33021 (satellite for county civil)

Law Enforcement & Crash Reports

Hollywood Police Department – Obtain traffic crash reports within 10 days, per FLHSMV guidelines.

Rehabilitation & Support

• Memorial Outpatient Rehabilitation Center

• South Florida Spine & Sports Specialists

• Broward County Victim Services – 24/7 helpline for emotional support

These resources can help you document injuries, obtain medical records, and preserve the chain of custody for evidence—crucial steps for maximizing Florida injury compensation.

Authoritative References

Florida Statute §768.81 – Comparative Fault Florida Statute §95.11 – Limitations of Actions Florida Department of Health Statistics Florida Bar Attorney Lookup

Legal Disclaimer

The material in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently, and the application of law to specific circumstances requires consultation with a licensed Florida attorney.

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.