Personal Injury Attorneys Guide – Hollywood, Florida

Introduction: Why Hollywood, Florida Residents Need to Understand Personal Injury Law

Located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Florida, is known for its beaches, casinos, and the busy intersections of I-95, U.S. 1, and Hollywood Boulevard. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Broward County logged more than 41,000 traffic crashes in 2022 alone. Add year-round tourism, hurricane season debris, and a thriving nightlife, and the possibility of being injured through someone else’s negligence becomes very real. If you are hurt in a collision on Sheridan Street, a slip at the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, or a fall at a local resort, Florida law allows you to pursue compensation.

This guide—written from a slightly victim-focused perspective—explains how Florida statutes, court procedures, and local resources affect your personal injury claim. All information comes from authoritative sources such as the Florida Statutes, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, published Florida appellate opinions, and reputable medical or governmental data. By the end, you will understand your rights, critical deadlines, and practical steps to protect your claim in Hollywood.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Florida

1. The Right to Seek Damages

Florida follows a civil justice system that permits injury victims to recover compensatory damages from those who caused their harm. The primary authority is Chapter 768 of the Florida Statutes. Section 768.81 establishes Florida’s “pure comparative fault” rule, allowing an injured person to collect damages even if he or she is partly at fault; the recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent responsible for a car crash on Federal Highway, your award is reduced by 20 percent.

2. Statute of Limitations

Under §95.11(3)(a), Florida injury victims generally have four years from the date of the accident to file a negligence lawsuit. Certain claims—such as medical malpractice (§95.11(4)(b))—carry a shorter two-year deadline. Missing the statute bars recovery, so documenting the accident promptly in Hollywood is crucial.

3. No-Fault (PIP) Requirements

Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law, §627.736, requires every driver to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP). After a traffic collision on Stirling Road, you must seek initial medical treatment within 14 days or PIP benefits may be denied. PIP pays up to 80 percent of reasonable medical expenses and 60 percent of lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. Serious injury thresholds—permanent injury, scarring, or significant loss of bodily function—must be met to pursue pain-and-suffering damages against the at-fault driver.

4. Additional Victim Protections

• Good Samaritan Act (§768.13): Shields those who voluntarily render emergency care at the accident scene from civil liability, encouraging bystanders to help.

• Collateral Source Rule (§768.76): Prevents a negligent party from reducing liability simply because the victim had health insurance or other benefits.

• Punitive Damages (§768.72): Available when the defendant’s conduct was intentional or grossly negligent, though capped under §768.73.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Hollywood, Florida

While virtually any negligent act can cause injury, the following categories dominate Hollywood dockets and insurance claims:

1. Motor Vehicle Collisions

Heavy commuter traffic along I-95 and tourists navigating unfamiliar streets contribute to frequent accidents. Motorcycle and bicycle crashes also rise near the beach district. Victims may seek compensation beyond PIP when the serious injury threshold is met.

2. Slip-and-Fall or Trip-and-Fall Incidents

Hotels on Ocean Drive, retail plazas, and entertainment venues must maintain safe premises. Under Florida premises liability law, property owners owe varying duties depending on whether a visitor is an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. A 2021 Fourth District Court of Appeal opinion, Lewis v. City of West Palm Beach, emphasized that constructive notice of a hazard can be proven by the dangerous condition’s duration or recurring nature.

3. Ride-Share and Taxi Accidents

Hollywood’s nightlife means busy Uber and Lyft traffic. Recent Florida statutes impose $1 million minimum combined bodily injury coverage when a ride-share driver has a passenger, providing an additional layer of protection compared to standard PIP policies.

4. Boating and Watercraft Injuries

The Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean present unique hazards. While federal maritime law may apply offshore, many injuries near shore proceed under Florida negligence law.

5. Dog Bites

Florida Statute §767.04 imposes strict liability on dog owners for bites that occur in public places or when the victim is lawfully on private property. Common defenses include comparative negligence or posted “Bad Dog” warnings.

Florida Legal Protections & Injury Laws

1. Comparative Negligence – §768.81

Florida’s pure comparative negligence system means a plaintiff who is 90 percent at fault can still recover 10 percent of damages. Insurance carriers often exploit this rule, highlighting any alleged fault—such as distracted walking on Young Circle—to minimize payouts. Documenting evidence helps counter unjust fault allocations.

2. Damage Caps

Most negligence cases in Florida have no statutory cap on economic or non-economic damages. Medical malpractice previously faced non-economic caps, but the Florida Supreme Court struck them down in North Broward Hospital District v. Kalitan (2017).

3. Florida Rules of Civil Procedure

A civil action begins with a complaint filed in the Broward County Circuit Court. The defendant must be served per Rule 1.070 within 120 days, unless extended for good cause. Discovery tools—interrogatories, requests to produce, depositions—are governed by Rules 1.280–1.410. Summary judgment follows Rule 1.510, recently amended to mirror federal standards, making early dismissal more likely if evidence is lacking.

4. Comparative Bad Faith – §624.155

If an insurer unreasonably refuses to settle a valid claim, the victim may file a civil remedy notice and pursue damages exceeding the policy limits. Although Hollywood claimants must exhaust internal appeals first, bad-faith exposure motivates insurers to negotiate fairly.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Florida

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

For life-threatening injuries, call 911 or visit Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. Even seemingly minor injuries should be evaluated within 14 days to preserve PIP benefits and create a medical record.

Report the Incident

File a police crash report for motor-vehicle collisions per §316.066. For premises incidents, notify the property manager and request an incident report.

Document Evidence

Photograph the scene (hazardous spill, damaged vehicles), obtain surveillance video if available, and identify witnesses. Keep copies of medical bills and pay stubs documenting lost wages.

Notify Relevant Insurers

Inform your PIP carrier within 24–48 hours. Do not provide recorded statements to the at-fault party’s insurer without legal advice.

Track Damages

Create a journal detailing pain levels, treatment dates, and how the injury affects daily life—crucial for non-economic damage claims.

Consult a Qualified Florida Attorney

Engaging a personal injury lawyer Hollywood Florida residents trust can prevent mistakes and ensure compliance with procedural rules.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

While self-representation is possible for minor PIP-only claims, most victims benefit from legal counsel in the following circumstances:

• Serious or Permanent Injury: Fractures, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injury trigger the “serious injury” threshold and require calculating long-term costs.

• Disputed Liability: If the other party blames you for a collision on Hollywood Boulevard, an attorney can gather expert testimony and accident-reconstruction evidence.

• Multiple Defendants: Construction site injuries may involve property owners, contractors, and equipment manufacturers.

• Insurance Bad Faith: Delay tactics or low-ball offers may justify a §624.155 action.

• Approaching the Statute of Limitations: A lawyer ensures timely filing and proper service of process.

Under Rule 4-1.5(f)(4)(B) of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, contingency fees in personal injury cases are capped (e.g., 33⅓ percent up to $1 million if the case is resolved before filing an answer). Always review the fee contract approved by the Florida Supreme Court.

Local Resources & Next Steps for Hollywood Injury Victims

Key Medical Facilities

• Memorial Regional Hospital – Level I trauma center serving Broward County.

• Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital – Pediatric trauma care for injured minors.

Court and Government Offices

• Broward County Courthouse – 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale (civil filings).

• Hollywood Police Department – 3250 Hollywood Boulevard (accident reports).

• Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles – Local offices for driver records.

Free and Low-Cost Support

• Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service – Matches callers with licensed attorneys.

• Legal Aid Service of Broward County – Potential help for income-qualified residents.

• Florida Department of Health – Data on injury prevention and rehabilitation programs.

Pursuing Florida injury compensation can feel overwhelming, but these resources provide starting points. A Hollywood accident attorney familiar with local courts can streamline the process and maximize recovery.

Authoritative References

Florida Comparative Fault Statute §768.81 Florida No-Fault Insurance (PIP) Statute §627.736 The Florida Bar – Rules & Lawyer Directory Florida Supreme Court Opinions & Dockets

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and different facts can alter outcomes. Always consult a licensed Florida attorney regarding 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.