Personal Injury Guide & Rights in Hollywood, Florida

Introduction: Why Hollywood, Florida Residents Need a Local Personal Injury Guide

Whether you are cruising down Hollywood Boulevard, shopping on Young Circle, or visiting the famous Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, accidents can—and do—happen. In 2022, Broward County reported more than 40,000 traffic crashes, according to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles data. A sizable portion of these collisions occurred on Interstate 95 and U.S. 1, two major arteries serving Hollywood, Florida. Add in slips at popular hotels, boating incidents along the Intracoastal Waterway, and hurricane-related hazards, and it is clear why local residents and visitors alike should be familiar with Florida’s personal injury landscape. This comprehensive guide is designed for injury victims who need clarity on their legal rights, time limits, and the practical steps to secure compensation in Hollywood. While the information slightly favors victims by highlighting protections and proactive measures, it remains firmly grounded in authoritative Florida law. All cited statutes and procedures are current as of 2024 and sourced from the Florida Statutes, Florida Bar, and published court opinions. If you suspect someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, use this guide to make informed decisions—and remember that nothing herein substitutes for personalized legal advice.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Florida

What Constitutes a Personal Injury?

A personal injury claim arises when you suffer physical, emotional, or financial harm because another party breached a legal duty of care. In Florida, most negligence-based cases rely on proving four elements:

• Duty – the defendant owed you a duty to act reasonably (e.g., drivers must obey traffic laws).

• Breach – the defendant failed to meet that duty (e.g., texting while driving).

• Causation – the breach directly caused your injuries.

• Damages – you incurred measurable losses such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

Florida’s Statute of Limitations

Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), most negligence actions must be filed within two years of the injury date (the deadline was reduced from four years for causes of action accruing after March 24, 2023). Failing to meet this deadline generally bars your claim, with narrow exceptions such as fraud or when the injured party is a minor.

Comparative Negligence Rules

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system codified in Florida Statutes § 768.81. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages; otherwise, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a Hollywood jury awards $100,000 but decides you were 20% responsible, your net recovery becomes $80,000.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Hollywood and Statewide

Motor Vehicle Collisions

Traffic congestion on I-95, Florida’s Turnpike, and State Road 7 makes car, truck, and motorcycle accidents the most frequent source of personal injuries. Because Florida is a no-fault state, injured motorists initially rely on their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits under Florida Statutes § 627.736.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Hollywood’s resort hotels, restaurants, and retail stores must maintain safe premises. Victims must prove the business had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard per Florida Statutes § 768.0755.

Boating and Watercraft Injuries

With Port Everglades nearby and numerous marinas along the Intracoastal, collisions between boats, jet skis, or yachts are common. Operators owe a duty to follow Chapter 327, Florida Statutes (Florida Vessel Safety Law).

Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents

The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk and the Dixie Highway corridor see heavy foot and bike traffic. Drivers who fail to yield can be liable for serious injuries, often compounded by limited PIP coverage for pedestrians.

Hurricane & Storm-Related Claims

Hurricanes Ian and Nicole underscored hazards from falling debris, electrical outages, and structural failures. Property owners may be liable if they negligently fail to secure premises before foreseeable storms.

Florida Legal Protections & Injury Laws You Should Know

No-Fault Insurance (PIP)

Florida Statutes § 627.736 requires all motorists to carry $10,000 in PIP coverage. PIP pays up to 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, regardless of fault, but the injured person must seek medical care within 14 days to qualify.

Threshold for Pain and Suffering Damages

To recover non-economic damages in motor vehicle cases, you must meet one of the statutory serious injury thresholds (e.g., significant and permanent loss of a bodily function) outlined in Florida Statutes § 627.737.

Damage Caps

Florida generally has no cap on economic or non-economic damages in standard negligence cases. However, sovereign immunity limits suits against state or local governments to $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident (Florida Statutes § 768.28).

Attorney’s Fees & Contingency Agreements

Rule 4-1.5 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar permits contingency fees in personal injury cases, usually 33⅓% pre-suit and 40% once litigation commences, subject to client consent and court approval if minors are involved.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Hollywood, Florida

Seek Immediate Medical Treatment Visit a nearby facility such as Memorial Regional Hospital or Broward Health Hollywood. Prompt care preserves your health and documents injuries for insurance and litigation. Report the Incident For traffic crashes, call the Hollywood Police Department or Florida Highway Patrol. For premises incidents, notify the property manager and request a written report. Gather Evidence Photograph hazards, vehicle damage, and visible injuries. Collect witness contact information and note surveillance cameras that may have captured the event. Preserve Documents Keep medical bills, receipts, employment records, and insurance correspondence. These items establish economic damages. Notify Your Insurer Most policies require timely notice. Provide facts, but avoid recorded statements until you consult counsel. Consult a Qualified Personal Injury Lawyer An attorney can evaluate liability, navigate PIP thresholds, and ensure compliance with the two-year statute of limitations.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

Serious Injuries Exceeding PIP Benefits

PIP’s $10,000 often falls short for fractures, surgeries, or traumatic brain injuries. An attorney can pursue bodily injury claims against the at-fault driver’s liability carrier.

Disputed Liability or Comparative Fault

If insurers argue you were over 50% at fault, you risk zero recovery under § 768.81. Legal counsel can marshal crash-reconstruction experts and eyewitness testimony to contest fault allocations.

Government or Commercial Defendants

Claims against City of Hollywood or large corporations trigger unique pre-suit notice rules and aggressive defense teams. Timely and strategic filings are critical.

Wrongful Death Claims

Florida Statutes § 768.19 authorizes the personal representative of a decedent’s estate to sue for wrongful death. Damages may include loss of companionship, mental pain, and funeral expenses, but must be filed within two years under § 95.11(4)(d).

Local Resources & Next Steps for Hollywood Residents

• Memorial Regional Hospital – Level I trauma center at 3501 Johnson St., Hollywood, FL 33021.

• Hollywood Police Department Records Unit – 3250 Hollywood Blvd. Request crash reports for $12 per copy.

• Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court (Broward County) – Civil Division hears personal injury lawsuits exceeding $50,000. Filing fees start at $400.

• Broward County Traffic Engineering Division – Provides crash data useful for proving roadway hazard patterns.

The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service – Call 800-342-8011 or visit Florida Bar LRS to confirm attorney licensure and disciplinary history.

Checklist Before You Call a Hollywood Accident Attorney

• Confirm date of injury to calculate the two-year deadline under § 95.11.

• Secure medical records and invoices.

• List all insurance policies (auto, health, homeowner’s, umbrella).

• Prepare a timeline of events and witness list.

• Document missed workdays and lost income.

• Photograph healed scars or residual impairments for damages evidence.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide provides general information based on Florida law and should not be construed as legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a licensed Florida attorney to obtain advice 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.