Personal Injury Rights Guide – Hollywood, Florida

Introduction: Why a Local Guide Matters to Hollywood, Florida Injury Victims

Hollywood, Florida sits between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the busy I-95 corridor on the other. With more than 150,000 residents, year-round tourism, and high-traffic arteries such as U.S. 1, State Road 7, and the Hollywood Boulevard drawbridge, accidents happen every day. Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital report hundreds of emergency room visits each year linked to motor-vehicle collisions, slip-and-falls, and recreational injuries. If you or a loved one is among those injured, understanding Florida personal injury law is critical. This guide explains your rights, deadlines, and practical steps under current Florida statutes—favoring injury victims while remaining strictly factual.

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Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Florida

The Legal Definition of Negligence

Most Florida personal injury cases rest on the theory of negligence—another person or entity breached a duty of care, directly causing your damages. Under Florida Statutes §768.81, every party’s fault is compared, and compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if a jury awards you $100,000 but finds you 20% at fault, your net recovery becomes $80,000.

Burden of Proof

Florida follows the civil standard of a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning your injury lawyer must prove it was more likely than not that the defendant caused your injuries. Evidence often includes:

• Police crash reports and body-cam footage.

• Medical records from local facilities like Memorial Regional Hospital.

• Surveillance footage from Hollywood Beach Boardwalk businesses.

• Witness statements and expert analysis (e.g., accident reconstructionists).

Statute of Limitations

House Bill 837, signed into law on March 24, 2023, amended Florida Statutes §95.11(4)(a). Most negligence claims must now be filed within two years of the injury date. Missing this deadline almost always bars your claim, so contact a qualified attorney quickly.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Florida

1. Motor-Vehicle Collisions

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 2022 Crash Facts, Broward County recorded over 38,000 crashes in 2022—an average of 104 per day. Hollywood’s proximity to I-95 and the Florida Turnpike increases high-speed accidents, while local streets near Hollywood Beach are prone to pedestrian and bicycle collisions.

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

Property owners must maintain reasonably safe premises under Florida’s premises-liability law (Florida Statutes §768.0755). Tourists often slip on wet tile floors in beachfront hotels, and residents may trip over uneven sidewalks on Hollywood Boulevard.

3. Boating and Water-Sport Injuries

The Intracoastal Waterway and Port Everglades draw thousands of boaters. Collisions, prop-strike injuries, and Jet Ski accidents invoke both state boating regulations and federal maritime principles.

4. Nursing Home Neglect

Hollywood’s senior population relies on local facilities. Florida’s Nursing Home Residents’ Bill of Rights (Florida Statutes §400.022) allows civil actions for abuse or neglect.

5. Hurricane-Related Injuries

Storm debris, downed power lines, and post-hurricane clean-up often lead to injuries. Property owners and contractors have duties to secure worksites before a storm and remediate hazards afterward.

Florida Legal Protections & Injury Laws

Florida’s No-Fault (PIP) System

Florida Statutes §627.736 requires drivers to carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. After a crash, PIP covers 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages up to policy limits, regardless of fault. To receive PIP benefits, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the crash.

Threshold for Suing Beyond PIP

To bring a liability claim against the at-fault driver, you must meet one of the statutory injury thresholds, such as permanent injury, significant scarring, or death.

Comparative Negligence Modified in 2023

Effective March 24, 2023, Florida adopted a revised modified comparative negligence rule (§768.81(6)). If you are found >50% at fault, you cannot recover damages (except in medical-malpractice cases). This change makes early investigation crucial.

Caps on Damages

Florida has no cap on economic damages (medical bills, lost wages). Punitive damages are capped at three times compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater (§768.73), unless the defendant was motivated by financial gain and knew of the high risk of harm.

Attorney Licensing and Ethical Rules

All lawyers practicing personal injury law in Hollywood must be members in good standing of The Florida Bar and subject to Florida Bar Rules of Professional Conduct. Contingency fee agreements must comply with Rule 4-1.5(f), which sets percentage limits and requires written, client-signed contracts.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Florida

1. Call 911 and Seek Immediate Medical Care

Report the incident. For vehicle crashes, Florida law (§316.065) requires reporting if injuries or property damage exceed $500. Visit an emergency room or urgent care within 14 days to preserve PIP eligibility.

2. Document the Scene

• Take photos of vehicle positions, hazards, and your injuries.

• Ask witnesses for phone numbers and emails.

• Note weather, lighting, and traffic conditions—US-1 at dusk can differ greatly from midday on A1A.

3. Notify Your Insurance Carrier

Most auto policies require prompt notice. Provide facts only; avoid recorded statements without counsel.

4. Follow All Medical Advice

Gaps in treatment are routinely used by insurers to dispute causation. Memorial Regional Hospital, Broward Health Urgent Care, or private specialists must accurately chart symptoms and future care needs.

5. Preserve Physical Evidence

Keep damaged property (e.g., a broken bike helmet), torn clothing, or defective products in a safe place.

6. Track Expenses and Lost Income

Create a folder for:

• Medical bills and Explanation of Benefits (EOBs).

• Pharmacy receipts.

• Pay stubs, tax returns, or employer letters verifying lost time.

7. Consult a Hollywood Accident Attorney

An experienced lawyer can investigate, preserve evidence, and negotiate with insurers.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

Indicators You Need Counsel

• Your injuries are severe, permanent, or expected to require future surgeries.

• The insurance company denies liability or makes a lowball offer.

• You may share partial fault, making comparative negligence complex.

• A commercial defendant (trucking company, hotel chain) has multiple adjusters and attorneys already involved.

The Lawsuit Process at a Glance

• Pre-Suit Investigation: Your lawyer collects medical records, bills, and liability evidence.

• Demand Letter: A detailed settlement package is sent to the insurer.

Complaint Filing: If no agreement, the attorney files a complaint in the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County.

• Discovery: Interrogatories, depositions, and subpoenas are exchanged under the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

• Mediation: Courts typically order mediation before trial.

• Trial: A jury determines liability and damages.

While most cases settle, filing early protects you from the two-year statute of limitations.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Hospitals and Treatment Facilities

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

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

• Community Health of South Florida Hollywood Center – Sliding-scale primary care.

Government & Court Offices

Broward County Clerk of Court – File civil complaints, access dockets. 17th Judicial Circuit Courthouse – 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

Florida Statutes & Administrative Agencies

Florida Statutes Online – Full text of Chapter 768 and related laws. Florida Department of Health – Licensing & healthcare facility records.

What Your Attorney Can Do Locally

• Secure intersection footage from the City of Hollywood Traffic Engineering Division.

• Depose responding officers from Hollywood Police Department.

• Subpoena maintenance logs from local businesses.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide provides general information for accident victims in Hollywood, Florida. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Always consult a licensed Florida attorney about 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.