GOLDLAW – West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyers, Car Accident, Slip & Fall – Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb

Category: Auto Accidents

what to do if you are involved in a major auto accident

  • Hit-and-Run Victim, Carlos Andres Gonzalez, Loses Leg After Mercedes Driver Hits Him, Leaves Scene of Accident

    Gonzalez was driving on the 9800 block of Northwest 116th Way when he had car trouble. He stopped and put his hazard lights on to warn other drivers, then got out of the car to see if he could fix the problem while waiting for assistance. According to authorities, he then saw a gray 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA coming toward him at a high rate of speed in the middle lane. He also told police it looked like the driver—later identified as Edward Vidal Paredes, 34—had his head down, as if he was texting or looking at his phone. Paredes looked up as he approached Gonzalez’ car and steered into another lane, hitting Gonzalez in the legs. He stopped and briefly walked toward Gonzalez, then quickly got back in his car and left the scene of the accident without offering any help to the injured man.

    Police later arrived to find Gonzalez lying in the street. First responders airlifted him to a nearby hospital, where they had to amputate one of his legs.

    Gonzalez’ sister told local media that Gonzalez lives in Columbia and is the father of twin sons. He is the sole provider for his family.

    Paredes turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday, May 22.

  • Local Champion Distance Runner Jose Laboy Fatally Struck by Car While Jogging

    Early on Monday morning, April 22, local champion distance runner Jose Laboy, 55, was out for his usual morning jog on Fair Green Road in West Palm Beach when a BMW M3 struck and killed him.

    The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) say that Laboy was jogging in the direction of the BMW around 5:35 AM. The BMW’s driver was 44-year-old Eric Banks, who later told officers that it was dark when he suddenly noticed Laboy jogging. According to the crash report, Banks also says he tried to swerve, but struck and killed the runner. After the crash, deputies say that Banks drove home, but later returned to the scene of the accident and called 911. At that point, deputies found Laboy dead in the grass.

    Laboy’s family members say he was in the habit of running in the area every morning.

  • Stuart Motocyclist Leonard David Sclafani Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash in Stuart

    According to Florida Highway Patrol, both riders were thrown clear of the motorcycle and into the street by the impact.

    Sadly, a third vehicle heading south struck the motorcycle’s driver, 63-year-old Leonard David Sclafani of Stuart, who was later pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, who has not been identified, was taken to a hospital and listed in critical condition. The drivers of the two other vehicles involved were not injured, and FHP says the cause of the crash is under investigation.

    If there was negligence on the part of one of the drivers or the auto manufacturer, Sclafani’s family may have grounds to move forward with a civil Wrongful Death case.

  • Lakeland Resident Shannon Oglesby Dead After Road Race Ends in Tragic Crash

    According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Rodney Wimberly, 52, of Lakeland had stopped his 1993 Jeep Wrangler at a red light on U.S. 98 when a sports bike pulled up next to it. Both drivers revved their engines, and sped off as soon as the light turned green. The sports bike pulled several car lengths ahead of the Jeep, whose driver lost control near the intersection with Innovation Way. The Jeep hit an electrical pole at a high rate of speed, ejecting both Wimberly and his passenger, 47-year-old Shannon Oglesby. The Jeep then caught fire.

    Several witnesses and off-duty PCSO deputy Mark Trexler stopped to render aid and call for emergency services. Oglesby’s leg was severely injured, and Trexler and another bystander attempted to stop the bleeding. When paramedics arrived, Wimberly and Oglesby were taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where Oglesby later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead. Wimberly was listed in critical condition with a fractured pelvis, head trauma, and other injuries.

    Witnesses say the sports bike’s driver was far enough ahead that they may not have been aware of the crash.

    If there was negligence on the part of the Jeep’s driver or the auto manufacturer, Oglesby’s family may have grounds to move forward with a civil Wrongful Death case.

  • Palm Tran Bus Runs Over Driver Miguel Treto Following Car Accident in Belle Glade

    According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office, Treto, 26, was traveling westbound on State Road 80 when his car veered off the road, onto a grass medium, and crashed in a drainage culvert. Treto was ejected from the car, which flipped over. Both Treto and the car ended up in the path of oncoming traffic. Sadly, a Palm Tran bus ran over Treto, who was later pronounced dead at the scene. Another car struck Treto’s vehicle. Palm Tran says they are investigating the accident.

    If there was negligence on the part of the bus driver or the auto manufacturer, Treto’s family may have grounds to move forward with a civil Wrongful Death case.

  • Three-Vehicle Crash Involving Tractor-Trailer Leaves One Person Dead, Several Injured

    Florida Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the driver of a van slammed on the brakes. The driver of a pickup truck behind the van didn’t stop in time and crashed into the van, shoving it into the southbound lanes, where it was hit by a tractor-trailer. The pickup truck then continued off the road and hit a light pole.  A passenger in the van was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, and three other riders from the van were taken to local hospitals with injuries. Two other people were treated at the scene.

    If there was negligence on the part of one of the drivers or an auto manufacturer, the victim’s family may have grounds to move forward with a civil Wrongful Death case.

    The Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. is dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals and families that have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others. Our attorneys have more than 170 years of combined experience investigating and representing those who have suffered tragic loss or severe injuries.

    If you know a surviving family member of a person who was killed in an auto crash, please encourage them to give our firm a call immediately. The consultation is completely free, and there is no out-of-pocket cost to the family to hire us.

  • Woman Killed in Hit-and-Run After Falling Out of Car on State Road 112

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The collision involving 23-year-old Mariah Michelle Logan, occurred near the Okeechobee exit early Sunday morning. Officials say Logan was hanging out a back window of a Hyundai Accent when she fell out. A car behind her ran her over, stopped briefly, and then drove off. Florida Highway Patrol shut down part of the highway while they investigated, but are still searching for the hit-and-run driver, who they say was a male driving a Range Rover. They are investigating Logan’s death as a homicide, and encourage anyone with information to contact them. If you have any information on this hit-and-run, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

    If there was negligence on the part of the Range Rover driver or the auto manufacturer, Logan’s family may have grounds to move forward with a civil Wrongful Death case.

    The Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. is dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals and families that have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others. Our attorneys have more than 170 years of combined experience investigating and representing those who have suffered tragic loss or severe injuries.

    If you know a surviving family member of a person who was killed in an auto crash, please encourage them to give our firm a call immediately. The consultation is completely free, and there is no out-of-pocket cost to the family to hire us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • One Motorcyclist Dead, Four People Injured in Levy County Multiple-Vehicle Crash

    One Motorcyclist Dead, Four People Injured in Levy County Multiple-Vehicle Crash

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On Saturday afternoon, March 23, a multiple-vehicle crash turned deadly for motorcyclist Tony Lewis Mead, 55, of Homosassa. Three other motorcycle riders and one driver of a car involved in the accident were taken to local hospitals with serious injuries.

    According to Florida Highway Patrol, Mead and several other motorcyclists riding Harley Davidsons were traveling north on US-41. They attempted to pass a car in their lane that was also headed the same direction. Sadly, three of the motorcycle riders failed to pass the car in time, causing them to collide with a Kia Soul and a Chevy Silverado.

    Mead was pronounced dead at the scene, and the three other motorcyclists were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Craig Travis Conrad, 47, was listed in critical condition. The Kia’s driver, 28-year-old Jessalyn Krewson from Gainesville, was also taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The Silverado’s driver was not injured.

    If there was negligence on the part of one of the drivers or auto manufacturers, Mead’s family may have grounds to move forward with a civil Wrongful Death case.

    The Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. is dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals and families that have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others. Our attorneys have more than 170 years of combined experience investigating and representing those who have suffered tragic loss or severe injuries.

    If you know a surviving family member of a person who was killed in an auto or motorcycle crash, please encourage them to give our firm a call immediately. The consultation is completely free, and there is no out-of-pocket cost to the family to hire us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Miami Beach Civilian Ivonne Reyes Killed After Police Car Chasing Stolen BMW Causes Car Crash

    Miami Beach Civilian Ivonne Reyes Killed After Police Car Chasing Stolen BMW Causes Car Crash

    On Monday evening, March 25, a Miami Beach police chase ended with a woman dead and a police officer injured.

    Miami Beach spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez says the Miami Beach police officer was chasing a stolen BMW late Monday evening. The patrol vehicle crashed into a Honda that was not involved in the chase, shearing off its hood. The crash left the officer with a serious head injury. The other driver, 68-year-old Ivonne Reyes of Miami Beach, was taken to a local hospital, where she later died.

    Other officers followed the BMW, which later crashed into two patrol cars. The driver fled on foot, and another police officer was taken to the hospital, treated, and released.  The following day, 35-year-old Timothy Bowers was arrested for the BMW theft, and several additional charges, including murder, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

    If there was negligence on the part of the police department or the auto manufacturer, Reyes’ family may have grounds to move forward with a civil Wrongful Death case.

    The Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. is dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals and families that have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others. Our attorneys have more than 170 years of combined experience investigating and representing those who have suffered tragic loss or severe injuries.

    If you know a surviving family member of a person who was killed in an auto crash, please encourage them to give our firm a call immediately. The consultation is completely free, and there is no out-of-pocket cost to the family to hire us.

  • Two Victims from Belle Glade Killed in Negligent Car Crash

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A Palm Beach County car crash on Friday morning, March 8, left two people dead.

    The Florida Highway Patrol said a Chevy Lumina driven by 50-year-old Sylvester Gibson was moving eastbound on Runyon Village Road around 5:45 AM on March 8. The Lumina turned left onto US-441 and a Ford Explorer driven by 52-year-old Samuel Solis Patino crashed into it. According to troopers, Patino didn’t see the Lumina until it was right in front of him.

    Gibson and his passenger, 41-year-old Sharon White, both residents of Belle Glade, were pronounced dead at the scene. Patino had minor injuries.

    If there was negligence on the part of the Lumina’s driver, Gibson’s and White’s families may have grounds to move forward with a civil Wrongful Death case.

    The Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. is dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals and families that have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others. Our attorneys have more than 170 years of combined experience investigating and representing those who have suffered tragic loss or severe injuries.

    If you know a surviving family member of a person who was killed in an auto crash, please encourage them to call our firm immediately. The consultation is completely free, and there is no out-of-pocket cost to the family to hire us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]