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

Tag: Auto Accident

  • 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.

  • Riviera Beach Resident Jorge Alejandro Ruiz-Gandara Killed in Motorcycle Accident Near West Palm Beach

    The motorcycle rider, 23-year-old Jorge Alejandro Ruiz-Gandara of Riviera Beach, was driving northbound on Military Trail near West Palm Beach. The four-door Toyota, driven by an 82-year-old driver, was also heading northbound in a separate lane. The Sheriff’s Office says the Toyota driver attempted to turn right and go south instead. However, the Toyota traveled eastbound into the northbound lanes and the path of the Suzuki motorcycle. Ruiz-Gandera was wearing a helmet, and was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The Toyota driver was unhurt, and the report says charges are pending.

    If there was negligence on the part of the Toyota driver or the auto manufacturer, Ruiz-Gandara’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.

  • 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]

  • 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.

  • Jacksonville Resident Maria Ocasio Killed in Hit-and-Run Collision with Tractor Trailer

    Jacksonville Resident Maria Ocasio Killed in Hit-and-Run Collision with Tractor Trailer

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On Friday morning, March 15, Jacksonville resident Maria Ocasio, 50, was killed after a tractor-trailer struck her car on Highway 17 in Fleming Island, Florida.

    Florida Highway Patrol officers say Ocasio was driving south around 7:15 AM when the tractor-trailer tried to move into her lane. The trailer hit Ocasio’s car, sending it off the roadway and onto the median, where it struck a support pole. The truck’s driver, Johnny Gratta, 68, continued south until he was stopped by authorities.

    A Clay County deputy witnessed the crash and attempted to aid Ocasio before chasing after the truck. Sadly, Ocasio was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The deputy later caught up with the truck and pulled it over, then arrested Gratta for leaving the scene of a crash resulting in a fatality. Troopers say Gratta is cooperating with the investigation.

    If there was negligence on the part of the semitrailer driver or the truck’s manufacturer, Ocasio’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 a trucking 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]

  • 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]

  • Authorities Say Failure to Yield Led to Motorcyclist Justin Bent’s Death

    Authorities Say Failure to Yield Led to Motorcyclist Justin Bent’s Death

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On March 9, a deadly motorcycle crash occurred when a car collided with a motorcycle at the intersection of Arrowhead Boulevard and US-41 in North Fort Myers.

    According to Florida Highway Patrol, Justin Bent, 35, was driving his motorcycle northbound on US-41, when a car driven by Max Hamock, 85, failed to yield at the intersection with Arrowhead Boulevard. The car hit Bent’s motorcycle, and Bent was thrown from his bike, tragically dying at the scene. Max Hamock and a passenger, his wife Virginia Hamock, were taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries.

    Local resident Patrick Reiland, who saw the scene of the crash shortly after it happened, told FOX 4 News that it appeared the car’s driver had pulled out in front of Bent without looking. Reiland also noted that although Floriday Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles requires drivers older than 80 to renew their license every six years, he thinks stricter laws on senior citizens driving might help prevent accidents.

    “I hate to say it because I am one, but our old people do not look when they drive,” Reiland said. “[We] definitely need testing every two years — and I would like to see that pushed at the state level.”

    Bent was a father with two young daughters. His wife Amanda Bent has set up a GOFundMe page for his funeral expenses.

    If there was negligence on the part of the car’s driver, Bent’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 a 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]

  • Police Officer Struck by Car While Chasing Suspect May Have a Legal Case

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Boynton Beach Police Chief Michael Gregory says an incident where an officer was struck by a car is another example of how dangerous police work is.

    On February 27, Officer Greg Wertman, 34, and other officers were called to the Kohl’s store at 1901 N. Congress Avenue. The store reported two people were spotted shoplifting about $1,200 in baby items. When officers arrived, one of the suspects took off. Wertman pursued him, running between cars in an effort to catch the suspect.

    Sadly, one driver didn’t see Wertman in time and her SUV struck him as he chased the suspect. Chief Gregory says she is unlikely to be charged.

    Wertman was rushed to the hospital, where he remains in serious condition. The suspect he was chasing was apprehended by other officers and arrested.

    There maybe a potential liability case against the driver of the SUV if negligence or careless driving contributed to the accident. 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 injured or 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]