Car Accidents

Published on: March 16, 2026

Key West Adopts Safety Action Plan to Eliminate Traffic Deaths. What to Know.

Following the deaths of at least 29 people on Key West and Stock Island streets from 2018 to 2024, the Key West City Commission adopted a comprehensive Safety Action Plan, according to reporting from Keys News.

The plan — which was voted on last week and has been developed by city staff in collaboration with the University of Florida over the last year — aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2035. In it, officials plan to crackdown on illegal e-motos on city streets congested with tourists, cyclists and other pedestrians. While sometimes marketed as e-bikes — micromobility devices with their own host of issues that have gained traction over the last decade — e-motos have no pedals, use throttle-only motors, and can reach speeds from 40 to 70 mph.

Data presented paints a sobering reality — while bicyclists and pedestrians only account for about 8% of total crashes in the city they also account for 26% of all fatalities and serious injuries related to crashes. From 2018 to 2024, officials at the University of Florida found that there were just shy of 300 crashes resulting in a fatality or serious injury in Key west. Officials were also able to identify areas and intersections that were a part of this “high injury network.”

Published on: March 13, 2026

‘One Moment of Inattention’ Has Severe Consequences: Leesfield & Partners Files Lawsuit on Behalf of a Severely Injured Monroe County Bicyclist

By Leesfield & Partners

Leesfield & Partners filed a lawsuit this week on behalf of a man who was ejected from his bike following a crash on Stock Island with a commercial truck driver.

“This driver’s one moment of inattention has left my client with life-altering injuries,” said Bernardo Pimentel II, a Trial Attorney at the firm. “This frightening incident has left him in severe pain, causing a disruption to his daily life and happiness.”

The incident occurred just after 2 p.m. on Jan. 13 as our client was approaching the intersection of College Road, where he had the right-of-way to proceed. At the same time, another man behind the wheel of a commercial truck was approaching from the opposite direction and failed to yield, plowing through the intersection and making an illegal left turn. In doing so, this driver hit our client, who was then ejected from his bicycle and sent into the air before eventually falling onto the hood of another vehicle. He was then thrown onto the road.

Published on: March 9, 2026

Vacation in the Florida Keys: What Happens if You’re Injured While Traveling?

By Leesfield & Partners

Conch fritters, reef-snorkeling excursions, and/or six-toed cats at the Hemingway house are likely the most-searched topics when researching Florida Keys vacations.

As tourists prepare their itineraries, activities for cranky children during drives across the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, and packing lists, the potential for injuries may not come to mind. In fact, it is likely the farthest thing from their minds when they picture sunning by the pool or taking that coveted first bite of Key lime pie. At Leesfield & Partners, a personal injury law firm in Florida with five decades of experience, our attorneys know just how often a vacation can be soured by an unexpected accident.

Whether it’s a seemingly harmless motorcycle ride that turns deadly or a parasailing excursion gone wrong, our attorneys work tirelessly to ensure they secure the best outcome for every client. We know that the legal system can be daunting and revisiting painful memories can seem like an impossible task, however, it is essential in the path toward justice. For many families affected by preventable injuries, accountability helps acknowledge their pain and can lead to meaningful change aimed at preventing others from suffering the same harm.

Published on: January 23, 2026

Police: Man Steals Golf Cart, Ditches Injured Friend in Key West. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A Winter Haven Man is facing criminal charges after police say he stole a golf cart and left an injured friend behind over the weekend in Key West, according to reporting from Channel 10 News.

Police were called out to the 2800 block of North Roosevelt Boulevard around 7:45 a.m. Saturday after they got a call about an injured man. The caller told police that she saw the man lying in the street and helped him move to the sidewalk before calling 911. The man told authorities that he fell out of the backseat of a golfcart after his friend made a U-turn and left him.

The man was taken to the hospital where it was later determined he would need surgery to repair a broken hip.

Published on: January 8, 2026

Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths Doubled in Florida Keys in 2025, data shows. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

While 2025 showed overall Monroe County crashes were down from 2024, roadway deaths almost doubled, according to data from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Crash Dashboard.

Monroe County crashes were down from 1,732 in 2024 to 1,600 in 2025, the data, published regularly online, showed. Despite this slight decline in overall accidents, deaths in the area from motor vehicle crashes doubled from six fatalities in 2024 to 12 in 2025.

In 2023, at least 18 people died as the result of tragic crashes in the area. There were approximately 1,400 crashes recorded for that year.

Published on: December 24, 2025

Child Bicyclist Killed in Florida Keys Crash. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A mother and daughter riding their bikes in the Florida Keys were involved in a tragic crash with a pickup truck, resulting in the 7-year-old’s death Tuesday, Dec. 23, according to local media.

The driver involved in the incident, who has not been named by police as of Wednesday, Dec. 24, will face criminal charges, according to reporting from The Miami Herald.

The crash happened around 2:50 p.m. at the Valero Gas Station, located at 7301 Overseas Highway in Marathon. The driver was in a Ford F-250 and was allegedly coming out of the gas station to make a right turn when the child and her mother were crossing the entrance.

Published on: October 22, 2025

‘Look for these kids who dart out of nowhere:’ Monroe County Sheriff Offers Advice for the Area Ahead of Halloween.

By Leesfield & Partners

Monroe County, a cluster of islands off Florida’s southern coast, is accustomed to an influx of tourists during events like Halloween, but, this year, the sheriff is emphasizing one priority above all — public safety.

In an advisory posted Monday, Oct. 20, to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office official Facebook page, Sheriff Rick Ramsey noted that the increased crowds in the keys in the week leading up to Halloween might cause traffic and other issues.

“So, look for officers giving you directions, but, more so, look for these kids who dart out of nowhere … ” he said. “Put your phones down, no distracted driving.”

Published on: September 30, 2025

One Dead in U.S. 1 Crash in Florida Keys. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A woman and a dog have died, and a man was injured during a car crash on U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys Tuesday morning, according to reporting from local media.

The head-on collision occurred around 11 a.m. on Summerland Key at mile marker 19.

The woman, 44, whose name has not yet been released by authorities, was heading southbound on U.S. 1 in a Kia sedan when she drifted into the northbound lane, hitting a Ford pickup truck going in the opposite direction.

Published on: September 9, 2025

World Atlas Names Florida’s 11 Most Scenic Drives. Can You Guess Where?

By Leesfield & Partners

World Atlas has released the Sunshine State’s 11 most scenic drives and the Florida Keys’ iconic Overseas Highway was first on the list.

The road, which stretches 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West, boasts breathtaking, panoramic views of the water around it. The bridge spans 43 islands and serves as the only road connecting the Florida Keys to the mainland.

Leesfield & Partners is a personal injury law firm with offices in Miami, Orlando and Key West. The firm’s nearly five decades of experience across the state has resulted in numerous record verdicts and settlements obtained on behalf of individuals or grieving families. In that time, the firm has handled numerous motor vehicle accident cases, including several on the Overseas Highway.

Published on: August 18, 2025

High-Speed Chase in Florida Keys Results in Police Using Spike Strips. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A Fort Lauderdale woman faces multiple charges after police say she led them on a high-speed chase Saturday in the Florida Keys.

Lianet Rodriguez, 35, was charged with felony fleeing and eluding police, a misdemeanor moving traffic violation, driving under the influence and resisting an officer.

The chase was sparked by multiple 911 calls that reported a car was driving into oncoming traffic and passing on the shoulder near mile marker 21, according to reporting from local news outlets. Mile Marker 21 is on Cudjoe Key.