Crash Causes Heavy Delays on Palmetto Expressway in Northwest Miami-Dade

Traffic on the Palmetto Expressway (State Road 826) came to a standstill Friday afternoon following a multi-vehicle crash that caused heavy congestion and required emergency response from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

According to reports, the crash occurred in the eastbound lanes near Northwest 17th Avenue, temporarily shutting down all lanes of traffic. One lane was later reopened to ease congestion as first responders worked the scene.

Officials confirmed that multiple vehicles were involved, and rescue crews had to extricate one person trapped inside a vehicle due to the severity of the collision.

One adult was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries. The extent of their condition has not yet been released, and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) continues to investigate the cause of the crash.

The Palmetto Expressway is one of South Florida’s busiest and most accident-prone roadways. Crashes on this major corridor are often caused by:

• Distracted or aggressive driving
• Sudden lane changes or tailgating
• Speeding and failure to maintain safe following distance
• Weather-related visibility issues
• Chain-reaction collisions during rush hour

When several vehicles are involved, determining fault and liability can be complex, especially if multiple drivers contributed to the crash or if a commercial vehicle was involved.

Potential Legal Claims After a Multi-Vehicle Accident

Victims injured in multi-vehicle crashes may have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim or, in tragic cases, a wrongful death claim under Florida law (Fla. Stat. §§768.16–768.26).

Depending on the circumstances, potential claims may include:

• Negligence: If another driver was speeding, distracted, or following too closely.
• Vicarious liability: If one of the vehicles was a company car or delivery vehicle.
• Product liability: If a vehicle defect (such as brake failure or airbag malfunction) worsened the injuries.
• Government liability: If poor road design or inadequate signage contributed to the crash (subject to sovereign immunity limits).

Steps to Take After a Serious Car Accident

If you or a loved one were involved in a serious crash like this one, taking immediate action can protect your rights:

1. Seek medical attention — even if injuries seem minor.
2. Obtain the crash report from the Florida Highway Patrol.
3. Document everything — photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and medical records.
4. Avoid speaking with insurance companies before consulting an attorney.
5. Contact a car accident lawyer to investigate liability and pursue fair compensation.

Compensation Available

Victims of car crashes in Florida may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses and future care
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life

If the crash results in death, surviving family members may also pursue a wrongful death lawsuit for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and other damages.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex multi-vehicle accidents on Florida’s most dangerous roadways — including the Palmetto Expressway, I-95, and I-75.

We conduct in-depth investigations, work with accident reconstruction experts, and fight for maximum compensation for injury victims and grieving families. Our firm covers all upfront costs and charges no fees unless we win.

📞 Call (305) 638-4143 to schedule a free consultation today.