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Car Accident Representation Serving Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne Car Accident Attorney

Direct attorney representation for crashes on the Rickenbacker Causeway and Crandon Boulevard. Free, confidential consultation.

A 54-year-old cyclist was killed on the causeway's William Powell Bridge in August 2025. It's the latest in a documented pattern of fatal crashes between vehicles and the cyclists and runners who share this road.

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100+ Verified Client Reviews

Florida Bar Member Since 1989

37+

Years of Practice

Florida Bar member since 1989

1989

Florida Bar Licensed

University of Miami School of Law

State & Federal

Court Admission

SDFL (1991), MDFL (2001)

Boutique

Practice Model

Direct attorney involvement

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a car accident on the Rickenbacker Causeway?+

Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if the vehicle can be moved, since the causeway has limited shoulder space and a crash can back up traffic for miles. Photograph the scene, both vehicles, and any visible injuries before anything changes. Get the other driver's information and identify witnesses, since a serious causeway crash commonly closes the road entirely, meaning many drivers and cyclists are stopped nearby and available as witnesses. Seek medical care within 14 days even if the injury seems minor, to preserve PIP coverage. Avoid discussing fault at the scene or with the other driver's insurance company before speaking with an attorney. See our full guide on what to do after a car accident in Florida for the complete step-by-step.

Why is the Rickenbacker Causeway so dangerous for cyclists?+

The causeway carries roughly 10 million vehicles a year on the same road shared by a heavy volume of cyclists, runners, and pedestrians, with high speeds common on the open stretches. In August 2025, a 54-year-old cyclist was killed on the William Powell Bridge section, part of a documented pattern that has led residents, cycling advocates, and county officials to repeatedly call for a redesign separating vehicle and cyclist traffic.

A crash closed the causeway and I was stuck for hours. Does that affect my case?+

It can matter for documenting the full impact of the incident, since Key Biscayne's single access road means a serious crash can strand residents and visitors for extended periods. Beyond the immediate injury, this kind of disruption is a real, documented consequence of how isolated the island's transportation options are.

How long do I have to seek medical care after a Key Biscayne car accident?+

Florida's no-fault PIP system requires seeking care within 14 days of the crash for that treatment to be covered, regardless of how minor the injury seems at first. Missing that window can mean losing PIP coverage entirely, even for a legitimate injury.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?+

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard under HB 837. Fault is assigned as a percentage, and a driver found more than 50 percent at fault is barred from recovering anything. A driver found 50 percent or less at fault can still recover, with the award reduced by their percentage of fault.

What if the other driver did not have enough insurance to cover my injuries?+

Florida does not require drivers to carry bodily injury liability coverage, meaning a considerable number of at-fault drivers are underinsured or uninsured entirely. See our full guide on car accidents for how uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage works in that situation.

What if I was hit by a rideshare driver in Key Biscayne?+

Coverage depends on what the driver's app was doing at the moment of the crash. If the app was off, just the driver's personal auto policy applies. If the app was on but no ride had been accepted, Florida Statute 627.748 requires the rideshare company to provide at least 50,000 dollars per person and 100,000 dollars per accident in bodily injury coverage. Once a ride is accepted through drop-off, that coverage increases to 1 million dollars in liability.

How do I get the police report for my Key Biscayne car accident?+

Key Biscayne Police Department provides the first copy of an accident report free of charge, a genuine exception to the fee most Miami-Dade agencies charge. Additional copies carry a fee. Reports can be obtained in person at the department's administration office, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Can toll records help establish what happened in a Rickenbacker Causeway crash?+

Sometimes, yes. The causeway is a SunPass and Toll-By-Plate toll road for southbound traffic, meaning a timestamped record commonly exists of when a vehicle entered the causeway. That timing can be relevant to establishing when a driver was on the road relative to the crash, though toll records alone do not capture what happened at the scene itself.

What if I was hit by a drunk driver in Key Biscayne?+

A drunk driving crash creates two separate cases running at the same time: the criminal DUI case against the driver, and a civil injury claim for the damages caused. These proceed independently, with different standards of proof, and a criminal conviction is not required to recover compensation in the civil case. See our full guide on Key Biscayne DUI defense for how the criminal side of these cases works.

Where Key Biscayne Crashes Happen

An Island With a Single Way Out

The Rickenbacker Causeway itself accounts for the overwhelming share of serious Key Biscayne-area collisions. A six-mile stretch carrying roughly 10 million vehicles a year has been the site of multiple fatal crashes in recent years.

The Rickenbacker Causeway

In August 2025, a cyclist was struck and killed on the William Powell Bridge section. The causeway carries roughly 10 million vehicles a year, shared with a high volume of cyclists and pedestrians, and has a documented history of fatal crashes.

The MAST Academy Intersection

This intersection at the causeway has seen serious crashes lead to lengthy closures, with residents and visitors sometimes stranded for hours as the single route on or off the island.

Crandon Boulevard

The island's main thoroughfare carries heavy tourist and beach traffic, particularly near the Miami Seaquarium and public beach access points.

Florida Statute of Limitations

Years to File a Claim

The Clock Starts at the Crash

Florida's statute of limitations for a car accident lawsuit runs 2 years from the date of the crash. Missing this deadline can permanently bar the claim, regardless of how strong the underlying facts are.

PIP coverage requires seeking medical care within 14 days of the crash
Missing the 14-day window can mean losing PIP coverage entirely
Comparative fault under HB 837 can reduce or bar recovery entirely
Claims involving a drunk driver still follow the same civil deadline

Case Approach

A Single Road On and Off the Island

Key Biscayne's status as an island connected by a single causeway is not just a geographic fact, it shapes how a crash unfolds and gets investigated. A serious accident on the causeway can shut down the single route to and from the island, sometimes for hours.

An Island With a Single Way Out

Key Biscayne's status as an island connected by a single causeway is not just a geographic fact, it shapes how a crash unfolds and gets investigated. A serious accident on the causeway can shut down the single route to and from the island, sometimes for hours. The same road carries a mix of high-speed vehicle traffic and cyclists that most South Florida roads do not.

When there is a single road on and off an island, everyone on it that day becomes a potential witness. Finding them before they scatter is in many cases the difference in the case.

Toll Records as Evidence

The causeway is a SunPass and Toll-By-Plate toll road for southbound traffic, meaning a timestamped record generally exists of when a vehicle entered the causeway. That timing can be relevant to establishing when a driver was on the road relative to the crash, though toll records alone do not capture what happened at the scene itself.

Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers

Florida does not require drivers to carry bodily injury liability coverage, meaning a substantial number of at-fault drivers are underinsured or uninsured entirely. See our full Car Accidents page for how uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage works in that situation.

Related Practice Areas

Related Personal Injury Matters

A Key Biscayne car accident case commonly overlaps with related personal injury and criminal defense areas.

Key Biscayne Premises Liability

If the injury was on someone's property rather than on the road.

Learn More →

Key Biscayne DUI Defense

If a drunk driver was involved in the crash.

Learn More →

Insurance Disputes

Coverage and denial issues that arise after a claim is filed.

Learn More →

Personal Injury

All practice areas handled by the firm.

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Key Biscayne Criminal Defense

Full legal framework beyond this given charge.

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The outcome of a Key Biscayne car accident case depends on the particular circumstances on the causeway, the available evidence, and how quickly it gets preserved, and that requires a real review, not a guess. See our full Car Accidents page for the complete legal framework, including how our contingency fee structure works. The first consultation is free and confidential, with no obligation to retain.

Locations We Serve

Car Accident Representation Across Miami-Dade

Crash patterns and local courts vary by city. See detailed information for the areas below, or see the firm's full Areas We Serve page.

Speak With Andre

Direct attorney access at (305) 774-7000

The outcome of a Key Biscayne car accident case depends on the particular circumstances on the causeway, the available evidence, and how quickly it gets preserved. The first consultation is free and confidential, with no obligation to retain.

Call (305) 774-7000 Request Confidential Consultation

Client Reviews

What Our Clients Say

Verified Google reviews from clients represented by the firm across Miami-Dade and South Florida. See our full client testimonials page for more.

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Eddy's Dogs aka Eddy's K9 Rescue 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely recommend this law firm. They handled my case and I was amazed at the attention and information I got. I highly recommend them and will be using their services again.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Carlos Zaldivar 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Andre is an exceptional lawyer.  Andre represented me in a civil case and did an exceptional job when I was told not to bother with a suit.  Andre succeeded, and I got my money back.  I send all my friends to Andre
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Bob R 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Andre has represented me, my family and friends on several legal matters. He is always available to provide sound, practical advice and more than willing and able to fight for you when necessary. It’s reassuring to have a qualified, experienced lawyer in my corner to protect me and my interests when I need it.

Owner's reply
Bob, thank you. Clients who return and who send their family and friends give me the highest compliment. I’m grateful for your confidence and I’m always here if you need me.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Phil Glatzer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As an attorney, I have often referred my clients to André for legal work that I myself cannot handle and everyone has always been very satisfied with his representation. I highly recommend him.

Owner's reply
Thanks Phil. A referral from a colleague who knows the work means a great deal to me. I take every case you send my way seriously, and I’m glad the clients were well served.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Pedro Carrera 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can always count on him. An honest lawyer.

Owner's reply
Thanks Pedro.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Gabriel Hernandez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Extremely quick and efficient . My ticket was handed and I didn’t have to worry about it once. His staff is also super helpful giving multiple updates on the status

Owner's reply
It's great to hear you were pleased. We are happy we were able to take the burden off your shoulders and resolve your issue for you.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Andrew Varela 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An amazing attorney who gives every case the care and attention it deserves. His attention to detail is exceptional, and it’s clear that he takes pride in his work and truly cares about his clients. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a dedicated, thorough, and attentive attorney!

Owner's reply
I really appreciate that Andrew. Thank you.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Daniel Hernandez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I highly recommend this law firm! I had a ticket, and they kept me updated and got it dismissed. Kaylee was my go-to for communication, and Andre is excellent at what he does.

Owner's reply
Thanks Daniel. I am glad we were able to resolve your issue.