Florida Injury Blog

Multi-Vehicle Crash on the Palmetto (SR-826)

Striving to be the best car accident lawyer in Miami, Jonathan Perazzo, personal injury attorney and founder of the Perazzo Law Firm, understands that the moments after a car accident that leads to injury, can be daunting for car accident victims. That is why, it is fundamentally important to contact a trusted and dedicated Miami car accident lawyer following an accident.

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At least 10 cars were part of a multi-vehicle pileup in the Southbound lanes of the Palmetto. Footage by onlookers revealed the mangled wrecks along this stretch of roadway in Miami-Dade. Witnesses blame tailgating and negligent cellphone use while driving as the main causes of accidents on the Palmetto, which have skyrocketed over recent years.


MEDLEY, FLA. – A multi-car accident on State Road 826 North led to significant delays near the Okeechobee Road exit.

The crash occurred on Wednesday morning near Northwest 74th Street, causing the left main lane and express lanes to close as emergency crews responded. By around 7 a.m., the roads were reopened, although traffic congestion persisted.

Aerial footage from a local news outlet showed emergency vehicles attending to at least four cars involved in the crash. Two ambulances were present, but it is unclear if there were any injuries.

Traffic backups extended to 103rd Street, affecting many drivers’ morning commutes. The Florida Highway Patrol has been contacted for more information.

If you were in a car accident, contact a Miami Car Accident Lawyer at the Perazzo Law Firm NOW!

A Look at Traffic Accidents on SR 826 in Florida

State Road 826 (SR 826), commonly known as the Palmetto Expressway, is a critical highway in the Miami metropolitan area. It serves as a major arterial route, facilitating the movement of thousands of vehicles daily. Despite its importance, SR 826 has been notorious for traffic accidents, owing to its high traffic volume and complex interchanges.

Roadway Specifications

SR 826 spans approximately 29.3 miles, starting from U.S. Route 1 in Pinecrest and ending at Interstate 75 near Miami Lakes. The expressway comprises multiple lanes, with configurations that vary from four to ten lanes in different sections. The road includes both general-purpose lanes and express lanes, designed to alleviate congestion by offering a tolled alternative with typically less traffic.

Key features of SR 826 include:

  • Interchanges: The expressway features numerous interchanges, including major ones with U.S. Route 1, Interstate 95, and the Dolphin Expressway (SR 836). These interchanges are often busy and complex, contributing to frequent traffic snarls and accidents.
  • Express Lanes: The addition of express lanes has been aimed at improving traffic flow, but these lanes also pose risks due to lane-changing behaviors and varying speeds between general and express lanes.
  • Construction Zones: Ongoing construction and improvement projects often lead to temporary lane closures and shifts, creating additional hazards for drivers.

Common Causes of Accidents

Accidents on SR 826 are attributed to various factors:

  • High Traffic Volume: With thousands of vehicles traversing the highway daily, the sheer volume of traffic increases the likelihood of accidents.
  • Speeding: Excessive speed is a common issue, especially in express lanes where drivers may attempt to bypass slower traffic.
  • Distracted Driving: The prevalence of smartphones and other distractions contributes significantly to the frequency of accidents.
  • Complex Interchanges: Navigating the numerous interchanges can be challenging, leading to sudden lane changes and collisions.
  • Weather Conditions: Florida’s weather, including heavy rains and occasional fog, can impair visibility and road conditions, increasing the risk of accidents.

Notable Accidents

SR 826 has witnessed several significant accidents over the years:

  • Multi-Car Pileups: Dense traffic often leads to chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles, causing extensive damage and injuries.
  • Fatal Accidents: High-speed collisions and crashes involving heavy trucks have resulted in fatalities, highlighting the expressway’s potential dangers.
  • Hazardous Material Spills: Accidents involving commercial trucks sometimes lead to hazardous material spills, necessitating extensive cleanup efforts and prolonged road closures.

Mitigation Measures

Efforts to reduce accidents on SR 826 include:

  • Enhanced Enforcement: Increased patrol presence and stricter enforcement of traffic laws aim to curb speeding and reckless driving.
  • Public Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives to educate drivers about safe driving practices and the dangers of distracted driving.
  • Infrastructure Improvements: Ongoing construction projects focus on widening lanes, improving signage, and enhancing overall roadway design to improve safety.

Despite these efforts, SR 826 remains a challenging roadway, demanding constant vigilance from drivers and continuous improvements from transportation authorities to enhance safety and reduce accidents.


Hello, my name is attorney Jonathan Perazzo. I am the founder of the Perazzo Law Firm. Thank you for visiting our site. I hope that you find it informative and that you find the information that you’re looking for.

Today, we’re going to talk about car accidents. You may have had an injury that you need to recover from. You might have to go through therapy, have MRI studies, and you may end up with medical bills that are insurmountable. Unfortunately, we understand that this can happen, and we’re here to guide and help you.

As an attorney, I have several functions. If I were to boil it down to its basic function, my job is to effectively move money from one place to another, hopefully from the person that injured you to your pocket. Sometimes this can be achieved, and sometimes it can’t. It really depends on three very important factors.

First and foremost, where are we going to get the money from? Was the other person self-insured? Did they have a good insurance policy? Were they independently wealthy? Part of our job is trying to figure that out.

Once we know where we’re going to get the money from, the next question is liability. What does liability look like? Who is at fault? Were you rear-ended? Did somebody make a left in front of you? Did someone steal a car and hit you? All of these factors may end up going into the ultimate determination of your claim.

Finally, there’s the assessment of injury. Are you injured? To what extent? The most important part is that we all hope that you aren’t injured. However, if unfortunately you are, the severity of the injury will determine the value of the claim. The more injured you are, the higher the value of the claim. Unfortunately, it’s a sliding scale, and we would much rather that you not be injured than to give you a million-dollar settlement, as that typically means you’ve been catastrophically injured.

To obtain all this information, we go through various channels, whether it be the police report, insurance policy declarations, eyewitness testimony, or medical records, to piece together everything that’s happened. We then send it off to the insurance companies and try to fight to get you compensated for your injury. In some cases, we can settle those claims relatively quickly; unfortunately, that may not always be the case, and sometimes we may have to go to court to fight for your rights.

That’s why it’s very important to hire a competent legal team to support you during what may be the first critical experience of your life. Feel free to browse the site, and if you have any questions, please give us a call at 888-P-E-R-A-Z-Z-O. Thank you, and if you’re finding this because you’ve been injured in a car accident, I am very sorry, and I hope we can help. Take care, and God bless.

THE PERAZZO LAW FIRM – A DEDICATED MIAMI CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or professional advice. The treatment of personal injuries requires individualized assessment by qualified professionals. The article does not create a doctor-patient or attorney-client relationship. Reliance on this information is at your own risk. Consult with healthcare professionals or a Miami Car Accident Lawyer for specific advice. The authors and publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or damage resulting from the use of this information. Seek professional guidance and do not disregard or delay seeking medical or legal advice. This article may not reflect the most recent updates.