








Last Wednesday, a tragic Delray Beach auto accident took the life of 82-year-old Betty Muscarnera at the intersection of El Claire Ranch Road and West Atlantic Avenue.
Muscarnera and her husband, Perry, had been driving a 2002 Chrysler Sebring. When Perry took a left into the intersection, a Honda Accord heading westbound struck the vehicle. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Accord had the right-of-way through the intersection. The driver, 17-year-old Fredric Kasten, suffered minor injuries but did not need hospitalization. Perry Muscarnera was transported to Delray Medical Center in serious condition.
Did the Sebring make a "left on red"? If not, what happened?
If the Sheriff’s Office report is correct, the Accord did have a green light when it collided with the Sebring. This suggests that Muscarnera made a left against the red traffic signal and caused the accident. That might have been what happened. But without a full investigation, it’s impossible to determine the truth. Perhaps the traffic light at that intersection had gone out or had malfunctioned somehow.
The moral here is that accidents that appear to have “obvious” causes may hold more subtle truths. If you’ve been a victim of West Palm Beach car accident, approach your situation with a compassionate understanding. Do not prejudge your case. You need a more objective, dispassionate view to understand what really went wrong — and to maximize your chances to see justice done and find closure.
Here at the Law Offices of Craig Goldernfarb, P.A., we extend our sympathy to the family and friends of those hurt by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with you.
A tragic Valentine’s Day Palm Beach motorcycle accident killed a 20-year-old at the intersection of Center Park Boulevard and State Road 7.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Billy Nguyen had been driving his 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle on State Road 7, when 73-year-old Anthony Gaeta pulled a U-turn at the intersection and slammed into the bike. Nguyen was thrown off his bike onto the road, where he was instantly killed. Two cars behind the motorcycle then struck Gaeta’s car. The drivers and passengers in all three vehicles were unharmed — they all been wearing their safety belts. Homicide detectives at the Sheriff’s Office are investigating this motorcycle accident.
Accident Highlights Special Vulnerabilities of Motorcyclists
This tragedy vividly illustrates how vulnerable motorcyclists can be on Florida roads. The reality is this: the laws of physics conspire to work against motorcyclists. Cars and trucks are more massive. They are thus capable of imparting more massive force. A collision between an automobile and a motorcycle is not a “fair fight,” due to this difference. Likewise, collisions between standard automobiles and large trucks are also not “fair fights” for the same reason.
How can bikers protect themselves from tragedies like this? Here are three crucial tips:
Early in the morning on February 6, a West Palm Beach motorcycle accident shook the intersection of Southern Boulevard and Dixie Highway. According to a report from WPTV, an as yet unnamed motorcyclist collided with a car just before 5:30 in the morning. Police are investigating whether wet pavement may have caused or contributed to the crash. Early reports suggest that the man was in his 30s. He may not have been wearing a helmet. The rider was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center; there has been no update on his condition. The intersection was cleared just 45 minutes after the crash.
A Minor Story with Major Lessons?
Fortunately, the motorcyclist survived the crash. But an intersection collision between a car and a motorcycle could have easily led to fatalities. Consider a few of the scary facts of this accident:
Three people were transported to the hospital Tuesday, January 17, after a motorist struck a pedestrian on 45th Street in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The car accident happened when the driver of a Ford Explorer drove onto the median between the westbound and eastbound lanes of the I-95 highway. The car flipped onto its side after striking a panhandler, who sustained serious injuries. Another panhandler was nearly hit, but managed to get out of the way.
Investigations are underway by both the Florida Highway Patrol and the West Palm Beach Police Department.
When the driver of the flipped Explorer exited the vehicle, he attempted to flee the scene. According to Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant Kevin Strickland, the panhandler who avoided the collision “tackled” the driver, preventing him from running away.
The driver of the Explorer, along with the two panhandlers were taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries; the pedestrian who was hit by the out-of-control vehicle is in serious condition, while the other pedestrian and the driver of the SUV sustained only minor injuries.
Authorities are analyzing a blood sample given by the driver of the Explorer, in an effort to determine whether he was driving while impaired. FHP spokesman Lt. Tim Frith says it’s likely the driver will be charged with an attempted hit-and-run, and could be charged with Driving Under the Influence pending results of the blood test.
We at the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb extend our thoughts to the victims of this collision as well as their families, and we hope for a speedy recovery for those involved.
Celebrated actor Gene Hackman was hospitalized on Friday, January 13, with minor injuries after being struck by a Toyota Tundra pick-up truck while riding his bicycle in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The 81-year-old was taken by helicopter to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami to undergo routine tests.
Wreckage from his crash suggests that Hackman was hit from behind. Hackman was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but sustained no head or neck injuries.
After spending the night in the hospital, a representative of the actor confirmed that he was “fine” upon his release. Mr. Hackman sustained only minimal injuries and has been released from the hospital in stable condition.
In the face of sensationalized reports of life-threatening injuries, Gene Hackman’s publicist Susan Madore insists, “Gene’s fine…just a few bumps and bruises.”
The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the crash, but has confirmed that alcohol did not play a role.
Gene Hackman has been nominated for three Oscars, and has won two for his roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven. After officially retiring from acting, Hackman has also written four novels with undersea archaelogist Daniel Leniham. A native of Danville, Illinois, he lives with his wife Betsy Arakawa.
Our thoughts are with Mr. Hackman’s family and friends as he recovers from this accident.
If you have been involved in a traffic accident in Key West, contact the Florida car accident attorneys at the offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. at 561-697-4440 or toll free at 800-GOLD-LAW (800-465-3529) for a FREE Car Accident Kit for Florida Auto Accident Victims.
The Saturday before last, two young men fled from West Palm Beach police officers and caused an accident that sent three people to St. Mary’s Hospital. According to news reports, 28-year-old Willie Frank Boone and 20-year-old Gabriel James Butler led police on a lengthy chase through town, running multiple stop signs before colliding with a car driving southbound on Australian Avenue.
When Boone’s Chevy Impala slammed into the other car, it rolled over, injuring the three occupants of the vehicle. Boone fled the scene of the accident; police gave chase. The wild car chase concluded without further significant incidents. Eventually, Boone pulled into a home on the West Tenth Street, and he and Butler left the vehicle. Butler did not resist arrest, but Boone fled the scene. Officers apprehended Boone and charged him with eluding police officers, a hit-and-run West Palm Beach accident with injuries, driving with a suspended Florida license, and resisting an officer. Butler was also arrested at the scene.
If you were hurt in a hit-and-run auto accident in West Palm Beach or elsewhere, the team at the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb will help you obtain justice and demand appropriate compensation. Call the team now for expert guidance at 1-800-GOLD-LAW.
The Saturday night before last, a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputy lost control of his cruiser while swerving to avoid a car accident. The police officer slammed into a store sign in Palm Beach Gardens, injuring himself in the process. According to early reports from WPBF report, the deputy's prognosis was looking positive. Ironically, the drivers involved in the accident he avoided did not get significantly hurt.
However, one can imagine what might have happened, had the deputy not acted instinctively to protect himself and the other drivers. Imagine if the cruiser had careened into the other two autos. A non-injury two-car accident would have been instantly transformed into a three-car accident: and who knows what injuries, property damage – even loss of life – might have ensued.
Was the deputy’s sense of civic responsibility so powerfully ingrained in him that he just instinctively sought to protect other drivers over even his own safety? From the news reports, it’s impossible to tell. However, this story does highlight how the split-second decisions we make – often unconsciously – determine not only our own fate in West Palm Beach car accidents, but also the fates of other drivers and passengers involved.
We wish the Sherriff’s Deputy a speedy and fast recovery. If you or someone you care about was hurt in a West Palm Beach auto accident, the team at the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb can help you. Learn more about our services here online, or get fast, efficient help by calling 1-800-GOLD-LAW.
Last Wednesday evening, 49-year-old Ira Rosenberg died in a fatal Boynton Beach motorcycle accident on El Clair Ranch Road. According to a report from the Sun Sentinel, Mr. Rosenberg was driving a 1974 Harley Davidson when he ran a red light and hit a 1997 Pontiac traveling west. The bike hit the front of the car and flipped Rosenberg onto the road.
Police took him to Delray Medical Center, but he passed away just three hours after the accident. Thirty-year-old Denise Robinson, the Pontiac driver, suffered a wrist injury in the crash. Robinson had a 10-year-old boy in the car who escaped the accident uninjured. According to the Sentinel’s report, Rosenberg made a left through a red light – always a fraught and risky move.
Our sympathies and condolences go out to the Rosenberg family. The story illustrates how dangerous the roads can be and how even minor lapses in judgment – failure to pay attention to a traffic signal, a momentary glance down at a cell phone or text message – can lead to horrific, life-changing disasters.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a Boynton Beach motorcycle accident, it’s important to understand your legal responsibilities as well as your legal rights. The team here at the Law Office of Craig Goldenfarb can help explain what you need to do next. Connect with them today at 1-800-GOLD-LAW, or sign up on the website to receive a free Florida auto accident victim kit – great for helping you and your family deal with unexpected emergency roadside situations.
WPTV has reported on a sad and scary St. Lucie County truck accident.
On December 30th, a dump truck on US Highway 1 hit a pedestrian. Local fire department officials responded to the accident and flew man, who is said to be in his 60s, to St. Lucie Medical Center via Air Rescue. News reports offer no clues about why the man was walking on the freeway. Photos of the aftermath of the St. Lucie truck accident also do not provide significant insight into the cause or aftermath of the crash.
Although this story did not make national headlines, it illustrates how fundamentally dynamic accident scenes can be. Consider this: after the accident, police and fire department officials showed up; a helicopter flew in and took the man to the hospital for emergency care; and traffic was renegotiated and restarted. Piecing together the precise physics of the crash after the fact, in other words, can be a daunting challenge. So many factors interplay during an accident and after an accident. Even with excellent evidence—photographs, accurate witness statements, complete police reports, etc.—challenges abound for truck accident victims and their attorneys.
If you or someone you care about was hurt in a St. Lucie truck accident, connect with the team at the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb by dialing us now at 1-800-GOLD-LAW, or sign-up to receive your free Florida auto accident victim kit here on our website.
A West Palm Beach golf cart accident at Tequesta Country Club has put a 14-year-old girl in the hospital with major head injuries. According to the Palm Beach Post, the girl and a friend had being driving a golf cart on Fairview East late afternoon on Monday December 26, when the driver swerved to avoid a squirrel.
The 14-year-old flipped out of the vehicle and hit her head on the pavement. A helicopter flew her to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach for treatment.
According to news reports from last Thursday, the girl was listed in stable condition, but she still needed around-the-clock supervision from her physician. The driver and her father have been issued traffic citations for the accident. Perhaps more interestingly, the father may face charges of child endangerment and neglect for allowing the 14-year-old to operate the golf cart.
We extend our sympathies to the victim in this golf cart crash. The accident highlights how even seemingly safe situations can lead to explosively dangerous, life-changing events. Even being thrown off of something as slow as a golf cart can lead to massive head trauma.
Whether you drive a golf cart or an 18-ton truck, accidents happen arbitrarily. You can protect against them—at least to an extent—with proper preparation and an attitude of safety.
Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case.
Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A.
2090 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. Suite 402
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
Phone: (561) 420-0420
Toll Free: (888) 691-0551
Get Directions