Eric "Rick" Ellsley of the Ellsley Law Firm in Plantation negotiated a $5.95 million settlement with a Florida landscape gardening company over claims unruly hedges on an Oakland Park roadway median caused a crash that left his client with permanent neck, back and arm injuries.

The case demonstrates the importance of preserving evidence and getting experts to the scene as soon as possible—particularly for a visual obstruction lawsuit—as it hinged on photographs and information Ellsley gathered immediately after the accident.

"Personally go to the scene. Personally meet with witnesses and interview [them]. Draw up affidavits based upon what they tell you," Ellsley said. "People quickly forget what they see and hear, so it is important to secure that testimony very early on."