1. Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein (DDRB Law)
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rideshare accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, and product liability.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial truck accidents, Uber and Lyft accidents, hit-and-run cases, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claims, litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, accident reconstruction, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, and wrongful death claims.
Background: The firm has recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients. DDRB Law serves clients throughout South Florida, including Hialeah and Miami-Dade County. The attorneys have extensive experience with Florida’s no-fault insurance system and the serious injury threshold requirements. The firm handles cases from initial consultation through trial.
Location: Miami, FL (serving Hialeah and Miami-Dade County)
Contact: (305) 371-2692 | https://www.ddrblaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis.
2. Wolfson & Leon Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, highway crashes, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, hit-and-run cases, uninsured motorist claims, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, PIP claims, litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, accident investigation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, and wrongful death claims.
Background: Wolfson & Leon serves clients in Hialeah and throughout Miami-Dade County. Jonah Wolfson is a bilingual (English/Spanish) attorney who has handled personal injury cases for over 25 years. The firm focuses on providing personalized attention to each client and has experience navigating Florida’s no-fault insurance system and serious injury threshold.
Location: Miami, FL (serving Hialeah and Miami-Dade County)
Contact: (305) 285-1115 | https://www.wolfsonandleon.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available. The firm works on a contingency fee basis.
3. Steinger, Greene & Feiner
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, and insurance disputes.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial truck accidents, rideshare accidents, hit-and-run cases, and traumatic brain injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, PIP claims, litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, accident investigation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, and wrongful death claims.
Background: Steinger, Greene & Feiner has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury cases in Florida. The firm has multiple offices throughout South Florida and serves clients in Hialeah and Miami-Dade County. The attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients and have extensive trial experience. The firm offers bilingual services (English/Spanish).
Location: Miami, FL (serving Hialeah and Miami-Dade County)
Contact: (305) 712-8554 | https://www.injurylawyers.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis.
4. Schilling & Silvers Property and Accident Attorneys
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, boating accidents, wrongful death, and property damage claims.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, highway crashes, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, boating accidents, and hit-and-run cases.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, PIP claims, litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, accident investigation, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, and wrongful death claims.
Background: Schilling & Silvers serves clients in Hialeah and throughout South Florida. The firm handles a variety of personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents and boating accidents. The attorneys have experience with Florida’s no-fault insurance system and the requirements for bringing claims outside of PIP coverage. The firm provides bilingual services.
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL (serving Hialeah and South Florida)
Contact: (954) 227-1129 | https://www.schillingsilvers.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. The firm works on a contingency fee basis.
5. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, and insurance disputes.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial truck accidents, rideshare accidents, hit-and-run cases, and traumatic brain injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, PIP claims, litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, accident investigation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, and wrongful death claims.
Background: Anidjar & Levine has served Florida personal injury clients for over 20 years. The firm has multiple offices throughout Florida and serves clients in Hialeah and Miami-Dade County. The attorneys have extensive experience with Florida’s insurance laws and no-fault system. The firm handles cases throughout the state and offers 24/7 availability.
Location: Miami, FL (serving Hialeah and South Florida)
Contact: (888) 494-0430 | https://www.anidjarlevine.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis.
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Florida
Statute of Limitations: Effective March 24, 2023, Florida Statutes Section 95.11(3)(a) establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents. This represents a significant reduction from the previous four-year deadline. The two-year period runs from the date of the accident. Wrongful death claims also have a two-year deadline from the date of death.
Fault System: Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning drivers first turn to their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. However, injured parties can pursue claims against at-fault drivers if injuries meet the serious injury threshold.
Comparative Negligence: Effective March 24, 2023, Florida adopted a modified comparative negligence system (51% bar rule) under Florida Statutes Section 768.81. An injured party can recover damages only if they are 50% or less at fault. If the injured party is 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovery. Previously, Florida followed pure comparative negligence.
Minimum Insurance Requirements: Florida Statutes Section 324.021 requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of $10,000 and Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage of $10,000. Florida does not require bodily injury liability coverage, though it is strongly recommended. Drivers who cause accidents and do not have bodily injury coverage may have their licenses suspended.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Florida’s no-fault system requires drivers to carry PIP coverage, which pays 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages up to $10,000, regardless of fault. To receive full PIP benefits, injured persons must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. If injuries are not deemed emergent, PIP benefits may be limited to $2,500.
Serious Injury Threshold: To pursue a claim against an at-fault driver outside of PIP, the injured party must demonstrate a “serious injury” including: significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death. Florida Statutes Section 627.737.
Damage Caps: Florida does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases. Punitive damages are capped at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $500,000, with higher caps ($2 million) available for conduct motivated by unreasonable financial gain.
14-Day Rule: To receive full PIP benefits, injured persons must seek initial medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. If treatment is not obtained within this window, PIP benefits may be limited or unavailable entirely.
Dram Shop Liability: Florida Statutes Section 768.125 limits dram shop liability. Establishments generally are not liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons unless they knowingly served alcohol to a person habitually addicted to alcohol or served a minor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit in Florida?
As of March 24, 2023, Florida Statutes Section 95.11(3)(a) establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents. This is a significant change from the previous four-year deadline that applied to accidents occurring before that date. The two-year period runs from the date of the accident. Wrongful death claims also have a two-year deadline from the date of death. Missing this deadline typically results in permanent loss of your right to pursue compensation through the courts.
How does Florida’s no-fault insurance system work?
Florida’s no-fault system requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. After an accident, you first file a claim with your own PIP coverage, regardless of who caused the accident. PIP pays 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, up to your policy limit (minimum $10,000). To receive full PIP benefits, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. If your injuries meet the “serious injury” threshold (permanent injury, significant disfigurement, or death), you may pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
What is the 14-day rule for seeking medical treatment in Florida?
Florida law requires injured persons to seek initial medical treatment within 14 days of a car accident to receive full PIP benefits. If you do not obtain treatment within this 14-day window, your PIP benefits may be limited to $2,500 or may be unavailable entirely. The treatment must be provided by specific authorized medical providers, including physicians, osteopaths, dentists, chiropractors, or hospitals. This rule makes it critical to seek prompt medical evaluation after any car accident, even if injuries seem minor initially.
What is the serious injury threshold to sue in Florida?
To pursue a claim against an at-fault driver outside of the PIP system, your injuries must meet Florida’s “serious injury” threshold under Florida Statutes Section 627.737. This includes: significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death. Minor injuries that fully heal typically do not meet this threshold, limiting recovery to PIP benefits.
How does Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my claim?
Effective March 24, 2023, Florida adopted a modified comparative negligence system (51% bar rule). You can only recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are found 51% or more responsible, you are completely barred from recovery. When recovery is allowed, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages and were 30% at fault, you would receive $70,000. This represents a significant change from Florida’s previous pure comparative negligence system.