1. Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, cruise ship accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, medical malpractice, crime victim cases, product liability, drunk driving accidents, pedestrian accidents, Uber accidents
Case Types Handled: Head-on collisions, T-bone collisions, side impact crashes, rear-end crashes, drunk driving accidents, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, loss of limb cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence preservation, expert witness coordination, appellate proceedings, maritime law claims
Background: Founded by Philip M. Gerson in 1970, the firm has represented accident victims in Miami for over 50 years. The senior partner holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating and is recognized in “Super Lawyers” and “Top Lawyers” listings in South Florida Business Review. The firm’s attorneys have over 100 years of collective experience exclusively representing plaintiffs in catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims. The attorneys are honors graduates of the University of Miami School of Law. Notable results include $60 million sexual abuse victim, $37.5 million product liability, $12.5 million wrongful death, $10.5 million crime victim, $2.8 million car accident/dram shop jury verdict, and multiple seven-figure settlements. The firm has been recognized in Best Law Firms and maintains a small attorney team to provide personalized service.
Location: Miami, Florida
Contact: (305) 371-6000 | Toll Free: (877) 475-2905 | [email protected] | https://www.injuryattorneyfla.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee (no fee unless the firm wins)
2. The Ward Law Group, PL
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bus accidents, personal injury, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Multi-vehicle collisions, rear-end accidents, T-bone collisions, Uber and Lyft accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, medical records collection, lost wage documentation, pain and suffering claims
Background: Founded by Attorney Gregory C. Ward and Jany Martinez-Ward. The firm has over 30 years of combined legal experience and has recovered more than $500 million in compensation for clients. The Ward Law Group has secured over 23 settlements exceeding $1 million, including a settlement exceeding $100 million. The firm focuses on serving the Hispanic community and is one of the fastest-growing personal injury law firms in the country. Services are available in both English and Spanish.
Location: Miami Lakes, FL (additional offices in Orlando/Kissimmee, FL and New York City, NY)
Contact: 855-DOLOR-55 (855-365-6755) | https://www.855dolor55.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, contingency fee arrangement, services in English and Spanish
3. Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, P.A.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, construction accidents, defective products, medical malpractice, premises liability, cruise ship accidents, Uber/Lyft accidents, workers’ compensation, admiralty and maritime law
Case Types Handled: Multi-vehicle collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, forklift accidents, work-related accidents, slip and fall accidents, maritime injuries, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, punitive damage claims, workers’ compensation claims, maritime law claims, accident investigation
Background: The firm has represented accident victims in and around Miami since 1976. The Miami car accident lawyers have nearly 100 years of combined experience. The firm holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. One partner belongs to The Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The firm maintains an open door policy allowing clients to call at any time to speak with an attorney. Notable results include $16.6 million roofer fall, $11.5 million electrical injury, $6.5 million negligent security, $6 million forklift injury, $5.45 million motorbike crash, and $5.8 million tire defect. Members of American Association for Justice, Florida Justice Association, and The National Trial Lawyers.
Location: Miami, Florida (serving South Florida)
Contact: (877) 448-8585 | https://www.floridainjurylawyer.pro
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
4. Leesfield & Partners
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, cruise ship accidents, boating and water-related accidents, premises liability, scooter and moped accidents
Case Types Handled: Multi-vehicle collisions, commercial trucking accidents, motorcycle crashes, maritime accidents, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, appellate proceedings, federal and state court litigation, accident investigation, expert witness coordination
Background: Founded in Miami-Dade County in 1976, Leesfield & Partners has six decades of experience in personal injury law. Managing partner Ira H. Leesfield leads the firm. The firm includes board-certified trial lawyers and has secured record-setting verdicts and settlements. The firm is 100% plaintiff-oriented and does not represent insurance companies. The firm has won major cases throughout Florida in both Federal and State Courts. Attorneys include Justin B. Shapiro, Carlos A. Fabano, Eric Shane, Evan Robinson, and Bernardo Pimentel II. The firm represents clients from South America, Europe, and Canada in addition to Florida residents.
Location: Miami, Florida (additional offices in Key West and Orlando/Central Florida)
Contact: (800) 836-6400 | https://www.leesfield.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement, Spanish-speaking services available
5. Wolfson & Leon
Practice Focus: Car accidents, personal injury, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Car crashes, multi-vehicle accidents, rear-end collisions, pedestrian accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, medical records collection, lost wage documentation, pain and suffering claims, appellate proceedings
Background: A boutique law firm that practices entirely in the field of accident, injury, and wrongful death cases. Lawyer Jerome Wolfson, Esq. began practicing personal injury law in Miami in 1963. Jonah Wolfson, Esq. has been practicing for 13 years and received the Chicago-Kent Young Alumni Award from his law school. The firm provides personalized attention and handles cases from initial investigation through trial and appeals. The firm evaluates the unique circumstances of each case to determine appropriate claim values.
Location: Miami, Florida (also serves Fort Lauderdale)
Contact: https://www.wolfsonlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Florida
Statute of Limitations: Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims based on negligence is two years from the date of injury. This deadline was reduced from four years effective March 24, 2023, as part of House Bill 837 tort reform. For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is also two years from the date of death. Missing these deadlines bars recovery of compensation. Claims against government entities require filing a notice of claim within 180 days of the accident, after which the agency has 180 days to respond before a lawsuit can be filed.
No-Fault Insurance System: Florida operates under a no-fault auto insurance system. After a car accident, injured parties first file claims with their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance regardless of who was at fault. PIP coverage pays for 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages up to the policy limits. Florida law requires all drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage and $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage.
14-Day Rule: Under Florida law, accident victims must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to qualify for PIP insurance benefits. Failure to see a medical provider within this window forfeits PIP coverage for the accident.
Serious Injury Threshold: Florida’s no-fault system limits lawsuits for pain and suffering unless the victim’s injuries meet the “serious injury threshold.” Victims can step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver if their injuries result in 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.
Modified Comparative Negligence: Effective March 24, 2023, Florida changed from pure comparative negligence to modified comparative negligence under HB 837. Under the new rule, injured parties found to be 50% or more at fault for an accident are completely barred from recovering any compensation. If found less than 50% at fault, compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the injured party. This is a significant change from the prior system, which allowed recovery even if the injured party was 99% at fault (reduced proportionally).
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Florida requires all drivers to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage. Florida does not require bodily injury liability coverage, though it is strongly recommended. Note: Florida is scheduled to repeal mandatory PIP coverage starting July 1, 2026.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: UM/UIM coverage is not mandatory in Florida but is available. This coverage protects policyholders when they are injured by a driver who has no insurance or insufficient insurance to cover damages.
Damage Caps: Recent tort reform introduced caps on non-economic damages and punitive damages in most negligence claims. Attorney fee structures and fee-shifting arrangements were also modified under HB 837.
Dram Shop Liability: Florida has limited dram shop liability. Generally, establishments that serve alcohol are not liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons unless they served alcohol to a minor or to a person “habitually addicted” to alcohol.
Accident Reporting Requirements: Florida law requires drivers to report accidents to law enforcement if there is an injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Florida’s new statute of limitations for car accident claims?
As of March 24, 2023, Florida reduced the statute of limitations for negligence-based personal injury claims from four years to two years. This means anyone injured in a car accident after this date has only two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. This shortened timeline applies to car accidents, slip and fall cases, and other negligence-based claims. Accidents that occurred before March 24, 2023 remain subject to the four-year deadline. Given this compressed timeframe, it is critical to consult with an attorney promptly after an accident to preserve your right to seek compensation. Waiting too long may result in permanent loss of your legal rights.
How does Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my car accident claim?
Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence system (effective March 24, 2023), you can recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000. Critically, if you are found 50% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. This is a significant change from Florida’s prior pure comparative negligence system, which allowed recovery even at 99% fault. Insurance companies now have greater incentive to argue that claimants share substantial fault, making thorough documentation and legal representation more important than ever.
What is the 14-day rule for PIP coverage in Florida?
Florida law requires accident victims to seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance benefits. If you do not see a medical provider within this 14-day window, you forfeit your right to PIP coverage for that accident. This rule applies regardless of whether your injuries seem minor immediately after the accident. Some injuries, particularly soft tissue injuries or concussions, may not manifest symptoms until days later. For this reason, it is strongly advisable to seek medical evaluation promptly after any car accident in Florida, even if you feel fine initially.
When can I sue outside Florida’s no-fault insurance system?
Florida’s no-fault system generally requires accident victims to first seek compensation through their own PIP insurance. However, you can step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet the “serious injury threshold.” This threshold 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. If your injuries meet this threshold, you can pursue compensation for pain and suffering, full medical expenses beyond PIP limits, and other damages from the at-fault party. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether your injuries qualify.
What damages can I recover after a car accident in Miami?
If your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, you may pursue various categories of damages beyond PIP benefits. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be available, though recent tort reform has introduced caps on these damages. Because Florida now uses modified comparative negligence, your total recovery will be reduced by any percentage of fault attributed to you, and you receive nothing if found 50% or more at fault.