Car Accident Lawyer Miami Gardens, FL
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Miami Gardens, our team knows that you may be stressed about your injuries, are dealing with insurance companies, and facing financial hardships. We have been helping those wrongfully injured for more than 15 years, giving us the experience required to assist you during this difficult time. If you have questions about what to do after a car accident or are in need of compensation, reach out to us as soon as possible for a consultation.
Our Miami Gardens, FL car accident lawyer at The Andres Lopez Law Firm has been representing injured people across South Florida for more than a decade. We take cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover for you. If you’re ready to receive help, contact us today.
Why Choose The Andres Lopez Law Firm for Car Accidents in Miami Gardens, FL?
A Decade of Florida Personal Injury Experience
Founding Attorney Andres Lopez has been practicing law since 2006 in Maryland and since 2009 in Florida. He is licensed in both state and federal courts, including the Southern District of Florida, the Middle District of Florida, and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. That’s 15+ years handling the kinds of cases that show up on Miami-Dade roads every day, such as rear-end collisions, drunk driving crashes, multi-vehicle pileups, rideshare accidents, and more.
Mr. Lopez knows how insurance companies operate. He understands what adjusters are trained to do in the weeks right after a crash, and he knows how to counter it. If a case needs to go to trial, he is not afraid to take it to that next step. Many law firms settle readily, however, we don’t have that restriction and always seek maximum payment for our clients who have been hurt.
As a personal injury lawyer in Miami Gardens, FL, Attorney Lopez has handled the full range of motor vehicle claims, from soft tissue injuries to catastrophic crashes involving permanent disability. He earned recognition as a Florida Rising Star in both 2015 and 2016 and was inducted into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization that limits membership to attorneys who have obtained million-dollar verdicts or settlements.
Results That Reflect Real Stakes
Our firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars across personal injury, wrongful death, and motor vehicle cases. That includes a $1,000,000 resolution in an Uber wrongful death claim and multiple six-figure auto accident recoveries. These outcomes should show you that we are willing to fight for our clients who are in need. To help as many people as we can, we also offer legal services in Spanish. For Miami Gardens families navigating the legal system after an accident, being able to yield results that are fair and just makes the difference in our client’s recovery.
Contingency Fee Representation
Since we work on a contingency basis, you don’t owe us anything unless we win. That means there is no upfront retainer and no hourly billing while your case is pending. We take on the financial risk so you can focus on recovering.
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“I retained the Andres Lopez Law firm to assist me with an auto accident, they worked diligently to get me the best settlement possible. They kept me informed of my case and its progress. Thanks to Andres and Alex for being so exceptional.” — Joseph Fuentes
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Miami Gardens
Car crashes aren’t one-size-fits-all cases. We take the time to assess the facts, injuries, liable parties, and insurance coverage that can vary significantly depending on how the crash happened. We handle a wide range of collisions throughout Miami Gardens and Miami-Dade County.
- Rear-end collisions. These are among the most common crashes on South Florida roads, and they can cause serious neck and shoulder injuries even at low speeds. The at-fault driver’s insurer will often downplay the impact. We advocate strongly for you through using medical documentation, accident reconstruction, and other elements of evidence when needed.
- Drunk driving accidents. Crashes caused by impaired drivers often support claims for punitive damages beyond standard compensation. Florida’s roads see thousands of DUI-related crashes each year, and these cases require aggressive handling from the start.
- Rideshare accidents. Uber and Lyft crashes come with layered insurance questions, such as whether the driver was logged in, on a trip, or between rides changes for which policy applies. We handle Miami Gardens rideshare accident claims and understand how to navigate these disputes.
- Truck and commercial vehicle accidents. Crashes involving 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, and other commercial vehicles typically cause far more severe injuries. There are also more potentially liable parties, including the driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, or a maintenance contractor. These cases require immediate evidence preservation.
- Hit-and-run accidents. When the at-fault driver flees, your own uninsured motorist coverage becomes critical. Florida law requires insurers to offer this coverage, and we know how to investigate hit-and-run accidents and build claims when the responsible party is unknown.
- Multi-vehicle crashes. Accidents involving three or more cars raise complicated questions about shared fault. Florida’s modified comparative negligence rules mean your recovery can be reduced if you’re found partially responsible, which is exactly why having a Miami Gardens car accident attorney in your corner matters early.
Florida Legal Requirements for Car Accident Cases
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means after a crash, you first file a claim with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage regardless of who caused the accident. Under Florida Statute § 627.736, PIP covers 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, up to $10,000, but only if you seek initial medical care within 14 days of the crash. That 14-day window can come and go quickly, and missing it means your PIP benefits may be denied entirely.
To step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet Florida’s serious injury threshold. Under Florida Statute § 627.737, that means 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 also shifted to a modified comparative negligence standard in 2023. Under Florida Statute § 768.81, if you are found more than 50% at fault for the accident, you cannot recover damages. Below that threshold, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. That change makes how fault is assigned significantly more consequential than it used to be in previous years.
The statute of limitations for most car accident injury claims in Florida is two years from the date of the crash under Florida Statute § 95.11. By waiting too long it means you could lose your right to sue, regardless of how strong your case may be.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Miami Gardens Car Accident?
Florida law allows injured crash victims to pursue several categories of compensation, depending on the severity of the injuries and the circumstances of the collision. Damages that are recoverable can be economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages are the financial losses you can monetarily document. These can be medical bills, including ER visits, surgeries, imaging, physical therapy, and future care. Other economic damages can be lost wages from missed work, lost earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work going forward, property damage to your vehicle, and out-of-pocket expenses like transportation to appointments are also recoverable.
Non-economic damages cover what isn’t shown on an actual bill. This most commonly entails pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact the injuries have on your relationships and daily functioning. These damages can be substantial, particularly in cases involving permanent injuries, back and spine injuries, or traumatic brain injuries.
Punitive damages are available in limited circumstances where the at-fault driver’s conduct was particularly reckless or intentional. Florida courts allow punitive damages under Florida Statute § 768.72 when there is a reasonable basis for a claim that punitive damages are appropriate, and they require a higher evidentiary standard to pursue.
Insurance companies routinely challenge the value of non-economic damages. They use recorded statements, delayed treatment gaps, and prior medical history to argue your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim. Knowing these tactics going in, and having a car accident attorney in Miami Gardens who is prepared to counter them, can ultimately change the outcome.
Contact The Andres Lopez Law Firm
If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Miami Gardens, FL, don’t wait to get legal advice. We represent car accident victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning no fees unless we recover compensation for you. At The Andres Lopez Law Firm, we offer free consultations, and we have 24/7 live call answering so you can reach us when you need to. Contact us today to discuss your case further.