Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Miami Gardens
If you were hit by a moving vehicle as a pedestrian in Miami Gardens, then you’re probably dealing with more than just physical pain. At The Andres Lopez Law Firm, we are aware of the monetary hardships that victims of pedestrian accidents may endure. Our Miami Gardens, FL pedestrian accident lawyer has been handling personal injury cases throughout South Florida for many years. If you’ve been injured, we hope to be the support you need today.
Why Choose The Andres Lopez Law Firm for Pedestrian Accidents in Miami Gardens, FL?
Experience Handling Florida Pedestrian Cases
Attorney Andres Lopez has been practicing personal injury law in Florida since 2009 and has handled pedestrian accident cases throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County for over 10 years. He’s licensed in Florida and Maryland, admitted to the Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Florida, and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. He understands how Florida courts approach these cases, how adjusters build arguments to reduce your payout, and what it actually takes to get you the payment you deserve. A personal injury lawyer in Miami Gardens, FL who knows this community brings real advantages when liability is contested.
Mr. Lopez was named a Florida Rising Star in 2015 and 2016, and was inducted into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is a distinction limited to attorneys who have obtained million-dollar or multi-million-dollar results for clients.
Results That Speak to Our Commitment
We’ve helped our clients recover millions of dollars across a wide range of personal injury cases. Among our notable results is a $1,000,000 recovery in a wrongful death case involving Uber misconduct. We are not afraid to take a case to trial if that’s what it takes to get a fair result for our clients.
No Fees Until We Win
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis for pedestrian accident cases. You don’t pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. That means no upfront costs and no hourly billing. Your financial situation right now should not determine whether you are able to get legal representation.
What Our Clients Say
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“I’m so grateful for attorney Andres and his firm. They help after my accident and guided me through the entire process, explained everything clearly, and always kept me updated. They truly fought for my best interests and made a stressful situation so much easier to handle.” — Laura Romy
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Miami Gardens
Pedestrian accident claims in Miami Gardens can arise from many different circumstances. The common thread is a driver who failed to pay attention, or a roadway condition that put someone in harm’s way. Here is what we handle:
- Crosswalk accidents. Drivers running red lights or failing to yield when a pedestrian has the right of way cause some of the most serious injuries we see. These cases often involve clear liability, but insurers may still fight them.
- Hit-and-run collisions. When the driver flees, victims have options, including uninsured motorist coverage and law enforcement records. We help piece the case together when the at-fault party can’t be immediately identified.
- Distracted driving accidents. A driver looking at a phone for just a few seconds can cover a significant distance without scanning the road. These accidents are increasingly common and often devastating for pedestrians.
- Rideshare vehicle accidents. Uber and Lyft drivers navigating unfamiliar streets in Miami Gardens create specific risks for pedestrians. Insurance coverage in these cases is layered and complicated.
- Wrongful death. When a pedestrian accident is fatal, surviving family members have the right to pursue compensation for their loss. We handle wrongful death claims arising out of pedestrian collisions, including those involving rideshare vehicles and commercial drivers.
- Catastrophic injuries. Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles at any speed face the risk of life-altering harm, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and amputations. These cases require careful documentation and the ability to project long-term losses accurately.
Florida Legal Requirements for Pedestrian Accidents
Several Florida laws directly affect pedestrian accident cases, and understanding them matters whether you were crossing with the signal or walking along a shoulder.
Florida Statute § 316.130. This statute governs pedestrian rights and driver obligations at crosswalks and intersections. Under this law, a driver at a signalized intersection must stop and remain stopped while a pedestrian lawfully crosses. Where there’s no signal, drivers are still required to yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk. Violations of § 316.130 are often central to establishing driver negligence in pedestrian accident cases.
Florida’s modified comparative fault rule. Updated by HB 837 and codified in Fla. Stat. § 768.81, means that if you are found more than 50 percent responsible for the accident, you may not be allowed to recover any damages at all. Insurance companies know this, and their adjusters may look for any evidence that puts you over that threshold. If you were crossing mid-block, wearing dark clothing at night, or stepping into the street without checking traffic, this can all be used against you.
Statute of limitations. For pedestrian accidents occurring after March 24, 2023, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit under Fla. Stat. § 95.11. That window of time closes faster than most people expect, especially when medical treatment extends for months. Do not wait until the deadline is near to consult an attorney.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Miami Gardens Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrian accident victims in Miami Gardens, FL may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages, and in certain cases, punitive damages.
Economic damages include the actual, documented financial losses tied to your injury. This can be medical bills, emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, ongoing treatment, lost wages for the time you’ve been unable to work, and projected future lost income if the injury affects your long-term earning capacity. Out-of-pocket costs like transportation to medical appointments and home care assistance also fall into this category.
Non-economic damages address the losses that don’t come with a receipt. The most discussed category is pain and suffering, but it can also include emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact on your daily routines and relationships. Pedestrian accident injuries, particularly back and spine injuries and traumatic brain injuries, often produce non-economic losses that are harder to quantify but can be the most significant part of a claim.
Punitive damages are reserved for cases where the defendant’s conduct goes beyond ordinary negligence, such as drunk driving, extreme recklessness, or willful disregard for others. Punitive damages are not available in every case, but when the facts support them, they can significantly increase a recovery.
Florida’s comparative fault rules mean that any damages awarded will be reduced in proportion to your own share of fault, provided that share doesn’t exceed 50 percent. This is why how your case is investigated and presented matters from the very start.
Contact The Andres Lopez Law Firm
If you or a family member was injured in a pedestrian accident in Miami Gardens, don’t let the insurance company shape the narrative. We offer free consultations for pedestrian accident cases, and we’re available 24/7 with live call answering. There are no fees unless we recover for you. The sooner you reach out, the better positioned we are to preserve evidence and build your claim. Contact us as soon as possible to discuss what happened and so we can move forward with your case.