Truck Accident Lawyer Miami Gardens, FL
If you’ve been hit by a commercial truck in Miami Gardens, then you are probably dealing with serious injuries, financial loss, and stress about what has just happened. Our Miami Gardens, FL truck accident lawyer has been helping victims of injury accidents for more than a decade. At The Andres Lopez Law Firm, founding attorney Andres Lopez understands the gravity of truck accidents in their degree of property damage and personal injury. For more information about your compensation, contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose The Andres Lopez Law Firm for Truck Accidents in Miami Gardens, FL?
Florida-Licensed Attorney With More Than 15 Years of Experience
Founding Attorney Andres Lopez is admitted to practice in Florida and Maryland, as well as the Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Florida, District Court of Maryland, and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. That federal court access matters, as federal regulations govern commercial trucking and claims against large carriers often end up in federal venues. If you need a personal injury lawyer, contact our team today for further assistance.
Mr. Lopez is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law. He was recognized as a Florida Rising Star in 2015 and 2016, and later inducted into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is a distinction limited to attorneys who have achieved million-dollar results for clients. His education and accolades show that he has the knowledge and proven success to handle his client’s cases with care.
Results That Reflect What’s at Stake
Trucking cases are among the highest-value personal injury claims because the injuries are often catastrophic. Our firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars across a range of personal injury matters, including a $1,000,000 result in a wrongful death case involving an Uber vehicle, and a $3,000,000 recovery under Maryland’s Child Victims Act. While results vary based on the case, our willingness to go to trial when the offer isn’t right gives us real leverage during negotiations.
Contingency Fee Representation
We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means no upfront costs and no hourly billing. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. In this way, you can pursue a serious case without worrying about whether you can afford an attorney.
What Our Clients Say
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“This law firm truly cares about its clients. I was nervous about dealing with insurance companies after my accident, but Alex and Andres handled everything with skill and professionalism. They took the time to explain everything to me and always kept me in the loop.” — Nathaly Alvarez
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Miami Gardens
Commercial vehicle crashes take many different forms, and the liable parties can include the driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, a maintenance contractor, or even a vehicle manufacturer. Here are examples of cases that our law firm has handled in the past or is fully capable of representing.
- Rear-end collisions by commercial trucks. An 80,000-pound semi rear-ending a passenger vehicle at highway speed can produce spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and worse. We investigate whether fatigued driving, distracted driving, or hours-of-service violations played a role.
- Jackknife accidents. When a tractor-trailer skids and the trailer swings outward, it can sweep multiple lanes of traffic. These crashes often happen in wet conditions or during emergency braking. We examine brake maintenance records and driver conduct.
- Catastrophic injuries. Spinal cord damage, amputations, severe burns, and permanent brain injuries are not uncommon in truck accident cases. Claims of this scale require thorough investigation and aggressive representation.
- Wrongful death. When a loved one does not survive a truck collision, the family may have a claim for lost income, loss of companionship, and funeral costs. Our Miami Gardens wrongful death practice handles these cases with the seriousness they deserve.
- Rideshare accidents. Some of the most complex collisions on South Florida roads involve a commercial truck, a rideshare vehicle, and multiple other cars. Sorting out liability across several parties takes focused legal attention.
- Car accidents. Not every truck crash involves a semi. Delivery trucks, box trucks, and other commercial vehicles cause serious harm and are governed by a distinct set of regulations.
Florida Legal Requirements for Truck Accident Cases
Several layers of law apply to commercial trucking crashes in Florida, where federal regulations, state statutes, and common law negligence principles all interact in these cases.
Federal Hours-of-Service Rules. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets strict limits on how long commercial drivers can operate without rest. Under FMCSA regulations, property-carrying drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, within a 14-hour on-duty window. Violations of these rules are a primary focus in any crash investigation involving driver fatigue. Logbook records, electronic logging device data, and dispatch communications can all serve as evidence.
Florida’s Two-Year Statute of Limitations. Under Florida Statute § 95.11, personal injury claims generally must be filed within two years of the date of the crash. If that deadline passes, the court will almost certainly dismiss the case regardless of how strong the facts are. This deadline makes early contact with an attorney important, so we can begin working on your case before the statute of limitations expires.
Modified Comparative Fault. Florida follows a modified comparative fault system under Florida Statute § 768.81. If a court finds you were partially at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. And under the 2023 amendment, if you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover at all. Trucking companies and their insurers commonly raise comparative fault arguments to minimize payouts. Knowing this defense before litigation can make a difference in the case outcome.
FMCSA Safety Regulations. Commercial carriers must comply with federal motor carrier safety regulations, covering vehicle maintenance, driver qualifications, cargo securement, and more. A carrier’s safety record, including prior violations, is often relevant evidence in a crash case. When these regulations are not followed, it can contribute to devastating accidents where people are seriously injured. Our team can review evidence to uncover if there was a violation of the FMCSA safety regulations.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Miami Gardens Truck Accident Case?
Truck accident victims in Florida can pursue several categories of compensation, depending on the specific facts of the case.
Economic Damages cover the concrete financial losses you have suffered and will continue to endure. These include medical expenses, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, assistive equipment, lost wages, property damage, and diminished future earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work.
Non-Economic Damages compensate for the harm done that does not come with a dollar figure. The most recognized category of this is pain and suffering, but this also covers emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the long-term psychological impact of a serious crash. These damages can be substantial in cases involving permanent injuries or emotional distress after a truck accident.
Punitive Damages are available in cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct. A carrier that knowingly allows an unqualified or fatigued driver to operate a commercial vehicle may be exposed to punitive damages beyond the compensatory amounts. These are not available in every case, but the potential for them can affect settlement negotiations significantly.
Florida does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, which means the full extent of your suffering can be placed before a jury. Insurers for large trucking companies know this, and it is one reason they often make early settlement offers that do not reflect the actual value of the claim. We understand that dynamic, and we factor it into how we build and present every case.
Contact The Andres Lopez Law Firm
If you or someone in your family was injured in a truck crash in Miami Gardens, FL, we are ready to offer support right away. Initial consultations are free, and we handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. Our office provides 24/7 live call answering so you can reach us when you need to, not just during business hours. Contact us to get started.