Miami Gardens Car Accident Lawyer
Miami Gardens is located in Miami-Dade County, where heavy traffic, busy highways, and congested local roads create serious risks for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. When a crash happens, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Medical bills, missed work, insurance calls, and uncertainty about the future can make it difficult to know what to do next.
Reviewed by: James D. Payer
When you or someone you love is involved in a crash, a Miami Gardens car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and pursue justice. Payer Law is ready to fight for you. We offer free consultations, and we don’t charge legal fees unless we win. Contact us online or give us a call at (305) 363-7099 to learn more.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Payer Law After a Miami Gardens Car Accident
- Why Is Miami Gardens So Dangerous for Car Accidents?
- Common Causes of Car Accidents in Miami Gardens
- Common Injuries We See in Miami Gardens Car Accident Cases
- Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Miami Gardens
- Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System & What It Means for Your Claim
- Third-Party Car Accident Lawsuits in Miami Gardens
- Damages You Can Pursue in a Car Accident Lawsuit in Miami Gardens
- What to Do After a Car Accident in Miami Gardens
- How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Miami Gardens?
- Contact a Miami Gardens Car Accident Lawyer at Payer Law Today
Why Choose Payer Law After a Miami Gardens Car Accident
Car accident cases can be complicated, so it is important to have an experienced advocate on your side. James D. Payer has spent 30 years fighting for crash victims, and Payer Law has recovered more than $100 million for injured clients, including a $27.56 million result in a rear-end accident case.
Our record has earned us membership in the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, as well as many positive client reviews. We also provide compassionate, responsive support throughout the legal process. Our bilingual staff helps us serve Spanish-speaking accident victims, and our direct attorney-client communication means you will know who is handling your case from the start.
Our Miami office is about 15 miles from Miami Gardens, making in-person meetings convenient. We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no legal fees unless we win compensation for you. Call today for a free case evaluation.
Why Is Miami Gardens So Dangerous for Car Accidents?
As Florida’s crash data systems and mapping show, Miami Gardens has several road conditions that can increase the risk of serious auto accidents. The city is near major highways, high-speed arterial roads, busy intersections, and the Golden Glades Interchange, where traffic from I-95, Florida’s Turnpike, and the Palmetto Expressway converges. The City of Miami Gardens’ bicycle and pedestrian mobility planning also highlights the need for safer travel conditions for people walking, biking, and driving throughout the area.
Miami Gardens is more dangerous than many other areas because the area’s high-speed arterial roads and complex interchanges create conditions that lead to serious crashes and severe injuries. Some of the riskiest areas include:
- The Golden Glades bottleneck: High-speed accidents occur often due to driver confusion where I-95, the Palmetto Expressway, and the Turnpike converge
- Arterial speed zones: NW 27th Ave and Miami Gardens Drive are speed zones that combine high-velocity traffic with heavy pedestrian activity, leading to serious crashes with walkers in the area
- Stadium event surges: The area around Hard Rock Stadium can be a site of frequent crashes due to extreme congestion, including many out-of-town drivers who are distracted.
The area also has a high volume of hit-and-runs and Miami-Dade car accident statistics show the issue is ongoing. A hit and run accident lawyer can help you understand your options in these cases.
Unfortunately, high accident rates put motorists, pedestrians, and others on the road in jeopardy.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Miami Gardens
There are many reasons Miami Gardens crashes occur. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in the area include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Speeding, especially on I-95 and the Palmetto
- Reckless driving and aggressive lane changes
- Running red lights or failing to yield
- Distracted Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare drivers
- Weather issues, including South Florida rainstorms that reduce visibility
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
A Miami Gardens personal injury lawyer can help you determine the cause of your accident. This is important because, while Florida no-fault insurance, or Florida PIP insurance, limits you to making a claim against another driver only if your injuries are serious, there are still many crashes where you can sue an irresponsible driver.
Common Injuries We See in Miami Gardens Car Accident Cases
At Payer Law, we’ve spent decades fighting for car accident victims. We’ve seen the types of injuries that crashes can cause. Unfortunately, many people initially don’t realize how serious their injuries are and discover over time that their impairment is more severe or their damage more permanent than expected.
You must know the full extent of the harm you’ve endured, so you can recover compensation for lasting impairments like severe injuries from speeding accidents or back injuries after a car accident. That’s why getting medical help right away is essential.
Some of the most common injuries our attorneys have seen in the aftermath of an accident include:
- Whiplash & soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Fractures and broken bones
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Internal organ injuries and bleeding
- Burns
- Psychological injuries (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression)
Always discuss all of your injuries with a Miami Gardens auto accident lawyer, especially if you aren’t sure how bad the damage is. At Payer Law, our attorneys will help you learn what your case may be worth so you get the money you need to get care and rebuild.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Miami Gardens
For more than 30 years, Payer Law has focused on helping victims of all different types of Miami Gardens car accidents. Some of the different kinds of cases where we represent clients include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Intersection and T-bone accidents
- Hit-and-run incidents
- Highway and expressway crashes
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle wrecks
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups
- Rollover accidents
- Head-on collisions
Florida's No-Fault Insurance System & What It Means for Your Claim
You must understand Florida’s no-fault insurance rules after a crash. Under Fla. Stat. § 627.737, you can only make a car accident claim if your injuries caused “significant” and permanent loss of an important bodily function, or permanent injuries, including significant scarring.
If your injuries are minor, you can recover compensation from your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. PIP generally pays 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost income, subject to policy limits. Florida PIP benefits are generally capped at $10,000, but medical benefits may be limited to $2,500 if the provider determines the injured person did not have an emergency medical condition.
Third-Party Car Accident Lawsuits in Miami Gardens
PIP generally doesn’t provide enough money for serious injuries. If your damages are extensive because your injuries are permanent or cause severe impairment, you can sue the driver responsible for the accident. If another driver caused a fatal crash, it’s also possible to make a wrongful death claim.
Suing another driver can help you get more compensation so you can truly be “made whole” or fully paid for the damage done. A car accident lawyer in Miami Gardens will evaluate your case to determine if your claim is severe enough to pursue a case within Florida’s no-fault system.
Damages You Can Pursue in a Car Accident Lawsuit in Miami Gardens
You should be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages if you can file a car accident lawsuit in Miami Gardens.
Economic Damages:
Economic damages are damages for actual financial loss, including:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket costs (transportation to medical appointments, home modifications)
Non-Economic Damages:
Non-economic damages are for non-financial loss and include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement and scarring
It’s important to remember that Florida also follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you are partly responsible for the crash, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are rare in car accident cases, but they may be pursued in limited cases involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence, such as extreme impairment or other especially reckless conduct.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Miami Gardens
After an accident in Miami Gardens, some of the key steps to take include the following:
- Call 911 and get medical attention, even if you feel fine: Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent, so you must get those diagnosed and documented.
- Report the accident to Miami Gardens Police: Reporting is required under Fla. Stat. § 316.065 if the accident caused injury, death, or $500 or more in property damage
- Document the scene: Take photos, get contact information for witnesses, and get the other driver’s insurance information. This will help you take legal action.
- Seek medical treatment within 14 days: You must get care within 14 days to protect your Personal Injury Protection claim. It’s also a good idea to document your injuries so you’ll have proof of harm if you sue the other driver.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance: Insurers look for reasons not to pay, so you don’t want to say anything that jeopardizes your claim.
- Keep records of every bill, receipt, and appointment: These records show the extent of your damage and demonstrate your financial loss.
- Contact a Miami Gardens car accident lawyer before accepting any settlement: A Miami Gardens car accident attorney will help you understand what your case is worth.
Make sure your lawyer has experience with your specific case type. For example, you may want a rideshare accident lawyer or pedestrian accident lawyer who knows the right legal arguments to make if you were involved in a crash with an Uber or Lyft driver or while walking.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Miami Gardens?
You must file your claim within the statute of limitations in Florida. There is a two-year statute of limitations for crashes on or after March 24, 2023, under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5), and a four-year statute of limitations for crashes before that date.
The deadline for suing a government entity, which may be necessary if you were hit by a Miami Gardens City vehicle or Miami Dade bus, is shorter, as you have a three-year notice requirement.
While you have some time to pursue your case, you don’t want to wait. Evidence can fade, witnesses can disappear, and surveillance footage can be overwritten. Call an auto accident lawyer in Miami Gardens as soon as possible to get your case moving forward.
Contact a Miami Gardens Car Accident Lawyer at Payer Law Today
Navigating the legal system after a car accident is frightening, but you don’t have to face it alone.
Payer Law brings decades of experience to your case. Our Miami office is just 15 miles from Miami Gardens, and we are available 24/7 to support you after your accident and to advocate for you until justice is done.
Payer Law charges no legal fees unless we win, and our history of successful outcomes shows why it Pays to Call Payer. Just contact us online or give us a call at (305) 363-7099 today to schedule your free consultation with a Miami Gardens accident lawyer to get the support you need to fight for justice.
12000 Biscayne Blvd STE 503
Miami, FL 33181
(305) 363-7099
Hours: Open 24 hours daily
