1. Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers
Focus Area: Catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases with extensive trial experience
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, cruise ship accidents, maritime accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, crime victim representation, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, burn injuries, wrongful death
Background: Founded by Philip M. Gerson in 1970, the firm has over 100 years of collective attorney experience exclusively representing plaintiffs. The senior partner holds a Preeminent AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell and has tried over 350 jury trials to verdict. The firm is recognized in South Florida Business Review’s “Top Lawyers” listings and Super Lawyers publications. The firm deliberately remains small to provide personalized service on each case.
Location: Miami, Florida (Dade County)
Contact: (305) 371-6000 | https://www.injuryattorneyfla.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee (no fees unless compensation is recovered)
2. Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers
Focus Area: Personal injury with emphasis on insurance company litigation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, boating accidents, pedestrian accidents
Background: The firm has over 100 years of combined attorney experience handling complex personal injury cases. The legal team has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for accident victims in South Florida. The firm operates with a no-win, no-fee guarantee and has experience litigating against major insurance companies, corporations, and hospitals.
Location: Miami, Florida
Contact: (305) 937-0191 | https://shakedlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee structure (client owes nothing if case is not won)
3. Steinger, Greene & Feiner
Focus Area: Personal injury throughout South Florida with emphasis on motor vehicle accidents
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall, premises liability, wrongful death, rideshare accidents
Background: The firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients throughout its history. The legal team handles cases throughout Miami-Dade County and maintains an office at 150 SE 2nd Ave, Suite 338, Miami. In 2024, Miami-Dade County recorded 19,626 injury crashes resulting in 29,350 reported injuries, making experienced local counsel important for navigating these claims.
Location: 150 SE 2nd Ave Suite 338, Miami, FL 33131
Contact: (305) 506-4227 | https://www.injurylawyers.com/miami/
Consultation: Free consultation offered, contingency fee arrangement
4. Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, P.A.
Focus Area: Complex personal injury litigation including medical malpractice, birth injury, and institutional abuse
Practice Areas: Medical malpractice, birth injury, brain injury, hazing cases, nursing home abuse, product liability, catastrophic injury, wrongful death
Background: Established in 1984, the firm maintains a limited caseload to invest substantial resources in each case. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars and established legal precedents improving consumer safety, patient rights, and public health. In 2025, partner David W. Bianchi was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by Florida Chapters of American Board of Trial Advocates. Partners Larry Stewart (1994) and Gary Fox (2013) also received this honor, making the firm the only Florida firm with three recipients. Two firm members are in the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
Location: Downtown Miami, Florida
Contact: (305) 770-6335 | https://www.stfblaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
5. Hickey Law Firm
Focus Area: Maritime law, cruise ship injuries, and serious personal injury
Practice Areas: Cruise ship accidents, boating accidents, maritime injuries, car accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries (traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, burn injuries, amputations)
Background: Jack Hickey spent 17 years representing cruise lines and self-insured corporations before switching to plaintiff work. He is double Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Civil Trial Law and Admiralty & Maritime Law, and Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. The firm has represented clients against every major cruise line and handles claims throughout Florida and nationwide. The firm has over 60 years of combined maritime and injury experience.
Location: Miami, Florida
Contact: (305) 371-8000 | https://www.hickeylawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee (no payment until and unless compensation is recovered)
Personal Injury Laws in Florida
Statute of Limitations
Florida significantly reduced the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in March 2023 through House Bill 837 (HB 837). For accidents occurring after March 24, 2023, injured parties have only two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. This applies to car accidents, slip and fall cases, and other negligence-based claims. Previously, the deadline was four years.
Wrongful death claims also carry a two-year statute of limitations under the Florida Wrongful Death Act. Medical malpractice cases have a two-year limit with a four-year statute of repose, meaning no claim can be filed more than four years after the medical error regardless of when the injury was discovered.
Claims against government entities require additional procedures, including filing a notice of claim with the appropriate agency, which then has 180 days to investigate and respond.
Negligence Rule
Florida changed from pure comparative negligence to modified comparative negligence as part of the 2023 tort reform under HB 837. Under the current system:
If you are 50% or less at fault for an accident, you can recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
If you are more than 50% at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages.
This represents a significant change from the previous pure comparative negligence system, where plaintiffs could recover damages even if they were 99% at fault (though reduced by that percentage).
Damage Caps
Florida does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases. However, specific limitations exist:
Punitive Damages: Generally capped at three times compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater. In medical malpractice cases, punitive damages are capped at $500,000 against medical providers or $750,000 against non-practitioners such as hospitals.
Government Claims: Recovery against government entities is limited to $200,000 against a single agency or $300,000 against multiple agencies under the state’s sovereign immunity waiver.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Florida operates under a no-fault auto insurance system, meaning drivers turn to their own insurance for coverage of medical expenses and certain losses regardless of who caused an accident.
Required minimum coverage includes:
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $10,000 minimum, covering 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages up to policy limits
Property Damage Liability (PDL): $10,000 minimum
Unlike most states, Florida does not require bodily injury liability coverage, though it is highly recommended. PIP coverage is primary, and you must receive initial medical treatment within 14 days of an accident to qualify for benefits. Full PIP benefits ($10,000) require a medical provider to determine you had an “emergency medical condition”; otherwise, benefits may be limited to $2,500.
To step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, your injuries must meet a “serious injury” threshold: significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I’m injured as a tourist in Miami and I live in another state?
As a visitor injured in Miami, Florida law will generally apply to your case. You have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. You may need to file your case in Florida courts, though you can work with an attorney remotely. Cruise ship passengers face different rules and typically must file suit in the city designated in the cruise ticket contract, which is often Miami for most major cruise lines. Passengers have only one year to file suit against cruise lines. Regardless of where you live, an experienced Miami personal injury attorney can represent your interests.
How does Florida’s 14-day rule for PIP benefits affect my car accident claim?
Florida law requires you to receive initial medical treatment within 14 days of an auto accident to be eligible for Personal Injury Protection benefits. If you do not seek any medical attention within this window, you lose access to your PIP coverage entirely. Even if your symptoms seem minor initially, getting examined within 14 days preserves your right to these benefits. A medical provider must also determine whether you have an “emergency medical condition” to access the full $10,000 in PIP benefits rather than the reduced $2,500 limit.
Can I sue for damages if I was partially at fault for my Miami accident?
Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule enacted in 2023, you can recover damages only if you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If a jury or adjuster determines you were 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover any compensation. If you are found 30% at fault, for example, your damages would be reduced by 30%. Insurance companies will attempt to assign as much fault as possible to you to reduce or eliminate your claim, making evidence preservation and prompt legal consultation important.
What should I know about filing a claim after an injury at a Miami hotel, shopping mall, or entertainment venue?
Premises liability claims require proving that the property owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to address it. Document the hazard immediately if possible, report the incident to management, and seek witness contact information. Keep all medical records and receipts. Under Florida law, you have two years to file a lawsuit. Property owners and their insurers will investigate to determine whether you contributed to your own injury, which under modified comparative negligence could reduce or eliminate your recovery.
How do boating accident claims differ from car accident claims in the Miami and Biscayne Bay area?
Boating accidents on navigable waters fall under maritime law, which has different rules than Florida motor vehicle law. There is no PIP or no-fault coverage for boating accidents, so you typically must prove the other party’s negligence to recover damages. Different time limits may apply depending on whether state or federal maritime law governs. If a commercial vessel or charter operation was involved, additional regulations and potential liable parties come into play. An attorney with specific admiralty and maritime experience is important for these claims.