Personal Injury Lawyer in Miami, FL

Serving Personal Injury Clients Across Florida

You may not be able to prevent another person’s negligence from causing harm, but you can pursue accountability for your injuries. At Morales & Cerino, P.A., we represent people injured in accidents caused by negligent actions. Our Miami law firm has served Florida for more than 20 years, and our attorneys bring over 100 years of combined experience.

Our experience covers a wide range of personal injury situations. We understand Florida law and navigate the legal system on your behalf, whether your injuries resulted from a car crash or a complex workplace incident. We tailor our representation to your circumstances and address your needs throughout the claim.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Miami

At Morales & Cerino, P.A., we provide personalized assistance to each client and consider every aspect of the injury and its effects.

Some of the personal injury cases we represent include:

• Car accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Bus accidents
• Truck accidents
• Construction accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Premises liability
• Hialeah product liability cases
• Workplace injuries
• Wrongful death
• And more

Accidents can happen anywhere, from slip-and-fall accidents in Wynwood to motor vehicle accidents on I-95. We examine the circumstances of your injury, the available evidence, and the losses it caused when pursuing your claim.

Types of Damages You Can Recover in a Personal Injury Claim in FL

Our personal injury attorneys assess the immediate costs and long-term effects of your accident. We document how your injuries have affected your health, income, and daily life. The damages available depend on the facts of your claim and the evidence supporting each loss.

Depending on the details of your case, potential damages may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and a loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship and consortium
• Mental anguish

If your loved one died in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, eligible survivors may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances, potential damages may include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, emotional distress, your loved one’s final medical expenses, and loss of consortium.

Understanding Florida’s Personal Injury Laws

Florida’s personal injury laws include fault rules and filing deadlines that can affect whether and how you pursue compensation. The rules that apply depend on the type of claim, when it accrued, and other circumstances.

Examples of Florida’s personal injury laws include:

• Modified Comparative Negligence System: Florida generally reduces your recoverable damages by the percentage of fault attributed to you. In many negligence claims, you can be barred from recovering damages if you’re found more than 50% responsible.
• Negligence Filing Deadline: Under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5)(a), negligence claims accruing on or after March 24, 2023, generally must be filed within two years of the injury. Claims that accrued before that date may be subject to a different deadline.
• Wrongful Death Filing Deadline: Under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5)(e), such an action generally must be filed within two years of the date of death.

Exceptions and claim-specific rules can change these deadlines. We review the relevant dates, available evidence, and potential allocation of fault so that you understand how Florida law applies to your circumstances.

Personal Injury Protection Benefits After a Florida Car Accident

Florida motor vehicle insurance policies generally include personal injury protection benefits regardless of who caused the crash. Qualifying coverage may provide up to $10,000 in medical and disability benefits and $5,000 in death benefits, subject to policy terms and statutory requirements.

Personal injury protection generally pays 80% of your reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost gross income and earning capacity caused by a covered injury. You generally must receive initial services and care within 14 days of the crash for medical benefits to apply. These benefits are separate from a broader injury claim against an at-fault party.

Miami Personal Injury FAQs

After an accident, your immediate decisions, available evidence, and approach to the insurance claim can affect what happens next. These answers address common concerns about protecting your health and legal options.

What Should I Do Immediately After an Accident According to a Miami Injury Lawyer?

Prioritize your safety and move out of harm’s way if possible. Call emergency services to report the accident and request medical assistance. Document the scene by taking photos, gathering witness contact information, and writing down your recollection of what happened. Even if your injuries seem minor, seek medical attention as soon as possible to identify potential issues and preserve records relevant to a future claim.

How Can I Prove Negligence in a Miami Personal Injury Case?

Proving negligence typically requires evidence of four elements: duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. The defendant must have owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused an injury that resulted in damages. Witness testimony, expert opinions, medical records, photographs, video, and physical evidence from the scene may support these elements.

Why Is It Important to Hire a Local Miami Injury Lawyer?

A local attorney’s familiarity with Miami-area legal systems and community dynamics can inform how your claim is prepared and presented. We use our knowledge of the area and Florida personal injury law to provide representation responsive to the circumstances surrounding your accident.

Can I Handle a Personal Injury Claim Without a Lawyer?

You can handle a personal injury claim on your own, but insurance issues, evidence requirements, fault disputes, and filing deadlines can make the process challenging. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, and without legal guidance, you may risk accepting less than you deserve or missing key deadlines. We can investigate your accident, communicate about the claim, assess your documented losses, and explain your available legal options.

How a Personal Injury Claim Progresses

Your personal injury matter begins with an evaluation of the accident, your injuries, and the available evidence. During a complimentary case review, we consider the known facts and identify issues that may require further investigation.

The general progression may include:

• Initial Evaluation: We review how the accident occurred, the parties involved, and the losses associated with your injury.
• Investigation: We gather critical evidence, which may include accident records, photographs, witness information, medical documentation, and other materials relevant to your claim.
• Evidence Review: We assess the available documentation and may collaborate with appropriate experts when necessary to support an issue in your claim.
• Claim Discussions: Your claim may proceed through communications and negotiations with the responsible parties or their insurers.
• Litigation: When a dispute isn’t resolved, your claim may proceed through the court process, subject to the facts and applicable law.

The exact path depends on the nature of your accident, the evidence, disputed legal issues, and how the other parties respond.