Miami-Dade Auto Accident Attorneys
Miami-Dade County is among the most populous regions of Florida, with a majority of residents relying on motor vehicles for transportation. Indeed, more than 15 percent of all reported motor vehicle collisions in the state occur in Miami-Dade County, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, with a total of 24,228 nonfatal injuries and 314 fatalities in the county in 2020 alone. Were you recently injured in a traffic crash in South Florida? A dedicated and aggressive Miami-Dade auto accident attorney can assess your case for you today and can begin speaking with you about options for seeking compensation.
Causes of Miami-Dade Auto Accidents
Many different causes for auto accidents exist in Miami-Dade, including but not limited to the following:
- Distracted driving;
- Drunk driving;
- Drugged driving;
- Speeding;
- Red-light running;
- Weaving in traffic;
- Following too closely, or tailgating;
- Fatigued driving;
- Defective auto parts;
- Careless maintenance work; and
- Hazardous road conditions.
Florida’s Injury Threshold and Miami-Dade Traffic Collision Cases
To file a lawsuit after a motor vehicle collision in Miami-Dade, you must show that you meet Florida’s serious injury threshold. Under Florida law, the following types of injuries meet the threshold and allow for lawsuits against liable parties:
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function;
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, other than scarring or disfigurement;
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement; or
- Death.
Statute of Limitations for Your Miami-Dade Auto Accident Lawsuit
Under Florida law, most auto accident lawsuits must be filed within four years from the date of the collision. Keep in mind, however, that you will only be eligible to file a lawsuit if you cannot obtain sufficient compensation through your PIP coverage and you meet the serious injury threshold required by Florida law. Since auto insurance claims can last for quite some time, you can lose track of the clock that is ticking on your case. By working with a Miami-Dade motor vehicle accident attorney on your case from the start, you can ensure that your lawsuit will be filed in a timely manner.
You should also know that the statute of limitations is different for a wrongful death lawsuit. If you are seeking damages after a loved one’s death in a collision, the statute of limitations is only two years and begins ticking on the date of the deceased’s death. If a lawsuit is not filed before the statute of limitations runs out, either for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, then the lawsuit will become what is known as “time-barred” under Florida law.
Seek Advice from Our Miami-Dade Auto Accident Attorneys
Motor vehicle accidents happen more often in Miami-Dade than most other counties in Florida, and vehicle occupants as well as pedestrians and bicyclists suffer serious injuries. If you were injured, it is time to get in touch with our aggressive Miami-Dade auto accident attorneys to find out more about seeking financial compensation for your losses. Our firm can assist you with all aspects of your auto insurance claim and your auto accident lawsuit. Contact Meldon Law to learn more about filing a claim.
