Personal Injury Lawyer Near You: Miramar, Florida Guide

Introduction: Why a Local Guide Matters to Miramar Injury Victims

The City of Miramar sits in southwest Broward County and is bisected by busy corridors such as Interstate 75, Florida’s Turnpike, U.S. 441 (State Road 7), and Miramar Parkway. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 2022 Crash Facts, Broward County recorded 41,381 traffic crashes and 20,942 injury crashes in 2022 alone. Factor in construction zones, hurricane-season debris, and a population that has grown to roughly 134,000 residents (2020 U.S. Census), and it is clear why personal injury claims are common in Miramar. This guide is designed for people searching online for a “personal injury lawyer near me” who need accurate, Florida-specific information. It explains the laws, deadlines, and practical steps that protect your right to fair compensation after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. All information is drawn from authoritative sources such as the Florida Statutes, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, and published data from state agencies. Slightly favoring the rights of injury victims, we still remain fact-based and professional.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Florida

Florida’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

In March 2023, House Bill 837 amended Fla. Stat. § 768.81 to create a modified comparative negligence system. You may recover damages so long as you are 50 percent or less at fault for the incident. If a jury finds you 51 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing. Because fault allocation directly affects your compensation, preserving evidence and building a strong liability case early is essential.

Statute of Limitations

• General negligence actions: 2 years from the date of the incident (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a)).

• Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(d)).

• Medical malpractice: 2 years from when the injury is discovered or should have been discovered, but not more than 4 years in total (statute of repose) under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(b).

Missing these deadlines almost always results in dismissal of your claim, no matter how serious the injury.

No-Fault Auto Insurance (Personal Injury Protection)

Florida is a no-fault state for auto crashes. Under Fla. Stat. § 627.736, every driver must carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, which cover 80 percent of reasonable medical expenses and 60 percent of lost wages up to the policy limit, regardless of fault. However, if you sustain a “serious injury” as defined by Fla. Stat. § 627.737(2) (e.g., permanent loss of bodily function, significant disfigurement, death), you may step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver for full damages.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Florida

Motor Vehicle Collisions

Given Miramar’s proximity to commuter routes like I-75, rear-end collisions and side-impact crashes at intersections such as Miramar Parkway & Red Road are frequent. Victims typically pursue claims for:

• PIP benefits under their own policy;

• Bodily Injury (BI) liability coverage from the at-fault driver;

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) benefits if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Property owners in Florida owe a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises (Fla. Stat. § 768.0755). In Broward County’s humid climate, slick tile floors in grocery stores or uneven sidewalks in shopping plazas along Flamingo Road can create hazards that lead to fractures, head injuries, or spinal damage.

Medical Malpractice

Memorial Hospital Miramar and nearby facilities such as Memorial Hospital West serve thousands of patients each year. When diagnostic errors, surgical mistakes, or medication overdoses occur, victims must follow the presuit notice requirements of Fla. Stat. § 766.106, including obtaining a verified written medical expert opinion before filing suit.

Product Liability

Defective vehicle parts, malfunctioning child safety seats, or contaminated food products can injure consumers. Florida applies strict liability theories, meaning the injured party does not need to prove negligence—only that the product was defective and caused injury.

Hurricane-Related Injuries

South Florida’s hurricane season (June-November) can leave debris, downed power lines, and compromised structures. If a property owner or contractor fails to secure hazards post-storm, resulting injuries may support a premises liability or negligent maintenance claim.

Florida Legal Protections & Injury Laws

Elements of Negligence

• Duty: Defendant owed a legal duty (e.g., driver must follow traffic laws).

• Breach: Defendant failed to meet that duty.

• Causation: The breach directly and proximately caused injury.

• Damages: The plaintiff suffered actual losses (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering).

Recoverable Damages

• Economic: Medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, rehabilitation costs.

• Non-Economic: Pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability, loss of enjoyment of life.

• Punitive: Available only if clear and convincing evidence shows intentional misconduct or gross negligence; capped by Fla. Stat. § 768.73 at three times compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater.

Pre-Suit Requirements and Procedure

Most personal injury actions in Florida start with a written demand letter that outlines liability and damages. While not legally required (except in medical malpractice and claims against government entities), a demand can trigger settlement discussions and toll certain interest penalties under Fla. Stat. § 768.79 if a proposal for settlement is served.

Once suit is filed, the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure govern discovery, motions, and trial. Broward County civil cases are filed in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court, with the main courthouse located in Fort Lauderdale. Cases valued below $50,000 may be filed in County Court.

Government Liability Limits

If your injury involves a government employee or agency (e.g., a city sanitation truck), notice requirements under Fla. Stat. § 768.28(6) apply, and damages are capped at $200,000 per person or $300,000 per incident absent a claims bill adopted by the Florida Legislature.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Florida

• Seek Immediate Medical Care. Visit an emergency department such as Memorial Hospital Miramar or an urgent care within 14 days of a motor-vehicle collision to preserve PIP benefits (Fla. Stat. § 627.736(1)(a)).

• Report the Incident. Call 911 for auto crashes involving injury, death, or property damage over $500 (Fla. Stat. § 316.065). For premises injuries, insist on an incident report.

Document Evidence.

• Photograph the scene, hazards, vehicle positions, and visible injuries.

• Collect names and contact info of witnesses.

• Preserve physical evidence (e.g., torn clothing, defective product).

Notify Relevant Insurers. Most auto and homeowner policies require prompt notice, sometimes within 24–72 hours.

• Track Expenses. Keep all medical bills, pharmacy receipts, and mileage logs for treatment appointments.

• Avoid Social Media Pitfalls. Defense counsel may subpoena posts under Florida’s discovery rules. Avoid sharing injury details online.

• Consult a Qualified Attorney. A Florida-licensed personal injury lawyer can evaluate comparative fault, navigate PIP, and preserve evidence.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

While minor property-damage-only crashes may not require representation, several red flags indicate a need for an attorney:

• Serious or permanent injuries (fractures, traumatic brain injury, spinal damage).

• Disputed liability or multiple at-fault parties (e.g., multi-vehicle pile-ups on I-75).

• Insurance company delays, lowball offers, or outright denials.

• Defective product or complex medical malpractice claims that involve expert witnesses.

• Government entities or sovereign immunity issues.

Florida attorneys must be licensed by The Florida Bar under Chapter 4, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. You can confirm a lawyer’s standing on the Florida Bar’s online directory. Ethical rules prohibit attorneys from charging contingency fees that exceed limits in Rule 4-1.5(f); typical fees are 33 – 40 percent of the gross recovery.

Local Resources & Next Steps for Miramar Residents

Medical Facilities

• Memorial Hospital Miramar – 1901 SW 172nd Ave, Miramar, FL 33029

• Memorial Hospital West – 703 N Flamingo Rd, Pembroke Pines, FL 33028

• Urgent Care Broward – Miramar – 12399 Miramar Pkwy, Miramar, FL 33025

Law Enforcement & Crash Reports

• Miramar Police Department – 11765 City Hall Promenade, Miramar, FL 33025

Obtain crash reports online from the FLHSMV portal.

Court Locations

• Broward County Seventeenth Judicial Circuit – 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

• South Regional Courthouse (handles some County Court civil matters) – 3550 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33021

Consumer & Victim Assistance

Florida Department of Financial Services Consumer Services – Insurance complaint portal. Florida Crime Victim Compensation Program – May reimburse medical costs in criminal-related injuries.

After medical stabilization, schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer Miramar Florida residents trust. Early legal intervention often increases settlement value and reduces stress.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and their application depends on the facts of each case. You should consult a licensed Florida attorney to obtain advice regarding any particular issue or problem.

If you were injured due to someone else's negligence, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and legal consultation.