Where to Find a Truck Accident Lawyer in Miami-Dade and What to Do First
Start with personal referrals, the Florida Bar's online member directory, legal directories like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell, and the websites of firms that specifically list commercial trucking cases, not just car accidents. Once you have a short list, verify each attorney's Florida Bar license and check their discipline history before you call. Time matters more in truck cases than in car cases: the trucking company's investigators may already be working the scene, and under Fla. Stat. § 95.11 you have two years from the crash date to file a lawsuit for crashes on or after March 24, 2023.
Start with personal referrals, the Florida Bar’s online directory, legal platforms like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell, and firm websites that specifically mention commercial trucking cases, not just general auto accidents. Once you have a short list, confirm each attorney’s Florida Bar license and check for discipline history. Time is critical in truck cases. The trucking company’s investigators may already be at the scene, and under Fla. Stat. § 95.11, you have two years from the crash date to file a lawsuit for crashes on or after March 24, 2023.
Where do people actually find truck accident lawyers in Miami-Dade?
People in Miami-Dade often begin with a trusted referral, someone who actually hired the lawyer, not just heard their name. That firsthand experience carries real weight. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service (floridabar.org/public/lrs) connects callers with screened attorneys for a modest fee. Online directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, and Google Maps (filtered to “personal injury”) also list local lawyers, but reviews and profiles vary in detail. When visiting firm websites, look past generic “car accident” pages. Find firms with dedicated sections on tractor-trailers, FMCSA rules, cargo companies, or commercial vehicle litigation. Wolfson & Leon, located at 1840 W 49th St #734 in Hialeah, answers phones with a live person 24/7, offers home or hospital visits, and most staff speak Spanish.
Why isn’t a truck case handled the same way as a car accident?
Truck crashes are legally and factually more complex than passenger vehicle collisions. Multiple parties may share responsibility: the driver, the trucking company (liable both for the driver’s actions and its own failures in hiring, training, or supervision), the trailer owner, and even the shipper or loader if improper cargo caused the crash. Florida law adopts federal trucking safety standards by reference [Fla. Stat. § 316.302], so violations of FMCSA rules, like hours-of-service limits or inspection requirements, can be used as evidence of negligence in court. Commercial carriers carry far larger insurance policies than typical drivers, and they may send investigators soon after a serious crash. Critical evidence like electronic logging device data, dashcam footage, and black box information can be overwritten or destroyed under routine company protocols unless preserved immediately.
How do I know whether a firm actually handles commercial trucking cases?
Not every firm that lists “truck accidents” has real experience with commercial vehicle litigation. Look for specific signals. First, their website should name-drop FMCSA regulations, hours-of-service logs, driver qualification files, or the MCS-90 insurance endorsement, not just say “we handle truck crashes.” Second, they should describe cases involving multiple defendants, including carriers, shippers, or equipment lessors. Third, they should mention spoliation letters, evidence preservation, or black-box data recovery. Fourth, they should work regularly with accident reconstruction experts and trucking industry consultants. Fifth, they should offer consultations in your preferred language, essential in Miami-Dade. Before your first call, review the full question list to bring to your first call.
How do I verify a lawyer’s license and discipline history before I call?
Go to floridabar.org/directories/find-mbr. Type in the attorney’s name or Florida Bar number. The results page will show whether their license is active (“eligible to practice”), when they were admitted to the Bar, and any public discipline. Discipline ranges from minor (an admonishment) to serious (suspension or disbarment). A single old admonishment is not necessarily a red flag, but a recent suspension warrants a direct question. Board certification in civil trial law is a voluntary credential granted by the Florida Bar to attorneys who meet higher experience and testing standards, but many qualified truck accident lawyers are not certified. The key is verifying that the person you’re talking to is licensed, in good standing, and actually practices this type of law.
What does hiring a truck accident lawyer cost, and who pays for experts?
Most truck accident lawyers work on contingency: no upfront fees, and you pay no attorney fee if there is no recovery. The fee percentage is capped by Florida Bar rules, written into your retainer agreement before any work begins, and should be discussed clearly during your free consultation. Expert costs, including accident reconstructionists, medical reviewers, trucking consultants, deposition transcripts, and filing fees, are typically advanced by the law firm and reimbursed from your settlement or verdict at the end. You generally do not receive bills for these during the case. Still, ask directly on the first call: “Do you advance case costs, and are they reimbursed from the recovery or billed to me separately?”
Why does calling now matter more than waiting until you feel ready?
Evidence disappears fast. Electronic logs, dashcams, black box data, and post-crash inspection reports can be erased under federal retention schedules, some in as little as six months. A lawyer can send a spoliation letter the day you retain them, putting the trucking company on formal notice to preserve the evidence. Meanwhile, the carrier’s team may already be building its defense. Under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a), you have two years from the crash date to file suit if your injury occurred on or after March 24, 2023. Miss that deadline, and your claim is gone forever. Also, while crash reports are confidential to the public for 60 days [Fla. Stat. § 316.066], your lawyer can access them immediately. Wolfson & Leon’s Hialeah office (1840 W 49th St #734) offers 24/7 live phone support, home or hospital meetings, and Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff.
Frequently asked questions
Can I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster before I have a lawyer?
You can, but you should not. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Adjusters may use statements to limit liability. Wait until you’ve spoken with a lawyer first.
Does my PIP insurance cover a truck accident, and is it enough?
Yes, your own PIP coverage applies regardless of who caused the crash, but only if you seek treatment within 14 days [Fla. Stat. § 627.736]. PIP pays up to $10,000 for emergencies, but serious truck injuries often exceed that quickly. You may need to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault parties.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor, does that let the company off the hook?
Not necessarily. Florida courts look beyond job titles. If the company controlled how the driver operated the truck or failed in hiring or supervision, it can still be held liable. The contractual label alone does not shield the carrier.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash, can I still recover anything?
Yes, as long as your fault is 50 percent or less [Fla. Stat. § 768.81(6)]. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. You lose all recovery only if you are more than 50 percent responsible.
How do I know if the Florida Bar referral service will connect me with a lawyer who handles big truck cases specifically?
The service matches based on practice area, but it may not screen for sub-specialties like commercial trucking. Ask the referred attorney directly: “Have you handled cases involving tractor-trailers, FMCSA violations, or multi-defendant truck lawsuits?” Review their website and ask for case examples before deciding.
Related reading: A truck hit me in Hialeah. Is that different from a car accident? · The attorneys who answer the phone
Hurt in an accident in Hialeah? Call Wolfson & Leon at (305) 285-7071 for a free consultation. We speak Spanish, and there is no fee unless we win.
Key facts
- Florida's statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from crashes on or after March 24, 2023 is two years from the date of the injury. Source: Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a)
- Florida law adopts federal commercial vehicle safety standards by reference, meaning violations of FMCSA rules, hours of service, inspection requirements, driver qualification, can establish negligence in a Florida truck case. Source: Fla. Stat. § 316.302
- A plaintiff whose share of fault is 50 percent or less can still recover damages, reduced by their percentage of fault; recovery is barred only if they are more than 50 percent at fault. Source: Fla. Stat. § 768.81(6)
- Florida crash reports are confidential for 60 days after the crash except to the parties, their insurers, and their lawyers. Source: Fla. Stat. § 316.066
- PIP coverage pays regardless of fault but requires the injured person to seek initial treatment within 14 days of the crash or the benefit is forfeited entirely. Source: Fla. Stat. § 627.736
Frequently asked questions
Can I talk to the trucking company's insurance adjuster before I have a lawyer?
You are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other party's insurer, and doing so before you have legal representation carries real risk, because what you say can be used to reduce or defeat your claim. Your obligation to cooperate runs to your own insurer under your policy, not to the carrier's insurer. Before any contact with the trucking company or its adjuster, speak with an attorney. Most truck accident lawyers in Miami-Dade offer free consultations and can advise you on what to say and what to decline.
Does my PIP insurance cover a truck accident, and is it enough?
Yes, your own PIP policy pays first regardless of who caused the crash, covering 80 percent of reasonable medical bills and 60 percent of lost income up to the policy limit, but only if you seek initial treatment within 14 days of the crash. For serious injuries, PIP is rarely enough: once that limit is exhausted, you must look to the at-fault carrier's liability policy for additional medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Under Fla. Stat. § 627.737(2), pain and suffering damages require a permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or permanent loss of an important bodily function.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor, does that let the company off the hook?
Not necessarily. Florida courts examine the actual working relationship, not just the label on a contract. If the carrier controlled how, when, or where the driver worked, courts may find an employment relationship regardless of how the parties described it. Carriers can also face direct liability for negligent hiring, entrustment, or supervision of a contractor. This is one of the most contested issues in truck cases, and it is a specific question to ask any firm you are evaluating.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash, can I still recover anything?
Yes, as long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less. Under Fla. Stat. § 768.81(6), Florida uses modified comparative negligence, which reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault rather than eliminating it entirely. If a jury finds you 30 percent at fault, you recover 70 percent of your damages. Recovery is barred only if you are found more than 50 percent at fault, and the defense may argue that your share is higher.
How do I know if the Florida Bar referral service will connect me with a lawyer who handles big truck cases specifically?
The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at floridabar.org/public/lfrs lets you filter by practice area, including personal injury. However, 'personal injury' is a broad category, and not every lawyer on the list handles commercial trucking litigation specifically. Use the referral as a starting point, then apply the checklist in the section above, look for firms whose materials address FMCSA regulations, driver qualification files, and multi-defendant carrier cases by name before scheduling a consultation.
This article is general information about Florida law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. For advice about your situation, call Wolfson & Leon at (305) 285-7071 for a free consultation.
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