If you’ve been hurt in an accident in Miami—be it a car wreck on the Palmetto, a slip-and-fall at Publix, or an on-the-job injury—your whole life can turn around in an instant. One day it’s all fine, and before you know it, you’re faced with doctor bills, insurance adjusters, and the question: Who’s going to help me navigate all of this?
Finding the proper personal injury lawyer in Miami is not always about Googling “best lawyer near me.” It’s about finding someone you trust—someone who knows how to fight, who really cares that you recover, and who won’t treat you like a file.
Let’s walk through the how to do it right.
1. Start Local — and Ask Around
Word of mouth continues to count in Miami. You’d be amazed at how many quality referrals come through from friends, colleagues, or even your physician. Request individuals you trust if they’ve ever worked with a personal injury attorney and what their experience was like.
If you repeatedly hear the same name being spoken, that’s a good thing. A reputable lawyer’s name is heard for a reason—they get results and treat people fairly.
And don’t limit yourself to Google reviews. Check local forums, community Facebook groups, or even Spanish language radio shows. In Miami, lawyers who really work for the community are known far and wide in English and Spanish communities.
2. Verify Experience — Not Advertising
Let’s face it—Miami’s choked with personal injury commercials. I-95 billboards, TV commercials, social media vignettes, you name it. Every lawyer claims they’re “the best,” but experience is what sets a true trial lawyer apart from an advertiser.
Ask these questions before you retain anyone:
How many years have you been trying cases involving personal injury in Florida?
Have you ever taken a case to trial, or do you always settle?
Do you usually take cases such as mine (car accidents, slip and falls, negligent security, etc.) regularly?
Who will actually be working on my case day-to-day—you, or someone else within your firm?
An experienced Miami injury lawyer will have handled hundreds, maybe thousands, of cases in the tri-county area. He or she will know the courts, judges, and even opposing counsel. That familiarity can be priceless in negotiating or litigating your claim.
3. Identify a Lawyer Who Speaks Well
You don’t require merely a legal specialist when you’re injured—you require reassurance. And that starts with communication.
A good lawyer should be able to tell you things in English (or Spanish, if that’s more what you’re accustomed to). You should be able to walk away from your first consultation with an idea of how things work, what your options are, and what’s expected of you by the lawyer.
Red flag: If you are being given evasive answers, continual switching around with assistants, or being rushed to sign right away, exit. You require someone who listens to you rather than someone rushing you towards a contract.
At Suarez & Montero, for example, we make an extra effort to phone back every client. I know how frustrating it is when you cannot reach your attorney—particularly when your car is in the shop, your neck burns, and you fear you’ll lose a day of work. Communication isn’t an option; it’s what we do.
4. Read Reviews — but Read Between the Lines
Online reviews can say a lot—but not all. As you scan through Google, Avvo, or Yelp reviews, look for trends.
Do clients say:
- Being heard and respected?
- Receiving regular updates on their case?
- Getting clear explanations regarding settlements or court processes?
- Good outcomes (and not merely “they got me a check,” but why they are recommending them)?
Steer clear of companies that read like robots in their comments or have half a dozen quick, generic 5-star posts. Real customers share stories—what they experienced, how they felt, how the attorney assisted.
And when you notice some negative comments, that’s to be expected. What is important is that the firm reacts. A polite, professional response speaks volumes about their integrity and customer service.
5. Check If They Work on Contingency (and Clarify the Fees)
Most personal injury lawyers in Florida operate on a contingency fee, so you don’t pay anything until your lawyer wins money for you—usually a percentage of the verdict or settlement.
That’s a good thing for clients, since it means your lawyer has skin in the game. Just be sure it’s in writing. Ask:
- What percentage do you charge before filing suit and after filing suit?
- Do I owe any fees if we lose?
- How are medical charges and liens handled after settlement?
A good Miami injury attorney will walk you through this step by step. At my office, for example, we go over every line of the retainer so that there are no surprises later on. Honesty generates trust, and trust is the only thing in this business.
6. Ask About Case Load and Personal Attention
One of the largest clients’ biggest grievances against large law firms is that they never get to speak with their lawyer once they’re signed up. You’re bounced from department to department, and you’re lost.
That’s not how justice works.
When you meet with an attorney, ask them this flat out: “Will I be able to speak with you personally if I have questions about my case?”
If you’re meeting with a senior partner, but a “case manager” is the only one talking after that, that’s a red flag. You ought to be able to have an attorney who will be actively involved, not merely sign your file.
At Suarez & Montero, I tell clients up front—you’re not just a claim number. You are a story, and it is my job to make sure your story is told, whether in a conference room or in front of a jury.
7. Verify Credentials and Disciplinary History
Before you hire anyone, verify the attorney is in good standing with The Florida Bar. You can do that online in a matter of seconds. You’ll know if they’re licensed, how long they’ve been practicing law, and if they’ve ever been disciplined.
You may also want to check for professional memberships such as:
- The Florida Justice Association (FJA)
- The Miami-Dade Trial Lawyers Association
- The American Association for Justice
These groups might find attorneys who are actively working to protect victims’ rights and upgrade the safety standards of Florida.
8. See Him or Her in Person (or Virtually) Before Making a Decision
Do not hire anyone you have not met face-to-face. The initial consultation should be free and informative. This is your chance to gauge how the attorney acts toward you—not just what they say.
Pay attention to how you feel during the meeting. Do they listen to your story? Do they seem to truly care about your injuries? Do they rush you or interrupt you?
Chemistry matters. You’ll be working with this person for months, sometimes years. If you don’t feel right, it’s okay to keep looking.
9. Find a Lawyer Who Knows the Miami Landscape
Miami is different than any other town. With the traffic, the tourism, the melting pot of languages, and the insurance firms that are headquartered here, handling an accident claim in South Florida requires a certain kind of local know-how.
A local lawyer knows:
- Which medical providers will take a lien.
- Which insurance adjusters are fair—and which aren’t.
- Which courthouses and judges have an urgency.
- How to handle bilingual paperwork and translation issues.
Which is why “local” matters. You don’t want some call-center law practice three counties over. You want someone who’s here—who rides the same roads, knows the same doctors, and knows how things really happen in Miami.
10. Trust Your Instinct
At the end of the day, finding a quality personal injury lawyer isn’t about credentials or commercials—it’s about trust.
You will know when you have found the one. It’s the attorney who listens before he talks. The attorney who returns calls. The one who explains your rights in simple terms.
They’re the attorney who makes you feel like you have someone advocating for you again.
Bottom Line
If you’re trying to find a great Miami personal injury lawyer, don’t hurry—but don’t delay too long either. Florida law limits how long you can wait before you can bring a claim, and proof disappears fast. The sooner you can get a solid lawyer on your side, the sooner you can heal—financially, physically, and emotionally.
At Suarez & Montero, we’ve represented thousands of injured people after serious accidents. From Kendall to Hialeah, Brickell to Homestead, we know what you’re going through—and how to battle back.
If you’re hurt, call Jaime “Mr. 786 Abogado” Suarez today to Get You Paid!
