South Florida’s dense urban core, high rate of tourism, and complex insurance laws create a perfect storm of risk and complication for accident victims. From the crash scene to the courtroom, the team at Buchalter, Hoffman & Dorchak has spent more than four decades holding insurance companies accountable and securing justice for local families.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car crash, do not let insurers take advantage of your vulnerability—call our North Miami Florida attorneys today for a free case review and discover the difference proven advocates can make in your claim.
The Unmatched Traffic Density of Southern Florida
In Southern Florida, traffic congestion is a major contributor to accident risk and legal complexity in every car crash claim. Miami-Dade County is recognized for its heavily traveled roadways, including I-95, the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826), and US-1, which are among the busiest in the state. According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Miami metropolitan area consistently ranks as one of the most congested regions in the United States. Some sections of I-95 in Miami-Dade carry over 400,000 vehicles per day.
Traffic density directly translates to elevated accident rates. The preliminary data on Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Crash Dashboard confirms that Miami-Dade County recorded 36,466 total crashes, resulting in 17,514 injuries and 161 fatalities. This makes Miami-Dade the county with the highest number of crashes and crash-related injuries in Florida. These numbers are far higher than most other Florida counties, underscoring the unique risks faced by drivers and passengers in the area.
High traffic volumes also mean that multi-vehicle and rear-end collisions are common. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end collisions account for nearly a third of all crashes nationwide, and their frequency increases in stop-and-go traffic typical of Miami’s highways.
For those involved in collisions, these conditions lead to complicated accident scenes—often with multiple vehicles, conflicting accounts, and disputes over fault. Evidence such as dashcam footage, vehicle black box data, and surveillance video can be erased or lost within hours, making rapid investigation essential.
Because insurance companies may use the chaos of heavy traffic to dispute liability or minimize payouts, accident victims in Miami benefit from working with local attorneys who understand these risks and act quickly to preserve critical evidence.
How Tourism Complicates Local Car Accident Claims
South Florida’s status as a premier tourism destination brings unique challenges to local car accident claims. According to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Miami and Miami Beach welcomed a record-breaking over 28 million visitors in 2024, with numbers expected to grow in 2025. This influx means that on any given day, Miami’s roads are filled with not only residents but also a significant volume of out-of-state tourists, rental vehicles, and rideshare drivers.
Tourist drivers often lack familiarity with the local road system, increasing the likelihood of sudden stops, erratic turns, and accidents. FDOT-funded research confirms that Florida roads near popular beaches and coastal destinations experience significantly heavy traffic demand during peak tourist seasons—especially on weekends and holidays.
This constant rotation of non-resident drivers leads to several specific complications in local car accident claims:
- Rental and Rideshare Vehicles – Collisions involving rental cars and rideshares often require accident victims to pursue claims against large, national corporations. Each company’s insurance policies may have different terms, coverage limits, and requirements, sometimes governed by out-of-state laws.
- Out-of-State Drivers and Policies – When an at-fault driver lives outside Florida, accident victims may need to deal with insurers that are unfamiliar with or uncooperative about Florida law. Out-of-state insurance policies may carry lower liability limits than Florida’s requirements, complicating the recovery of full damages.
- Jurisdictional and Reporting Issues – If a tourist leaves Florida soon after an accident, it can be difficult to obtain their statement or have them served for legal proceedings. Police reports may also take longer to process if multiple agencies or out-of-state parties are involved.
In these situations, local victims may be caught between multiple insurance companies, each seeking to deny responsibility or delay payment. Insurance adjusters for national rental car agencies are often based outside Florida and may be unfamiliar with Florida’s unique requirements for no-fault (PIP) and liability coverage, causing additional obstacles and delays. For those injured in a collision with a tourist or rental car, retaining the best Florida car accident attorney is essential.
The Tactics of Florida Insurance Companies
Insurance companies in Southern Florida are notorious for their strategic and often aggressive efforts to minimize or deny compensation, particularly under Florida’s unique “no-fault” car insurance system. Every driver in the state is required by law to carry Personal Injury Protection coverage which provides up to $10,000 for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault. While this system was designed to ensure quick access to medical care, insurers frequently exploit its limitations to the detriment of accident victims.
The first—and often most critical—challenge for injury claimants is Florida’s rigid 14-day PIP rule. Under Florida Statutes § 627.736, accident victims must seek medical treatment within fourteen days of the crash or risk a total denial of their PIP benefits. Insurance companies are quick to use any missed deadlines as grounds for automatic rejection of claims, regardless of the severity of injuries or the genuine need for care.
Even for those who act promptly, the obstacles do not end there. Insurers often dispute the necessity or cost of treatment, labeling medical expenses as “excessive” or “unrelated” to the collision. In many cases, companies send claimants to so-called independent medical examiners—who may be anything but independent—hoping to find grounds for further denial or reduction of benefits. As a result, victims face not only physical recovery but also a bureaucratic maze designed to wear them down.
Some insurance companies take their tactics even further, engaging in what the law calls “bad faith” conduct. These bad-faith actions include unreasonably delaying claims, repeatedly asking for redundant paperwork, offering lowball settlements that barely cover out-of-pocket expenses, or denying valid claims with little to no explanation. The aim is simple: pressure claimants into accepting less than they deserve or give up the fight altogether. Such behavior is alarmingly common in Miami, forcing many injured parties to seek the help of Miami PIP claims attorneys who can hold insurers accountable.
If you’re struggling with an insurance company that is using tactics designed to frustrate or deny your legitimate rights, it’s essential to recognize the warning signs. Here are some of the most common strategies Florida insurers use to avoid paying full and fair compensation:
- Delaying claim processing.
- Offering quick, lowball settlements.
- Disputing medical necessity.
- Shifting blame by suggesting your injuries pre-existed the accident or were caused by something unrelated.
- Denying claims with little explanation.
- Challenging coverage under PIP.
- Pressuring unrepresented claimants.
If you are experiencing endless delays, confusing paperwork, or outright denial from your insurance company after an accident, don’t take on these challenges alone. Contact leading Miami Florida injury attorneys, to pursue the compensation you are truly owed and hold insurers responsible for their unfair practices.
Take Control of Your Car Accident Claim in South Florida
Car accident claims in Southern Florida demand more than generic legal advice—they require a deep understanding of local traffic realities, the unique impact of tourism, and the aggressive strategies of Florida insurance companies. Buchalter Hoffman and Dorchak have spent over forty years securing life-changing results for victims in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and beyond, recovering millions for local families, tourists, and anyone injured on our crowded roads. Contact us today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation with our Miami, FL personal injury attorneys.