Car Accident Lawyers in Orlando, FL
Have you been injured in a car accident in Orlando or in any other place in Central Florida, including the cities of Kissimmee and Winter Park, because of other's negligence? If so you need to contact an Orlando car accident lawyer from NeJame Law as soon as possible.
NeJame Law is an established firm that has extensive knowledge and experience across various practice areas, including personal injury law. One of the most common cases we see within personal injury is car accident claims, which comes as no surprise—over 6 million car accidents occur in the United States every year. Florida has one of the highest traffic death rates per 100,000 residents, at 14.7, and in 2018 alone, there were 3,133 traffic fatalities. Car accidents often result in severe injuries and deaths, and these consequences are easily avoidable. Our Orlando car accident lawyers can be trusted to hold at-fault drivers responsible for negligence and support you during this challenging time. As a community-minded firm, we make sure to not just deliver optimal legal representation, but to put your needs and well-being first.
Contact our team filling out our online form or by phone at (407) 500-0000 today. We offer language services if you wish to communicate in a language other than English, such as Portuguese and Spanish.
Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Orlando
As cities grow, so do the number of car accidents, and Orlando is no exception. The city has experienced exponential growth during the past few years and authorities have tried to accommodate this growth with expansions of current roads. Increased traffic and construction road projects have also resulted in more collisions. The most common types of car accidents within the Orlando metropolitan area are:
- Rear-end collisions;
- Hit and run crashes;
- Rollover accidents;
- Head-on collisions;
- T-bone crashes;
- Multi-car accidents
What Damages May Be Recovered In A Car Accident Claim?
Those injured in car accidents due to another person’s negligence may be entitled to compensation, including for:
- Medical bills (present and future)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Psychological and psychiatric bills (present and future)
- Lost wages (present and future)
- Loss of life’s enjoyment
- Property damage
Establishing Negligence In Car Accidents
The following factors may be considered negligence in car accidents:
- Driving speed: A person driving either too fast or too slow may cause an accident.
- Failure to observe traffic ordinances such as stop signs, red traffic lights, etc.
- Drunk driving (DUI)
- Reckless or careless driving
- Failure to use headlights
- Text messaging or talking on a cell phone
What Evidence Do You Need in A Car Accident Case?
It may seem obvious to you who is at fault for your accident and injuries. In a rear-end collision, for example, the driver who rear-ended you is clearly to blame. However, the legal system can be tricky to navigate. The more evidence you’re able to collect to support your claim, the better.
Collected evidence is key to proving your car accident case, and may include:
- Witness statements: This includes the statement from anyone present at the accident site as well as any driver/passengers involved.
- Photos and videos of the accident scene. Surveillance videos from nearby businesses can be very helpful.
- Medical records
- Police and crash reports
- Accident reconstruction
- Experts testimony
Documentation is essential. Make sure to take photos of your injuries as well as of any damage your car sustained. Our lawyers can use all of this to fight for your rights to compensation.
What Should You Do If You Are Involved In An Auto Accident in Orlando?
Whether you are a driver, passenger, or a pedestrian, being involved in an auto accident is a traumatic, life altering event. In a split-second, victims are faced with injury, mounting medical bills, questions concerning liability, insurance and property damage and the prospect of legal action against those who caused the car accident. Accidents may be so severe that drivers may face vehicular manslaughter charges. Knowing what to do ahead of time can make the legal process run much more smoothly.
Things you need to do if you arr involved in car crash:
1.- If Someone is Hurt, Call 911
Call 911 and seek immediate medical attention if necessary. Report that you have been involved in an auto accident and provide your location. As first responders arrive, be respectful and cooperative. In your own words, explain to the officer how the automobile accident occurred so a crash report can be made. Politely request a copy of the crash report once the officer is finished.
2.- Collect Information and Evidence
- Try to get the contact information from anyone that was involved or witnessed the accident
- Collect the insurance information from all parties involved. This includes insurance companies and insurance policy numbers
- Collect the vehicle information of all the vehicles involved
- Collect anything that can be used as evidence in your case (see above)
- If possible to do so safely, photograph each vehicle involved, along with anything that may have contributed to the auto accident (potholes, disabled vehicles, construction cones, or any other obstruction in the road)
- Draw a diagram of the accident scene and write a detailed description of the auto accident. This can be helpful when proving your car accident claim
- Call the police, and make sure to get a copy of the police report
3.- See a Doctor
Always see a doctor as soon as possible after a crash, even if you initially feel fine. Seeing a doctor promptly after an accident can not only protect your health, but it can also protect you from potentially having your claim denied. In order to be able to receive your full Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits after being injured in a car accident in Florida, "you must seek your initial medical treatment within 14 days of the day of the accident". This is called the "14-Day Rule."
4.- Keep Track of Your Damages
If you are unable to attend work, make note of how many days you have missed, keep a log of all extra expenses incurred due to any injuries and save all of your medical bills.
5.- Call Us Before Speaking to Any Insurance Company
Our experienced staff is standing by 24/7 to offer free advice concerning a car accident that either you or someone you know, maybe a loved one, has been involved in. Being involved in an automobile accident, either personally or while supporting someone else, can be a life-altering and painstaking experience. If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, our attorneys can make ourselves available to you.
Florida’s “No-Fault” Law
All Florida drivers are required to carry car insurance, but what do these
insurance plans actually cover? Florida Statute § 627.730, commonly
referred to as the “No-Fault” Law, controls auto accidents
in the State of Florida. This law provides that if you are involved in
a car accident, your insurance company will cover your medical bills
and lost wages up to a certain amount, regardless of who was at fault.
If the other party was at fault and caused the accident, you may only
sue them if you meet certain threshold requirements including, but not
limited to, significant or permanent loss of a major bodily function,
disfigurement or significant scarring, some forms of permanent injury,
or death. (Florida Statute § 627.737(2)).
Bodily injury coverage is optional in Florida. If you or a loved one are
injured in an car accident and the at-fault driver does not carry any
automobile insurance or has insufficient coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage can protect you. Uninsured/underinsured
motorist (UM) bodily injury coverage can cover different expenses including,
but not limited to medical bills and lost wages. UM coverage is highly
recommended and drivers should be sure that each car in their household
is covered.
Why You Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident
Those injured in car accidents due to another person’s negligence may be entitled to compensation, including for:
- Medical bills (present and future)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Lost wages (present and future)
- Loss of life’s enjoyment
- Psychological and psychiatric bills (present and future)
- Property damage
Our lawyers have years of experience and can fight for the full amount of compensation you need to pay for your damages. Attempting to handle your case on your own can result in you losing valuable compensation that you need to pay for things like car repairs and hospital bills.
Additionally, having a lawyer is important if you wish to abide by the statute of limitations, or your state’s deadline for filing personal injury claims. The statute of limitations under Florida law for filing a car accident claim is four years from the date of the accident.
If you or anyone you know has suffered an injury in a car accident or someone was killed due to the negligence of another driver in Orlando or Central Florida, we can help you obtain the financial compensation you need to cover your medical bills, loss of wages, pain and suffering, car repairs, and other damages. Our office is conveniently located in downtown Orlando, minutes away from Winter Park and Longwood. One of our personal injury attorneys will contact you back shortly. We value your privacy and will keep any information strictly confidential.
Call our Orlando car accident attorneys today at (407) 500-0000 to schedule a consultation. Our firm comprised is of award-winning attorneys, including founding lawyer Mark NeJame.
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Florida Car Accident FAQs
-
Q: How much coverage does PIP insurance provide?
A: Florida PIP entitles insured drivers injured in an auto accident to have 80 percent of their medical expenses paid, up to $10,000.
- Q: How long do you have to seek medical attention after an accident?
A: In order to be able to receive your full Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits after being injured in a car accident in Florida, you must seek your initial medical treatment within 14 days of the day of the accident. This is called the "14-Day Rule."
- Q: What is "Emergency Medical Condition" Under Florida PIP Law?
A: An Emergency Medical Condition Under Florida PIP Law is defined as a medical condition that would reasonably be expected to result in serious jeopardy to patient health, serious impairment to a body function, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.
- Q: What happens if my medical provider does not declare that I have an "Emergency Medical Condition" after a car accident?
A: If your medical provider does not declare that you actually have an Emergency Medical Condition, as defined by the Florida PIP law, you will lose $7,500 of your PIP coverage.
- Q: Who qualifies as a medical provider under the Florida PIP Law?
A: Medical providers that fit the bill include hospital facilities, Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, chiropractors, Dentists, Physician’s Assistants, or Registered Nurse Practitioners.