Car Accident Attorneys 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 15.9, and in 2022 alone, there were 3,553 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.
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
- 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.
Collecting Evidence after a Car Accident
Effectively collecting evidence is key to proving your car accident case. Evidence collected 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 are 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.
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 a 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.
Please visit our article on what to do when you get into a car accident for more information.
What Is The Statute Of Limitation On A Car Accident Under Florida Law?
In Florida, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim for injuries sustained in car accidents is two years. This timeframe was reduced from four years on March 24, 2023. A different four-year statute of limitations remains in place for property damage claims associated with the accident. Those who sustained injuries in accidents that occurred before March 24, 2023, have four years from the date of their injury to file a civil lawsuit.
In our state, for injuries that occurred after March 24, 2023, victims have two years from the date of injury to file a civil lawsuit. For injuries that occurred before March 24, 2023, victims have four years from the date of their injury to file a civil lawsuit.
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 two years from the date of the accident. For injuries that occurred before March 24, 2023, victims have four years from the date of their injury to file a civil lawsuit.
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.
