GAINESVILLE CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Even with Florida’s no-fault insurance system, getting fully compensated after a crash can be complicated. While Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits may cover part of your medical bills and lost wages, they often aren’t enough, especially in serious injury cases.

If your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold or another driver’s negligence caused the crash, you may be able to pursue additional compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance. We help you understand your rights, gather evidence, deal with insurers, and fight for the maximum amount possible.

Every crash is unique, but we’re looking for a few core elements:

• Meaningful losses: ER visits, ongoing treatment, missed work, permanent injury, or significant vehicle damage. (Property-damage-only claims are usually insurance matters; injury and wage loss point toward a personal injury case.)
• Negligence by someone else: e.g., texting, speeding, DUI, failure to yield, unsafe lane changes, or a defective vehicle/road hazard. We also examine causation; did the negligence actually cause your injuries?
• Recoverable insurance: PIP may cover some bills, but we also assess the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage, your UM/UIM, MedPay, and any third-party coverage (including employer vehicles, commercial policies, and rideshare coverage).

Helpful signs you may have a claim: documented medical treatment soon after the crash, a police report, photos/video, witnesses, or pain that limits work or daily life.

If you’re unsure whether your crash qualifies, reach out. Our Gainesville team can review your records, identify coverage, and explain your options.

Your health and safety are our top priority. Immediately following an accident, try to:

• Check for injuries & call 911
• Move to a safe area if possible
• Get the other driver’s contact & insurance info
• Take photos/videos of the scene & vehicles
• Collect witness names & info
• Seek medical care even if you feel okay
• Report the crash to your insurer
• Contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney before speaking to adjusters

A medical record created shortly after the crash strengthens your claim significantly.

In Florida, PIP coverage pays part of your medical bills and lost income, regardless of who caused the crash. But to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault party, your injuries must meet Florida’s “serious injury” threshold.

Our attorneys evaluate your medical records and circumstances to determine whether you can pursue a third-party claim for additional damages.

Yes. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence law, meaning you may still recover compensation if you were less than 51% at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you aren't barred unless you're more responsible than the other party.

For example, if you’re found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you could still recover $80,000. Insurance companies often use this rule to minimize payouts by exaggerating your share of blame, but our attorneys know how to push back. We gather police reports, witness statements, and expert testimony to challenge unfair fault assignments and fight for the full amount you’re entitled to.

Florida has a legal deadline, known as the statute of limitations, but there are exceptions depending on the circumstances. Acting quickly helps protect evidence, witness testimony, and your legal rights. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better positioned you are to preserve your claim and avoid missing critical filing windows.

Every case is unique, so there are no specific “one-size-fits-all” timelines. The time it takes for your case to settle depends on:

• Severity of injuries
• Medical treatment duration
• Whether liability is disputed
• Whether the case settles or goes to trial

Some cases settle within months; complex or severe injury cases may take longer. Our priority is to maximize your recovery, not rush a low settlement.

Car crashes in Gainesville occur for many of the same reasons they do elsewhere, but certain local factors heighten the risks, including busy campus traffic near the University of Florida, frequent rain, and construction zones on I-75 and Archer Road.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Distracted driving: Texting, GPS use, and other distractions are especially dangerous in high-traffic student areas.
• Speeding and reckless driving: Drivers rushing through Gainesville’s intersections or ignoring traffic flow often cause severe collisions.
• Failure to yield: This is a leading factor in multi-vehicle and pedestrian crashes throughout Alachua County.
• Impaired driving: Alcohol- and drug-related crashes continue to be a serious problem, especially on weekends and late at night.
• Weather-related conditions: Florida’s sudden rainstorms can create slick roads and poor visibility in seconds.
• Aggressive driving and tailgating: Impatience and heavy commuter traffic often lead to rear-end collisions.

Our Gainesville attorneys thoroughly investigate the cause of every crash to prove negligence and hold the responsible parties accountable. From accident reconstruction to reviewing police reports and witness statements, we ensure that no contributing factor is overlooked.

Depending on the details of your case, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical care
• Lost wages & loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain & suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Wrongful death damages (if a loved one was lost)

Our goal is to account for every dollar lost and every hardship faced.

Florida has many underinsured drivers. If the at-fault party lacks coverage, UM/UIM insurance may help pay your medical bills and damages. We review your policy and pursue every potential coverage source.

Hit-and-run accidents are an unfortunate reality, and protecting your rights and ability to recover compensation is essential. If the other driver flees:

• Call the police immediately
• Document what you remember (plate, vehicle description, direction of travel)
• Seek medical care
• Contact your insurer
• Notify an attorney

Your UM coverage may apply. Our team helps you navigate the process and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Accidents involving Uber, Lyft, Amazon, DoorDash, and other similar services may involve both personal and corporate insurance policies. Coverage depends on whether the driver was actively working at the time of the incident.

We investigate employment status, review policies, and fight for full compensation through all available insurance sources.

Proving who caused a crash isn’t just about pointing fingers; it requires a detailed investigation and strong evidence. Our Gainesville team collects and analyzes every piece of information that can support your case. That includes reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, and examining photos or videos from the crash scene. We also gather your medical records to directly connect your injuries to the collision and utilize vehicle data or telematics, when available, to demonstrate speed, braking, and impact forces.

In more complex cases, such as multi-vehicle crashes or situations where fault is disputed, we collaborate with accident reconstruction experts who help recreate the events and provide professional insight into how the collision occurred.

Insurance companies may try to shift blame or argue that your injuries aren’t serious. We don’t let them get away with it. Our attorneys present evidence clearly and aggressively, pushing back against lowball tactics and fighting to prove exactly what happened, and who’s responsible.

Even a “minor” accident can lead to:

• Hidden injuries
• Delayed pain
• Insurance disputes
• Low settlement offers

Consulting a lawyer early helps protect your rights and avoid settling for less than you are entitled to.

Car accident cases are often won through thorough preparation, effective use of resources, and unwavering persistence.

When you hire Morgan & Morgan, you get:

• America's Largest Injury Law Firm
• Battle-tested car accident attorneys
• Investigators & medical experts on your side
• No upfront costs — The Fee Is Free™
• A firm insurers know not to underestimate

We’re here to protect your finances, your future, and your peace of mind.

If you've been hurt in a Gainesville crash, you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone. Let our legal team fight for you while you focus on healing. Schedule your free case evaluation today.