OCALA CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Every crash is different, but certain elements help determine whether you have a viable claim. Florida law looks at who caused the collision, what insurance policies apply, and how the accident impacted your health and finances.

Generally, you may have a claim if:

• Another driver behaved negligently (speeding, distracted driving, running a red light, etc.)
• You were seriously injured or required medical treatment
• The crash resulted in financial losses, such as medical bills or missed wages
• There is insurance coverage available, either from the other driver or through your own policy

Talking to an attorney early can prevent costly mistakes.

In the minutes and hours after a crash, your actions can significantly affect your health and your case.

Here’s what to do:

• Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt.
• Move to safety if possible.
• Call law enforcement, even for minor accidents; police reports matter.
• Exchange information with the other driver, but avoid discussing fault.
• Photograph the scene, vehicles, injuries, road conditions, and traffic signs.
• Get medical care, even if you feel “fine.” Many injuries take hours or days to show up.
• Notify your insurance about the crash, but be cautious with your statements.
• Contact a car accident attorney before signing anything or giving recorded statements.

Early action helps preserve evidence, protect your rights, and strengthen any future claim.

Florida is a no-fault state. That means the first layer of coverage for medical treatment comes from your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, regardless of who caused the crash.

PIP typically covers:

• A portion of medical bills
• A portion of lost wages
• Certain out-of-pocket expenses

But PIP is limited. When your injuries go beyond what PIP covers, or when they meet Florida's “serious injury threshold,” you can step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for full compensation.

To file a lawsuit against the other driver, you must show a severe or permanent injury. Examples include:

• Significant or permanent loss of a bodily function
• Permanent injury diagnosed by a medical professional
• Permanent or significant scarring or disfigurement
• Death (in which case the family may pursue a wrongful death claim)

Even if you’re unsure whether your injuries qualify, an attorney can review your medical records and help you understand your options.

Strong cases are built on strong evidence. In Ocala, that often includes:

• Police crash reports
• Photos and videos
• Witness statements
• Surveillance or traffic camera footage
• Cell phone records
• Vehicle “black box” data
• Medical records demonstrating injury
• Testimony from accident reconstruction experts

When needed, Morgan & Morgan uses specialists who analyze skid marks, impact angles, road conditions, and vehicle damage to show exactly how the collision happened and who caused it.

Florida law limits how long you have to take legal action after a car accident. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to pursue compensation entirely.

Some situations, such as crashes involving government vehicles, injured minors, or cases where injuries are not discovered right away, can affect how much time is available. Because deadlines can be strict and exceptions are complex, it’s always safest to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, not all drivers in Ocala carry enough insurance to cover the damage they cause. When that happens, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may step in to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If you don’t know whether your policy includes UM/UIM, we can review it and explain your options.

Yes. But these cases involve complicated insurance layers based on:

• Whether the driver had the app on
• Whether they were on their way to pick up a passenger
• Whether a passenger was in the car during the crash

Uber, Lyft, Amazon, and DoorDash all carry large insurance policies that may cover your losses, but only in certain situations. An attorney can determine which insurer is responsible and whether the company’s policies apply.

Florida uses a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover compensation as long as you are 50% or less responsible for the crash. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Example:

If you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, you recover $80,000.

Insurance companies love using this rule to shift blame onto victims. We work to prevent that.

Depending on your case, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Future medical care
• Lost wages and reduced earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring or disability
• Property damage
• Funeral costs in wrongful death cases

Severe crashes, especially those involving semi-trucks on I-75, speeding drivers, or intoxicated motorists, often lead to significantly higher settlements.

Ocala and Marion County see thousands of crashes each year. Common causes include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding on major roads like SR-40 and US-301
• Failure to yield at busy intersections
• Drunk or drug-impaired driving
• Tailgating on congested roadways
• Fatigue on long stretches of I-75
• Dangerous weather and low visibility

Even cautious drivers can be put in harm’s way by someone else’s carelessness.

Insurance companies look for any reason to minimize payouts, especially when medical documentation is unclear or inconsistent.

• Strong medical evidence includes:
• Immediate treatment after the crash
• Diagnostic imaging (CT scans, MRIs, X-rays)
• Notes from treating physicians
• Physical therapy records
• Prescription history
• Specialist evaluations

The sooner you seek medical care, the easier it is to show that the crash caused your injuries.

In complex collisions, such as multi-vehicle crashes, truck accidents, or disputed-fault cases, experts help clarify how the impact occurred. They analyze vehicle damage, road conditions, braking patterns, and physics to recreate the crash.

Their findings often make or break cases where liability is contested.

Yes, as long as you weren’t more than 50% responsible. Many Ocala drivers mistakenly assume they have no case because they made a small mistake, but comparative negligence often still allows recovery.

Let us evaluate your case before you assume the insurance company is right.

Truck accident cases are much more complicated. Multiple parties may be liable, including the driver, the trucking company, the maintenance contractor, the cargo loader, or even the vehicle manufacturer.

These claims often involve:

• Larger insurance policies
• Severe or catastrophic injuries
• Black box data
• Federal trucking regulations

We have a dedicated team of attorneys experienced in commercial trucking litigation.

If the other driver flees:

• Call 911 immediately
• Write down any details about the fleeing vehicle
• Look for witnesses or nearby cameras
• Seek medical treatment
• Report the crash to your insurer
• Contact a lawyer quickly

Even if the driver is never found, you may still recover compensation through UM coverage.

Insurance adjusters are trained to:

• Downplay injuries
• Blame the victim
• Delay payments
• Pressure you into early settlements
• Dispute medical necessity
• Use your statements against you

Morgan & Morgan levels the playing field, demanding full value, not the quick check insurers want to send.

You pay nothing up front.

You pay nothing out of pocket.

You pay only if we win.

It’s that simple. The Fee Is Free®.

Local representation means:

• Familiarity with Ocala courts and judges
• Knowledge of Marion County crash hotspots
• Understanding of how insurers handle local claims
• Access to nearby medical providers and reconstruction experts

When you’re dealing with a painful injury, you want a team that understands your community as well as the law.

A car crash can turn your life upside down, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Whether you’re dealing with a severe injury, fighting with insurance companies, or confused about your next steps, Morgan & Morgan is here for you.

Start with a free case evaluation today. We’re ready to fight for your recovery, every step of the way.