ORLANDO CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Every case is unique, but most Orlando car accident claims are built on a few core factors that determine whether compensation may be available:

• Documented damages: Valid claims typically involve measurable losses such as medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering, not just a close call or minor inconvenience.
• Another party’s negligence: Many crashes stem from careless behavior like distracted driving, speeding, running red lights, tailgating, impaired driving, or failing to yield the right of way.
• Available insurance coverage: Most claims are pursued through insurance policies rather than directly against individuals. Coverage may come from the at-fault driver, a rideshare company, an employer, or your own UM/UIM policy.

If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies as a claim, it’s often worth having a lawyer review the details before ruling it out on your own.

Your priority is safety and medical care, then preserving evidence. After a crash:

• Call 911 if anyone is injured or if there is significant damage.
• Move to a safe location if you can do so safely; turn on hazard lights.
• Call the police so there is an official crash report.
• Exchange information with the other driver (contact, license, insurance).
• Take photos and videos of vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, and visible injuries.
• Get contact info for any witnesses.
• Seek medical care as soon as possible, even if you feel “okay.”
• Avoid apologizing or speculating about fault at the scene.

Then, notify your insurance company and consider speaking with an Orlando car accident lawyer before giving any insurer a detailed recorded statement.

Florida uses a no-fault system for most car crashes. That means:

• Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage generally pays a portion of your medical bills and certain lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash, up to your policy limits.
• PIP is often insufficient in serious injury cases and does not cover all types of losses (such as full wage loss or pain and suffering).

If your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold (such as significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury, or scarring/disfigurement), you may step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for additional damages.

Florida law sets strict deadlines for filing car accident lawsuits, and missing them can permanently bar you from pursuing compensation, even if liability is clear. There may be shorter time limits in cases involving government vehicles or certain other defendants.

Because evidence like video footage, vehicle data, and witness memories can also fade quickly, it’s safest to talk with an Orlando car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash so they can evaluate deadlines and protect your rights.

Yes, in many situations you still can. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system for most recent accidents. This means your compensation is reduced by your share of fault. However, if you are found to be more than 50% responsible, you may lose the ability to recover anything at all.

For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and you are found 20% at fault, you could still recover $80,000.

Because insurance companies often try to shift as much blame onto you as possible to reduce what they have to pay, having a lawyer push back against unfair fault assignments can make a major difference.

Depending on the severity of your injuries and how the crash affects your life, you may seek:

Economic damages

• Medical expenses (ER, hospital stays, surgery, therapy, medications)
• Future medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Property damage and vehicle replacement

Non-economic damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship or consortium (in serious cases)

In tragic fatal crashes, surviving family members may also pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral costs, loss of support, and other losses.

Unfortunately, Orlando drivers do encounter uninsured and underinsured motorists. You may still have options:

• Your PIP will apply first.
• If you purchased Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, that policy can step in to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other losses when the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance.
• In some cases, other parties, like an employer, rideshare company, or vehicle manufacturer, may share responsibility.

An attorney can review all available policies and help you make claims in the right order to maximize recovery.

There is no “standard” settlement amount. Serious factors include:

• The severity and permanence of your injuries
• The amount and type of medical treatment needed
• Lost income and impact on your ability to work in the future
• Whether you have lasting pain, limitations, or disfigurement
• The amount of available insurance coverage
• How clearly fault can be proven

Lawyers often work with medical experts, vocational specialists, and sometimes economists to estimate the full value of your case, not just what the insurer initially offers.

Not every fender-bender requires an attorney, but many “minor” crashes turn out to be more serious than they first appeared. Reasons to at least talk with a lawyer include:

• Pain shows up days later (whiplash, concussions, soft-tissue injuries).
• The other driver blames you or changes their story.
• The insurance company is downplaying injuries or pushing a quick, low settlement.
• You’re unsure what your case is really worth.

A free consultation can help you decide whether you’re better off handling it on your own or with representation.

It depends. Some cases settle relatively quickly once injuries stabilize and medical records are collected. Others take longer, especially when:

• Serious or permanent injuries are involved.
• Multiple vehicles or commercial defendants are in play.
• Fault is disputed.
• The insurer refuses to offer a fair amount.

Pre-suit negotiation, litigation, and possible trial all affect timing. A good attorney will aim to move your case forward efficiently while refusing to accept an unfair, low-ball offer just for speed.

There isn’t a meaningful “average” because settlements range from a few thousand dollars for minor soft-tissue claims to significant six- or seven-figure recoveries for catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Your outcome will depend on:

• Injury severity and lasting impact
• Total medical costs (past and future)
• Evidence of fault
• Available insurance limits
• How well your case is documented and presented

The better your injuries, losses, and liability story is documented, the stronger your position in negotiations or trial.

Orlando crashes frequently involve:

• Distracted driving (especially texting and app use)
• Speeding and aggressive driving on I-4 and major corridors
• Drunk or drug-impaired driving
• Failure to yield or running red lights at busy intersections
• Tailgating and sudden braking in heavy traffic
• Fatigued or drowsy driving
• Poor road or weather conditions

Identifying exactly how and why the crash happened is essential to proving fault.

Morgan & Morgan’s Orlando team:

• Investigates the crash, gathers evidence, and works with experts if needed
• Handles all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies
• Helps coordinate your medical documentation and wage loss proof
• Evaluates all sources of compensation (PIP, BI, UM/UIM, employer policies, etc.)
• Prepares every case as if it may need to go to trial

And with the Fee Is Free®, you don’t pay upfront, and you don’t owe any fees unless we recover money for you. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.