Have you been injured in a car accident in Orlando, Florida? Norden Leacox Car Accident And Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our experienced Orlando car accident lawyers can help you make the most of your opportunity to recover compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and emotional distress. Contact our Orlando, FL, law office at 407-801-3000 to get started. Your first consultation is free.
We are award-winning Florida trial attorneys with more than 75 years of combined experience as litigators and insurance defense attorneys. Our in-depth knowledge of insurance practices and strategies helps us give our clients a huge advantage during negotiations. It’s one of the reasons we’ve successfully obtained millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards.
We’re here to help you take on the insurance company and demand the monetary amount you deserve.
How Norden Leacox Car Accident And Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Orlando, FL
Getting into a car accident can be quite traumatic. If your injuries are severe, your life might be changed forever. It takes time to get back on your feet and figure out the best path forward. But, you only have a limited time to pursue compensation from an insurance company or at-fault party.
Our experienced Orlando personal injury lawyers are here to take the stress of a lawsuit off your shoulders.
We are a leader in car accident litigation in central Florida. We fight for our clients like family, and our results are a testament to just how dedicated we are to making a difference in the lives of the people we represent.
When you turn to us for help with your case, you’ll be able to count on us to:
- Launch a prompt independent investigation into your car accident
- Determine precisely why and how the crash occurred and who’s liable
- Analyze medical records, the accident report, photographs, damaged property, video, vehicle history, and other evidence
- Depose witnesses and other parties to your accident
- Ensure your claim complies with all laws and procedures as established by the insurance company and Florida state law
- Represent you during settlement negotiations with the insurance provider and others
- Support you when making decisions about your case, like whether to reject, counter, or accept the insurance company’s settlement offer
- Have an accomplished attorney bring your car accident lawsuit to an Orange County jury, if necessary
You have one chance to make things right and get the compensation you deserve after your car wreck. Our experienced legal team is here to help you navigate this difficult situation. Trust us to do everything in our power to help you win.
We offer a free case evaluation. Reach out to our Orlando car accident attorneys today to schedule yours.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
While you do not necessarily have to retain a lawyer to help you, it is in your best interest.
Here’s why:
- Statistically speaking, you are more likely to win and secure a higher payout.
- The insurance company won’t be the only one with experts weighing in. You’ll benefit from the law firm’s resources, including its network of expert witnesses to back your case.
- You level the playing field and force the insurance company to engage in meaningful conversations about your car accident case.
- You won’t be vulnerable to (often unsubstantiated) allegations of comparative negligence.
- You’ll have the ability to focus on what’s most important: your health and well-being.
Don’t just hire any attorney in Orlando. Get an attorney with the experience, skills, and passion needed to help you emerge victorious.
Reach out to our law firm and put our award-winning advocates in your corner.
How Much Money Can I Get From a Car Accident Claim?
No two crashes are the same. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the average comprehensive cost of a car accident in 2021 ranged from $17,000 to $12.4 million, depending on the extent of the person’s injuries.
Of course, the type and severity of your injuries are just one factor that must be considered when determining how much your car accident case is worth.
Important considerations include:
- What type of medical treatment is required?
- Will you need long-term medical care or nursing assistance?
- How has your quality of life changed after the accident?
- Can you continue working?
- Has your income changed since the accident?
- Are you permanently disabled?
- How old are you?
- What did you do to mitigate your damages?
- Are you getting blamed for the car accident?
- What insurance benefits are available?
The best way to get a sense of how much you might be able to recover from an injury claim is by speaking with an experienced attorney near you in Orlando.
At Norden Leacox, we’ve helped accident victims secure substantial settlements and jury awards. We lean on our unique insight into insurance company practices and strategies to give our clients the upper hand. Take advantage of all that we have to offer by calling our Orlando law office.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Florida?
Florida has a two-year statute of limitations that applies to most lawsuits. This is true for cases involving personal injury and wrongful death.
There are some exceptions, such as cases involving work-related crashes, accidents causing injuries to children, or government tort claims. In these situations, different rules and time limits may apply.
Do not wait too long to take action. Once the deadline runs out, you’ll no longer be able to exercise your right to seek compensation. Contact us right away. We can begin to work on your case as soon as you ask for our help.
What Types of Compensation Are Available After an Auto Accident in Florida?
Whether you file a claim with an insurance company or pursue compensation through a lawsuit, you may be able to get both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages are awarded to make you whole again.
They help to offset costs related to your collision and injury, such as:
- Current medical expenses for hospitalization, surgery, medication, medical devices, and follow-up care
- Reasonably necessary future medical bills
- Rehab and therapy
- Temporary and/or permanent disability
- Lost wages and income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property and vehicle damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as a rental car
- Nursing care or personal care costs
- Funeral expenses if a collision is fatal
These damages can be awarded for both current and future monetary losses. However, damages are only available when your losses can be verified by receipts, wage statements, invoices, or other documentation.
Sometimes, the consequences of a car accident are hard to see. They can also be difficult to value in terms of dollars and cents.
That’s where non-economic damages are appropriate, which help to compensate for the harder-to-value losses you experience, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Chronic physical pain
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Vehophobia
- Embarrassment
- Disfigurement
- Physical scarring
- Inconvenience
- Loss of consortium
Since non-economic awards involve intangible losses, they’re often highly contested during negotiations. Expect the at-fault party and insurance provider to downplay your injuries and the ways in which your life has changed since the accident. Count on our Orlando car accident attorneys to ensure that you are properly compensated for the trauma, distress, and suffering you’ve experienced.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Orlando?
Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means their fee is contingent upon the success of your case. Under this structure, you do not pay any attorney fees unless your lawyer recovers a settlement or verdict on your behalf. If and when they obtain an award for you, your lawyer will take a pre-agreed-upon percentage of your settlement or verdict (usually 33% to 40%). This fee arrangement recognizes the financial difficulties injured victims may be experiencing after an accident and ensures that the cost of legal representation doesn’t add to the stress.
Most injury law firms also offer free consultations, making the financial risk of seeking legal help minimal. We offer contingency arrangements in all cases. Contact us in Orlando to learn more about our fee options and the benefits of having our legal team fighting for you.
What Does PIP Insurance Cover?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is a type of no-fault coverage that provides benefits in the event of a car accident. As a no-fault state, Florida law requires its drivers to have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage. If you get into a wreck, you will first make a claim against your PIP auto insurance to receive money for your medical bills and lost wages.
This covers 80% of necessary medical expenses, up to the policy limits, regardless of who caused the accident. This coverage will also pay for 60% of your lost wages. It may also extend to other expenses, such as homecare, rehabilitation, etc.
If your expenses after the accident exceed your PIP coverage, you may be able to seek additional damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
How We Build Evidence in an Auto Accident Case
To prove another driver negligently caused your car accident, you’ll need evidence, such as:
- Medical records
- Police/accident reports
- Citations stemming from the accident
- Photos or videos of the accident scene
- Cell phone data of the at-fault driver
- Security or dashcam footage of the accident
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony from accident reconstructionists
Our top-rated lawyers can conduct an exhaustive investigation to gather proof related to your case.
We can also consult experts in accident reconstruction, medicine, and finance if needed. We’ll build your case while you focus on your health and recovery.
Can I Get Compensated If I Was Partly At Fault For My Florida Car Crash?
Possibly. However, it will depend on how much of the fault you are assigned for the accident.
That’s because Florida operates under a system of modified comparative negligence. There’s an absolute bar to recovery that kicks in if your share of negligence is greater than 50 percent.
You can recover a reduced amount if you share some, but not most, of the responsibility for the incident. Damages are decreased proportionately. So, your damages will be reduced by 10 percent if you are assigned 10 percent of the blame for the wreck.
Don’t be shocked when the other side points fingers and attempts to blame you for the accident. These tactics can destroy your ability to recover compensation – in whole or in part – if you do not fight back.
We will anticipate these strategies and be ready to shut them down. We’ll gather evidence to dispute the allegations, work to discredit unhelpful witness testimony, and do everything else in our power to limit the impact of victim-blaming tactics.
The less liability you share, the more you can potentially recover through a settlement or jury verdict.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Most car accident cases are settled and do not go to trial. In fact, only about 4-5 percent of cases end up in front of a jury.
Many factors can impact whether or not a case is settled or goes to court.
- Are the plaintiff and the insurance company willing to negotiate?
- Is liability clearly established, or is the insurance company not convinced?
- How far apart are the parties when valuing the case?
Ultimately, how your case unfolds is up to you. If you accept a settlement, the case will be resolved, and you can move forward. If you’re not offered a fair deal or if the insurance company flat out refuses to negotiate, you can decide to try for a better result at trial.
One way to reduce the likelihood of going to court is by hiring an experienced attorney. We are known, respected, and feared because of our absolute willingness to take matters to trial. We do not entertain lowball settlement offers. If we think there’s a better result by going to court, we won’t hesitate to advise our clients to move forward.
The threat of litigation can force the insurance company to approach your case differently. They’ll want to avoid a showdown in court, which can mean that they’ll extend a far better settlement early on in the process.
What Should I Do After a Crash in Orlando?
Steps taken after an Orlando auto accident can shape your future and the outcome of any legal claims you decide to pursue.
So, keep these things in mind if you or a loved one are involved in a wreck:
- Call 911 or the local police to report the accident and request assistance.
- Remain at or near the site of the accident and exchange personal information with other parties until the police arrive.
- Document the scene, damage, and injuries by taking pictures or recording a video.
- Don’t apologize, even if you think that you are responsible for the accident. The only way to know how and why the collision happened is by conducting a thorough investigation.
- Get to the closest hospital for medical treatment as soon as you can, even if you think you didn’t get hurt or your injuries are minor.
- Get an experienced attorney near you to advocate for you.
- Refuse to provide a recorded statement for the insurance adjuster (unless your attorney has given you the green light).
- Request a copy of your accident report.
- Redirect all conversations and negotiations to your lawyer.
Contact us for help after your motor vehicle accident. Members of our law firm are always standing by to help – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
Every collision is different. Our team of attorneys have extensive experience litigating all different kinds of car accident injury matters.
At Norden Leacox, we advocate for clients in cases involving:
Rear-End Crashes
Rear-end collisions, which account for about 28 percent of all traffic accidents annually, occur when one car strikes the back of another vehicle. The driver of the rear vehicle is often liable. However, that’s not always the case.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Texting or talking on the phone, engaging in conversations with passengers, or reaching for objects all cause drivers to take their focus away from driving. When drivers are distracted, accidents are more likely to happen and be more serious. In fact, more than 3,500 people died because of inattentive driving practices in 2021.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Drivers who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol are more likely than others to get into traffic accidents. Drugs and alcohol decrease reaction time, adversely affect concentration, and increase the probability that a driver is fatigued behind the wheel. In 2019, drunk drivers were responsible for at least 814 traffic accident fatalities in the state of Florida.
Speeding Accidents
Speed limits exist for a reason. Driving at high speeds is associated with an increased risk of collision and occupant fatalities. Drivers who speed have reduced reaction times and are more likely to lose control of their vehicles.
Accidents Involving Uninsured Motorists
Drivers in Florida are required to maintain valid car insurance. However, research suggests that about 20 percent of Florida’s drivers are uninsured. That’s one out of every five drivers. When you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, it can have a serious impact on your ability to obtain the compensation you need once your own no-fault benefits are exhausted.
Who Could Be Liable For My Auto Accident Injuries?
Under Florida law, anyone who contributes to a car accident can potentially be held legally responsible for resulting injuries.
Pending the conclusion of an in-depth investigation, our lawyers might find that one or some of the following are liable:
- The driver of a vehicle
- Vehicle passenger
- Truck driver
- Bus driver
- Transit company
- Bicyclist
- Pedestrian
- Uber or Lyft rideshare driver
- Property owner
- Vehicle manufacturer
- Government agency responsible for road design and maintenance
- Negligent party’s employer
Ultimately, anyone whose negligent or wrongful actions cause your wreck can be on the hook for your damages. Our attorneys will carefully assess your accident to determine why it happened and, in turn, identify who could be at fault.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Victims of Orlando car accidents often report sustaining one or more of the following injuries:
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Crushing injuries
- Chest injuries
- Eye injuries
- Dental injuries
- Degloving injuries
- Amputation
- Concussion
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Back injuries
- Burns
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of someone they love
Get checked out at the closest emergency room, and then reach out to our law office for help.
These simple steps can be instrumental in recovering the compensation you need and deserve.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?
Negligence – or a failure to exercise reasonable care – is the leading cause of motor vehicle accidents in Orlando, Florida.
Some of the top contributing factors include:
- Driving while distracted
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Fatigued driving
- Reckless driving
- Unsafe or illegal turns
- Improper passing
- Tailgating
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Running red lights
- Rolling stops
- Negligent vehicle maintenance
Other common causes include road defects, vehicle defects, road construction, and bad weather conditions/limited visibility.
Orlando Car Accident Statistics (April 2024 Update)
Every year, there are thousands of reported traffic collisions in Orlando and neighboring cities.
According to statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 26,226 accidents in Orange County in 2023.
12,349 accidents caused at least one injury, with injuries totaling 19,600. Another 163 accidents were fatal, resulting in 166 deaths. That’s roughly 72 motor vehicle accidents in and near Orlando every day, of which 35 cause an injury or death.
So far in 2024 there have been 6,479 total crashes, with 3,151 crashes causing injuries and 28 fatal crashes.
Call Our Orlando Car Accident Lawyers For Help
You’ve been hurt in an Orlando car accident through little to no fault of your own. Someone else caused you to get hurt. They should be held accountable. Norden Leacox Car Accident And Personal Injury Lawyers can help you make things right.
Our Orlando car accident lawyers have over 75 years of combined experience handling complex cases like yours. We’ve helped our clients win millions. Now, we are ready to go to bat for you.
Contact our law office to set up a time for your free case evaluation. We are here to help 24/7.
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