Orlando Car Accident Attorneys

Statistics released in 2015 showed that an average of 6 million car accidents occur in the United States every year, with around 2 million of those involved experiencing permanent injuries. Many of these accidents are caused by the negligence of other drivers.

Even if you are doing everything possible to operate your vehicle safely, a less considerate motorist can potentially cause a crash that leaves you with catastrophic injuries.

In the aftermath of an accident, you may be worried about how you will physically and financially recover. If you are hospitalized, you may worry about expensive medical bills, and if your injuries force you to miss work, you will likely be concerned about lost income.

Our Orlando car accident lawyers at Angel Law Firm, PL, can help you explore your damage recovery options. We can assist you with filing personal injury claims for automobile accidents involving:

• Motor vehicles
• Trucks and commercial vehicles
• Motorcycles and bicycles
• Boats, jet skis, and planes
• Pedestrians

Call Angel Law Firm, PL, today at (407) 337-8799 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our car accident attorney in Orlando.

Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Common injuries may include

• Whiplash: Whiplash happens when the head is suddenly jerked forward and then backward, straining the neck muscles and ligaments.
• Broken Bones: Fractures are prevalent in car accidents due to the force of impact. Commonly broken bones include arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones. Recovery can take weeks to months, and in severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): TBIs can occur even in seemingly minor accidents. These injuries vary from concussions to more severe brain damage, resulting in long-term cognitive and physical impairments. Symptoms may include confusion, headaches, nausea, and mood swings.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can have devastating consequences, including paralysis. Depending on the location and seriousness of the injury, victims may experience loss of mobility, sensation, and bodily function.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Soft tissue injuries, which includes sprains, strains, and contusions, can occur in car accidents. While they may not be as severe as fractures or TBIs, they can still cause considerable pain and require physical therapy for recovery.
• Internal Injuries: The force of a collision can cause damage to internal organs, which could not be instantly evident. Symptoms of internal injuries can include abdominal pain, bruising, and internal bleeding, necessitating prompt medical evaluation.
• Emotional and Psychological Trauma: In addition to physical injuries, many victims of car accidents experience emotional distress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Car Accident Claim?

Potential damages may include:

• Medical Expenses: This includes all costs that are associated with medical treatment that are related to the accident, like hospital bills, surgical expenses, physical therapy, and rehabilitation costs. It also covers any future medical expenses that may arise from your injuries.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries stop you from working, you can claim compensation for lost earnings. This includes not only your current lost income but also any future earning potential that may be affected by your injuries.
• Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering often refer to the physical pain and emotional despair you experience because of your injuries. While these damages can be more challenging to quantify, they significantly affect overall compensation.
• Property Damage: Compensation for property damage includes the cost to restore or replace your vehicle and any other personal property that was damaged in the accident.
• Loss of Consortium: In instances where the accident has affected your relationship with your partner, you may claim damages for loss of consortium. This compensates for the impact on companionship, affection, and intimacy.
• Punitive Damages: In instances of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be granted to penalize the at-fault party and discourage similar conduct in the future.
• Wrongful Death Damages: If a car accident leads to the death of a loved one, the family may pursue wrongful death claims. Damages can include funeral expenses, loss of income, and loss of companionship.

Liability Laws After a Car Accident

One of the first steps when filing a car accident claim is to determine who is liable for your injuries. In Florida, an “at-fault” rule is used to determine liability. This rule means that the driver who caused an accident is the one responsible for paying damages through an insurance carrier.

While this may seem obvious some states do follow no-fault system where in each party files a claim with their own insurance regardless of who is responsible for causing the accident.

While this Florida’s at-fault law is simple in situations where only one driver is responsible for causing and accident, many accidents involve the fault of more than one party, no matter how small. For example, a driver who is only partially at fault may have been driving a little bit about the speed limit or failed to use a turn signal.

In these cases, an injured driver can still recover compensation through Florida’s “modified comparative fault" rule. This rule says that an injured party can still file a claim against the negligent party, however,

• The percentage of responsibility an injured party is found to bear will also be deducted from their overall compensation awarded. For example, if you are found to be 10% at fault for the accident, the total compensation awarded to you will also be reduced by 10%.
• You can only pursue a claim if your share of fault is less than 50%

What To Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Florida

When you are involved in any type of automobile accident, the first thing you should do is ensure the physical safety of everyone involved. No matter what happens, do not leave. Prematurely leaving the scene of an accident in the state of Florida is a crime and can imperil any future effort to recover damages.

Once you have determined everyone is physically safe and have contacted any necessary medical assistance, it is generally a good idea to summon law enforcement. You are required to do so if the crash caused significant property damage or any serious injuries.

An official police report will also be extremely useful in ensuing personal injury claims. You should take pictures of the incident site, your injuries, and any property damage to supplement this report. Be sure to exchange names, telephone numbers, addresses, and insurance information with all drivers involved in the accident.

You should also obtain contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened, as their testimony may prove pivotal to your case. After an accident, it is critical that you seek medical treatment as soon as you have an onset of symptoms.

This may be necessary immediately after a crash, but you could also discover it possible in the hours or even days following the incident. No matter when you begin to notice symptoms, your health is paramount, and you should make every effort to get the medical attention that you need.

It is important that you speak with qualified legal representation before giving any recorded statements to any insurance company involved in the case. This includes your own insurance company.

Contact Our Car Accident Attorney in Orlando Today

Our team will do everything possible to ensure you are taken care of immediately following a car accident. We can assist in communications with your insurance company, guide you through the personal injury claims process, and pursue the relief that you need.

Contact our firm for a free consultation to get started on your case today. Our Orlando car accident lawyers can assist you in both English and Spanish.