Orlando is a bustling city with heavy traffic from tourists and residents alike. While it can be a magical place, there is also the unfortunate reality that car accidents are common on Orlando’s busy roads and highways. Perhaps you’ve been rear-ended by a distracted driver while stuck in congestion on I-4, or your vehicle was struck head-on by someone driving under the influence near the attractions of International Drive. Accidents like these can lead to severe physical injuries and emotional trauma for those involved. To make matters worse, dealing with insurance companies and navigating the legal system can be a stressful and time-consuming ordeal. In these situations, it’s crucial to enlist the help of an experienced Orlando car accident lawyer who will alleviate the stress associated with your recovery process.
If you’ve suffered physical injuries or emotional damages in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. To ensure that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve, call Steinger, Greene & Feiner, a team of car accident lawyers in Orlando working tirelessly for you and your loved ones.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Orlando
With its heavily congested roads and a steady stream of tourists, Orlando presents many opportunities for drivers to fall victim to collisions. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were a total of 26,259 car accidents in Orange County in 2023. These crashes resulted in 175 fatalities, 19,612 injuries, and 13,397 property damage crashes.
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents. Other common causes include:
- Speeding: Driving significantly above the posted speed limit reduces reaction time, making it highly unlikely to prevent an accident.
- Driving under the influence/DUI: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol dulls the senses, slowing reaction times and impairing decision-making. This poses a danger to both the driver and others on the road.
- Reckless Driving: Weaving through traffic, tailgating, and cutting off other drivers are examples of reckless driving that can lead to severe accidents.
- Hazardous Weather: Rainy or snowy conditions create slick roads, increasing the risk of vehicles losing control and sliding. Always exercise extra caution when operating a motor vehicle in these types of conditions.
- Running Intersections: We’re often in a hurry. We get in a car because somewhere to be. However, disregarding red lights and stop signs by running through intersections is a leading cause of vehicle collisions.
- Inexperienced Driving: Inexperienced teenage drivers may fail to react appropriately to new driving situations, increasing the risk of accidents on the road.
- Vehicle or Road Defects: Faulty brakes that fail to stop in a timely manner can cause rear-end collisions. Likewise, insufficient drainage can lead to pooling of water on the roads. Variables in your vehicle and on the road can pose risks to car accidents and bodily injury.
We understand that you take risks every time you operate a motor vehicle on the roads of Orlando. If you end up like one of the 19,610 people injured in an auto accident last year, protect your rights. Consult with Steinger, Greene & Feiner, a trusted and compassionate car accident lawyer in Orlando.
Cases Our Car Accident Lawyers Handle in Orlando
Our Orlando car accident lawyers handle a range of cases common to this busy city, from rear-end collisions in heavy I-4 traffic to head-on crashes around International Drive. Each accident type presents unique challenges, and we’re here to pursue the full compensation you need for your injuries and recovery.
Types of Cases We Handle:
- Rear-End Collisions: Common in high-traffic areas like I-4 and downtown, these accidents often result from distracted driving or tailgating. We gather strong evidence to establish fault for the accident and seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Head-On Collisions: Frequently caused by impaired or reckless driving near busy attractions, head-on crashes often result in severe injuries. We work tirelessly to hold the at-fault driver accountable and secure compensation for long-term care.
- T–Bone Accidents: Often occurring at intersections throughout Orlando, side-impact crashes usually involve failure to yield or red-light violations. We reconstruct these incidents to show how the other driver’s negligence caused your injuries.
- Multi-Vehicle Accidents: Orlando’s congested highways can lead to pile-ups, with multiple parties sharing liability. We navigate these complex cases to ensure every responsible party is held accountable and you receive your fair compensation.
- Drunk and Drugged Driving Accidents: Impaired driving is a leading cause of serious accidents in Orlando. In these cases, we pursue both compensatory and punitive damages to maximize your recovery.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: Victims of hit-and-runs often rely on uninsured motorist coverage. We assist in filing these claims and work with local authorities to identify the at-fault driver when possible.
- Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents: With Orlando’s pedestrian-friendly areas, these accidents are unfortunately common. We hold negligent drivers accountable, advocating for the resources you need for medical and long-term support.
Every case we handle in Orlando gets the dedicated focus and local expertise it deserves. We guide you through each step, standing by you as we fight for the compensation you need to rebuild.
Injuries Resulting from Car Accidents
Car accidents in Orlando can lead to a range of injuries, each impacting your life in unique ways. Common injuries include:
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Often resulting from rear-end collisions.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Typically caused by high-impact collisions.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Can lead to cognitive issues and long-term complications.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: May result in partial or total paralysis.
- Severe Lacerations and Soft Tissue Injuries: Often require ongoing treatment and risk of infection.
Under Florida law, you have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
For serious injuries—such as long-term disability or significant disfigurement—Florida’s personal injury laws may allow you to pursue additional damages, including future medical costs and loss of earning capacity. Immediate medical attention is essential, both for your health and to avoid limits on insurance benefits under Florida’s no-fault PIP coverage.
Our priority is to help you secure the full compensation you need for recovery and rebuilding.
Florida Car Accident Law
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System: Coverage and Limitations
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, meaning that each driver’s insurance typically covers their own injuries, regardless of fault. Under Florida law, every driver must carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, designed to cover medical expenses and lost wages up to policy limits. However, if injuries are classified as non-emergency, you might only be eligible for $2,500 in coverage. This limitation makes immediate medical evaluation essential, as proving an “emergency medical condition” can unlock the full policy benefits, providing crucial financial support when recovery costs mount.
When You Can Pursue Compensation Beyond PIP Coverage
While no-fault laws require your insurance to cover initial medical bills, you may still have a pathway to pursue compensation directly from the at-fault party if your injuries meet a threshold defined by Florida law. This threshold is generally met in cases involving permanent injuries, significant scarring, disfigurement, or death, opening the door to a broader range of damages not covered by PIP. In such cases, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible driver to recover additional losses, such as ongoing medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Florida’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
Florida’s approach to negligence in car accident cases also impacts compensation. The state follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which reduces compensation based on your share of fault. If you bear more than 50% of the responsibility, you may be ineligible to receive any damages. This modified rule can complicate cases, particularly when insurance companies try to assign blame strategically. Enlisting the help of a auto accident attorney can be pivotal in countering these tactics and ensuring that liability is fairly assessed, safeguarding your right to compensation.
Florida’s Updated Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims
Injured victims should also consider Florida’s statute of limitations for car accident claims, which underwent a significant change in 2023. Now, victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim, reduced from the previous four-year timeframe. This shorter deadline underscores the importance of acting promptly to preserve your legal options. For wrongful death claims, the statute remains at two years from the date of the incident.
Why Legal Representation Matters in Complex Insurance Cases
Seeking compensation in Florida can feel complex, especially when insurance companies push to settle quickly and at amounts far below what your injuries might warrant. Partnering with an experienced car crash lawyer not only alleviates this pressure but can also significantly influence the outcome of your claim. Attorneys with local knowledge and experience in Florida’s no-fault insurance and negligence laws will help you navigate this intricate system, maximizing your compensation while allowing you to focus on recovery.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Safety should be your top priority if you are involved in a car accident. Once you’ve received any necessary medical care, immediately consult with an auto accident lawyer in Orlando. It’s crucial to speak with an attorney like those at Steinger, Greene & Feiner who can advocate for your rights in court.
Never admit fault at the scene of the accident. Avoid discussing your case with anyone other than your lawyer, and never post about it on social media. Anything you say or post publicly can and will be used against you by the opposing counsel to diminish your case. Your attorney-client relationship is confidential, and everything you discuss will remain private. Experienced Orlando auto accident lawyers will fight relentlessly for a fair settlement, and when necessary, won’t hesitate to take the case to trial.
To strengthen this case, it’s important to provide proof of damages and thoroughly document the accident for legal purposes. Use your cell phone to capture eyewitness accounts and record videos of both the damaged vehicles and the surrounding scene. Take photos and videos of any injuries sustained.
Finally, communicate with the other drivers involved and obtain their contact and insurance information.
How An Orlando Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Determining Liability
Determining liability in a car accident case is a crucial step toward securing the compensation you deserve. As your advocates, we understand the complexities of Florida’s insurance and legal landscape, and we’re here to handle every step, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies. Our local expertise in Orlando’s legal system allows us to strategically navigate claims, so you can avoid common pitfalls that might otherwise reduce your compensation.
Key Steps We Take to Prove Liability and Establish Negligence
In Florida, proving liability relies on demonstrating negligence. To hold the other driver accountable, we establish four essential elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: We demonstrate that the other driver had a responsibility to operate their vehicle safely and with reasonable care for others on the road.
- Breach of Duty: Next, we show how the other driver breached this duty, perhaps through speeding, distracted driving, or other reckless behavior that put others at risk.
- Causation: We connect the driver’s actions directly to the accident, proving that their breach of duty was the cause of the collision.
- Damages: Finally, we illustrate the full scope of your losses—physical injuries, emotional suffering, property damage, and financial hardships—as a result of the accident.
Our role involves meticulous gathering of evidence and building a comprehensive case. This includes collecting police reports, witness accounts, medical records, and sometimes even working with accident reconstruction experts to paint a clear and compelling picture of the other driver’s negligence.
Beyond proving liability, we provide additional essential support throughout the claims process:
- Managing Insurance Communications: We handle all interactions with insurance companies, ensuring they don’t undercut your claim or pressure you into a quick settlement.
- Organizing and Presenting Evidence: We ensure all documentation is professionally organized, whether it’s accident scene photos, video footage, or expert reports, making a compelling case for the compensation you’re owed.
- Negotiating Fair Settlements: With our deep understanding of Florida’s insurance laws, we negotiate assertively to achieve a fair settlement, even if initial offers fall short of covering your damages.
As your trusted Orlando car accident attorneys, we manage the legal complexities so you can focus on what matters most—your recovery. Our team is committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve, allowing you to move forward with peace of mind.
Types of Compensation Available in Car Accident Cases
If your serious injury results in medical and other expenses exceeding the scope of your PIP coverage, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover additional losses. In general, these damages are divided into two main categories: economic and non-economic. Economic damages aim to compensate you for the actual financial losses incurred, such as:
- Medical expenses above the PIP policy limit of $10,000
- Lost wages exceeding the PIP limit of $10,000
- Property damage costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
Additionally, your lawsuit may help you recover compensation for non-economic damages suffered. These are losses unrelated to direct monetary costs. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering endured
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
- Permanent disabilities or impairments
Our knowledgeable team of personal injury lawyers will ensure you receive fair and maximum compensation for both economic and non-economic damages in these situations. They understand how to effectively navigate these complex and delicate issues in court proceedings. You have legal rights as an accident victim, and it is our role as attorneys to uphold those rights.
How an Orlando Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
In addition to helping you maximize your claim benefits, the team of Orlando car accident attorneys at Steinger, Greene & Feiner will negotiate a settlement on your behalf.
Accident victims in Orlando are subject to strict statutes of limitations, restricting the amount of time they have to file a lawsuit. Failure to take legal action within these timeframes prevents injury victims from having their cases heard in court. As experienced Orlando car accident lawyers, we understand the nuanced statute of limitation laws in the state of Florida—which can vary depending on the type of claim, the vehicle type, or the vehicle owner.
Furthermore, to reach a successful verdict in the courtroom, victims and their attorneys must provide evidence to support their claims. This is known as the burden of proof, and it is the responsibility of you, the victim; not the driver at fault. Obtaining experienced legal representation helps relieve you of some of this burden so that you can focus on recovering. Our car crash lawyers will assist you in gathering and presenting the evidence needed to prove your case and maximize the compensation you are rightfully owed.
Choosing the Right Orlando Car Accident Lawyer
Steinger, Greene & Feiner is your best choice for a reputable and compassionate car accident attorney in Orlando. We combine local knowledge with success to achieve results for our clients. Our team of dedicated auto accident lawyers has a combined track record of 10 decades.
We work diligently to ensure that every one of our clients leaves our law firm with the maximum compensation they deserve. See what others are saying about our team of car accident lawyers here.
Client Testimonials
2101 Park Center Drive Suite 160, Orlando
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Wow! Is really all I can express! I’ve been involved with this law firm for some weeks now and I’ve been completely blow away at the process. The level of communication and education from them is unbelievable! I am extremely grateful for … More them! Sophia is my paralegal and she’s killing it in the best way!!! If you unfortunately have a personal injury case, you gotta give Steinger, Greene, and Feiner a call NOW!
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Mr. Ted Edwards done an excellent job with my situation with my car accident. I was very pleased of the outcome through everything that came to be. I will refer your law firm to anyone else that needs to be represented. Thank You so much. … More
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I was in a car accident out of state that left me in a wheelchair for a month I had lost all hope until one of the attorneys reached out and everything took a turn for the better. Thank you so much Ted for all you did. It’s been gladly … More appreciated!
Call Today for Help From an Orlando Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in the Orlando area, you have legal options available. The experienced car accident attorneys at Steinger, Greene & Feiner know how to navigate Florida’s laws on your behalf, and they are intimately familiar with the local court systems. The sooner you consult the best Orlando car accident lawyers following an accident, the sooner you’ll find relief.
Call Steinger, Greene & Feiner at (407) 289-0020 for a free consultation, or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential consultation with an Orlando car accident lawyer today. You may also visit their offices located at 2101 Park Center Drive, Suite 160, Orlando, FL 32835.