Orlando Car Accident Lawyer
Over the past decade, Orlando’s population has grown almost 3% each year, making the city one of the fastest-growing major urban areas in the country. While this is good for the local economy and development in the area, it has led to more traffic on the roadways and more car accidents.
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Crash Dashboard, about 400,000 car crashes occur annually in Florida, leading to over 250,000 injuries and 3,600 fatalities. Last year, Orlando and Orange County reported 27,421 crashes, 13,821 injury crashes, and 216 roadway fatalities.
Car accident injuries can be devastating for the injured victims and their families. The need for medical treatment coupled with physical pain, mental anguish and loss of can cause overwhelming challenges. The Orlando Dennis Hernandez car accident lawyers understand these challenges and want to help.
If you or a member of your family has been seriously injured in a car accident caused or partially caused by someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct, we can help you handle some of the difficulties you are facing. We want you to know you don’t have to handle all of the accident-related problems on your own. We have helped hundreds of accident victims throughout Florida and welcome the opportunity to put our experience and legal expertise to work helping you get the financial compensation you deserve.
On the rest of this page, we are going to try to answer common questions people have about Florida car accident cases. For answers to questions about your specific case, please call us at 855.529.3366 or fill in the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website. All consultations with and advice from our experienced Orlando car accident lawyers are free, and you pay nothing until we win your case.
Bicycle Accident Attorney Orlando
If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident in Orlando, call Dennis Hernandez. We offer free consultations for victims of bicycle accidents. Call us at 855.529.3366 or contact us at our contact page.
Whether you ride a bike for fun, passion, or as an eco-friendly commute, you deserve a safe and enjoyable experience. Accidents can happen anytime, so it’s important to be prepared. A bicycle accident can turn an enjoyable ride into a life-changing event, causing serious injuries and long-term challenges. If a bicycle accident injured you, an experienced Orlando attorney can help you pursue full compensation for your losses.
Can I Sue for Car Accident Injuries in Orlando?
If a negligent or reckless driver caused your car accident injuries, you may have the right to sue for compensation. You can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages allowed under Florida law. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that most accidents result from reckless driving and negligence, including:
- Distracted Driving – responsible for causing more than 3,000 deaths each year.
- Speeding – responsible for almost 9,500 deaths each year.
- Drowsy Driving – responsible for approximately 700 fatalities per year.
- Drunk Driving – responsible for more than 10,000 fatalities a year.
- Drug-impaired Driving – associated with more than 50% of the drivers involved in serious injury accidents.
Liability in Florida accident injury cases is based on the concept of negligence. In other words, to hold another driver liable for damages following a car accident, you have to be able to demonstrate the four elements of negligence:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care.
- The driver breached this duty of care.
- The breach of duty resulted in your being
- Because of the harm resulting from the driver’s breach of duty, you suffered damages.
Florida uses a system of comparative fault, so even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages in a negligence claim. However, the court will reduce your compensation based on your percentage of fault.
If you plan to file a car accident lawsuit, keep in mind Florida’s statute of limitations: four years for personal injury claims and two years for wrongful death claims.
Who Can Be Held Liable for an Orlando Car Accident Injury?
In Florida car accident cases, the negligent party or parties (i.e., the person or persons who breach their duty of reasonable care) must take responsibility for damages. Usually, drivers involved in car accidents act negligently when they engage in risky driving behaviors and ignore traffic laws. For example, they may have been speeding; they may have failed to yield the right-of-way; they may have not stopped at a traffic light; or they may have been driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
In some accidents, however, the people operating the motor vehicles are not responsible. Instead, defective parts or poor maintenance cause the crash. In this type of case, the vehicle manufacturer, parts manufacturer, or mechanic who fails to repair or replace a part properly becomes liable.
Can I Sue If I Was Partially At-Fault for a Car Accident in Orlando?
In Florida, even if you were partially responsible for an accident. you can still sue another driver. Under Florida’s comparative fault statute, you can sue, but your compensation decreases based on your share of fault in the accident.
When working with car accident victims, the experienced Dennis Hernandez Orlando car accident lawyers collect the evidence needed to prove that the other driver was primarily or completely at fault for an accident. We want to make sure you get the full, fair compensation you deserve.
Do I Need an Attorney to Help with a Florida Car Accident Lawsuit in Orlando?
If you suffered serious injuries in an Orlando car accident, you have the right under Florida law to sue the negligent driver for damages—even without an attorney. However, having a skilled, knowledgeable Orlando car accident attorney can be very beneficial.
First, you must determine if your injury qualifies as serious under Florida law and if the other driver acted negligently. Gathering evidence to prove your injuries, the other driver’s negligence, and the damages you suffered can be challenging.
The experienced Dennis Hernandez car accident lawyers can expertly handle the entire legal process for you. We will answer your questions about the process of filing a Florida car accident lawsuit, advise you on your best course of action and manage the case from start to finish so you can focus on taking care of yourself and your family.
As your car accident lawyers, we will:
- Thoroughly investigate the specific circumstances of your accident and advise you on whether you are eligible to sue for damages.
- Work diligently to protect your legal rights.
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance company representative on your behalf.
- Amass the evidence needed to show the other driver was negligent.
- Obtain all the evidence necessary to establish the full value of your damages and support your claim for compensation.
- Help you decide if you should accept a settlement offer.
- Be ready to take your case to trial and win in court if it becomes necessary in order to get you the full, fair compensation you deserve.
- Answer all of your questions promptly and keep you updated through the entire legal process.
We are available to answer specific questions about your case. Please call us at 855.529.3366 or fill in the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website and talk with an experienced Orlando car accident lawyer. All consultations are free.
Will the Florida No Fault Law Allow Me to Sue for a Car Accident Injury?
In Florida all motor vehicle operators must have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to cover their own accident-related injuries. However, since PIP insurance covers only up to $10,000 for accident-related injuries, it often falls short, leaving many expenses and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, unpaid.
In cases involving serious injuries, the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law allows accident victims to sue negligent, at-fault drivers for fair compensation. According to the law, serious injuries are those that are permanent, resulted in disfigurement or scarring or caused the loss of important bodily functions. Types of injuries that could be considered serious include:
- Broken bones: Broken and fractured bones are very common in car accidents. They can cause pain, affect bodily functions, require surgery or other medical treatments, and cause chronic health problems.
- Burns: If an accident causes a fire or explosion, people in the vehicles may suffer serious burns. These burns can cause scarring, disfigurement, pain, and/or loss of bodily functions and may require extensive and long-term medical treatments.
- Lost limbs: In catastrophic accidents, a person’s arms or legs can be severed or injured so severely that they have to be amputated.
- Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries cause loss of function and/or sensation and can be permanently disabling.
- Neck and back injuries: The sudden impact of a collision can permanently injure the discs in your neck or back. The damage can get worse over time and could necissitate surgeries and other medical treatments.
- Traumatic Brain injuries: Car crashes are a major cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries can cause significant and permanent cognitive and physical disabilities.
If a car accident caused serious injuries to you or a loved one, suing for damages may be necessary to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering, and other losses. An experienced Dennis Hernandez Orlando car accident lawyer will investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident and the nature of your injuries and let you know if you are eligible for this kind of lawsuit.
What Are Damages in a Florida Car Accident Lawsuit?
If you suffered serious injuries in a car accident caused partially or entirely by another driver, Florida law allows you to sue for the economic and non-economic losses (damages) you experienced because of the accident. The type of damages and amount of compensation you can pursue in a Florida car accident lawsuit depend on the physical injuries you suffered, your medical needs and condition and the numerous effects your injuries and resulting condition have on your life.
A Dennis Hernandez Orlando car accident lawyer can assess your damages and determine the compensation you may be entitled to. In general terms, however, people injured in Orlando car accidents can pursue compensation for damages such as:
- Medical expenses, surgeries, such as hospital stays, diagnostic tests, office visits, medications, assistive devices, medical equipment, rehabilitative therapies and transportation to medical facilities
- Physical impairment, disfigurement or scarring
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish, anxiety, depression and stress from the accident and your injuries
- Decreased ability to enjoy life
- Property damage
- Lost income, including diminished earning capacity in the future
- Your family’s loss of your assistance, guidance and companionship
- Other damages recoverable under Florida law
How Much Compensation Can I Get from a Florida Car Accident Lawsuit?
The compensation you receive from a car accident lawsuit depends on several factors, including your role in the accident, injury severity, required medical treatment, and the impact on your mental health, income, and family. A Dennis Hernandez car accident lawyer in Orlando will thoroughly investigate your case to determine the maximum compensation you deserve.
We have helped hundreds of injured clients across Florida secure the compensation they deserve. Our legal team is committed to fighting for you. At Dennis Hernandez, we don’t settle for less than full, fair compensation for our clients, and we never back down.
How Should I Deal with the Insurance Adjuster?
After a car accident, the other party’s insurance company will likely contact you about the incident and your injuries. The conversation may seem harmless or even friendly, but don’t be misled. The insurance company might twist your words to blame you for the accident or minimize your injuries, ultimately reducing or denying your compensation.
An experienced Orlando car accident lawyer can handle all communication with the insurer, helping you avoid complications and secure maximum compensation. Your lawyer is familiar with insurance company tactics to reduce payments and well prepared to negotiate aggressively on your behalf. Simply inform the insurance representatives that your attorney will contact them, so you don’t have to deal with them directly.
Should I Accept a Settlement Offer?
Most insurance companies try to pay out as little as possible to increase their profits. Insurance companies often delay settlement offers, pressuring injured car accident victims who are struggling financially to accept inadequate compensation that does not fully cover their medical expenses.
Working with an experienced Orlando car accident attorney can help you avoid this unfortunate situation. The Dennis Hernandez lawyers negotiate effectively with insurance companies and understand their tactics. We will not settle for less than full, fair payment to cover all of your damages. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, we will be ready to go to court to fight for and win the amount of compensation you want and need.
When Is the Best Time to Hire an Orlando Car Accident Lawyer?
Hiring an experienced Orlando car accident lawyer soon after your accident offers several benefits. It relieves you from dealing with insurance companies and the legal process, provides peace of mind knowing experts are protecting your rights, and allows your lawyers time to gather the necessary evidence for a strong case.
The Dennis Hernandez accident attorneys have years of experience securing fair settlements and awards for injured clients. We are experienced, skilled negotiators and litigators who don’t back down until we get the results our clients want. Moreover, you do not have to pay anything to hire us. Our advice and legal services are free until you get the compensation you need.
How Should I Select a Car Accident Lawyer in Orlando?
When looking for a car accident lawyer, you should consider the law firm’s experience, record of success, commitment to client service and dedication to fighting for justice. Some lawyers say they are committed to leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice, but only a few have the experience and record of success you need.
The Dennis Hernandez lawyers in Orlando have many years of experience winning the settlements and awards our injured clients deserve. We discuss cases with our clients, answer all of their questions and make sure they are updated on the progress we’re making. We have won multi-million-dollar awards for seriously injured clients and will put our experience, commitment and skill to work fighting for the compensation you deserve.
What Does It Cost to Hire an Orlando Car Accident Lawyer?
The good news is that you do not have to pay anything to hire an experienced Orlando car accident lawyer because we work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you do not pay anything until we get you the compensation you deserve.
After you receive a satisfactory settlement or court award, we will collect our agreed-upon fee for representing you. Since we establish the terms of this fee from the start, you will know what to expect.
The Dennis Hernandez Orlando Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Get the Financial Compensation You Need
When you are injured in a car accident, your life can change in an instant. You may not be able to work or participate in many of the normal activities you used to enjoy. You may require extensive medical treatment and be suffering from pain and depression, and your family may be suffering from lack of support and companionship.
Sadly, these numerous difficulties can be exacerbated by mounting medical bills and having to deal with insurance companies and forms. The Dennis Hernandez lawyers understand these problems and want to help.
If you suffered serious injuries in a car accident, speaking with one of our experienced lawyers can ease your worries and guide you through this difficult time. We handle insurance companies, gather strong evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain, and losses.
While many Florida injury lawyers prefer quick settlements, Dennis Hernandez lawyers are always ready to go to court if necessary. We put our negotiating skills and trial experience to work fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Call us at 855.529.3366 or fill in the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website to get started on your case.