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,  approximately 400,000 car crashes occur each year in Florida, resulting in more than 250,000 injuries and 3600 fatalities. Last year, in Orlando and surrounding Orange County alone, there were 27,421 crashes, 13,821 injury crashes and 216 fatalities on the roadways.

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.

Can I Sue for Car Accident Injuries in Orlando?

If you have been hurt in a car accident caused by risky driving or driver negligence, then you may be able to sue the other driver for damages, including financial losses, such as medical expenses and lost income, pain, suffering, mental anguish and other damages recoverable under Florida law. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the main cause of accidents is risky driving behaviors 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, but the amount you can obtain will be reduced in proportion to the amount of fault attributed to you.

When considering a car accident lawsuit, you should also remember that you must file within a specific time period according to the Florida statute of limitations: four years from the date of the accident for a personal injury claim and two years for a wrongful death claim.

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 breached their duty of reasonable care) can be held liable for damages. Usually, drivers involved in car accidents are considered negligent when they engage in risky driving behaviors and do not follow 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.

There are some accidents, however, that are not caused by the people operating the motor vehicles, but rather by the motor vehicles themselves because of defective parts or poor maintenance. In this type of case, the vehicle manufacturer, parts manufacturer or mechanic who did not repair or replace a part property can be held 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. Florida’s comparative fault statute allows you to sue but maintains that the amount of damages you can collect be reduced in proportion to the amount of fault you had in causing 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 have been seriously injured in a car accident in Orlando, Florida law gives you the right to sue the negligent driver for damages, and you do not have to have an attorney to do so.  However, having a skilled, knowledgeable Orlando car accident attorney can be very beneficial.

First, you need to understand if your injury is considered serious under Florida law and if the other driver can be considered negligent. Understanding the law, collecting the evidence to demonstrate the extent of your injuries, the other drivers’ negligence and the damages you suffered because of that negligence can be very difficult.

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 pays out a maximum $10,000 for accident injury-related expenses, many expenses, as well as non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, are not covered.

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 you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, it may be necessary to sue for damages in order to obtain the compensation you need to pay for your medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering and other damages. 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 have been seriously injured in a car accident and the other driver was partially or totally responsible for causing the accident, Florida law allows you to sue for both  the economic and non-economic losses, or 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 review the damages you can claim and let you know 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 amount of compensation you can get from a car accident lawsuit depends on many different factors, such as your role in contributing to the accident, the seriousness of your physical injuries, necessary medical treatment and the effect of your injuries on your mental health, ability to earn a living and family. A Dennis Hernandez car accident lawyer in Orlando will thoroughly investigate your accident, injuries and all related damages before advising you on the full amount you may be entitled to,

We have helped hundreds of injured clients throughout Florida win the settlements and awards they deserve for their injuries and are committed to putting our legal expertise to work 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?

Following a car accident, a representative from the other party’s insurance company will most likely try to get in touch with about the accident and your injuries. The conversation may seem harmless or even friendly and caring; however, don’t be fooled by the casualness. You have to be careful what you say because you can inadvertently tell them something they can use in the future to show that you were responsible or partially responsible for the accident or that your injuries are not as bad as you say they are. Always remember whatever you tell an adjuster or other insurance company representative can potentially be used to decrease the amount of compensation you receive or deny payment altogether.

Having an experienced Orlando car accident lawyer communicate with the other driver’s insurance company on your behalf can help you avoid difficult situations and future problems so that you can receive the maximum compensation. Your lawyer is familiar with insurance company tactics to reduce payments and well prepared to negotiate aggressively on your behalf. Just tell insurance company representatives that your attorney will contact them so you do not have to deal with them at all.

Should I Accept a Settlement Offer?

Most insurance companies try to pay out as little as possible to increase their profits. They often delay making settlement offers so that people who are injured in car accidents and struggling to make ends feel pressured to accept their offers, even if they do not adequately cover their medical expenses.

Working with an experienced Orlando car accident attorney can help you avoid this unfortunate situation. The Dennis Hernandez lawyers are skilled negotiators who know how to deal with insurance companies. 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?

Getting help from an experienced Orlando car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident can benefit you in several ways. First, it takes the burden of dealing with insurance companies and trying to figure out the legal claims process off your shoulders. Second, it can give you peace of mind in knowing that people with the necessary experience and legal expertise are looking out for your best interests and working to protect your legal rights. Third, getting started early gives your lawyers the time they need to collect all the evidence they need to prepare a winning case.

The Dennis Hernandez accident attorneys have years of experience helping injured clients win the settlements or awards they need and deserve. 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 are awarded a satisfactory settlement or court award, we will accept our fee for representing you. The terms of this fee will have been agreed upon from the start, so 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 have been seriously injured in a car accident, talking with one of our knowledgeable lawyers can put your mind at ease and help you get through these rough times. We know how to handle insurance company representatives, collect the evidence needed to win your case, and obtain the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain, suffering and losses.

Many Florida injury lawyers try to settle with insurance companies to avoid going to court, but Dennis Hernandez lawyers never back down. 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.