Orlando Car Accident Attorneys

Orlando Car Accident Attorneys

Unfortunately, the average driver will get into one car accident every 17.9 years. Car accidents aren’t unavoidable. Even those who drive safely get into accidents. You can never predict how other drivers are going to act, and as such, accidents can come out of nowhere at any time. 

In Florida, the odds are even worse. Because Florida is marked as one of the more dangerous cities for drivers, accidents are more common. In Florida, the odds of dying in a car accident are one in 8,123

Because a car accident can happen at any time, it’s important to know what steps to take following an accident and how you can recover damages like medical bills. Osborne & Francis are here to help you. If you’re injured in a car accident, make us your first call. You can reach us at 561-293-2600 or contact us online.

Video Transcript

So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:

Number One: See a doctor immediately. 

A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.

A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care. 

Number Two: Write everything down.

Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain. 

You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered. 

Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.

Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them. 

So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.

Osborne & Francis

Causes of Orlando Car Accidents

When a driver gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, they owe a duty to other drivers on the road. This duty requires them to drive safely, without distraction, while sober. Breaching this duty of care is an act of negligence. These acts may be on purpose (such as aggressive driving) or on accident (such as looking away from the road). 

Negligence comes in many forms, such as:

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Aggressive driving (i.e. road rage) 
  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Texting or talking on the phone
  • Putting on makeup
  • Talking to someone in the back seat
  • Generally not present/daydreaming
  • Not properly maintaining one’s vehicle
  • Not driving safely during storms

More rarely, car accidents may be caused by a third party, such as a manufacturer. If a vehicle part is defective and causes an accident, the manufacturer could be liable for the accident.

Different Types of Car Accidents

There are a few different types of car accidents. Depending on the type of car accident, injuries may range in severity. For example, T-bone car accidents are known for being more dangerous than sideswipe or rear-end accidents. The different types of car accidents include: 

T-Bone accidents

These accidents occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle, forming a T. T-Bone accidents frequently occur at intersections, and either party can be at fault. T-Bone accidents result in severe injuries, especially if the vehicle is struck on the driver’s side. 

Sideswipe accidents

Sideswipe accidents occur when the side of one vehicle swipes the side of another. These are often caused by aggressive drivers looking to change lanes quickly and without looking. 

Rear-end accidents

Rear-end accidents involve two drivers, the lead driver, and the following driver. When the following driver is following too closely, not paying attention, or they are intoxicated, they’re at risk of rear-ending the lead driver. 

Head-on accidents

As the name suggests, head-on collisions occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the front of another, causing potentially severe injuries for both drivers. These accidents frequently occur when one driver is going the wrong way.

Injuries Associated with Car Accidents

Car accidents can range from mild to severe, and therefore so can the resulting injuries. A car accident that seems severe could have someone walking away scotch-free, while a car accident that appears mild could leave someone with life-long chronic pain. Some common car accident injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Fractures
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Amputation
  • Burns
  • Lacerations

All types of injuries have the potential to cause long-term damage and ongoing medical care. While injuries like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries have a reputation for being life-changing and expensive, the same can be true of burns, soft tissue injuries, and other milder-seeming injuries.

Different car accident causes and injuries affect victims in various ways. Let us help you recover compensation for your injuries.

contact our office to speak to a lawyer.

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What Type of Insurance Coverage are Florida Drivers Required to Carry?

Florida requires that all drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance as well as property damage coverage. These two, in combination, help to prevent financial devastation after an accident occurs. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s not enough. In many cases, the minimum coverage isn’t enough to cover all costs associated with the accident. For this reason, it’s important to hire an experienced car accident attorney who can help you recover damages for other losses. 

What Can I Recover Damages for?

Car accident damages fall into three different categories, economic, non-economic, and punitive. Economic damages cover losses like medical bills, lost wages, costs for modifying one’s home (for a wheelchair or in-home care), ambulance trips, emergency care, and more. 

Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering and are calculated by determining how much your quality of life has changed because of the accident. For example, those with severe injuries that will cause life-long damage and greatly affect their life will receive more in pain and suffering compensation than those with injuries that they’ll quickly recover from. 

Punitive damages are rare but can be used as a way to further punish the at-fault driver and encourage them not to commit the act again. They’re used when a driver is grossly negligent in causing an accident. For example, punitive damages may be recovered if the at-fault driver was drunk when the accident occurred and they have a track record of drunk driving. Talk to your attorney to see if you think the at-fault driver acted with gross negligence. 

Steps to Take After an Accident

After an accident occurs, many people feel a rush of adrenaline and anxiety. This is normal. The first thing you should do is self-evaluate your injuries. If your injuries are causing a lot of pain, don’t try to move on your own. If your injuries aren’t severe, stay at the scene and complete the following steps. Otherwise, call 911 and wait for the ambulance to arrive. 

  1. Call the police and let them know you’ve been in an accident. They’ll send someone out to file a police report. A police report is a vital piece of evidence for your case, so don’t skip this step. Even if you’re not present at the scene, a police report will likely be filed. 
  2. Take pictures and videos of all involved vehicles from multiple angles. Take pictures and videos of the surrounding scene. 
  3. Talk to witnesses and collect their contact information. Encourage them to stick around and speak with the police. 

After these steps have been completed, seek medical treatment even if you don’t believe you’re injured. Some injuries may be masked by adrenaline. Once you’ve received medical treatment, you should contact an experienced car accident attorney—like Osborne and Francis. By contacting a car accident attorney before the insurance company, you’ll be protected against slimy insurance tactics and won’t risk damaging your case.

What are the most common causes of car accidents?

C. Smith

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“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”

Erica F.

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"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"

J. Davis

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“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”

E. Holland

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Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!

Alfred

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Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.

T. Andrews

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“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”

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Contact Osborne & Francis to Get the Compensation You Deserve

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. To schedule a free case evaluation, call us at 561-293-2600 or contact our Orlando office online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common causes of car accidents?

The most common causes of Orlando car accidents include, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, aggressive driving, speeding, and distracted driving, among others.

What compensation can I get for a car accident?

Car accident damages fall into three different categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive. Economic damages cover monetary losses like medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering and other losses that cannot be easily calculated, such as loss of enjoyment of life. Finally, punitive damages, while rare, are used to punish the at-fault driver when their actions are grossly negligent in causing a car accident.

What should I do after a car accident?

The first thing you should do is self-evaluate your injuries. If your injuries are causing a lot of pain, try not to move and call 911 immediately. If you're able to move, check to see if any other passengers need emergency medical aid. Next, call the police to file a police report, which is a vital piece of evidence for your claim. If you can, take photos and video of the accident scene and all involved vehicles. Talk to witnesses, collect their contact information, and encourage them to give a statement to the police. Finally, contact Osborne & Francis for a free case consultation. We can help determine if you should file a personal injury claim and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.

Who's the best car accident lawyer in Orlando?

Osborne & Francis has decades of experience serving Orlando residents and visitors injured in car accidents. We fight aggressively to obtain maximum compensation for our clients so they can fully recover from their car accident injuries--not only physically, but financially as well.