Orlando Car Accident Lawyers - Paul Knopf Bigger

A motor vehicle collision can turn your life upside down in an instant, leaving you with serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and the prospect of lost income if you take time off to heal. But if the accident occurred because of someone else’s actions, you deserve compensation for these and other losses. An Orlando car accident lawyer from Paul Knopf Bigger can help you prepare a demand or file a lawsuit to recover money for your damages.

Our attorneys and staff have dedicated their careers to helping people and righting wrongs wherever we see them. We adhere to the core principles of commitment, excellence, personalized service, and accountability. We back these up with a track record of success in personal injury cases, as well as a reputation in the legal community as a trustworthy partner.

So, if you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Orlando, you know just where to turn for help. Contact Paul Knopf Bigger for a free consultation with an Orlando car accident attorney. We’ll let you know your legal options for pursuing compensation, all at no upfront cost to you.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Orlando

Many car accidents in Orlando occur because of a driver’s carelessness; recklessness; or negligence such as:

Other less common causes of car crashes in Orlando include vehicle/auto part defects, inadequate car maintenance, adverse weather conditions, low lighting/poor visibility, and poor road conditions.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Orlando

At Paul Knopf Bigger, our experienced legal team represents clients who have suffered injuries and losses in car accidents such as:

Types of Injuries Caused by an Auto Accident

Depending on the type and severity, an auto collision can lead to serious injuries like the following:

Damages You Could Be Entitled to from a Car Accident

If someone else caused the car accident that injured you, they could owe you compensation for hurting you. This compensation is called damages. A Paul Knopf Bigger car accident attorney in Orlando can help you seek damages for the following:

• Medical and rehabilitation bills, including emergency medical treatment; hospitalization; surgeries; prescriptions/pain management care; medical/mobility equipment; and physical/occupational therapy
• Costs of care or support services you need to help you cope with long-term or permanent disabilities, including home health services; housekeeping; personal assistance; or disability accommodations like grab bars or wheelchair ramps
• Loss of wages or income if you need to miss time from work or have reduced earnings in a part-time/light-duty position within your medical restrictions
• Loss of future earning capacity and employment benefits if you become permanently disabled from your job or other work
• Physical pain and anguish
• Emotional trauma or distress
• Loss of enjoyment or quality of life caused by disfigurement/scarring or physical disabilities
• Loss of consortium if your spouse or child was injured
• Costs of vehicle repairs, car rental, replacement, or reimbursement for the value of your car if totaled in the crash

What to Do if You Are Involved in a Car Crash

The immediate aftermath of a car accident in Orlando can be overwhelming. Still, you should understand that the things you do in the moments, days, and weeks afterward can seriously affect your ability to recover compensation. Here are a few things you can do to protect your rights:

• Report the crash to local law enforcement or the Florida Highway Patrol. Remember to request a copy of the police accident report in the weeks following the crash.
• Seek prompt medical attention to document the injuries you suffered in the accident and begin treatment. Follow your healthcare provider’s recovery instructions and treatment recommendations.
• Report the accident to your car insurance provider to ensure your eligibility for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits.
• Obtain copies of medical records of your car accident injury treatment and rehabilitation.
• Keep all bills, invoices, and receipts of expenses you incur due to the crash. Gather your pay stubs or income statements if you take time off work or otherwise experience a reduction in your earnings after the accident.

Finally, contact an Orlando car accident attorney from Paul Knopf Bigger to start pursuing the compensation you deserve as soon as possible.

Who Could Be Liable for an Auto Wreck?

In most car accident cases, one or more of the drivers involved will bear liability for injuries and losses. However, other parties may also bear responsibility for the auto wreck and accident victims’ losses under certain circumstances. For example, if the at-fault driver was on the job at the time, the driver’s employer may bear employer or vicarious liability for accident injuries and losses.

If someone else owns the vehicle the at-fault driver was operating, they might also bear liability if they negligently entrusted the vehicle to the driver. Negligent entrustment occurs when a car owner lets someone drive their vehicle when they know or should know that person poses a substantial risk of causing an accident, such as due to an extensive history of accidents or traffic infractions or the driver’s intoxication by drug or alcohol.

Although less common, some car accidents occur due to a mechanical issue caused by a design or manufacturing defect in the car or one of its components. When a defective vehicle or part causes a crash, the car or auto part manufacturer may bear responsibility for the crash and resulting injuries and losses.

Time Limits for Filing an Auto Accident Injury Lawsuit in Orlando

Under Florida’s statute of limitations, you typically have two years after a vehicle accident in Orlando to file a car accident lawsuit against whoever was responsible for it. However, while this might sound like plenty of time, you can best protect your rights and options by speaking with an Orlando car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. If you file your lawsuit after the limitations period expires on your claim, you may lose the opportunity to pursue financial recovery from the at-fault driver and other liable parties.

Could You Recover Compensation if You’re Partly to Blame for an Auto Accident?

Even if you were partially to blame for the accident, you could still have the right to recover compensation for injuries and losses you sustained in it. Florida follows the modified comparative negligence rule for an auto accident case. Under this rule, you can file a car accident claim if you have an equal or lesser share of fault for the crash than the other party or parties responsible for causing it. The law will bar your claim if you bear a larger share of the blame for the crash.

However, while the modified comparative negligence rule protects your right to seek car accident compensation after a crash, it could also reduce your financial recovery in proportion to your share of fault. That’s why you should talk to an Orlando car accident attorney from Paul Knopf Bigger to get help from a legal advocate who will fight to reduce your share of fault and maximize your compensation.

Will It Cost You Anything to Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Orlando?

As a car accident law firm, we at Paul Knopf Bigger recognize the financial complications that come with a sudden crash. You may need to pay for expensive medical care while being unable to work due to injuries or disabilities. You should not have to choose between paying your bills and getting legal representation to pursue the compensation you deserve under the law.

That’s why Paul Knopf Bigger will handle your car accident lawsuit on a contingency-fee basis. This means you will never pay anything upfront to hire our firm for your case. In a contingency-fee arrangement, we get paid only if we win compensation for you in a settlement or at trial. Our fee comes from the financial recovery we secure for you, so you will never pay out of pocket to get the legal advocacy you need to demand accountability.

Contact an Orlando Car Accident Attorney Today

If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a car wreck, you have the right to seek compensation from the driver or other parties to blame. We at Paul Knopf Bigger are eager to help you pursue the money you need to rebuild your life, and we’ll start work on your case at no cost to you.

Learn how our reputable car accident attorneys in Orlando will fight for the financial security you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.