Personal Injury Attorney in Orlando

How to Win a Personal Injury Case

Winning a personal injury case involves proving negligence on the part of the defendant. Negligence occurs when someone fails to act with reasonable care and causes harm to another person.

To build a negligence case, four key elements must be established:

1. Identifying Duty of Care in Orlando

A duty of care is a legal obligation to act in a reasonably safe manner to prevent harm to others. This duty applies in many scenarios, such as drivers obeying traffic laws, property owners maintaining safe premises, and medical professionals delivering competent care. For example, a business has a duty to address hazards like spills or uneven flooring to reduce the risk of a fall. Without a duty of care, there is no legal basis for a personal injury claim.

2. Proving Breach of Duty With an Orlando Injury Lawyer

Once the duty of care is established, the next step is proving that the defendant breached that duty. A breach occurs when someone fails to act as a reasonable person would under similar circumstances. Examples include texting while driving or failing to warn customers about a known floor hazard.

Our attorneys look for evidence like eyewitness accounts, video footage, and testimony from qualified professionals when needed to show how the defendant’s conduct fell short of the standard of care. Photographs, surveillance video, and incident reports can also help show what happened and when, including after a serious trucking accident.

3. Causation and Its Importance in Personal Injury Claims

This element links the breach to the harm you suffered. For example, if a distracted driver ran a red light and struck your vehicle, the evidence must show that the crash caused your injuries. If the injuries were caused by an unrelated event, the defendant cannot be held liable even if they were careless in another way.

Proving causation often requires careful review of medical records and timelines. When necessary, the case may also rely on accident reconstruction or testimony from qualified professionals to show how the incident led to the injuries, including in high-impact motorcycle accidents.

4. Calculating Damages With an Orlando Personal Injury Attorney

Damages refer to the losses you suffered because of the accident. These can include medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other related losses. A claim should reflect both current costs and future needs, such as ongoing rehabilitation or long-term treatment.

Building a clear damage picture usually involves collecting billing records, employment documentation, and medical guidance on future care needs. This helps reduce the risk of undervaluing the claim or accepting an early settlement that does not cover long-term consequences.

Understanding Orlando's Personal Injury Laws

Florida is a no-fault state for most car crashes, so initial medical bills and a portion of lost wages are typically paid through the injured person’s Personal Injury Protection coverage regardless of who caused the wreck, with a required minimum benefit limit of 10,000.

If injuries and losses exceed PIP or the claim involves another at-fault party, such as a negligent driver or property owner, deadlines matter because most negligence lawsuits must be filed within two years. Missing the statute of limitations can bar recovery, and some situations can involve additional notice requirements, so acting quickly helps preserve evidence and options.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Orlando

• Car accidents and multi-vehicle crashes
• Truck and commercial vehicle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
• Slip and fall and other premises liability injuries at apartments, shopping centers, and businesses
• Negligent security incidents
• Dog bites and animal attacks
• Parking lot, stairwell, and other unsafe property condition injuries
• Medical malpractice, including diagnosis errors, medication mistakes, and surgical or procedural errors
• Wrongful death claims for surviving family members

What To Expect When You Work With Our Orlando Legal Team

• Initial case review to understand what happened, the injuries involved, and what documents or evidence are needed
• Agreement to move forward and immediate steps to protect the claim and preserve key evidence
• Collection of records from medical providers, employers, insurers, and relevant agencies
• Ongoing updates on what has been requested, received, and what comes next
• Case evaluation to identify strengths, risks, and the best path toward compensation
• Demand a package and negotiate with the insurance company
• If needed, lawsuit filing and court process management
• Discovery and depositions, with preparation and clear guidance before each step
• Mediation or settlement discussions, with recommendations based on goals and case value
• Trial preparation and trial if a settlement is not reached

Recovery and Resources After an Accident in Orlando

After an accident in Orlando, prioritize medical care and follow-up rehabilitation, such as physical therapy or specialized neuro rehab when needed. Keep copies of discharge papers, referrals, and treatment plans, and track medications, work restrictions, and appointment schedules so care stays consistent.

Use support resources if symptoms affect mood, sleep, or daily function, including local brain injury and trauma support groups. Keep a simple recovery journal with symptoms, missed activities, and out-of-pocket costs to help document how the injury impacts everyday life.

Why Choose Sherris Legal, P.A. as Your Injury Lawyers in Orlando

Sherris Legal, P.A. focuses on direct, client-first representation, with attorneys who take the time to understand what happened and build a plan around the facts of the case. The firm works on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront legal fees, and bilingual support is available for English and Spanish-speaking clients.

Clients receive clear communication and consistent access to the legal team instead of being passed from person to person. The team handles insurance company contact, evidence collection, and claim strategy while keeping clients informed in plain language from start to finish, including in cases involving wrongful death.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury in Orlando

What Should I Do Immediately After an Accident?

Immediately following an accident, your safety and well-being are paramount. Start by checking yourself and others for injuries and call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance. Collecting as much evidence as possible from the scene is crucial. This can include taking photographs, obtaining witness contact information, and documenting the details of the incident. It is also essential to notify your insurance company promptly, but avoid making detailed statements until you have consulted with an injury lawyer in Orlando.

How Does the No-Fault Insurance System Work in Orlando?

Under Florida's no-fault insurance system, which applies in Orlando, individuals turn to their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to pay certain medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who is at fault. However, PIP has coverage limits, and if your damages exceed those limits, pursuing compensation from the at-fault party may become necessary. Understanding the relationship between PIP benefits and a possible claim against another party is key to navigating post-accident issues efficiently.

What Are Common Types of Personal Injury Claims in Orlando?

Personal injury claims in Orlando often arise from various incidents, including car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries. Each type of claim requires a tailored approach based on the specific circumstances surrounding the incident. Having a knowledgeable personal injury attorney Orlando residents can turn to may help in navigating these diverse claims, each with its own set of legal requirements and potential forms of compensation.

Why Is It Important to Seek Legal Advice Quickly After an Incident?

Acting swiftly after experiencing a personal injury is crucial, as delays can lead to fading evidence, missed legal deadlines, and reduced potential for fair compensation. Consulting with an attorney promptly can provide you with guidance on necessary actions, help ensure important evidence is preserved, and protect your rights. Timely legal support can also ease the stress of dealing with insurance discussions and claims, allowing you to focus more fully on your recovery.

How Can I Prove Negligence in My Personal Injury Claim?

Proving negligence is fundamental to a successful personal injury claim in Orlando. This involves demonstrating that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and directly caused damages as a result. Gathering evidence such as witness testimonies, medical records, accident reports, and legal analysis can substantially support your claim. Legal professionals play an important role in organizing and presenting this evidence clearly and persuasively to support allegations of negligence.

Call Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Orlando Today

If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, contact our Orlando personal injury lawyers to discuss your options. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront and only pay if we recover compensation for you.

Reaching out early helps protect your claim because evidence can be lost and legal deadlines can apply. Our team handles the investigation, insurance communications, and claim strategy, and keeps you updated so you can focus on treatment and recovery.

Do not let an insurance company decide the value of your case without legal guidance. Contact our Orlando personal injury team now to start protecting your claim and your recovery.