Car accidents are so common that it is almost inevitable you will experience one if you drive daily. Thankfully, most wrecks do not cause serious injuries. Even if it was a very minor accident, you still must know how to deal with car accident insurance claims in Orlando.
The car accident attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright, The Florida Firm, can guide you through the claims process. Our firm has been providing quality legal services to injured people in Central Florida for decades, and we have a well-deserved reputation for excellence. We are proud that most of our new clients are referrals from former clients and area professionals who know our work first-hand.
Filing Your Initial Claim
Under the current no-fault system for handling car accident claims, you must file your initial claim with your own personal injury protection (PIP) carrier. Your PIP covers 80 percent of your lost wages and 60 percent of your lost wages, some incidental expenses, and pays a death benefit for fatal injuries.
If you do not own a vehicle but someone else in your household does, their PIP covers you. If nobody in your household has PIP coverage and you were a passenger when the accident occurred, you would submit a claim with the driver’s PIP.
Florida Statutes § 627.736 (1) requires you to seek medical care within 14 days of the accident. If you delay, your PIP insurer can deny your claim.
New System Starts July 1, 2026
Florida is transitioning away from a no-fault system and adopting a fault-based system similar to those in most other states. Policies renewing after July 1, 2026, will shift to liability coverage, with minimum coverage limits of 25,000 for bodily injury to a single person and $50,000 aggregate for bodily injury to multiple people.
If you are in a wreck after that date, you should contact an Orlando attorney immediately for help with your insurance claim. The at-fault driver’s insurance will be responsible for paying your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses, and there may be a dispute about liability.
Keep These Points in Mind When Dealing With Insurance Companies
You must notify your insurer after a crash. Most policies require prompt notification, often within 24-72 hours of the accident. If you do not report within your policy’s stated timeframe, your insurer may deny your claim.
Your insurer may ask you to record a statement from you describing how the accident occurred. The other party’s insurer also might contact you and ask to record a statement. You are not obligated to give a recorded statement to an insurer and should not agree to do so before speaking with an Orlando lawyer.
Insurance company representatives are trained to make you feel like they are on your side and will advocate for you. However, their job is actually to protect the company. Anything you say in a recorded statement may be used to limit how much the insurance company must pay. The wisest course is to simply report the accident and provide your insurance representative with the other driver’s insurance information, then politely decline to give a recorded statement.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Sometimes people feel that they can handle their insurance claim themselves, but working with a legal professional has numerous benefits. Hiring an attorney insulates you because they will handle all communication with the insurance company. You will not be vulnerable to making inadvertent admissions that the company will use against you.
It also frees you from the stress of responding to insurance company requests for more information and the aggravation of negotiating your damages. Our Orlando attorneys deal with these tasks every day and can manage negotiations with the involved insurance companies professionally and efficiently.
In a case of serious injury, working with a legal professional is essential to protect your rights and ensure your compensation reflects the severity of your injuries. Even if your injuries are not permanent, we do not charge fees or expenses until we obtain money for you, so there is no risk involved in letting us handle your case. People with legal representation consistently collect far more from insurance companies than people who try to manage a case on their own—the difference usually more than covers your legal fees.
Contact Our Orlando Lawyers for Assistance With a Car Crash Insurance Claim
If you have been injured in a wreck, you are probably experiencing considerable stress. The Florida Firm has an impressive track record of managing car accident insurance claims in Orlando. We can take over that burden and allow you to focus on your recovery.
We consistently achieve high dollar value verdicts and settlements in vehicle accident cases. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can maximize your compensation in a car accident case.