When you are seriously injured in a vehicle crash, you may need to bring a legal claim in court to get full compensation. Most car accident lawsuits settle before a trial, so bringing a legal claim does not necessarily mean additional delay and stress.
Work with a law firm that routinely obtains generous Orlando car accident settlements. The attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright—The Florida Firm—have an excellent reputation for achieving outstanding results for our injured clients.
Damages You Can Expect After a Car Wreck
When you get injured in a Florida vehicle accident, your PIP will pay 80 percent of your medical costs and 60 percent of your lost income up to your coverage limits. If you have permanent injuries, Florida Statutes § 627.737 allows you to bring a lawsuit to recoup the losses PIP does not cover. Our Orlando attorneys will review your medical records to ensure that your car accident injuries meet the threshold for bringing a legal claim.
You can seek all your employment losses, including the value of paid time off you took while you were recovering and future income if your injury limits your earning capacity. You can claim future medically necessary treatment, medical services that your insurance does not cover, and incidental expenses that you incurred due to your injury.
You can also claim compensation for your pain and suffering. The responsible party must pay for your emotional anguish, physical pain, disability, and lost enjoyment of life. The amount of these damages depends on numerous factors, such as the severity of your injuries and their effect on your day-to-day activities and lifestyle.
What Are the Advantages of Settling?
A car accident claim usually begins with a letter from our lawyers to the insurance company for the at-fault driver and any other potentially responsible parties. We describe the damages you are seeking, the insurance company makes an offer, and negotiations begin.
When there is evidence that their insured driver is at least partially liable, most insurers are willing to negotiate a reasonable settlement after an Orlando car crash. Doing so is less expensive than trying to defend their insured at a trial. Settling usually benefits you because you receive your compensation more quickly and you avoid the stress of a trial.
Our Legal Team Will Fight for a Fair Result
Although most insurance companies prefer to settle, negotiations do not always go smoothly. When the insurer questions the strength of the evidence that their insured is at fault, they might take a firmer stance. When you are partially responsible for the accident, negotiations can be intense.
If a claim goes to trial and you are partially responsible, the amount you can collect is reduced to reflect your fault. If you are more than 50 percent responsible, the law prevents you from collecting any damages. Insurance companies use this law to try to reduce their liability or eliminate it entirely.
Our lawyers are experienced in managing this tactic and will not be intimidated. We will acknowledge your part in the wreck, if any, but we will not compromise on fair compensation. Our attorneys at The Florida Firm in Orlando have negotiated numerous settlements exceeding $1 million, including one exceeding $5 million for a client who suffered severe burns in a car accident.
We Are Always Prepared to Litigate
Litigating a claim is slow, and the outcome is uncertain. The discovery process, where each side shares its evidence and deposes the other side’s witnesses, can require hundreds of hours of lawyer time and take months to complete. Then we must hold a trial and convince a jury of our arguments.
However, when an insurance company is unwilling to negotiate a fair settlement, we might advise you to consider taking the case to trial. Unlike many law firms, we are skillful litigators and shine before a jury. We will advocate fiercely to convince a jury to make a generous award.
Consult Our Attorneys for Help Settling Your Car Accident Claim in Orlando
Colling Gilbert Wright is a full-service personal injury law firm that has been achieving favorable Orlando car accident settlements for more than 20 years. Most of our clients are referred by past clients and other lawyers who recognize our professionalism and excellent results. We do not charge until we have obtained compensation for you, so get in touch to schedule a risk-free consultation today.