Auto Accident Injury in Orlando, FL

Car accidents are all too common across Central Florida, and when they happen, the aftermath can be physically painful, emotionally draining, and legally complex.

Orlando’s unique blend of heavy local traffic and year-round tourism creates a perfect storm for crashes. Millions of visitors arrive annually, unfamiliar with local roads and often distracted by maps or smartphones.

If you’ve been hurt in an Orlando auto accident, you may be facing unexpected medical bills, lost income, and stress from dealing with insurance companies. Florida’s laws on liability and compensation are different from those in many other states, and they recently changed, making it even more important to understand your legal rights.

This guide explains what Orlando drivers need to know after a car crash, and we can connect you with an attorney.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Orlando, Florida

Orlando is consistently ranked among the most dangerous cities for drivers and pedestrians in Florida, and the numbers tell a sobering story. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Orange County reported 25,884 total crashes in 2022, including 20,096 injuries and 198 fatalities (FLHSMV 2022 Crash Dashboard). A large portion of these accidents occurred in the Orlando metro area, where population growth, tourism traffic, and road congestion all collide.

Some of the city’s most hazardous corridors include Semoran Boulevard (SR 436), Colonial Drive (SR 50), and I-4, which has long been considered one of the most dangerous interstates in the U.S. Speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving continue to be leading causes of both fatal and non-fatal crashes in the region.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s smart to know what to do before a car accident ever happens. If you’re involved in a crash, the steps you take immediately afterward can protect both your health and your ability to recover damages.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

The first and most important step is to seek medical care. Even if you feel fine, don’t assume you avoided injury. Conditions like internal bleeding, soft tissue damage, or head trauma may not show symptoms right away. A prompt medical evaluation ensures you get the care you need—and creates a record that can support your case if you need to file a claim later.

File a Police Report

Start with safety and immediate response. Check yourself and anyone else in your vehicle for injuries. If anyone appears hurt—even slightly—call 911 right away. Under Florida law, you’re required to report any crash involving injury, death, or property damage over $500.

A Florida Traffic Crash Report will also be necessary in any of the following incidents:

• Death or injury
• Hit-and-run
• Severely damaged vehicle
• Involves a commercial vehicle

When police respond, they’ll create an official crash report that documents the details of the scene. This record becomes a critical piece of evidence, especially if the other driver contests fault.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

Next, exchange and collect information. Get the other driver’s full name, contact information, driver’s license number, license plate, and insurance details. Do the same for any passengers involved. Then, document the scene as thoroughly as possible:

• Take photos of vehicle damage, license plates, traffic signs, and road conditions.
• Capture the positioning of vehicles and any visible injuries.
• Note weather conditions, traffic flow, and the time of day.
• Look around for nearby surveillance cameras or businesses that might have footage.

If there are any witnesses, politely ask for their names and contact information—they may be able to corroborate your account of what happened, especially in intersection or lane-change crashes.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Your first line of compensation in Florida comes from your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP is mandatory in Florida and covers up to 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, up to $10,000, regardless of who was at fault (Florida Statutes § 627.736). But that coverage doesn’t go far in serious accidents, and it doesn’t compensate for long-term suffering or reduced quality of life.

Auto Accident Laws in Florida

Liability Laws for Orlando

To file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet the “serious injury” threshold, as defined by Florida Statutes § 627.737. Qualifying conditions include:

• Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
• Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Death

If your injuries qualify, you can file a claim for both economic and non-economic damages through a third-party liability claim or lawsuit.

In March 2023, Florida enacted a major shift in its liability framework by adopting a modified comparative negligencerule. Previously, you could still recover partial compensation even if you were mostly at fault. Now, if you are found to be 51% or more responsible, you are barred from recovering any damages (Florida House Bill 837). If you are found to be 50% or less at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

Statute of Limitations in Orlando

As of March 24, 2023, Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims related to car accidents was reduced from four years to two years (Florida House Bill 837). This means if you were injured in a crash on or after that date, you must file your lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident. This change significantly shortens the legal window for filing and makes early action even more important.

For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations remains at two years from the date of the person’s death (Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d)). These cases often involve families pursuing justice after a fatal crash and can include damages for lost income, funeral costs, and loss of companionship.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Orlando, FL

A skilled Orlando car accident lawyer will handle every part of your case, from investigating the crash and collecting evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, filing a lawsuit on your behalf. They’ll make sure your claim is supported with the right documentation, presented under the proper legal standard, and backed by a strategy that maximizes your potential recovery.

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Florida!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.