The Central Florida city of Kissimmee is most famous for its proximity to Disney World, but the influx of visitors and residents also causes a large share of accidents in the area. In 2023, Osceola County, where Kissimmee is located, saw 6,178 crashes, which sadly caused 4,998 injuries and 81 deaths. Serious accidents can not only cause injuries—they can also lead to multiple unexpected expenses and untold stress in the victim’s life.
Car accident claims exist to help those suffering from the aftermath of a crash get back on their feet. Find out more about how people in Kissimmee, Florida file car accident claims and how lawyers can help.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Filing most auto accident claims in Kissimmee involves the following steps.
- Document injuries and damages with pictures of your wounds, your vehicle, and the accident scene.
- File a police report, which you can do by cooperating with the cops after they arrive on the scene.
- Notify your insurance company that you were involved in a crash immediately.
- Gather evidence such as photos, your accident report, and medical bills. Keep digital copies and store physical evidence in one safe place.
- Seek legal advice from a car accident attorney. Law firms often provide free case reviews to help you figure out your next steps and whether they should involve working with a lawyer.
“Many accidents are small and fairly straightforward, but others may involve serious injuries or property damage and disputed facts,” says triple board-certified attorney, Tommy D. Roebig. “If you were seriously injured in a car accident, seeking the expertise of an experienced attorney can make a massive difference in the outcome of your claim.”
The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring a Kissimmee car accident lawyer can potentially be the difference between winning more than enough compensation to cover your injuries and other losses and receiving little to nothing.
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can help you:
- Navigate complex legal issues
- Maximize compensation
- Help negotiate medical bills
- Protect your legal rights
Car insurance agencies have an incentive to give you as little compensation as possible. Most people aren’t even sure how much compensation is reasonable or how insurers determine how much they’re willing to negotiate.
Experienced attorneys, however, do, and are experts at using evidence, facts, and reasoning to get insurers to come to the table and improve your claim outcome.
The lawyers at Florin|Roebig have won their clients an average of over $1 Million in compensation per case. If you need guidance on your situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experts with a free case evaluation.
State Laws For Car Accident Cases
Kissimmee follows Florida and Osceola County laws, which can factor into your car accident case in many ways.
Fault Determination Rules
The at-fault party is the person who’s primarily responsible for causing an accident. Fault is usually assigned based on negligence—a failure to take proper care when doing something like operating a vehicle. Common negligent acts include driving under the influence, distracted driving, and reckless driving.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
All Florida-registered vehicles must have the following car insurance coverage:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP covers 80% (up to $10,000) of all “necessary and reasonable” medical expenses for an injury covered under the plan.
- Personal Damage Liability (PDL): PDL covers $10,000 of another driver’s vehicle or property damage in an accident if you’re at fault.
The No-fault System
Florida—and by extension, Kissimmee—follows a no-fault system where all state-registered vehicles are covered by certain insurance policies and most car accidents end with all parties turning to their own insurance (first-party insurance claims) to cover injury-related expenses.
However, if someone else was responsible for an accident that led to property damage or serious personal injuries, you may be qualified to file a claim against the other party (a third-party insurance claim).
Third-party car accident claims require injuries that cause at least one of the following:
- Severe and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury
- Severe and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Legal Remedies Available To Accident Victims
Kissimmee car accident victims can seek compensation in a few ways.
- First-party personal injury claims:
“These claims are great for quick coverage for medical bills and related expenses,” says triple board-certified lawyer Tommy D. Roebig. “You’ll want to seek treatment within 14 days of the accident to get coverage.”
- Third-party personal injury claims: These claims are usually filed against the at-fault party’s insurance company for vehicle damage and serious injuries.
- Personal injury lawsuits: You may need to file a lawsuit with the Osceola County court if you can’t reach a compensation agreement with insurers. In most cases, this will end in a settlement, but the lawsuit may go to trial, where your case will be decided by a jury or judge.
Fault In Car Accidents
In Kissimmee, at-fault drivers are typically found at least 51% negligent in a car accident case, which might be proven by showing the driver committed a traffic violation, was driving recklessly, or other acts.
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Liability In Car Accident Cases
Liability describes who’s legally responsible for compensation when someone is harmed in an accident.
Car accident cases in Kissimmee may use the following to help determine liability:
- Negligence: If someone’s found negligent, they’re usually liable for compensation.
- Strict liability: When an entity like a manufacturer causes harm by, for example, creating a defective car part, they may be considered responsible for harm regardless of intent or negligence.
- Vicarious liability: This happens when one party is responsible for covering damages caused by someone else. For example, a business may be vicariously liable for an on-the-job employee who caused a crash.
Consideration Of Negligence, Degree Of Fault
As of March 24, 2023, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard, which means several things:
- More than one person can be at fault in a crash.
- Your degree of fault decreases your total compensation.
- If you’re found to be more than 50% at fault in a crash, you can’t get compensation from the other party.
So if a court or insurer determines you were 20% negligent in an accident because one of your headlights was out at night, you can only collect 80% of your total compensation.
An experienced attorney will use an array of evidence and logical arguments to show the other driver was negligent and get you the compensation you deserve.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Some car accidents are nothing more than a minor inconvenience for the driver, but unfortunately, many accidents leave victims struggling with serious injuries, financial difficulties, and emotional pain.
Some common struggles after a car accident include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of intimacy with a spouse or partner
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Death of a loved one
Car accident resources in Kissimmee may include:
- Emergency services
- Medical care providers
- Insurance companies
- Therapy and support groups for accident survivors
- Victim advocacy services
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit community safety organizations
- Car accident personal injury attorneys
When you sign your case with Florin|Roebig, you are selecting a law firm that has triple board-certified attorneys who have been winning some of the highest jury verdicts in the state of Florida. Help support your path to recovery by reaching out for a free case evaluation.
What To Do After A Car Accident
The first thing to do after a car accident is get the care you need, even if that means not following the best practices below. But if you’re able to, the following actions can help you file a successful claim more easily.
After a car accident in Kissimmee:
- Check for injuries and seek medical attention as soon as possible to get the best recovery and claims outcome.
- Contact law enforcement to report the crash and get officials to file an accident report.
- Gather information at the scene of the crash like witness contact information.
- Document the accident scene by taking pictures.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
For every year since the inception of the honor in 2010, Florin|Roebig has been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers in America.
Florin Roebig car accident lawyers offer many services, including:
- Case evaluation
- Legal representation
- Negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation support
With over 30 years of experience, our law firm has successfully won over $1 Billion in settlements from personal injury cases by providing our clients with high-quality legal representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Kissimmee?
Most car accident attorneys in Kissimmee charge 25-40% of your compensation. If you don’t receive compensation, they won’t charge.
Should I get a lawyer after a car accident in Kissimmee?
It’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer after a car accident, especially if you suffered serious injuries or other losses and you think the other driver is at fault.
What happens if I get in a car accident on Disney property?
If you get in a car accident on Disney property, your first step is to call 911, file an accident report, and take photos of the accident and your injuries. Then contact a lawyer to help determine whether another driver or Disney World may be liable for your losses.
List Of Top-Rated Car Accident Attorneys Serving Kissimmee
The law offices of Florin|Roebig employ respected attorneys who understand how to argue your case. If you’re looking for car accident attorneys with an extensive skill set, knowledge, and experience, look no further than the Florin|Roebig legal team.
For every year since the inception of the honor in 2010, Florin|Roebig has been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by “US News and World Report” and “Best Lawyers in America.”
A handful of our esteemed car accident lawyers include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Matthew L. McMullen (MN)
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- Michael A. Ossi, O.C.
- John J. Hart
With over 30 years of experience, our law firm has successfully won over $1 billion in settlements from personal injury cases by providing our clients with high-quality legal representation.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
How to Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
If you are interested in seeking legal advice from our legal team, you can contact our offices to schedule an appointment.
- Our website, florinroebig.com, has an option for requesting more information.
- You can call our phone number 24/7
- For more information regarding our services and free consultations, you can email us at [email protected]
- Or you can reach us at an office near you below.
Palm Harbor Office
Primary & Administrative Office
777 Alderman Road
Palm Harbor, Florida 34683
Filing a car accident claim may be the only way to sort out the mess a collision left behind. If you have questions about your next move, Florin|Roebig can provide legal advice to help you understand how your claim is likely to be seen by insurers or the courts.
Not everyone should file a car accident claim, but many should at least consider it. Getting compensated for your injuries can be the difference between recovering in peace and worrying for months about how you and your loved ones are going to get by. Schedule a confidential and free consultation today and allow Florin|Roebig to explain your legal rights.
