Orlando Car Accident Lawyer
Hurt in a crash on I-4, SR 408 or anywhere in Central Florida? We handle the insurance company, the evidence and the paperwork so you can focus on getting better.
No fee unless we win · Free case review · Korean & Mandarin spoken
Trusted by clients. Respected by the legal community.
Real Results for Central Florida Accident Victims
Insurance companies make their first offer hoping you’ll take it. These clients didn’t, and here’s what they recovered.
$1M
Settlement
Commercial Auto Accident
$375K
Settlement
Auto Accident
$325K
Settlement
Auto Accident
$50K
Settlement
Pedestrian Accident
Talk to our team today. There’s no cost to find out what your case may be worth.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and depends on its own facts.
The Insurance Company Has a Plan. You Should Too.
Within days of a crash, the other driver’s insurer is already building its case — recording your statements, reviewing your medical records and looking for reasons to pay less. Most people don’t find out how the claims process works until after they’ve signed away their rights.
That’s where we come in. Attorneys Aaron and Michelle Hines handle every step: proving who was at fault, documenting your injuries and losses, and pushing back when the insurer offers less than your case is worth.
You don’t need a serious injury to benefit from a free case review. If you’re dealing with medical bills, missed work or a car you can’t drive, it’s worth a 15-minute call to understand your options.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Orlando
The steps you take in the first few days can make or break your claim. Here’s what to do — and what to avoid.
1. Get safe and call 911
Move out of traffic if you can and check on everyone involved. Florida law requires you to report any crash involving injury, and a police report becomes key evidence later.2. Get medical care within 14 days
Under Florida’s PIP law, you generally must be treated within 14 days of the crash to use your PIP benefits. Some injuries, like whiplash and concussions, don’t show symptoms right away, so get checked even if you feel fine. Learn more about the 14-day rule3. Document everything at the scene
Take photos of all vehicles, the road, traffic signals, skid marks and your injuries. Get names and numbers from witnesses before they leave.4. Exchange information
Collect each driver’s name, phone number, license number, plate number and insurance company. Stick to the facts and don’t apologize or guess at what happened — those words can be used against you.5. Notify your insurer, but be careful what you say
Report the crash to your own insurance company promptly. Don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer, and don’t accept a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.6. Keep a record
Save medical bills, receipts, repair estimates and notes on missed work and how your injuries affect daily life.7. Talk to a car accident lawyer
A free case review helps you understand your options before the insurance company sets the terms. Call (407) 554-4484How Hines Law Builds Your Car Accident Case
When you hire us, you work directly with Aaron or Michelle Hines — not a call center. Here’s what we take off your plate:
- Investigate the crash. We get the police report, traffic camera and dashcam footage, witness statements and, when needed, accident reconstruction.
- Prove who was at fault. Speeding, distracted driving, DUI, an unsafe rideshare driver — we gather the evidence that shows what really happened.
- Document every loss. We work with your doctors to capture current and future medical costs, lost income and the toll on your daily life.
- Handle the insurance companies. All calls, letters and negotiations go through us, so you don’t get pressured into a lowball offer.
- Take your case to court if needed. Most cases settle, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial.
What Your Claim May Cover
Depending on your case, you may be able to recover:
- Medical bills, current and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Loss of consortium (impact on your marriage)
Car Accidents Our Orlando Lawyers Handle
Every crash is different, and the type of collision shapes who’s liable and which insurance applies. We handle:
- Rear-end collisions. The most common crash on Orlando’s stop-and-go roads, and a frequent cause of whiplash and back injuries.
- T-bone and intersection crashes. Often caused by red-light running or failure to yield, and among the most serious side-impact injuries.
- Hit-and-run accidents. When the driver flees, your own uninsured motorist coverage may pay. We help you find out.
- Uninsured and underinsured drivers. Florida doesn’t require most drivers to carry bodily injury liability coverage, so many at-fault drivers have little or none.
- Drunk and distracted driving. Texting, phone use and DUI crashes can support stronger claims, and in some cases punitive damages.
- Tourist and rental car crashes. Visitors unfamiliar with Orlando roads cause a share of local accidents. Rental companies usually aren’t liable just for owning the car, so the claim often runs through the driver’s own or rental coverage.
- Commercial vehicle crashes. Company cars and delivery vans can bring larger policies and an employer into the claim. For semis, see our truck accident page.
Injuries We See After Orlando Car Accidents
- Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Herniated discs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
Some, like concussions, don’t show symptoms for days. That’s another reason the 14-day treatment window matters.
Where Orlando Car Accidents Happen
Central Florida combines heavy commuter traffic, constant construction and millions of visitors who don’t know the roads. We regularly see crashes on:
- I-4, especially through downtown and the attractions corridor
- SR 408 (East-West Expressway) and SR 417
- Florida’s Turnpike
- Orange Blossom Trail (US-441) and Semoran Boulevard (SR 436)
- Colonial Drive (SR 50) and John Young Parkway
- International Drive and the roads around the theme parks
If your case goes to court, it’s typically filed in Orange County, at the courthouse in downtown Orlando. We know the local process and what to expect.
Serving Orlando and Central Florida
From our office in Apopka, we represent car accident victims throughout Orlando and nearby communities, including Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Maitland, Longwood, Sanford and Kissimmee. We can meet by phone or video if travel is hard after your injury.
Florida Law Gives You Less Time Than You Think
Florida changed its car accident laws in 2023, and the changes make it more important to act quickly.
- 2-year deadline. For most crashes after March 24, 2023, you have two years to file a negligence lawsuit, down from four. Miss it, and you may lose your right to compensation entirely.
- The 51% rule. If you’re found more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover damages from the other driver. If you’re 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your share. Insurers know this, which is why they often try to shift blame onto you.
- PIP comes first. Your own Personal Injury Protection coverage pays the first $10,000 of medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault. Serious or permanent injuries can let you step outside that system and claim against the at-fault driver.
Evidence fades and deadlines don’t move. The sooner we start, the stronger your case.
Reviewed by Aaron Hines, Attorney
Member of The Florida Bar since 2010 · Last updated
Aaron Hines is a Florida personal injury attorney who represents those hurt in car, truck and motorcycle crashes throughout Orlando and Central Florida. A member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and The Florida Bar, he earned his J.D. from Liberty University School of Law.
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After a crash, you shouldn’t have to struggle to explain what happened. Our team includes staff fluent in Korean and Mandarin Chinese, so you can talk through your case comfortably from the first call.
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Orlando Car Accident Questions, Answered
Straight answers to what we hear most after Orlando-area crashes. Don’t see your question? Call (407) 554-4484 for a free case review.
How much is my Orlando car accident case worth?
It depends on your medical costs, lost income, how your injuries affect your life, who was at fault and how much insurance is available. There’s no formula, but a free case review can give you a realistic picture.
How much does it cost to hire Hines Law?
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee, which means we’re only paid if we recover money for you. Your free case review comes with no obligation.
Do I really need a lawyer after a car accident?
Not every fender-bender needs one. But if you were hurt, missed work, or the insurer is disputing fault or offering less than your bills, a lawyer can make a significant difference in what you recover.
What if I was partly at fault?
You may still have a case. Under Florida law, you can recover damages as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your share of fault.
How long do I have to file a claim in Florida?
For most crashes after March 24, 2023, the deadline to file a negligence lawsuit is two years. Some claims, like those against a government agency, have shorter notice deadlines, so it’s best to call early.
What is Florida's no-fault insurance, and how does it affect my claim?
Florida drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers up to $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages no matter who caused the crash. You must get medical care within 14 days to use it. If your injuries are serious or permanent, you can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for the rest.
What should I do after a hit-and-run in Orlando?
Call 911, get medical care and report the crash to police right away. Write down anything you remember about the vehicle. Your uninsured motorist coverage may pay for your injuries even if the driver is never found.
What if I was hit by a tourist or a rental car?
You can still bring a claim. The at-fault driver’s insurance, the rental coverage they bought or your own coverage may apply. Out-of-state drivers add complexity, so it helps to have a local lawyer sort it out.
Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company?
It’s best not to give a recorded statement or sign anything until you’ve spoken with a lawyer. Adjusters are trained to find reasons to reduce or deny claims.
How long will my case take?
It depends on your injuries and how the insurer responds. Many claims settle within several months; cases that go to litigation take longer. We’ll give you a realistic timeline once we review your case.
What if I was hit by an Uber or Lyft driver?
Rideshare claims follow different rules. See our Uber & Lyft accident page or call us to talk through your situation.
Do I have to go to court?
Most car accident cases settle without a trial. If the insurer won’t make a fair offer, we’re prepared to file suit and take your case to court.
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Serving Orlando and all of Central Florida from our Apopka office. Free case review, no fee unless we win.