Best Orlando Car Accident Lawyers | ConsumerShield (2025)

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Orlando, FL?

Car accident lawyers in Orlando usually charge a contingency fee between 30% and 40%. So what does that mean? A contingency fee arrangement is the most common fee structure used by personal injury lawyers for cases including car accidents.

While lawyers who practice other areas of law often charge by the hour, car accident lawyers are not paid by the amount of time they spend on your case. Instead, you agree to pay them a percentage of the amount they successfully recover for you. For example, if your lawyer recovers $100,000 for you and you agreed to a 35% contingency fee, then your lawyer earns $35,000 from your case.

Importantly, contingency fees are not paid up front. Instead, your lawyer is paid only after the case finishes. Lawyers are incentivized to obtain the highest recovery possible because their fees are directly tied to the case outcome.

How to Hire an Orlando, FL Car Accident Attorney

The process to hire a lawyer can be daunting. You want to avoid picking the first name you see on a billboard, but how do you make the right choice for your case? Look for these traits to find the best car accident lawyer for you.

• Car accident case experience. Personal injury lawyers often manage several types of cases, but you want to hire someone who has experience with cases similar to yours.
• Trial experience. Many cases settle without going to trial. However, it is helpful to hire someone who is comfortable taking your case to trial if a fair settlement can’t be reached.
• Positive referrals. Ask for references from prior clients or look for online reviews that show clients have been happy working with them.
• Free consultation. It is common to offer a free initial meeting for the lawyer to evaluate your case and discuss your options. Take advantage of these meetings to find a lawyer that makes you feel comfortable and whose opinion you trust.

Ready to narrow down the list? Fill out the form on this page to connect with qualified lawyers near you.

Average Car Accident Settlement in Orlando, FL

According to local law firms, the average car accident settlement in Florida is between $125,000 and $350,000. However, many factors can influence a settlement value. These factors include:

• Injury severity
• Total cost of medical treatment
• Total value of wages lost due to missed work
• Property damage value
• Insurance coverage
• Whether you were partially at fault for the accident

Lawyers who regularly handle car accident cases are best able to evaluate the specifics of your case and provide an estimate of the total compensation you may recover. Fill out the form on this page to get help today.

How Common Are Car Accidents Nationwide?

Nationwide crash data shows that reported car accidents steadily increased through 2019, peaking at over 6.7 million. In 2020, the total dropped sharply to 5.25 million due to reduced travel during the pandemic. Although crash numbers rose again in 2021, they remained just below pre-pandemic levels, averaging around 6 million per year through 2023, the most recent year with available data.

How Long Do Car Accident Settlements Take in Orlando?

In Florida, you don’t have to file a car accident lawsuit immediately after your injury, but you can’t wait too long. The state’s statute of limitations for lawsuits in the realm of personal injury law (including car accident lawsuits) is two years. That means you have two years from the date of your accident to file.

Once you file, the length of time it takes to receive compensation largely depends on the details of your case. Generally speaking, straightforward claims involving minor injuries can settle within several months. Complex cases with catastrophic injuries may take years.

Most attorneys will try to negotiate a settlement outside of court. However, if your lawyer and the insurance company can’t come to an agreement, your case will need to be decided in a trial. Trials can be extremely time-consuming, and they will usually delay your compensation significantly.

What Compensation Can You Receive in an Orlando Car Accident Case?

Before they decide to file a lawsuit, many people want to know what kinds of compensation they can realistically recover. While the exact damages will be determined by your case, they will likely include compensation for these losses:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Future medical bills
• Disability/loss of earning capacity
• Emotional distress and physical pain
• Prescriptions and medical supplies
• Repair or replacement of your vehicle
• Disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

You shouldn’t automatically assume you’ll receive compensation for all of these. A car accident lawyer can carefully assess your case and give you a better idea of what compensation you may recover.

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Florida

These are the issues you need to consider before filing a car accident lawsuit in Orlando:

• Is your case within the statute of limitations? The statute of limitations is the law that sets a deadline for when you must file your lawsuit. In Florida, the deadline for car accident cases is typically two years from the date of the accident.
• Were you at fault for the car crash? Florida is a no-fault state, which means that all drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance intended to cover medical bills and lost wages after a car accident. However, there are exceptions that allow for lawsuits against the driver at fault for some of the worst car crash injuries.
• Have you gathered evidence to support your case? Documentation like a police report of the crash or photos can be helpful, as well as medical treatment records and bill receipts. A lawyer will help you gather what you need and interview any witnesses who were at the scene of the accident.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in Orlando?

Once you are ready to move forward with a car accident lawsuit, this is how the process works.

• Insurance review and negotiation. Before a lawsuit begins, you’ll likely hear from an insurance adjuster with a proposed claim settlement. This is sometimes a low ball offer, so it helps to have a lawyer negotiating on your behalf.
• Lawsuit filed. If a personal injury settlement cannot be reached with the insurance company, then filing a formal complaint with the appropriate court kicks off the lawsuit process.
• Evidence exchange. Through a process called discovery, each side shares evidence that may impact the case.
• Trial. Most cases settle without needing a trial, but if settlement is not reached then a formal trial is held before a judge or jury.

Types of Car Accident Cases in Orlando, Florida

Car accidents can occur in many ways, but these are the most common types and causes of crashes in Orlando.

• Rear-end collision. This type of accident is the most common type of accident in Orlando. It occurs when a vehicle collides with the back of another vehicle.
• T-bone impact. A T-bone accident is a violent side impact crash. It can happen at intersections, particularly when drivers run red lights.
• Speeding collision. In 2022, there were over 15,000 driving incidents in Florida caused by speeding or aggressive driving. Failing to drive with caution can lead to serious consequences.

Head-on crash. Turning into the wrong lane or driving into oncoming traffic can cause this most fatal type of accident. Head-on crashes are also often caused by impaired driving.