What to Do After an Accident in Orlando: A Personal Injury Guide
The first steps to take after a car crash, fall, or other injury in Orlando, and how Florida's rules affect your claim.
Get safe and get medical care first
Your health comes before any claim. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, move out of traffic if you can, and get checked by a doctor even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like whiplash or concussions, show up hours or days later.
Florida's PIP (personal injury protection) coverage generally requires you to seek initial medical treatment within 14 days of a car accident to use those benefits, so don't wait.
Document everything
Take photos of the scene, vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries. Collect names and phone numbers of witnesses, and get the other driver's insurance information.
Keep a simple folder of medical bills, receipts, missed-work records, and notes on how your injuries affect daily life.
Know Florida's deadlines
Florida law sets time limits for filing injury lawsuits, and those limits were shortened in 2023 for many negligence cases. Because deadlines vary by case type, talk to a licensed Florida attorney early to confirm the one that applies to you.
Florida also uses a modified comparative negligence rule, which can reduce or bar recovery depending on how much fault is assigned to you.
Be careful with insurance companies
Report the accident to your insurer, but think twice before giving a recorded statement to the other side's insurance company. Their goal is to limit what they pay.
A free case review with a local injury lawyer can help you understand your options before you sign anything.