Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer

Our personal injury lawyer Orlando, FL, accident victims rely on, has witnessed firsthand the impact of an accident on the victim. Accidents that leave innocent victims with serious injuries occur each day. As a victim of an accident, you may have amassed large amounts of debt due to your injuries. Medical bills, vehicle repairs, missed income, reduced earnings capacity and other unexpected costs can complicate your recovery after an accident, causing much stress and uncertainty. Chances are, you will be left feeling disheartened should this occur. You may be asking yourself where to go or who to turn to for help. How will you pay all of your bills? No person wants to find themselves feeling unprotected and vulnerable while recovering from injuries.

We know that you are experiencing unprecedented hardship. Fortunately, you can rely on a top and highly trusted legal team to fight for you. Our team at David & Philpot P.L. can assist by answering the questions you have about the process and providing you with the legal experience you need.

Questions a Personal Injury Lawyer Commonly Receives

A personal injury claim can be a stressful thing to go through, especially when you have just started recovering after an accident. It can be frustrating not knowing how long your recovery could take, or how your case can be resolved. You probably don’t know much about your legal options or assume that they are limited. You may be reluctant to go through a complicated legal process while you are trying to focus on getting better and paying off your expenses. However, talking to an experienced personal injury lawyer can shed light on your situation. Common questions that a lawyer receives from clients after an accident include the following:

Would you recommend that I pursue a claim with the insurance company or litigation?

You have several options to choose from if you are a personal injury victim. In most cases, your lawyer will likely recommend that you first pursue a claim with the insurance company. They may attempt to give you a low-ball settlement offer, but trying to pursue a claim with them first is a good option. It is always worth the effort. If they give you an offer that is much less than what you are hoping for or deserve, a lawyer will be able to step in and take action. They can better handle the tough negotiations with the insurance company, and your chances of obtaining compensation in a personal injury case are much higher with a lawyer to represent you and advocate on your behalf. 

While a thorough case review will be necessary to make an informed decision, much of the time, our firm can negotiate a fair settlement through the claims process. However, some situations may call for litigation. Sometimes despite your efforts, the insurance company refuses to give you a fair offer. Sometimes, your case has unique factors that require a different approach. There may be times when unexpected complications come up that can affect your claim. For example, if you cannot reach a fair settlement through the negotiation process or your claim has been denied, filing a lawsuit may be the most appropriate next step. It is typically the last resort when your other options have been exhausted. If you have a skilled and experienced lawyer, they will have prepared your case as if you are going to trial. This way, you are already prepared for court and can build on your case. A strong lawyer will be ready and prepared to take your case to court if necessary and prepare the best argument for you. 

How long will it take to resolve my case?  

This will depend upon the nature of your case and the factors at hand. There are many factors that can influence the complexity of a case, so it can be tough to predict how a case will develop. Some of the factors include the parties involved and how responsive the insurance company is to your negotiations. It can be difficult to tell exactly when your case will be fully resolved. While a personal injury claim with the insurance company may resolve anywhere from a few short months to a year, litigation can take much longer. Litigation can involve a variety of hurdles. When a lawsuit is filed, it may take years before a resolution is reached. If any issues or delays with your case come up, it may take much longer. For more information about what an estimated timeline for your case may look like, reach out to a lawyer and they can provide more details. 

Why should I hire a lawyer rather than representing myself? 

Before deciding about self-representation (pro se), it’s best to consult with a lawyer first. There are cases however, when you may not need to hire a lawyer. When damages are lower, in some cases, it may be worth pursuing the claims process on your own. However, when damages reach a certain amount, it may be in your best interest to retain the services of a lawyer. The more losses you have, the more you have to lose, so it is important to have a strong lawyer who is skilled enough to handle your case successfully. When you are searching for a lawyer, look for one whose experience is similar to the elements of your case. A lawyer should understand how to best approach your case and use the right legal strategies. They will develop a robust legal strategy and prevent the possibility of accepting an offer that is much lower than you deserve.

The more complex a case, the more likely you may benefit from having a personal injury lawyer to work on your case. Working on a difficult case alone can be risky. You do have the choice to represent yourself, but know that there are certain risks in doing so. Their experience and knowledge of the legal system is much greater than the average person’s. You may not have sufficient legal knowledge to prepare the best strategies for your case, or resolve certain issues if they arise. With an experienced lawyer at your side, you increase your chances of having a positive case outcome. 

Can a lawyer help me if I’m partially at fault? 

This is a common concern among many accident victims. Being partially at fault does not mean that your chances of obtaining compensation are zero. It is not completely off the table. Even though you contributed to the accident, you may still be able to recover compensation. A personal injury  lawyer can help you by reviewing the evidence in your case and calculating the damages. Every case is different, but a lawyer will assess your case to see if you are eligible to recover your losses despite being at fault. 

How should I prepare for my first meeting with a lawyer?

Coming prepared for your first consultation will ensure that you stay on track, your questions are answered, and that your lawyer can provide an accurate assessment of your case. Bring any relevant information or evidence such as medical documentation, insurance information, police/accident reports, etc. Additionally, bringing a list of questions can ensure that you get a clear picture of what the process entails. Write down a detailed account of what you remember from your accident so that you don’t forget any important details. Be ready to discuss as much information during the consultation as you can. Remember that the more organized and prepared you are, the more productive the appointment with the lawyer will be. 

Orlando Personal Injury Law Infographic

Tips To Prepare for Personal Injury Claims

The groundwork for a personal injury lawsuit starts from the very beginning of your injury. The more information, evidence and documents you have available, the more likely it is you can win your case and get the compensation you need.

This is one reason why it’s important to contact a personal injury lawyer in Orlando, FL as soon as possible after an injury. At David & Philpot Personal Injury Law, we can offer recommendations for your case that you can trust. What else can you do to prepare?

Ask Plenty of Questions When You Meet With Your Legal Team

In Florida, there is a statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits. There are different types of paperwork that need to be filled out when filing a lawsuit. It can be overwhelming to go through this process alone, but remember that you’re not alone.

Speak with your Orlando personal injury lawyer whenever you need guidance. The whole purpose of having a legal team is to make your life easier. Asking questions until you understand what to do can help you make better decisions. A helpful personal injury lawyer is happy to answer all of your questions or concerns.

Don’t Tough It Out

There’s no point in trying to force yourself to work injured or denying yourself medical treatment after an injury. Seeking medical attention helps you recover more completely and it also helps you with your personal injury lawsuit.

One of the burdens of proof your Orlando personal injury lawyer has to show is the injuries you’ve sustained. It’s much easier to do that when you have doctors’ reports, receipts, X-rays and other medical documents.

Keep the Future in Mind When Analyzing Settlement Offers

The compensation you can receive from insurance settlements and lawsuits is meant to help cover the costs of your medical treatment, but not just current treatment. It should also cover possible future care if necessary. At David & Philpot Personal Injury Law, we often remind our clients to take a step back and think of all the possibilities before agreeing to an insurance settlement.

Don’t forget that some injuries don’t show up until later. For example, whiplash from a car accident may only cause some bruising or sore muscles at first. Later on, however, you may experience chronic pain, neck and back pain, or mobility issues. A personal injury lawyer in Orlando, FL can help you make sure settlement payments cover your needs and your family’s needs if your ability to work is affected by the injury.

Don’t Accept the First Settlement, But Be Open

The main goal of a good Orlando personal injury lawyer should be to protect your interests. Sometimes, this means fighting your case in court, but other times a settlement is the right choice. As long as the offer is substantial enough to cover your needs, settlements can help you avoid the fees and time needed for litigation. We can show you the pros and cons of different options, help you negotiate and represent you in court if necessary. We follow your wishes every step of the way.

Honesty Is Best

When speaking with your lawyer you will want to make sure that you give them as many details as possible even if you might be at fault. No matter how small or seemingly insignificant a detail may be, presenting your lawyer with everything you know can help them build the case. This also often includes providing them with any evidence you’ve gathered from eyewitness testimonies, your own personal account, photographic evidence, etc. Your lawyer then will determine what’s useful to the case and not. 

Do Not Speak to the Police Without a Lawyer 

While speaking to the police especially when the personal injury was in no way your fault may seem harmless enough, it’s better to remain silent on the matter until your lawyer is present. Doing so will ensure that you don’t accidentally compromise a potential case. Sometimes people might be hesitant to talk with the police when a lawyer is present as they believe that it can indicate that they’re guilty, but having a lawyer is common practice.

Refrain From Posting on Social Media 

Social media is an integral part of our lives and is an easy way to keep in touch and communicate what’s happening in our everyday lives and while you might be tempted to post about what happened to you to your story, on your profile, etc. it’s better to remain as silent as you can on the matter. Of course, there’s a difference between letting your friends know that you had to go to the hospital for a broken leg versus revealing crucial details about the case such as where it happened, who you believe was at fault, etc. You will definitely want to avoid talking about what caused the accident and if possible, minimize or avoid talking about the personal injury itself as much as you can.

Common Personal Injuries

A personal injury is something that could occur to anyone in a number of different areas or scenarios. They range from accidents involving vehicles to improperly manufactured products and more. Compensation is generally awarded to those who can prove that their injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence or lack of action leading to injury. Here are some of the more common ways that people have received personal injuries:

• Auto Accidents – An accident involving cars or trucks that sees a person receive injuries like burns, broken bones, and more. These are one of the most common types of accidents that lead to a personal injury case.
• Defective Products – Companies have been known to improperly manufacture products, or not properly notify customers of potential risks of a product. This type of injury could show itself through burns, harmful chemicals/substances, and more.
• Bicycle & Pedestrian Accidents – This type of injury generally occurs from a pedestrian or bicycle rider being struck by someone in a car or truck or another vehicle. This type of injury could lead to broken bones, scratches, or even brain and spinal cord injuries.
• Slip and Fall Injuries – A slip and fall accident could occur at a variety of different places. These fall under premises liability and happen when a person who is in charge of a property doesn’t ensure the safety of those who come on the premises. An injury could occur from a chemical spill on the property, or from areas that are improperly marked during construction or maintenance activity leading to a slip and fall.
• Motorcycle Accidents – Motorcycle accidents are similar to auto accidents in that injuries could occur from being struck by another vehicle or from the negligence of other drivers.
• Medical Malpractice – Medical malpractice injuries could occur from a botched surgery or other medically related instances. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Orlando, FL from David & Philpot P.L. to learn more about these types of injuries and whether or not your injury may fall under this category.
• On-The-Job Injuries – Workplace and on-the-job injuries are also one of the more common ways that someone may get injured and have a personal injury case. Injuries occur in nearly all different lines of work and can be the result of poor workplace practices, a lack of safety culture in the organization, or from the negligent actions of a coworker. 

If you have been injured in one of these types of accidents or from another source, then getting checked out by a doctor is the first thing that should be done. Once you have been checked out by a doctor and have scheduled relevant therapies or other needs, it is then time to seek advice from an Orlando personal injury lawyer.  Lawyers from David & Philpot P.L. have years of experience in fighting cases for clients who have received injuries from a variety of different circumstances. Contact us today to get your case started and to get the compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and injuries.

Orlando Personal Injury Law Statistics

According to the latest report from DHSMV,  In 2020, Orlando had 225 alcohol crashes.

• 225 Alcohol Crashes – 145 resulted in injuries & 25 fatalities
• 24 Drug Crashes, with 16 injuries & 14 deaths
• 23,268 Individual Crashes
• 18,318 Injuries
• 174 Deaths

What To Look For In A Personal Injury Attorney

Specialized, Focused Practice

When you are looking for a personal injury lawyer in Orlando, FL, you need to find a firm that both specializes in and is focused on personal injury cases. Personal injury law firms, such as David & Philpot Personal Injury Law, spend the majority of their time and resources pursuing settlement negotiations and arguing these in front of a judge and jury.

They understand what a case needs to be successful, and they can evaluate a case in a matter of minutes. They also have investigators, support staff and expert witnesses that are vetted and provide valuable services in these cases. Personal injury attorneys also have relationships with medical professionals, so they can help you get the care and assessments you need.

Proven Track Record of Success

Your lawyer should have experience and success in your type of personal injury case. Each type of injury case has unique nuances and characteristics, so your attorney should be familiar with these before taking your case. your prospective attorneys about their experience.

Not only should your Orlando personal injury lawyer have extensive experience in personal injury cases, but this professional should also have a track record of success. When you see a high success rate, you know that the attorney should do what is necessary to get you the best award or settlement possible. Typically, these lawyers are typically willing to go to court and argue in front of a judge if they cannot get an adequate settlement.

Only Represent Victims

A Orlando personal injury lawyer that represents both victims and insurance companies may be conflicted. You want loyal attorneys who will represent you to the best of their ability. They cannot be influenced by outside parties or sources.

Have Time and Resources 

Choose a law firm, e.g., David & Philpot Personal Injury Law, that has the resources necessary to take your case. This includes time. Some attorneys focus on bulk or quantity, not quality. You want a high-quality attorney and high-quality legal services. This requires that your attorney not be overloaded with cases. One way to determine whether they have time for you is by gauging how long it takes for them to return your call for a consultation and how many times they are interrupted during your consultation.

Your law firm should also have dedicated experts, such as vocational rehabilitation, medical and accident experts. These individuals work with your legal professionals to support your case. You should also see a dedicated staff of paralegals and other professionals when you are in your attorney’s office.

Compensation For Personal Injury Cases

There are many different issues that arise with personal injury cases. They can be both expensive and exhausting. This is why it is important that you hire an experienced personal injury lawyer in Florida who will know what kind of damages to file in your case. Some of the most common things people seek compensation for in personal injury cases include: 

• Compensation for all of your medical costs, which include bills from doctors offices, prescription medication, physical therapy costs, and anything you have had to pay for emergency room visits because of the accident.
• Compensation for property damaged in the accident. This can be a totaled car from a car crash, or other personal belongings that broke or became damaged in an accident. 
• Compensation for lost wages due to missed work. This could include compensation for lost future wages if you are unable to do the work that you are used to doing. 
• Damages for pain and suffering. This is not always applied in personal injury cases, but can be if they are particularly traumatic. 

Your lawyer will be able to look closely at your case to see what you may be entitled to and what we believe you should file for in your case. Lawyers who are experienced in personal injury law will know what kind of things have worked in the past for cases similar to yours, which is why it is so important to have someone on your side who knows what a judge may consider fair. The lawyers at David & Philpot, P.L. would be more than happy to help. We have handled many different types of personal injury cases and won fair compensation for so many people before. We know how to navigate throughout the entire process to make it much smoother on our clients. 

How Much Is A Personal Lawyer Paid? 

While many areas of law such as family law require you to pay your lawyer by the hour on top of a retainer fee when it comes to personal injury lawsuits the method of payment is completely different. Instead of charging an hourly fee, most lawyers will charge you a contingency fee. Essentially, the lawyer will pay for all/most of the upfront and will receive a percentage of the final settlement or court award. This percentage varies, but often can be around 30%. While this might sound like a big cut, it’s important to keep in mind that personal injury cases can sometimes take up to two years to settle and during this time the lawyer is working on the case mostly free. Coupled with the fact that the lawyer can help you receive a higher compensation, then a contingency fee is a wonderful alternative. 

About No-Fault Laws 

Florida is one of several no-fault states that puts much of the financial responsibility for a car accident on those involved. As such, drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection on their insurance that covers both property damage and any medical bills incurred after the wreck. This helps those affected handle their own affairs and have their injuries tended to right away. In some cases, though, PIP is subject to certain limitations and drivers who have serious injuries may want to seek out a personal injury lawyer in Orlando, FL, to explore other options for financial recovery. 

Creating a Lawsuit

While PIP insurance can help Florida drivers get medical attention more quickly after a car accident, it may not cover all costs. If those injured believe their accident was caused by another driver because he or she acted negligently, they do have the option of filing a personal injury lawsuit. A law firm like David & Philpot Personal Injury Law can help with organizing details and placing a dollar value on a case for those who decide to move ahead with a lawsuit. 

When PIP Is Not Enough

Injured motorists facing a cap on their PIP and injuries that may affect them in the long term still have the option of filing a court case against the other driver. When they make this choice, they may want to present a Orlando personal injury lawyer, with a variety of details including when and where the crash occurred, what injuries they suffered and what actions they believe led to the accident. The more factors and information an attorney firm has to work with, the better and more efficiently it can craft a case. 

A car accident can seriously interrupt the lives of Florida residents, no matter where they reside. While no-fault laws may help them streamline medical payouts, other cases may require the assistance and know-how of a dedicated legal team. 

What Does A Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

An Orlando personal injury lawyer in Orlando, FL is a lawyer who provides legal services to those who claim to have been injured, physically or psychologically, as a result of the negligence of another person, company, government agency, or any entity.

Personal injury lawyers in Orlando, FL tend to practice primarily in the area of law known as tort law. Examples of common personal injury claims include injuries from slip and fall accidents, traffic collisions, defective products, workplace injuries, and professional malpractice.

The term “trial lawyers” is sometimes used to refer to personal injury lawyers, even though many other types of lawyers, including defense lawyers and criminal prosecutors also appear in trials and even though most personal injury claims are settled without going to trial.

A personal injury lawyer has many responsibilities in serving his or her clients. These responsibilities encompass both professional and ethical rules and codes of conduct set forth by state bar associations where the lawyers are licensed. The role of the personal injury lawyer is to represent their client in court for any legal proceedings that may arise during the course of a case. This can include settlements before trial and negotiations with an insurance company following an accident.

Personal injury law covers all types of accidents, including:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Motor vehicle accidents (car, truck, motorcycle)
• Premises liability (property owner negligence)
• Medical malpractice (doctor or hospital error)
• Defective products
• Injuries caused by drunk drivers

Injured parties can seek compensation from those who hurt them through a civil lawsuit. Most lawsuits are settled out of court with a settlement agreement rather than a trial before a jury or judge. David & Philpot, P.L. is a personal injury law firm that helps people who have been injured or lost loved ones due to the negligence of others. Their team of experienced Orlando personal injury lawyers is here to help you.

We Can Help

When you’re injured by another party, whether it be a car accident, an accident at work, or a slip and fall, you may feel like you’ve been deserted. You’re in pain, you’re out of work and you don’t know where to turn. Contacting an Orlando personal injury lawyer is the first step to take toward protecting your rights.

Personal injury laws are complex and can be difficult to navigate without an experienced professional representing your interests. A qualified personal injury attorney in Orlando, Florida will protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries.

Our Orlando Area Office

1936 Boothe Circle

Longwood, FL 32750

Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer Google Review

“Attorney Tim and his staff were very helpful to me after my injuries he treat me like family. My experience with him during my tough time was an excellent experience anytime I needed him he was available. I would definitely refer David and Philpot to anyone, and if I ever need him again I would definitely be giving him a call. Thank you again Tim for everything you have done for me. You’re a blessing” – Tisha H.