Win Your Case with Our Orange Springs Car Accident Attorney

Meldon Law has dedicated over 50 years to fighting for injured clients. If an auto accident injured you or someone you love, our Orange Springs car accident lawyers can help you seek maximum compensation. We will not back down until insurance companies and at-fault parties pay what they owe.

We will be here to support and empower you with information and legal services at every stage of your case. Let us help you get the compensation you need to get back on your feet. Call 24/7 for a free consultation.

Our Orange Springs Car Accident Lawyers Handle First and Third-Party Claims

Florida follows a no-fault insurance model, so recovering compensation after a car accident usually starts with a first-party personal injury protection (PIP) claim. You may think you can handle this alone because you are dealing with your own insurance provider. Sadly, insurance companies often put their bottom line over the best interests of their clients. At Meldon Law, our Orange Springs personal injury lawyers work for you. Our priority is getting you what you need and deserve.

We will file and manage your PIP claim and negotiate for the maximum compensation possible up to your policy limits. According to Florida Statutes § 627.736, PIP insurance benefits include coverage for 80 percent of medical expenses, 60 percent of your lost gross income and lost earning capacity, and death benefits for fatally injured parties, regardless of fault for the crash.

If a negligent party caused your accident and it resulted in severe, permanent, or fatal injuries, we can pursue awards with a third-party liability claim or personal injury lawsuit. In addition to medical expenses, a fault-based claim allows us to seek compensation for:

• The total value of your medical bills (both past and future)
• The total value of your lost wages and lost earning capacity
• Vehicle and personal property damages
• Household services
• Chronic and severe physical pain
• Disabling and permanent injuries
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Reduced quality of life

A lawsuit can also recover wrongful death compensation if you lost a loved one in a fatal accident.

Our accident attorneys can establish your right to step outside the no-fault system. We can seek a full and fair settlement from the negligent party’s auto liability insurance providers or take action in civil court.

Call us today to learn more about your options for pursuing financial recovery. We offer free consultations.

How Long Do You Have to Seek Car Accident Compensation?

You should notify your PIP insurance provider about your claim immediately. Florida’s no-fault laws require that you seek medical attention for a crash injury within 14 days of the collision to receive coverage.

If you have grounds for a third-party claim, Florida Statutes § 95.11 sets a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. You usually cannot take legal action if you do not file your case in civil court before time expires. If you cannot sue, you lose your bargaining power with the insurance companies.

We Can Prove Car Accident Liability

If you have a case against an at-fault party, we must prove their negligence caused your crash. To do this, our Orange Springs car accident attorneys will gather evidence, including police reports, video footage of the crash, witness statements, and expert testimony. We will use the evidence to establish the following:

1. The liable party owed you a duty of care. – Motorists are legally obligated to operate their vehicles safely to avoid hurting others.
2. The liable party’s actions constituted a breach of duty. – An at fault-party breaches the duty of care when they break traffic laws or drive in a way most others would not deem reasonable or safe.
3. The breach of duty caused your injury. – Causation is the link between the liable party’s actions and your injury. For example, our lawyers may build a case proving that the liable party was texting and driving, which caused them to travel into your lane, resulting in a head-on collision and injuries.
4. Your injury led to economic and non-economic damages. – Our attorneys can use bills, receipts, estimates, and testimony to prove you have current and future financial losses and endured pain and suffering.

Common Causes of Auto Accidents

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), there were nearly 7,000 motor vehicle accidents in Marion County in 2023. These collisions caused over 5,600 injuries and 102 fatalities.

The cause of most auto accidents is negligent driving. Negligent driving behaviors include:

• Making an improper turn
• Making an improper lane change
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Illegal passing
• Tailgating
• Speeding
• Driving drunk
• Driving distracted
• Aggressive or reckless driving

Accidents can also result from vehicle and roadway issues. If a defective vehicle or vehicle part contributed to the wreck, we can pursue compensation from an at-fault mechanic or manufacturer. If negligent road conditions or dangerously designed roads were involved, we can seek damages from the party responsible for road maintenance.

What to Do After a Car Crash in Orange Springs, FL

When you work with Meldon Law, our Orange Springs car accident lawyers will do everything we can to shoulder your legal burden so you can focus on healing. However, there are a few simple things you can do to improve the chances of a successful claim, including:

• See a doctor if you did not receive treatment at the time of the accident. Getting prompt medical attention can protect your health and your right to recover damages.
• Report your accident to the Marion County Sheriff’s Department Northeast District Office if an officer was not called to the accident scene. Contacting authorities will generate an accident report that will be important case evidence.
• Be careful what you say to the insurance company, including your insurer. Insurance agents may use what you say against you to reduce your compensation. Do not go into detail about the collision, admit fault, agree to give a recorded statement, or accept an initial settlement offer. Be polite, but tell them to direct communications to our law firm.

Get Help from an Orange Springs Car Accident Attorney at Meldon Law

Contact Meldon Law to learn more about how our Orange Springs car accident lawyers can advocate for you after a Florida auto accident. We take cases on contingency, so you only pay a fee once we win your case. Call now for a free consultation.