Orlando Car Accident Attorney

Crashes on I-4, Colonial Drive, Orange Blossom Trail, or anywhere in Orlando can leave drivers and passengers with more than car damage. Injuries like neck pain, back strain, or head trauma often lead to missed work, long appointments, and ongoing costs. For many, the wreck is only the beginning of a long, frustrating stretch.

Osborne, Francis & Pettis helps you handle all of it. We hold the at-fault driver accountable, demand fair compensation for your injuries, and build a case that reflects what the crash has taken from you. Call (407) 655-3333 or contact us online to speak with a car accident attorney in Orlando today.

“Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident, and Osborne & Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm…"

- Erica F. | Client

Orlando Car Accident Statistics

In 2024 alone, over 20,000 crashes were reported in Orlando, resulting in 444 serious injuries and 34 fatalities, according to the Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard.

Some trends stood out:

• Sundays were the most dangerous day to drive in Orlando, with 85 injuries and 8 deaths reported on that day alone.
• Distracted driving caused 118 injuries and 2 fatalities, showing how a few seconds of inattention can have life-altering consequences.
• Lane departures led to 133 injuries and 4 deaths, often due to speeding, impaired driving, or sudden swerves.
• Intersections remained high-risk zones, contributing to 153 injuries and 5 fatalities.
• Pedestrians and cyclists were especially vulnerable, accounting for 70 injuries and a tragic 11 deaths.

What Types of Car Accident Cases Do Our Orlando Car Accident Lawyers Handle?

Osborne, Francis & Pettis represents Orlando residents who were injured because another driver made a careless decision—ignored a signal, looked down at a phone, or chose to drive impaired. We handle car accident cases involving:

• Speeding and aggressive driving. Tailgating, cutting lanes, and running lights put everyone on the road at risk.
• Distracted driving. Phones, GPS, and in-car conversations all pull attention off the road at the worst times.
• Driving under the influence. Alcohol, drugs, or even certain prescriptions can slow reaction time and impair judgment.
• Rear-end collisions. Even low-speed impacts in stop-and-go traffic can cause whiplash, head trauma, or spinal pain.
• Intersection crashes. Misjudging a yellow light or turning without checking oncoming traffic often leads to serious injury.

After these types of crashes, the other driver’s insurance company may ask for a recorded statement. That call isn’t just routine—it’s often designed to lock in your words before you’ve seen a doctor or reviewed the damage.

Osborne, Francis & Pettis has seen how insurers use those recordings to dispute medical care, shift blame, or cut off payment. Speak with an Orlando auto accident lawyer before agreeing to any recorded interview.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Orlando?

Small details can matter more than they seem in the moments after a crash. The insurance company will examine medical records, timing, and what was said at the scene. After a car accident, take these steps:

• Get medical care quickly. The sooner your injuries are documented, the harder they are to dispute.
• Call the police. An officer’s report creates a record that doesn’t rely on memory.
• Take photos before anything is moved. If it is safe, capture vehicle positions, visible damage, and anything else that shows how the crash unfolded.
• Exchange information. Collect contact and insurance details from drivers and witnesses.
• Avoid casual conversations with the other driver(s). Even brief remarks can be used to reduce your claim.
• Speak with a car accident attorney in Orlando. Osborne, Francis & Pettis can communicate with insurers and help protect the value of your case.

Even without every detail from the scene, there’s still a way forward. Osborne, Francis & Pettis knows how to work with what’s available and fill in the rest with records, timelines, and proof that ties the crash to what you’re dealing with now.

Watch the video below to hear attorney Greg Francis explain what to do after a crash, and keep reading for answers to the questions most people ask in the following days:

The Hidden Risks of Talking to Insurance Adjusters

After a car accident in Orlando, it’s common to get a call from the other driver’s insurance company. They may sound polite and say they just need a “quick, recorded statement.” But they’re often looking for ways to weaken your claim early on. Here’s how your words can be used against you:

• Downplaying Your Injuries: If you say something like, “I’m okay, just a little sore,” they may later claim your injuries weren’t serious, even if your doctor later finds something more severe.
• Shifting the Blame: These conversations can be full of subtle traps. If you say, “I didn’t see the other car,” or “I might’ve been going a little fast,” they can twist that into making you partially at fault even if you weren’t.
• Locking You Into a Story: If you speak before you have all the facts, your statement could contradict future medical findings or legal evidence. Insurance companies may try to use that to make you seem unreliable or inconsistent.

The safest way to protect yourself is simple: Don’t give a recorded statement without talking to an Orlando car accident lawyer at Osborne, Francis & Pettis first. We can deal with the insurance company for you, so you don’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing. Call us at (407) 655-3333, because we’re here to look out for you, not undermine you. 

What If the At-Fault Party Doesn't Have Insurance?

It's a scary thought, but a real problem here in Florida. Even though state law requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, a significant number of drivers on our roads are uninsured. Some estimates show that approximately 1 in 5, or about 20% of Florida drivers, are driving without any car insurance.

If you're hit by an uninsured driver, your options can be complicated, but you still have a path to compensation:

• Your Own PIP Coverage: Florida is a "no-fault" state, meaning your own PIP insurance will cover a portion of your medical bills and lost wages up to your policy limit (usually $10,000), no matter who was at fault.
• Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: If you purchased UM coverage on your own policy, this insurance steps in to cover your losses, like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, up to your policy limit, just as if the at-fault driver had insurance.
• A Lawsuit Against the Driver: You can sue the uninsured driver directly. 

An Orlando auto accident attorney can investigate all potential avenues of compensation to ensure you are not left paying for another driver’s irresponsibility.

Who Might Be Legally Responsible for Your Car Accident?

In many Orlando car accidents, the driver is usually the one at fault. But it’s not always that simple. Florida law allows other people, or even companies, to be held accountable, too.

Here are some examples:

• The Driver Who Caused the Crash: This is the most common situation. If another driver ran a red light, was texting behind the wheel, or drove recklessly, they’re likely to be held responsible.
• Their Employer: If the at-fault driver was working when the crash happened (like a delivery driver or contractor), their employer might also be responsible. 
• Uber or Lyft: If the driver was working for a rideshare company at the time, the company’s insurance may be involved—and in some cases, they may have coverage up to $1 million.

Because Florida uses a modified comparative negligence system, more than one person can share blame for the crash. If you’re found to be 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages—but the amount you receive will be reduced by your share of responsibility. If you're more than 50% at fault, you may not be able to recover anything at all.

That’s why proving who was at fault—and how much—is such an important part of your case. Our team at Osborne, Francis & Pettis can investigate every angle to make sure the right parties are held accountable.

Can an Orlando Auto Accident Lawyer Still Help Me If I'm Involved in an Accident With a Rideshare Vehicle?

Rideshare accidents involving companies like Uber or Lyft can be very complex. The question of who pays depends entirely on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash:

• App Off: The driver is using the car for personal reasons. Only the driver's personal insurance policy applies.
• App On, Waiting for a Ride Request: A lower level of coverage provided by the rideshare company applies. This typically includes liability limits of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury.
• Accepted a Ride or Transporting a Passenger: This is the highest level of coverage. Florida law requires the rideshare company’s insurance policy to provide at least a $1 million liability policy for bodily injury and property damage.

As an injured passenger, you generally have a claim against this high-limit $1 million policy if the rideshare driver was at fault. If another driver was at fault, you may have a claim against their insurance, and the rideshare company’s Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply if the at-fault driver has no or too little insurance.

Injuries an Orlando Auto Accident Attorney Can Help You With

The force of a crash doesn’t stop at the vehicle. Whether it’s a rear-end hit or a T-bone collision, the damage often carries through the body. Some injuries show up the same day. Others take longer—and keep you out of work, off your feet, or in and out of medical care.

Common car accident injuries in Orlando include:

• Back and neck injuries. Rear-end crashes often lead to whiplash, herniated discs, or nerve compression.
• Fractures and broken bones. Hands, ribs, wrists, and hips are often injured in side-impact or front-end collisions.
• Head injuries. Concussions and brain trauma may result from hitting the steering wheel, window, or even just the violent force of the collision.
• Joint injuries. Shoulders and knees often take the hit, especially when bracing for impact or twisting during a spinout.
• Internal injuries. Seat belt trauma and blunt force can cause damage to internal organs, bleeding, or breathing issues.
• Burns and scarring. Airbags, hot surfaces, or friction can leave behind lasting skin damage.
• Emotional injuries. Many people experience anxiety, flashbacks, or difficulty sleeping in the weeks or months after the crash.

Every injury leaves a paper trail—doctor’s notes, test results, pharmacy records. Our team helps connect those records to the crash and presents them in a way insurance companies can’t ignore. According to a recent survey, people who worked with an Orlando car accident lawyer recovered nearly three times as much as those who filed claims without one.

A car accident can impact almost every part of your life, causing unexpected financial and emotional stress. Don’t let it overwhelm you. We’ll take care of the details so you can concentrate on recovering and getting back on track.

Contact an Orlando car accident lawyer at Osborne, Francis & Pettis today at (407) 655-3333 or reach out online for your free case review.

What Kind of Settlement Can an Orlando Car Accident Attorney Help You Secure?

A car crash in Orlando can affect everything—how you work, move, sleep, and pay your bills. Florida law allows you to pursue damages from the driver who caused the accident. 

Osborne, Francis & Pettis fights for fair compensation for our clients that includes:

• Medical expenses. Emergency care, diagnostics, surgery, therapy, prescriptions, and other treatments linked to the crash.
• Lost income. Paychecks missed due to injury, or future earnings affected by long-term restrictions.
• Pain and suffering. Physical pain, emotional strain, and conditions like anxiety, depression, or loss of sleep may be included in your claim.
• Vehicle repairs or replacement. The cost to repair or replace your car and any other damaged property inside it.
• Wrongful death. When a crash results in loss of life, we help families secure compensation for funeral costs, lost household income, and more.

We’ve seen how quickly insurance companies assign value to injuries they don’t have to live with. That’s why every claim we prepare reflects not just what was spent but what was lost. In one case, Osborne, Francis & Pettis secured $2.5 million for a client rear-ended by a box truck who needed neck and back surgery.

You shouldn’t have to accept less from the driver’s insurance than what the crash actually took from you.

According to a Martindale-Nolo study, on average, people who hired a lawyer received over four times more in compensation, about $77,600, compared to just $17,600 for those who handled the case on their own.

At Osborne, Francis & Pettis, we make sure you're not taken advantage of, and we fight to get every dollar you’re owed.

How the Orlando Car Accident Attorneys at Osborne, Francis & Pettis Build Your Case

At Osborne, Francis & Pettis, when we take on your case, we’re all in. That means giving you the personalized attention of a boutique law firm, backed by the resources and grit of a team that’s taken on billion-dollar corporations. Here's how we build your case from the ground up: 

• We Get to Work Immediately: We don’t wait for the insurance companies to make the first move. Our team moves quickly to investigate the crash, gather police reports, locate witnesses, take photos or video evidence, and secure anything that could strengthen your claim before it disappears. 
• Documenting Your Injuries and Losses: Your case's true value comes from your injuries. We work closely with your doctors and specialists, collect all medical bills and records, and fully document your ongoing pain, future treatment needs, and how the injury has impacted your ability to work and enjoy life.
• Determining the Full Value of Your Claim: We look beyond initial costs. We calculate not just your current medical bills and lost wages, but also future expenses, potential lost earnings, and the value of your pain and suffering, to demand full and fair compensation.
• Aggressive Negotiation with Insurers: Insurance companies are focused on paying as little as possible. We use our detailed evidence and powerful negotiating experience to challenge their low-ball offers and fight for a settlement that reflects your true losses.
• Taking Your Case to Trial: While most cases settle, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. As "real, tough lawyers," we are always ready to argue your case in court if the insurance company refuses to be fair.

“I’ve heard from people in Orlando who can’t sit through a work shift without pain, but still get calls from insurance asking if they’re ‘back to normal.’ They’re not. And they’re tired of getting pushed around like their injuries don’t count. We don’t let that slide—we hold the driver accountable and make sure the claim reflects what actually happened.”

- Gregory Francis | Osborne, Francis & Pettis

Why Do Orlando Drivers Turn to Osborne, Francis & Pettis?

After a crash, drivers in Orlando don’t always get treated fairly. Insurance companies question symptoms, doctors don’t always take the time, and reports can leave out critical details. That’s where Osborne, Francis & Pettis steps in.

Our firm has represented people injured in car accidents throughout Florida for over a decade. Whether rear-ended at a traffic light, struck while crossing an intersection, or sent to the hospital by a distracted driver, an auto accident attorney in Orlando from our team is ready to fight for you. We’ve helped clients secure significant settlements, including a $1 million award for a 38-year-old woman injured in a crash. 

People hire us because we know how car accident claims work in Florida. We stay on top of medical timelines, secure records, and tie each part of the case back to what the crash took from you.

Proudly Representing Orlando Residents