Florida Car Accident Lawyer

Experienced Florida car accident lawyers with over 70 years of proven results — ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Florida's busy highways, congested intersections, and year-round tourism contribute to thousands of serious car accidents every year. In an instant, your life can change. You may be left facing painful injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and uncertainty about what comes next.

If your accident was caused by someone else's negligence, you shouldn't have to face the insurance company alone. Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company's bottom line—not your best interests. They may try to minimize your claim, dispute liability, or pressure you into accepting a settlement that doesn't reflect the true value of your losses.

For more than 70 years, Avera & Smith has helped injured Floridians recover the compensation they deserve. Our experienced Florida car accident lawyers know how to investigate crashes, build strong cases, negotiate aggressively with insurance companies, and, when necessary, take cases to trial.

Call 352-372-9999 today for a free consultation. There are no upfront costs, and you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Florida's car accident insurance system is one of the most complex in the nation. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters, investigators, and attorneys whose goal is simple: protect profits by paying as little as possible on your claim. That’s why you need an experienced law firm like Avera & Smith.

Since Bill Avera opened his practice more than 70 years ago, Avera & Smith has been fighting for seriously injured Floridians. We bring decades of experience navigating Florida's complex car accident laws and insurance landscape. We know what it takes to win against Florida's most experienced insurance defense teams.

Partners Mark Avera and Jennifer Cates Lester hold board certification in civil trial law from the Florida Bar, a distinction earned by fewer than 5% of Florida's licensed attorneys. For clients, this means your case is handled by attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional expertise, extensive trial experience, and the highest standards of professionalism.

Florida's PIP laws, serious injury threshold, and comparative fault rules create a complex legal landscape that significantly affects every car accident claim in the state. Avera & Smith has been navigating this system on behalf of injured Florida drivers for over 70 years. This depth of experience translates into successful outcomes for our clients.

Insurance companies are far more likely to offer fair settlements when they know your attorneys are prepared to take the case to trial. At Avera & Smith, we build every car accident case for the courtroom from day one, with thorough investigations, expert analysis, and meticulous documentation that strengthens your claim at every stage of negotiation.

Our attorneys are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a distinction reserved for lawyers who have secured settlements and verdicts exceeding $1 million. We know what maximum compensation looks like under Florida law, and we pursue it aggressively on behalf of every client we represent.

Yes. Florida follows a no-fault insurance system, which means that after most car accidents, your own insurance is the first source of coverage for medical expenses and certain financial losses, regardless of who caused the crash.

This coverage is provided through Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which Florida law requires all drivers to carry. PIP typically covers a portion of medical bills and lost wages, but it is subject to strict limits.

Under PIP coverage, benefits generally include:

• A portion of reasonable medical expenses
• A portion of lost wages (up to policy limits)
• A limited death benefit in fatal accidents

However, PIP does not cover vehicle damage, full lost income, pain and suffering, or long-term medical costs. In serious accidents, these benefits are often exhausted quickly.

Florida law also limits when an injured person can step outside the no-fault system and file a claim against the at-fault driver. This is generally only allowed when the injury meets a legal threshold, such as a permanent impairment, significant loss of bodily function, permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.

When that threshold is met, an injured person may pursue additional compensation beyond PIP, including pain and suffering and future medical expenses. Determining whether a case meets this standard is a key part of evaluating a claim, and experienced legal guidance by a Florida car accident lawyer can make a significant difference in that assessment.

After a car accident in Florida, taking the right legal steps early can protect your ability to recover compensation later.

• First, make sure the accident is properly reported. Florida law generally requires crashes involving injury, death, or significant property damage to be reported to law enforcement, and in some cases a written report must be filed with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Division if police do not respond.
• Next, seek medical care as soon as possible—ideally within 14 days—to protect both your health and your eligibility for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. You should also notify your insurance company promptly so your claim is not delayed or denied.
• Then, document everything, including photos of the scene, vehicle damage, injuries, witness information, and medical treatment records. You should also avoid giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
• Finally, we highly recommend consulting a Florida car accident lawyer before accepting any settlement offer. Insurance companies often move quickly to resolve claims for less than their full value. Early legal guidance helps ensure your rights are protected.

A Florida car accident claim may allow you to recover damages that go beyond what Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers. This can include reimbursement for medical expenses (both current and future), full lost income and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability or disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, vehicle repair or replacement, and wrongful death damages in fatal cases.

Florida also follows a modified comparative fault system, which means your compensation may be reduced if you are found partially responsible for the crash. If you are more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages altogether. Our firm works to ensure fault is evaluated based on the evidence and that all available sources of recovery are pursued.

View helpful articles and videos to educate and guide you after an accident.