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Personal Injury

INJURED? WE’LL HELP YOU WIN FOR MORE.

Were you injured in an accident?

We’re here to make sure you don’t get hit again by the insurance company.

After a car crash, slip & fall, or accident at work, everything changes fast: you’re in pain, bills are piling up, and insurance adjusters pressure you to settle for far less than you need. That’s when having a skilled lawyer by your side makes all the difference.

At Avera & Smith, we’ve guided thousands of clients through serious accidents in Florida for over 70 years. Backed by a reputation that insurance companies deeply respect, our team is committed to fighting relentlessly to get you maximum compensation. From your first call, we’ll take on the fight—relieving your stress and working tirelessly until you receive the full payout you deserve.

Free case review

Why Floridians trust Avera & Smith:

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Exceptional client service

Our team is known for compassionate service and a 70-year commitment to personal attention.
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Board-certified attorneys

Our team has multiple board-certified attorneys, a distinction earned by only 7% of Florida lawyers.

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Higher settlements

We fight for every dime. We’ve secured some of the largest settlements & verdicts in Florida. 

REAL RESULTS.

$37.4 Million

Engle Progeny

$5 Million

Traffic Accident

$30.8 Million

Traumatic Brain Injury

$9 Million

Traffic Accident

$15.5 Million

Wrongful Death

$37.5 Million

Drunk Driving

$19 Million

Engle Progeny

$13.5 Million

Smoking Suit

$11 Million

Workers’ Compensation
View Settlements and Verdicts
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ACCIDENTS WE HANDLE

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Car Accidents

Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle Accidents

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Workers Compensation

Slip/Fall Injuries

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Bike & Scooter Accidents

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Wrongful Death

WHY CHOOSE US TO FIGHT FOR YOU

When your life has been turned upside down by an injury, you deserve a team that is ready to fight for your family. At Avera & Smith, we’ve spent decades helping Floridians through their toughest moments and we’ll do the same for you.
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OUR REPUTATION IS YOUR ADVANTAGE

Insurance companies respect our law firm, which means your case is viewed differently by adjusters right from the start.

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You’re our #1 priority

When you reach out, you’re not just another case—you’re a neighbor, a family, a story that matters.

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No fees unless you win

When you hire us, you owe nothing unless we secure compensation for you—giving you every reason to focus on healing, and giving us every motivation to fight for the best possible outcome.

Getting started is easy.

How It Works

What Our Clients Say

"Genuine. Caring. Straightforward. They want what is best for you, their client. I am so very thankful to have been represented by them. I can’t think of a group of people that are in any profession that I have met, that are as kind and thoughtful. Better than family. I was always met with sincerity and a genuine sense of care for my wellbeing and future. Thank you so much. I will never forget all you have done for me. Many blessings. Always."
- Deanne Hartmann
"Mark handled a case for me in 1997 after my husband was killed in an automobile accident. I was pregnant at the time and Mark and his staff were so kind. We settled out of court with an appropriate settlement which made it easy for me to raise my two children."
- Connie McLaughlin
"Avera and Smith was great with me and family even me calling ever week to see if anything changed. Answer all questions when asked. Would highly recommend them with any injury. Great people to work with."
- Latarsha Dawson
"I was involved in a hit and run accident two years ago and was fortunate enough to have Brad Willard represent me. Brad's legal expertise were evident from the start. He clearly explained the legal aspects of my case and kept me informed every step of the way. What truly impressed me was Brad's genuine care for my well-being. He helped me find qualified doctors who provided the medical care I needed to recover from my injuries. Thanks to Brad's hard work and negotiation skills, my case was resolved positively."
- Meg Ratcliffe
"Mr. Avera and his staff were absolutely amazing. My family was having such a difficult time in general and he handled our case with such compassion and professionalism. He was very assertive in his communication and extremely diligent in his work. My family and I are pleased with his efforts and would recommend his law office 100x over."
- Sophia Rayam
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HOW IT WORKS

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1. Free case review

Share your story through our secure evaluation form or call our office at 800-654-4659.

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2. Connect with our team
One of our attorneys or intake specialists will reach out to go over your case.
3. We get to work for you
We’ll send you documents for E-signing and get started on your case.
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WHY YOU NEED A BOARD-CERTIFIED ATTORNEY

Board certification means you and your family get advocates who’ve passed rigorous testing, earned peer recognition, and proven themselves in the courtroom. Simply put, board-certified attorneys are the best at what they do.

Meet Our Attorneys

We've earned some of Florida's highest financial recoveries.

At Avera & Smith, our litigation experience consistently translates into earning higher verdicts and settlements. We’ve secured some of the largest jury awards in the Southeast, including:
  • $34M jury verdict against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
  • $10M car accident verdict against Domino’s Pizza
  • $18M settlement in Illinois trucking accident case
  • $10M settlement in workers’ compensation case
  • $8.95M Florida medical malpractice settlement
  • $8.95M settlement in Georgia trucking accident cases
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GET YOUR FREE CASE REVIEW

If you’ve been injured in an accident of any kind in Florida due to someone else’s negligence, we will review your case for free. You can also sign up for a free consultation to discuss your case with our legal team. There is no obligation and there are no fees unless we win compensation for you. Let’s get started working on your case.

Get a free case Review

News & Resources

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RECENT WINS FOR OUR REFERRING ATTORNEYS AND THEIR CLIENTS

Attorney wins car accident

Multi-Million Dollar Settlement 

  • A young driver was rear-ended and pushed into the path of an oncoming semi-truck, resulting in multiple fractures and a traumatic brain injury that required intubation and led to a prolonged coma.
  • Avera & Smith retained a leading accident reconstruction team to analyze the accident sequence and black box data to reveal multiple defendants, and subsequently establishing liability for both at-fault drivers.
Multi-million settlement - Medical malpractice -

Multi-Million Dollar Settlement

  • A young father of three went to the ER experiencing severe chest pain.
  • Despite having a history of hypertension and cardiomegaly, abnormal EKGs, and a prior CT documenting a dilated aorta, our client was discharged without a CT angiogram, despite dissection being on the differential. He died hours later from an aortic dissection.
  • Defendants argued comparative negligence of the decedent and suggested weak personal relationships with the survivors.  However, expert testimony and personal evidence countered their claims of medical noncompliance and tenuous family ties.

MEET OUR ATTORNEYS

Mark A. Avera

Partner
Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice. Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney.

Lance F. Avera

Partner
Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury. Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation Attorney.

Rod W. Smith

Partner
Tobacco Litigation, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Criminal Defense.

Dawn M. Vallejos‑
Nichols

Managing Partner
Tobacco Litigation, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death.
Jennifer Cates headshot

Jennifer Cates Lester

Partner
Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice. Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney.

John Whitaker

Partner
Criminal Defense.

Alexandria Avera

Attorney
Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice.

Bradford T. Willard

Attorney
Personal Injury, Professional Malpractice, Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death.

Zander Reilly

Attorney

Personal Injury Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death.

Interested in referring a case?
Let’s talk ABOUT IT.

Call 800-654-4659 to discuss your case with our attorneys. Or email them at the links above.

© 2025 Avera & Smith. All Rights Reserved

Get My Free Consultation.

  • As the law firm Gainesville has trusted for over 70 years to fight on their behalf, we are more than ready to represent you. Put our experience and reputation to work. We are trial-tested attorneys Gainesville turns to time and time again. If you need help with any legal matter, whether it’s serious personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, medical malpractice or business law, contact us. The consultation is absolutely free.

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Call Us Now 800-654-4659