Motor Vehicle Accidents

The best car accident attorneys in Orlando, FL

Best Car Accident Attorneys for Orlando, FL
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After a car accident in Orlando, Florida, the law entitles crash victims to obtain compensation for losses. Often, recovering this money can be challenging as you must navigate Florida’s no-fault insurance rules and the civil justice system. You will need sufficient evidence to determine who is to blame and the extent of your losses.

Fortunately, there are dedicated attorneys who will work on your behalf to secure your legal rights as you focus on moving forward and recovering. We’ve researched lawyers in Orlando and compiled a list of the best Orlando car accident attorneys to help you find an advocate you can trust.

Best Car Accident Attorneys for Orlando, FL

Name FL Bar Attorney Status Year Admitted to FL Bar Board Certified Rating on Google
George Holland Anderson III Active 1982 Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer 4.9 *As of Sept. 2024
Jeffrey Michael Byrd Active 1992 Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer 5.0 *As of Sept. 2024
Zachary Adler Leacox Active 2002 Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer 4.9 *As of Sept. 2024
Kenneth John McKenna Active 1994 Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer 5.0 *As of Sept. 2024
Melvin Bowen Wright Active 1986 Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer 4.8 *As of Sept. 2024

George Holland Anderson III

Accolades/Awards Education Admitted to FL Bar Board Certified Rating on Google
• AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell University of Florida Law School 1982 Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer 4.9

Why They Made Our List:

George H. “Dutch” Anderson III graduated from the University of Florida Law School in 1982 and became a plaintiff’s attorney; Anderson focused on his passion for protecting the rights of injured victims.

Anderson underwent a rigorous process to become board-certified in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar. Attorney rating firm, Martindale Hubbell, recognized him as Preeminent Attorney. He is licensed to practice in both Illinois and Florida and has successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for his clients.

Jeffrey Michael Byrd

Accolades/Awards Education Admitted to FL Bar Board Certified Rating on Google
• AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell Stetson University College of Law 1992 Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer 5.0

Why They Made Our List:

Jeffrey M. Byrd is the founder of Jeffrey M. Byrd Attorneys at Law, and has more than 28 years of experience representing victims of injuries. He became board-certified in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 2005, and was selected as an honored member of America’s Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Byrd graduated from Stetson University College of Law and has been practicing law in Orlando since 1992. He has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for his clients through settlements and court verdicts. He is one of the few attorneys designated as a trial expert in the field of personal injury.

Zachary Adler Leacox

Accolades/Awards Education Admitted to FL Bar Board Certified Rating on Google
• Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law Founder
• Jury trials in nine Florida counties
University of Kansas School of Law 1994 Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer 4.9

Why They Made Our List:

Zachary Leacox graduated from the University of Kansas with a Juris Doctor and a Master of Business Administration degree. Leacox worked as a defense attorney representing insurance companies for many years.

Leacox has since dedicated himself to fighting for the injured, focusing 100% of his law practice on representing those harmed in accidents. He has provided dedicated legal advocacy to thousands of plaintiffs throughout Florida, including in jury trials in nine different counties statewide. He is also a Board Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Law, which is a distinction held by just 7% of lawyers in Florida.

Kenneth John McKenna

Accolades/Awards Education Admitted to FL Bar Board Certified Rating on Google
• AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
• Florida Super Lawyer
• Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association
• Board of Directors for Florida Justice Association
University of Florida College of Law 1994 Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer 5.0

Why They Made Our List:

Kenneth McKenna is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Law where he earned his JD degree in 1994. For more than 30 years, he has been fighting for the victims of tragedies and has developed a reputation for taking on many challenging cases, including those other firms turned down.

McKenna has helped clients recover large damage awards, including some eight-figure payments, many seven-figure verdicts and settlements. He has been a member of the Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association since 2006, and has been repeatedly recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer.

Melvin Bowen Wright

Accolades/Awards Education Admitted to FL Bar Board Certified Rating on Google
• Board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
• EAGLE Member of Florida Justice Association
• Fellow of the International Society of Barristers (ISOB)
• Member of the Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association
• Member of the Motor Vehicle and Product Liability Specialty Associations of National Trial Lawyers
Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law 1986 Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer 4.8

Why They Made Our List:

Melvin Bowen Wright is a partner at Colling Gilbert Wright, and a pre-eminent trial lawyer who has spent more than 30 years fighting for injured victims. He received his Juris Doctor from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1985 before moving to Florida.

Wright originally represented both insurance companies and victims, but since 1993 has focused solely on advocating for plaintiffs in personal injury claims. He has recovered millions of dollars for the injured and has represented clients not only in Florida claims but in cases throughout Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, North Carolina, New York and Massachusetts.

Your rights after a car accident in Orlando

If you become involved in a car accident in Florida, you should know the laws that apply to determine how your losses are covered.

Under Florida Statute section 627.7407, you are required to buy Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This pays for minor injuries after an accident, no matter who was at-fault. Under Florida’s no-fault insurance laws, you must rely on PIP coverage unless your injuries are serious as defined by Florida Statute section 627.737.

If you do sustain a serious injury, including ones that cause permanent and serious scarring, disfigurement, or impairment to important bodily functions, you may be able to pursue a claim for compensation for your losses from the driver who caused your crash.

If you pursue a case against an at-fault driver, you must do so within the two-year statute of limitations established by Florida Statute section 95.11.

The best car accident lawyers in Orlando will help you determine how to make your claim, and maximize the chances of getting full and fair compensation for all the losses you endured.

Florida driving laws

Florida law requires every driver to purchase certain types of required automobile insurance coverage.

As the Florida Department of Highway and Motor Vehicle Safety explains, you are required to buy a minimum of $10,000 in PIP to pay for your own losses after an accident, and a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability coverage.

Florida law also imposes obligations on drivers who are involved in motor vehicle accidents. Under the rules set forth in Florida Statute section 316.065, you must report collisions to the police if they cause more than $500 in property damage or if anyone is injured or killed in the incident.

What can an accident lawyer in Orlando, FL do for you

An Orlando car accident lawyer can provide you with the help and support you need to maximize your compensation after a motor vehicle accident.

From gathering evidence to identifying those responsible for covering your losses, your attorney will be there every step of the way. Keep in mind finding the right attorney requires research. The right lawyer is based on your personal preferences, but the attorneys we’ve reviewed and recommend are the best in their city and will defend your rights and grant you peace of mind.

Methodology

Our mission is to provide our readers with useful information about the law in their state and city. To find the best car accident lawyers in any given city, our team took into account various factors including: licenses and certifications, reputation, and client success. To guide readers who are searching for the best lawyers in their market, we provided important information about fee structure, communication style, negotiation and litigation experience. We also provided readers with state-specific laws and norms to keep in mind when navigating the legal system.

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This story was originally published September 5, 2024 at 1:15 PM.

Christy Bieber
mcclatchy-partners
Christy Bieber has a JD from UCLA School of Law and is a two-time CALI Excellence for the Future Award recipient. She has been writing professionally since 2008 and focuses on legal and financial writing. Her work has been published by Forbes Advisor, Motley Fool, The Ascent, Insurify, Credit Karma, MSN, CNN Underscored and more. She has expertise in U.S. laws and legal issues, insurance, personal finance, home improvement and real estate. She holds a JD from the UCLA School of Law and a BA in English, Media & Communications with a certificate in Business Administration from the University of Rochester.
Michelle Prado
McClatchy Commerce
Michelle is based in New York City, and is Director of Commerce Content overseeing the commerce content team at McClatchy.
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