Car Accident Attorney Lake Mary

Were you injured in a motor-vehicle collision? Our Lake Mary car accident attorneys can assess your situation in a free case review and help you plot the way forward.

Call our office today at 561-299-3999 to speak with a member of our team. We can come to you if you are unable to come to us.

When seeking representation for your auto injury claim, there are many car accident lawyers out there for you to choose from. The quality of legal representation that you receive, however, can vary drastically from one firm to another.

At Donaldson & Weston, we are in a league of our own. We pride ourselves on our reputation for providing clients with tenacious and effective representation, as well as a proven history of success in and out of court.

Here are some qualities that set our Lake Mary auto accident lawyers apart from others:

• Accessibility: One of the most important qualities of an effective law firm is being accessible and available to its clients so they feel at ease and supported. At Donaldson & Weston, we strive to go the extra mile to make ourselves available to our clients. If you are unable to come to us, then we will come to you—at home, in the hospital, or even at your favorite café. You will have a direct line to our team of personal injury attorneys, and we will undertake to answer all your calls, emails, and questions promptly so you are kept in the loop and remain informed of any updates.


• Proven Legal Strategies: Many personal injury cases are settled outside of court and, as such, many attorneys rarely see the inside of a courtroom. It is important to have an attorney by your side that has experience litigating complex cases because you never know if your case may proceed to trial. Our car accident lawyers have years of litigation experience as well as ample experience handling settlement negotiations, liaising with the insurance companies, and gaining access to hard-to-obtain evidence that could strengthen your case. We have an array of proven legal strategies under the belt to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.


• Good Reputation with Local Insurers: Having a law firm that is respected by local insurance companies can be a valuable asset when seeking a fair settlement for your personal injury. An auto insurance company might be less likely to dispute your claim if they know that you are being represented by an attorney with litigation experience. Our attorneys are known for their tough litigation, which has earned us the respect of major insurance companies in Lake Mary and surrounding communities.

To make the most of your free initial consultation with your auto accident attorney, you will need to be prepared. Gather as much relevant information and documentation as possible about the accident and your subsequent injuries to share with your attorney. Your lawyer can then start to evaluate your claim and the evidence you have at hand to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your case.

Use this opportunity to ask questions and learn about the laws that relate to your case as well as how the claims process works. This may help you to avoid making mistakes that could be detrimental to your case.

Here are a few items to bring with you to your initial consultation:

• Your Description of the Accident: You should write a detailed report of exactly how the accident happened and everything you can remember about the incident. It is important to do this as soon as possible after the accident so that no details are forgotten. Make note of information such as the circumstances that led to the accident and your injuries, if anyone saw the accident happen, if you saw any surveillance equipment in the vicinity, what you did after the accident, what the other party did after the accident, and any other details that may be relevant to your claim. Share this with your attorney during your initial consultation so your attorney can begin to assess your claim and determine what evidence still needs to be uncovered to strengthen your case.


• The Official Incident Report: Bring the official accident report to your consultation. If police responded to the incident, they would have compiled an official accident report documenting their findings at the scene. This may contain useful information pertaining to liability, causation, and damages. It may also describe how your injuries occurred. This can all be used as important evidence during your claim proceedings.


• Medical Reports: You should have visited a doctor right after your accident to ensure that you mitigate damages. Your attorney will need all your medical reports detailing the severity of your injuries, your official diagnosis, and your treatment plan. Also, gather other medical information such as diagnostic imaging, procedures you have had, prescription records, insurance docs, invoices, and anything else that may be relevant.


• Proof of Loss of Income: Keep all your pay stubs, letters from your employer, bank statements, and other financial records that will prove your lost income and loss of earning potential. Bring these with you for your attorney to consider when estimating your potential recovery of damages.

If you plan on lodging a personal injury claim against the at-fault party, then the first days after the incident are vital for gathering and preserving evidence to support your claim. When it comes to strengthening your personal injury claim for the best possible outcome, you will find that physical evidence is essential. Compelling evidence is needed to prove fault and to demonstrate the extent and the nature of your injuries. It is important that you also preserve or photograph your evidence.

The following list is an overview of some kinds of evidence you need to bolster your personal injury claim:

• Evidence of Injuries: There is no better way to prove the extent and severity of your car accident injuries than with medical documents. It is therefore important that you immediately see a medical doctor and follow their recommended treatments, referrals, and specialist care. This evidence will help form the basis of your medical damages, which is a key indicator of the value of your claim.


• Photographs and Video: You can use a standard camera or the one on your cell phone to take photos. Remember to print or develop your photos and make sure they are dated, either on the prints or on the receipt for the prints.


• Eyewitness Testimony: When seeking compensation against the defendant, eyewitness testimony can help prove the claimant’s version of events. Whether they are observers at the scene or were part of the accident, their account of events can help prove elements of your claim. Witnesses can be almost anyone (friends, family, or passersby) who are aware of facts pertaining to the case.


• Medical Bills: These can help prove both the physical and financial impact of injuries on the claimant’s life. You should keep a record of all your bills, whether it is for consultations with your doctor or specialists, stays in hospitals, or extended care visits. These fees all pile up and will help prove what level of compensation is appropriate or reasonable for your claim.

Stereotypes created by shows on TV often portray lawyers as intimidating. However, it is important to remember that your Lake Mary car accident lawyer is on your side and has your best interest at heart. Whatever your lawyer asks you—no matter how uncomfortable the questions make you feel—is always for the benefit of your case. Besides, when you hire a lawyer, you have attorney-client privilege, which means anything you tell your attorney is confidential and protected once the attorney-client relationship is established. So it is important you are always honest in your response to your attorney’s questions during your initial consultation.

To help ease you into your initial consultation, here are a few questions your attorney may ask you to help improve their strategy during your personal injury claim process:

• Did Anyone Witness the Accident: Witness testimony can hold a lot of weight for any personal injury case, so answer truthfully, even if you think the witnesses may be difficult to trace. Your auto accident lawyer may use the service of an investigative agency to help track down or locate witnesses who were present at the scene.


• What Did You Do After the Accident: Few people know they should immediately seek medical attention right after an accident. Therefore, it is important you hire a lawyer if you are planning to file a personal injury claim. Your lawyer will ask this question to determine if you still have time to see a doctor.


• Did You Post About Your Accident on Social Media: Again, answer truthfully. Anything you post on social media after your injury or accident may get used against you by the other party. Telling your attorney what you posted will help them plan their rebuttal better, should the opposing party present evidence from your social media pages.


• Have You Spoken to the Other Person’s Insurance Company: The other person’s insurance firm may contact you immediately after the accident, even if the incident was not your fault. It is, therefore, never a good idea to speak to them. Insurance adjusters may come across as friendly, but they have been trained to get you to say things they can use against you. That is why you should always seek the advice of a good personal injury attorney before speaking to anyone else. Should insurers contact you for your account of events, it is best to let them know you are first speaking to your attorney.

When you are ready to consult a member of our team, call 561-299-3999. We are passionate about the law and dedicated to helping our clients win the compensation they deserve as soon as possible.