Personal Injury · Jeff T. Gorman Law Offices

Florida Auto Accident Attorney
Maximum Recovery, Not
the Fastest Settlement.

Florida’s 2023 tort reform cut the filing window to 2 years and made injury claims harder to win. Insurance companies know the new rules — and they use them. Chris Walsh prepares every auto accident case as if it’s going to trial. That preparation is what produces maximum recovery rather than quick, undervalued settlements. No fee unless we recover.

Free Consultation Call (772) 888-8888
2-Year Filing Deadline — Florida HB 837 — Call (772) 888-8888 Now
Christopher Walsh
Christopher Walsh
Trial Attorney · FL Bar #127459
$M+
Recovered for Clients
0
Fee Unless We Recover
4.9★
Google Rating · 260+ Reviews
“Former U.S. Navy combat aviator. I bring the same precision and tenacity to personal injury cases that I brought to the flight deck.”
What Insurance Companies Do After a Crash
●Dispatch adjusters to the scene quickly to take recorded statements before you have retained an attorney
●Make early settlement offers designed to resolve claims for far less than they are worth before the full extent of injuries is known
●Use Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule to argue you were more than 50% at fault — which bars recovery entirely under 2023 law
●Delay treatment authorization and claim processing to pressure injured people into accepting low settlements
●Challenge the necessity and cost of medical treatment to reduce the value of your claim at every stage

What the Evidence Shows —
and Where It Can Be Challenged

The moments after a car accident are disorienting — and insurance companies know this. Adjusters are trained to contact accident victims quickly, before they retain an attorney, to obtain recorded statements and make early settlement offers that often represent a fraction of what the claim is actually worth. The single most important thing you can do after an accident is retain an attorney before you speak to any insurance company.

Chris Walsh handles auto accident cases throughout the Treasure Coast — from I-95 and the Florida Turnpike to US-1, SR-70, and the local corridors of Martin and St. Lucie Counties. He prepares every case for trial from day one. That means thorough accident reconstruction, complete medical documentation, full economic loss analysis, and an insurance company that knows this case will not settle cheaply. Florida’s 2023 tort reform changed the rules — you need an attorney who knows the new landscape.

⚖️ Florida Auto Accident Law — Key Changes Under HB 837 (2023)
Florida’s 2023 tort reform (HB 837) significantly changed the personal injury landscape: Statute of limitations reduced from 4 years to 2 years for negligence claims. Modified comparative negligence: plaintiffs who are found more than 50% at fault cannot recover any damages — a dramatic change from pure comparative negligence. Bad faith: new requirements make it harder to pursue insurers for bad faith handling of claims. PIP (Florida Statute §627.736): your own insurer covers the first $10,000 in medical/lost wages; a serious injury under §627.737 allows a third-party claim against the at-fault driver.
Florida HB 837 (2023 Tort Reform) · Florida Statute §627.736 (PIP) · Florida Statute §627.737 (Serious Injury Threshold) · Florida Statute §95.11 (Statute of Limitations)

How We Fight This Charge

Immediate Investigation
We begin investigating the accident scene, securing surveillance footage, and obtaining the police report immediately — before critical evidence disappears or is overwritten.
Medical Documentation
Full and complete documentation of every injury, every treatment, and every future medical need is essential to maximum recovery. We work with your treating physicians and, when necessary, independent medical experts.
Comparative Fault Defense
Under HB 837, if you are found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. We build the evidence that places fault squarely on the other driver and refutes attempts to shift it to you.
Economic Loss Analysis
Lost wages, reduced earning capacity, future medical costs, and non-economic damages (pain and suffering) are all components of a complete claim. We quantify every element.
Insurance Bad Faith
When insurers unreasonably delay, deny, or underpay valid claims, bad faith remedies may be available. We document insurer conduct throughout the process.
Trial Readiness
We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Insurance companies make better offers to attorneys they know will actually try cases.
Notable Results
SETTLED
Rear-End Collision · I-95 · Six-Figure Recovery
RECOVERED
T-Bone Intersection Crash · US-1 Stuart · Full Policy Limits
WON AT TRIAL
Auto Accident · Liability Disputed · Jury Verdict for Client

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case details available upon request.

Common Questions

Auto Accident Attorney FAQ

What should I do immediately after a car accident in Florida? +
After a car accident in Florida: call 911 and get a police report; seek medical attention immediately even if you feel fine — many serious injuries are not immediately apparent; document the scene with photos of vehicles, damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries; get contact and insurance information from all drivers; do not apologize or admit fault; and call an attorney before speaking with any insurance adjuster. Florida's 2023 tort reform reduced the filing deadline to 2 years from the date of the accident.
How did Florida's 2023 tort reform affect car accident claims? +
Florida's HB 837, signed in 2023, made significant changes to personal injury law: the statute of limitations for negligence claims was reduced from 4 years to 2 years; Florida's pure comparative negligence standard was changed to modified comparative negligence, meaning plaintiffs who are more than 50% at fault cannot recover at all; bad faith insurance claims became more difficult to pursue; and one-way attorney fee provisions were eliminated. These changes make it more critical than ever to retain an attorney quickly and build a strong case from day one.
Florida is a no-fault state — does that mean I can't sue after a car accident? +
Florida's no-fault system (Personal Injury Protection, or PIP) requires your own insurance to cover your first $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. However, you can step outside no-fault and bring a claim against the at-fault driver when you have a 'serious injury' as defined by Florida Statute §627.737 — including significant permanent injury, permanent scarring or disfigurement, or significant limitation of a body function or system. Most significant accidents qualify for a third-party claim.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Florida? +
Following Florida's 2023 tort reform (HB 837), the statute of limitations for car accident negligence claims is 2 years from the date of the accident. This is reduced from the previous 4-year period. Missing this deadline permanently bars your claim. Contact an attorney as soon as possible — the earlier we begin investigating, the stronger your claim, and the more options you have.
Related Practice Areas
Truck & Motorcycle
Truck and motorcycle accident claims involve distinct legal issues and higher stakes.
Wrongful Death
When a car accident causes death, the family may bring a wrongful death claim.
Criminal Traffic
Serious accidents can generate parallel criminal proceedings against the at-fault driver.
Free Consultation · 24/7

Injured in a Car Accident?
The Insurance Company Is Already
Working Against You.

Do not give a recorded statement. Do not accept a settlement offer. Call Chris Walsh at (772) 888-8888 first. No fee unless we recover. The 2-year Florida deadline is already running.

(772) 888-8888 PSL: (772) 236-5203 Free Online Consultation

Free initial consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Florida Bar Rules 4-7.1 through 4-7.20 apply.