Horizon West, Florida, is a thriving community that attracts visitors from all over the world. With its picturesque streets, world-class amenities, and proximity to major theme parks, it's no wonder that Horizon West is a popular destination for tourists and residents alike. However, even in this idyllic setting, accidents can happen, and when they do, the consequences can be devastating.
If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence in Horizon West, Florida, you need a skilled Horizon West personal injury lawyer on your side. At Spetsas Buist Accident Injury Lawyers, we offer free legal consultations to accident victims in Horizon West, and you don't have to pay us unless we recover money for you. Please don't hesitate to call our law firm at 321-LAWSUIT for a free consultation with a lawyer at our office.
Common Horizon West Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Our law firm represents clients in a wide range of cases. With all the traffic and tourism in the Horizon West area, there are some personal injury cases that are much more common to the area, including:
Car Accident Cases
Car accidents and other motor vehicle accidents are some of the most common types of personal injury claims in the Horizon West area. There is heavy traffic in this area because of tourists and visitors, especially on New Independence Parkway, Hamlin Groves Trail, Avalon Road, Porter Road, and Seidel Road. These roads are often extremely congested, especially during peak tourist seasons, and this increases the number of collisions and serious wrecks.
In particular, the intersection of New Independence Parkway and Hamlin Groves Trail is known for its high rate of accidents due to the heavy traffic coming from the nearby Hamlin Town Center and Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas. Similarly, the stretch of Avalon Road between Flamingo Crossings Boulevard and Seidel Road sees frequent accidents, particularly during rush hour when commuters are traveling to and from the nearby Horizon West neighborhoods like Summerlake, Encore at Ovation, and Hawksmoor.
18-Wheeler Accident / Semi-Truck Accident Cases
Accidents involving 18-wheelers or semi-trucks are common in Horizon West because of the intense traffic on major roadways like 429 (Daniel Webster Western Beltway). This highway is a major thoroughfare for commercial trucks traveling between Orlando and Clermont, and the high speeds and heavy traffic can lead to serious accidents.
Trucking accident cases often involve complex federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry, such as hours of service rules and maintenance requirements. Investigating a truck accident may require examining the driver's logbooks, the vehicle's maintenance records, and the trucking company's hiring and training practices to determine liability. It may also involve getting an expert to pull black box data from the truck.
Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death cases can arise from various types of negligence and result in the death of the victim. In Horizon West, some of the more common causes of wrongful death include:
- Pedestrian accidents, particularly on busy roads like New Independence Parkway and Avalon Road, where people often walk to nearby shops and restaurants
- Bicycle and scooter accidents on popular routes like the Horizon West Bike Trail or along the sidewalks of Hamlin Groves Trail, where drivers may fail to yield or pay attention to cyclists and riders
- Drownings at community pools or resorts in the area
- Auto accidents, especially at intersections with heavy traffic like New Independence Parkway and Hamlin Groves Trail or Avalon Road and Flamingo Crossings Boulevard
- Reckless and drunk driving, particularly on roads like New Independence Parkway and Avalon Road, where high speeds and congestion can lead to serious collisions
- Head-on auto accident collisions on two-lane roads like Seidel Road or Hartwood Marsh Road, where drivers may cross the center line or fail to negotiate curves safely
These cases are always heartbreaking and often involve negligent or reckless behavior that cuts a life short unnecessarily. They're also unique in that the person bringing the claim is not the victim, but rather the personal representative of the deceased person's estate. This means that the family members left behind must navigate the legal process while also grieving their loss.
Rideshare Cases (Uber, Lyft, Etc.)
Rideshare accidents involving services like Uber or Lyft are common in Horizon West, Florida because of the area's high volume of tourists visiting nearby attractions like Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. Many visitors to the area rely on rideshare services to get around, particularly in the Flamingo Crossings and Hamlin areas where many of the hotels and resorts are located.
These cases can be challenging because of the multiple insurance policies that may be involved, depending on whether the accident occurred during a paid trip. Thus, these cases often raise questions about the driver's employment status and whether the rideshare company's insurance policy or the driver's personal insurance will provide coverage for the accident.
Delivery Van / Delivery Truck Cases (FedEx, Amazon, UPS, etc.)
Accidents involving delivery vans or trucks, such as those operated by FedEx, Amazon, or UPS, are common in Horizon West, Florida, due to the high volume of deliveries made to the area's residential communities like Encore at Ovation, Waterleigh, and Hawksmoor. With so many people shopping online and relying on home delivery services, delivery trucks are a constant presence on the roads in Horizon West.
These cases can raise unique issues of liability, as they may involve questions about the driver's employment status, the company's hiring and training practices, and the maintenance and loading of the vehicle. In some cases, the delivery company may be held liable for the driver's negligence, while in others, the driver may be considered an independent contractor, limiting the company's liability.
Pedestrian Accident Cases
Pedestrian accidents are common in Horizon West because the area has a mix of residential and commercial properties, and many shops and restaurants are easy for locals to walk to, especially in the Hamlin Town Center area. With so many people out and about on foot, particularly on weekends and during special events, the risk of pedestrian accidents is high.
These cases can be complex, depending on where they occur. For example, if a pedestrian is hit by a car while crossing Hamlin Groves Trail at the designated crosswalk near the Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas, the driver may be found entirely at fault. However, if a pedestrian is hit while jaywalking across New Independence Parkway near the Lakewalk at Hamlin shopping center, the pedestrian may be found partially at fault for the accident, which can affect the amount of compensation they receive under Florida's comparative negligence laws.
Slip and Fall / Trip and Fall Cases
Slip and fall or trip and fall cases can occur in Horizon West, particularly in the busy commercial areas like the Hamlin Town Center. These accidents can occur in a variety of settings, from grocery stores and restaurants to hotels and resorts.
These cases can be challenging, as the injured party must prove that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, such as a wet floor or uneven pavement, and failed to take reasonable steps to address it. Factors such as the length of time the hazard was present, the property owner's maintenance practices, and the injured person's own actions can all impact the outcome of the case.
Bicycle Accident Cases
Bicycle accidents in Horizon West can occur due to a variety of factors, including distracted driving, failure to yield, or unsafe road conditions on popular cycling routes. Sidewalks and trails intersect with several busy roads, including New Independence Parkway and Avalon Road, which can create dangerous situations for cyclists.
In Florida, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers, but they are also more vulnerable to serious injuries in the event of a crash. These cases can involve unique challenges, such as determining fault when the cyclist was riding on the sidewalk along New Independence Parkway or navigating an intersection with complex traffic patterns near the Hamlin Town Center.
How Can a Horizon West Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?
Hiring a skilled attorney familiar with Florida personal injury law at the earliest point possible can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Here are some ways our Horizon West personal injury lawyers can help:
- Investigate your case to determine liability and gather evidence
- Handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Present legal arguments regarding liability to maximize your compensation
- File a lawsuit and take your case to trial if necessary
- Offer support and guidance throughout the legal process
We are not a high volume firm that takes every case that walks through the door. We are a boutique trial firm dedicated to maximizing the value in cases where people are seriously hurt. That's the reputation we have and plan to keep.
We get to work building the strongest case possible as soon as we sign a client because we want to win your case. With a Horizon West personal injury attorney from our office fighting on your side, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal heavy lifting.
Should I Hire a Horizon West Personal Injury Lawyer?
You should consider consulting with a Horizon West personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Here are some signs that you should seek legal representation:
- Your injuries are severe
- The insurance company is offering a low settlement or denying your claim
- You need a stronger position to negotiate from
- You need to file a lawsuit
- You're facing expensive medical bills and lost wages
The sooner you contact us, the quicker we can get to work gathering evidence and building your case. Moreover, when you hire a lawyer early in the process, your lawyer can handle the insurance adjuster. Our goal is to help you get the compensation you're entitled to under Florida law, which includes money for things like medical bills, missed work, and pain and suffering.
How Long Do You Have to Pursue a Personal Injury Case in Horizon West?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is typically two (2) years from the date of the injury or accident. You must bring your case within two years, or you may lose the right to seek compensation for your losses. Accordingly, you should speak with a Horizon West personal injury lawyer right away to ensure your rights are protected.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Horizon West?
At Spetsas Buist, our accident attorneys handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means:
- You don't pay anything upfront
- You don't pay a retainer fee
- We only collect a fee if we reach a successful settlement or obtain a verdict at trial
- Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict we obtain for you
Our legal team is aligned with you because we all need to successfully resolve the case to get paid. Thus, we will move quickly to get your insurance claim started, and we will file a lawsuit on your behalf if the insurance company refuses to pay you what you're entitled to under Florida law.
Damages You May Be Entitled To
If you've been injured in an accident in Horizon West, Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you understand the full extent of your damages and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Whether we're talking about auto accidents, truck accidents, or pedestrian accidents, people tend to suffer similar types of damages, and the law in Florida is designed to compensate you for what you had taken from you. We can work with you to make sure you're not leaving money on the table.
How Do I Contact a Horizon West Personal Injury Attorney?
If you've been injured in an accident in Horizon West, FL or the surrounding areas, don't wait to seek legal representation. The sooner you contact an experienced personal injury attorney, the better your chances of recovering the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
At Spetsas Buist, we offer free consultations to accident victims in Horizon West and throughout Florida. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't pay anything unless we win your case.
Don't let an accident derail your life. Contact our law firm today at 321-LAWSUIT to schedule your free consultation with a Horizon West accident lawyer. We're here to help you every step of the way.
