Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A.

Jul 20, 2025

When you suffer injuries in an accident, the strength of your personal injury claim depends on the quality and quantity of evidence you present. Our team can help you understand the legal standards you must meet under Florida law to hold another party accountable for acts of negligence. You need to show not only that the other party was at fault but also that the accident directly caused your injuries and losses. With the help of an accident attorney in Fort Myers, FL, you can ensure a smooth path to compensation. 

Photos and Video Footage

Images taken at the scene help establish the circumstances that led to your accident. Photos of damaged vehicles, skid marks, defective sidewalks, hazardous conditions, or poor lighting provide important visual documentation. If surveillance footage from nearby businesses or dashcams exists, it can be used to verify timing, impact, and fault. You should act quickly because many security systems delete footage within days unless otherwise preserved.

Medical Records

You must show that your injuries resulted from the accident and not from a preexisting condition. Your medical records from emergency care, specialist visits, imaging scans, and physical therapy sessions help demonstrate the full scope of your injuries. In Florida, treatment delays can work against your claim, especially if you don’t get help until after 14 days under personal injury protection (PIP) coverage rules. Prompt care connects your injuries to the accident in a clear and timely way.

Witness Statements

Neutral third-party accounts of the accident provide valuable support. You should collect contact information from bystanders at the scene. Witnesses may describe who had the right of way, whether someone was speeding, or if a driver ran a red light. Under Florida’s comparative fault laws, these statements can directly impact whether you bear partial responsibility and how much compensation you can receive.

Expert Opinions

Certain cases require input from accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, or economists. Medical professionals can confirm that your injuries are consistent with the type of accident you experienced. Economic experts can project lost future income based on your inability to return to work. These opinions provide more detailed support for your case in addition to general observations.

Employment Documentation

If your injuries affect your ability to work, you must provide documentation from your employer. Pay stubs, timesheets, and letters from human resources confirm income lost due to the accident. In cases where you expect long-term impairment, vocational assessments and employment history reports help support your claim for reduced future earnings. Florida courts consider both actual wage loss and loss of earning capacity when determining compensation.

To pursue a successful accident claim in Florida, you must gather strong evidence that shows the exact events that led to your injury and how the accident affected your life. Schedule a consultation with us today at GBC Law Office with locations in Lehigh Acres, Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Naples, and Fort Myers, FL to build a complete and well-documented claim and pursue fair compensation under state law.