Many people who have been injured find filing personal injury claims in Fort Myers a complicated affair. It is hard to know which damages to claim, how negligence is determined, and which statutes of limitations and deadlines may be fast approaching.
Finding personal injury attorneys in Fort Myers can help a person navigate the complexity of personal injury law to achieve compensation for their loss in a timely manner.
Knowing When To File A Personal Injury Claim
If someone’s negligence has resulted in your loss, you should be adequately compensated. This goes beyond medical bills for the actual injury. The impact of personal injury can extend to a person’s mental health, emotional well-being, and personal life.
A person may have many reasons for desiring to a file personal injury claim in Fort Myers, such as:
- receiving appropriate compensation for all of their losses, including less tangible ones like pain and suffering
- making sure this doesn’t happen to someone else
- holding a person responsible for their negligent actions
- warning others of the risks involved with a particular product or service
- ensuring proper medical and psychological care for the injured party both now and in the future
- stopping repeated acts of negligence by a person or company who has not been called to account for their actions in the past
- holding insurance companies accountable for paying according to their agreement with the insured
There is no right or wrong reason to file personal injury claims in Fort Myers when the negligence of another has injured you.
Common Accidents That Lead To Personal Injury Claims In Fort Myers
According to The Florida Department of Health, vehicle-related accidents contribute to nearly 24 percent of Lee County injury fatalities with many more sustaining injuries that don’t turn fatal.
Fort Meyers has also been named one of the top 10 most likely places to die in a DUI crash. For every 100,000 people, around 13 will die because of this. To put that into perspective, that is 54 times the rate of Miami, which is .25. Each DUI accident often leaves many more survivors with severe and/or life-long injuries.
The following is a list of common accidents which may lead to personal injuries:
- drunk driving accidents
- DUI/DWI
- hit-and-run
- catastrophic
- road hazards
- head-on collisions
- truck accidents
- motorcycle crashes
- failure to yield
- poor road design
- mechanical failure
- commercial vehicle accidents
- chain reaction
- rear-end collisions
- bad-faith claims
- rollover
- uninsured/underinsured motorist
Understanding Personal Injury Claims In Fort Myers
In Florida, the courts consider comparative negligence. This means that people on both sides may have some fault. But one side’s negligence is typically greater than the other. Even if a person who has been injured believes they may hold some responsibility, the other person may have been more negligent.
The courts may then reduce the damages payable to the injured by the amount of responsibility the injured person has in the accident or its severity. The worst thing an injured person can do is assume all the fault is theirs for an accident, as they may be entitled to compensation.
For example, the injured person may have been distracted by their GPS when the accident occurred, but the other driver was under the influence of marijuana. Personal injury attorneys in Fort Myers would argue that the person under the influence was more negligent. The lawyer for the other driver would argue that distracted driving is worse.
It’s essential that both of the individuals in this example seek counsel because someone will need to make the case for them. After medical care, the first thing someone should do if they’ve been injured is to speak with a personal injury lawyer. Personal injury attorneys can help the injured understand if they have a case and what to do next.
In Fort Myers, Florida, some of the most common types of personal injury accidents include car accidents, slip and fall accidents, pedestrian accidents, and workplace accidents. Here is a list of the three most common injuries in Fort Myers and a story about each one after researching online reviews and news articles:
- Car Accidents: In a news article from 2018, it was reported that a serious car accident occurred in Fort Myers when a driver lost control of their vehicle and collided with another car. The victims in the second vehicle suffered injuries, including broken bones and lacerations, and filed a personal injury claim to seek compensation for their medical expenses and other damages.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: A 2015 online review of a Fort Myers grocery store mentioned a slip and fall incident in which the customer slipped on a wet floor that had no warning signs. The customer suffered a sprained ankle and subsequently filed a personal injury claim against the store for negligence in maintaining a safe environment.
- Workplace Accidents: In a 2020 news article, a construction worker in Fort Myers fell from a height while working on a commercial building project. The worker sustained severe injuries, including multiple fractures and a traumatic brain injury. The injured worker pursued a workers’ compensation claim, as well as a personal injury claim against the construction company for failing to provide proper safety equipment and training.
What Types Of Damages Can You Pursue In A Personal Injury Claim?
A person who has been injured by another person deserves to be made whole to whatever extent possible. This is what personal injury lawyers fight for on behalf of their clients. Damages are awarded in order to pay for financial costs or other impacts a person experiences due to an injury.
For personal injury claims in Fort Myers, some of the most common types of damages include but are not limited to:
- medical care
- therapy
- lost income
- property damage
- emotional distress
- loss of enjoyment (e.g., a person who plays the piano as a hobby loses function in their hands)
- loss of consortium (e.g., financial distress from the accident causes a rift in a marriage that results in separation)
A person who has been injured must understand all the types of damage to which they may be entitled before filing personal injury claims in Fort Myers. A personal injury attorney can help them understand this to maximize their compensation.
How Much Compensation Can Someone Receive For A Claim?
Several factors may influence how much compensation a person receives for a personal injury claim, such as:
- severity of their injury
- where they were injured
- permanence of the damage
- how that injury changes their life
For example, a person may be a regular surfer and will never surf again after the accident. Courts would take that into account. If someone’s face is burned, forever changing how people see them, that also comes into play.
A person should never let the fear of having to go to trial keep them from pursuing damages. Studies show that the vast majority of cases are settled out of court. Negotiations between a person’s personal injury lawyer and the counsel of the other person take place in a meeting room to try and come to a settlement.
This is not to say that the other party may not force the case into the courtroom. But the injured person’s chances are better when they have a master negotiator who has their best interest at heart.
Our Featured Case Results
List Of Personal Injury Attorneys In Fort Myers
With the need for personal injury lawyers established, an injured person must look for an experienced, dedicated, successful legal team.
They will find all of these qualities and more within the Florin|Roebig legal team:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- Neil P. O’Brien, M.B.A.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Luca G. Esposito
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- Lawrence J. Najem, O.C.
- Andrew M. Leone, O.C.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Contact A Personal Injury Attorney In Fort Myers Today
Those who have been injured due to the negligence of others should contact a personal injury attorney immediately. They may have a limited time to file a claim in Fort Myers.
The dedicated team at Florin|Roebig is ready to help their clients recover losses and get the compensation they deserve. Our goal is to get timely compensation for clients so they can begin restoring their lives after an accident. Call today for a consultation
Medical Facilities:
- Lee Memorial Hospital: 2776 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901 Website: https://www.leehealth.org/locations/find-a-location/lee-memorial-hospital. Services: Lee Memorial Hospital is a part of the Lee Health system and offers a wide range of services for personal injury victims, including emergency care, orthopedics, trauma care, and surgery. The hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities and provides comprehensive medical care to patients in need.
- Gulf Coast Medical Center: 13681 Doctors Way, Fort Myers, FL 33912 Website: https://www.leehealth.org/locations/find-a-location/gulf-coast-medical-center Services: Gulf Coast Medical Center, also part of the Lee Health system, provides a variety of services for personal injury victims. These services include emergency care, trauma care, orthopedics, and rehabilitation services. The hospital is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and specialized care in areas such as stroke, neuroscience, and spine treatment.
- HealthPark Medical Center: 9981 S Healthpark Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33908 Website: https://www.leehealth.org/locations/find-a-location/healthpark-medical-center. Services: HealthPark Medical Center, another facility within the Lee Health system, offers a range of services for personal injury victims, including emergency care, orthopedics, and trauma care. The medical center is also home to the Golisano Children’s Hospital, which provides specialized care for pediatric patients. Additional services at HealthPark Medical Center include cardiovascular, neuroscience, and cancer care.
Rehabilitation Facilities:
- Fort Myers Rehabilitation and Nursing Center: 7173 Cypress Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33907 Website: https://www.fortmyersrehab.com/ Services: Fort Myers Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is a skilled nursing facility that focuses on providing comprehensive rehabilitation and long-term care services for personal injury victims. Their services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and nursing care. The center is equipped to handle patients with various needs, including those recovering from surgeries, accidents, or injuries that require specialized therapy and care.
Transportation Resources:
- LeeTran: 3401 Metro Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33901 Website: https://www.leegov.com/leetran Services: LeeTran provides public transportation services, including fixed-route bus service, paratransit service for those with disabilities, and trolley service in Fort Myers and surrounding areas.
- Medical Transport Services: 4391 Colonial Blvd Suite 112, Fort Myers, FL 33966 Website: https://www.medicaltransportservices.com/ Services: Medical Transport Services offers long-distance non-emergency medical transportation, including stretcher, wheelchair, and ambulatory services.
- American Cancer Society Road To Recovery Program: https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/road-to-recovery.html The American Cancer Society’s Road To Recovery program provides transportation assistance for cancer patients who need rides to their medical appointments.
- Dial-a-Ride Transportation (DART): http://www.leegov.com/leetran/paratransit Dial-a-Ride Transportation (DART) is a service provided by LeeTran for individuals who are unable to use the fixed-route bus system due to a disability. This service offers door-to-door transportation within the Lee County area.
