St. Lucie County, including Fort Pierce, had 1,940 injury auto accidents in 2019, which resulted in 2,964 injuries. While car accidents are one of the most frequent causes of personal injury, there are many other ways people can be injured in Fort Pierce.
Injuries range in type and severity, but many will lead to high medical costs, time missed from work, and resulting expenses. Sometimes, the only way to financially recover from the strain caused by an injury is to file a claim for compensation.
Florin|Roebig‘s personal injury attorneys are highly qualified to assist you in filing a personal injury claim. They are also able to explain your rights, help you understand how much your claim may be worth, and be your guide throughout the claim process.
Car Accidents And Other Incidents That Lead to Personal Injury
According to the Health Council of Southeast Florida, unintentional injuries in Fort Pierce and nearby communities were the #5 cause of death in 2019, behind heart disease, cancer, COPD, and strokes. Car accidents are some of the most common causes of these injuries.
On average, every day in 2019, eight people in St. Lucie County were injured in a car accident. But accidents on the road are only one of several causes for personal injuries.
Other injuries can result from negligence in commercial establishments, product use, or boating mishaps. Intended harm can also lead to personal injury claims.
If you’ve suffered an injury due to any of these causes, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim:
- truck accidents
- motorcycle accidents
- boat or water accidents
- accidents at work
- injuries from using products
- dog attacks
- wrongful death
- accidents at an amusement park
- accidents while ridesharing
- slander and libel
If you’ve suffered due to a personal injury in Fort Pierce, you can receive compensation and begin the process of recovery.
Here is a list of four types of accidents that are unique to Fort Pierce and cause the most personal injuries:
- Boating and Watercraft Accidents: Fort Pierce’s location along the Treasure Coast and its access to the Indian River Lagoon means boating, fishing, and water sports are significant activities. While they contribute immensely to the local economy and recreation, they also lead to boating-related accidents. Collisions between boats, or with stationary objects, as well as accidents caused by equipment failures or inclement weather, are not uncommon.
- Accidents at Agricultural Sites: Fort Pierce has a rich agricultural heritage, with citrus farming playing a significant role in its economy. Working in orchards and processing facilities presents hazards. Machinery malfunctions, exposure to chemicals, or even accidents during transportation and loading can lead to injuries.
- Weather-Related Car Accidents: While Fort Pierce enjoys a subtropical climate, it’s also prone to sudden and severe weather changes, especially during hurricane season. Heavy rainfalls can make roads slippery, reduce visibility, and lead to flooding. Such conditions increase the risk of vehicular accidents on roads and highways, especially along the iconic A1A.
- Pedestrian Accidents Near Tourist Spots: Fort Pierce, with its beautiful beaches, historic downtown, and the famous Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, attracts numerous tourists. High foot traffic around these areas, combined with unfamiliarity of tourists with local traffic patterns, can result in pedestrian accidents.
What To Know About Personal Injury Claims
First, if you’ve been hurt in an accident, your first priority should be to seek medical care. Following this, you should look for guidance from personal injury attorneys in Fort Pierce. Experienced attorneys can inform you of your rights in personal injury cases. They can also help you to understand the claims process.
The statute of limitations is another concern for personal injury claims. Florida’s statute of limitations is four years. That means that you have four years after the date of an incident to file a personal injury claim.
A legal doctrine that Florida uses in the process of determining personal injury claim awards can also influence your claim. The doctrine of “comparative negligence” means that if a person involved in an injury case is found to be negligent or have some responsibility, their claim award will be reduced by that amount.
This means that if a driver is found to be 20 percent responsible for an accident, and receives an award of $100,000, their award will be reduced by 20 percent, or $20,000.
Types Of Damages Awarded For Personal Injury Claims In Fort Pierce
Personal injury cases involve compensation (money) that is awarded depending on the damage that has been suffered. Compensation is determined based on categories of damages which help to identify specific financial amounts of compensation.
Damages in personal injury claims in Fort Pierce include, but aren’t limited to:
- vehicle or equipment repair
- medical care
- psychiatric care and counseling
- medication and medical devices
- occupational therapy or job training
- rehabilitation
- lost income from wages
- lost earning potential
- pain and suffering
Florida allows “punitive damages” in addition to other categories of damage. Although this type of award is uncommon, you may hear of cases where there has been serious negligence or wrongdoing. Punitive damages are a type of personal injury award that is intended to punish the people who have caused the injury and to prevent future similar injuries.
How Much Is Your Claim Worth?
The greater the damages, the higher the awards in a personal injury case will tend to be. A severe injury or significant need for rehabilitation or medical care will often result in a higher award.
Additional factors influencing the amount of a personal injury claim award include provisions for lost earning potential, or pain and suffering.
A personal injury case where the injuries were not severe, or in which there was not much property damage or lost income, will usually result in a lower award than more severe cases. In general, the more serious an injury and the more long-lasting its potential impact, the greater the personal injury claim.
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Reasons To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney
Hiring a personal injury lawyer isn’t essential, and there’s no legal mandate. However, personal injury attorneys are available to advocate for your rights in a personal injury case.
One consideration in hiring a personal injury attorney is Florida’s doctrine of “comparative negligence.” Because of this doctrine, claim awards can be reduced by the amount a person is found to be responsible, or negligent, in an accident. This doctrine provides motivation for all of the parties involved in a personal injury case to place blame on others—even if it isn’t warranted or justified.
A personal injury lawyer can help ensure you do not claim more fault than is rightfully yours for the accident, thereby helping you to claim as much compensation as possible for your injuries.
List Of Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Fort Pierce
Florin|Roebig attorneys have years of experience in representing our clients’ best interests for personal injury claims. A law firm that has served the state of Florida and its residents for more than 30 years, we have the knowledge and resources needed to provide the legal guidance you deserve.
Our team of attorneys who can help you file a personal injury claim in Fort Pierce include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Neil P. O’Brien, M.B.A.
- Taylor D. Roebig
- Parker Y. Florin, LL.M.
- John J. Hart
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Find Help With Your Personal Injury Claim
A personal injury claim in Fort Pierce can provide you with compensation to help you recover and rebuild your life. Since the firm began in 1985, Florin|Roebig attorneys have achieved an average contested jury award of $1 million in personal injury cases.
A caring, compassionate attorney with Florin|Roebig will be glad to speak with you about your personal injury claim at no cost. Contact us today to get started on filing your claim.
