When you or a loved one is injured, more than physical effects must be dealt with. Injuries can also cause significant financial and emotional stress. When those injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, the victim could be entitled to financial relief.
Liable parties could be responsible for compensating the victim for their damages. This is true whether the injury occurred at home, due to a defective product, at work, or because of a motor vehicle accident. The parties with liability might be responsible for paying lost wages, medical expenses, and for pain and suffering the victim experienced.
If you have been injured and want to know more about the process of filing a personal injury claim in Miami Gardens, allow the experts at Florin|Roebig to advise you.
Car Accidents And Other Incidents That Lead To Personal Injury
Accidents and other incidents that cause personal injury can occur anywhere and at any time. In 2017, Miami-Dade County had the second-highest number of car accidents in Florida at 63,157, trailing only Broward County.
A sampling of possible causes of car accidents includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- road hazards
- distracted driving
- mechanical failure
- poor road design
- drunk-driving accidents
- rear-end collisions
- DUI/DWI accidents
- failure-to-yield accidents
- hit-and-run accidents
- head-on collisions
- insurance coverage and bad-faith claims
- side-impact accidents
Auto accidents are responsible for a number of personal injuries each year in Miami Gardens and greater Miami-Dade County. However, they are not the only cause of serious injury and even death. Sadly, during 2018, there were 862 deaths that occurred as the result of unintentional acts in Miami-Dade County alone.
Some examples of accidents which lead to personal injury in Miami Gardens include the following:
- dog bites
- swimming pool accidents
- slip-and-fall accidents
- medical malpractice
- inadequate security
- product liability
What You Need To Know About Personal Injury Claims
In order to understand how Florida handles personal injury claims, you first need to know about negligence. Under Florida law, negligence is defined as a failure to use the same care that a reasonably careful person would exercise under similar circumstances. Acting negligently can also mean that something was done that a reasonably careful person would not do under the same circumstances.
The first thing you should do after an accident is to seek medical care. The next thing should be to contact an attorney if at any point you are considering filing a claim. An attorney can also help you understand if you have a claim or not.
While personal injury lawyers are able to make the best decision for their individual cases, in general, the statute of limitations to file personal injury claims in Miami Gardens is four years. It’s important to understand, however, that other factors could change the statute of limitations in your particular case. This is why it’s imperative that you consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after receiving medical care.
A personal injury attorney can determine which party (or parties) should be included in your claim as defendants. Drivers, businesses, employers, and manufacturers are just a few of the most common defendants in personal injury cases.
Reasons People File Personal Injury Claims
There a number of reasons why a person might file a personal injury claim. In spite of what the ample media coverage might have you believe, there are other reasons besides seeking compensation that people engage personal injury lawyers to file claims on their behalf.
One of the most common reasons is so that the person who was injured can ensure they are able to obtain the medical care they need. If you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence, you could experience significant medical expenses. These could range from the initial hospital stay and surgery to ongoing medication and continued care.
Another related reason is that your injuries make it impossible for you to work at your current job. In order to protect your financial health, it’s necessary for you to be compensated until you are able to work again.
Personal injury victims may also be prompted to file a claim in order to deter future similar events from occurring. A successful claim could mean the negligent party is held responsible for their actions.
Types Of Damages Awarded For Personal Injury Claims In Miami Gardens
Damages awarded in Miami Gardens and other areas in Florida are typically compensatory, which means they directly compensate personal injury victims for losses they experienced due to an injury. In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded in order to punish the at-fault, negligent party.
Compensatory damages cover a wide range of costs related to the accident. Some examples include medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Medical Care
If you’ve sustained an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you could be awarded compensation that covers your medical care related to that injury.
Some examples of medical costs you could recover include:
- emergency room services
- ambulance transport
- surgery
- physical therapy
- medications
- rehabilitative care
- assistive devices
For chronic conditions or long-term disability, you might also be entitled to monetary damages that cover your future medical care and costs as well.
Lost Wages
In addition to medical costs, you might also be entitled to compensation for lost wages if you missed work due to your injuries or you are unable to work while you are recovering. You might also be able to claim the loss of your future wages if your injuries make it impossible for you to return to your previous career.
Pain And Suffering
Serious injuries caused by someone else’s negligence could result in you being awarded compensation for pain and suffering. This is especially true if these injuries are long-term. For this reason, consider utilizing a skilled personal injury attorney who ensures that vital factors such as your age, the severity of your injuries, and the long-term potential impact of your injuries are considered as part of your claim.
Knowing What Your Claim Is Worth
Personal injury cases can be complex. The amount your claim is worth can be affected by different factors that include the type of accident and the resulting injury. The effect your injuries have and their costs on your finances and quality of life could also affect the amount of compensation you receive.
Your claim’s worth will be a combination of different calculations. Monetary damages include items such as medical care, lost wages, transportation costs, and vehicle repair estimates.
Non-physical damages are also part of the calculation. Often referred to as pain and suffering, the amount of non-physical damages you’re awarded could depend on factors like disability or disfigurement, your age, and how extensive your injuries are.
There is no way to predict exactly how much you can win from a personal injury claim. However, an experienced attorney, like those at Florin|Roebig, can ensure you have a good idea of what you may stand to receive in compensation if your claim is successful.
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Do I Need To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney?
In Miami Gardens, even accidents that seem straightforward can often benefit from the expertise of personal injury lawyers. Any accident that results in serious bodily injury should prompt you to consult with an attorney.
Filing personal injury claims in Miami Gardens requires specialized skills and training. In addition, comprehensive knowledge of the law and how it relates to your particular case is required.
While it is not required to have an attorney to file a personal injury claim, having an attorney by your side throughout the process and to represent your claim can have a number of benefits, including increased chance of a successful claim, expert advice throughout the process, and superb representation if your case goes to trial.
List Of Personal Injury Attorneys In Miami Gardens
Our attorneys are part of the experienced, dedicated, and successful legal team at Florin|Roebig. Our service areas extend throughout Florida, including Miami Gardens.
The team at Florin|Roebig includes some of the best personal injury attorneys serving Miami Gardens, including:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S
- John J. Hart
- Michael A. Ossi, O.C.
- Lawrence. J. Najem, O.C.
- Andrew M. Leone, O.C.
- Nollys R. Solarte, O.C.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Reach Out For Help With Your Personal Injury Claim
If you or someone you love has been injured in Miami Gardens, don’t hesitate to contact Florin|Roebig today. Our personal injury attorneys offer free case evaluations to help you get started.
