Getting injured unexpectedly can be a very difficult and confusing time. You may have plans that have been disrupted because you have doctor visits and other uncertainties about recovering. You may have just started a new job that you were excited about or planned a trip with your family. The legal team at Florin|Roebig understands what you are going through and wants to help.
Our personal injury lawyers in Pinellas Park have developed a strong reputation for delivering clients high-quality legal services and results. Florin|Roebig has had a team of personal injury attorneys in Pinellas Park for over 30 years. Our legal experts aim to provide clients guidance throughout the personal injury claim process and help them receive the compensation they deserve.
Car Accidents And Other Incidents That Lead To Personal Injury
Injuries can occur just about anywhere at any time of the day. Even if you are being careful on the road or paying attention to your surroundings while walking in a mall, you might fall victim to another person’s carelessness.
Here are some examples of personal injuries in Pinellas Park that can result in a claim:
- auto and motorcycle accidents
- slip and falls
- pain and suffering
- dog bites and pet-related injuries
- pool-related injuries
- medical malpractice
- defective products
- work-related injuries
You may have a different type of injury that can qualify you to file a claim. Your injury may be small, such as a broken finger, or more serious such as a head injury. Our personal injury lawyers in Pinellas Park want to hear what happened and discuss with you the steps to being compensated for your injuries.
What You Need To Know About Personal Injury Claims
Comparative negligence is a legal term that means a court determines who is responsible for a person’s injury. This is the standard that the state of Florida follows and it is beneficial to the injured party bringing about the claim. If the injured party was partially at fault for the injury, they may still proceed with a personal injury claim but will not be entitled to 100 percent of the damages.
For example, if you are driving on Park Boulevard in Pinellas Park and stop safely and correctly at a red light and a car rear-ends you, the court will likely determine that the other driver is fully responsible for the crash and award you 100 percent of damages.
On the other hand, if you are partially at fault in another situation, you may not be entitled to full compensation. A court may place 35 percent blame on you for the injury making the other party 65 percent responsible. You will still be entitled to damages, just 35 percent less.
There are three thresholds a court looks at when determining if you are entitled to damages. First, you must prove that the incident led to your injuries. Next, you will have to show that the responsible party had a legal obligation to keep you and others safe from dangerous conditions. Finally, you must show that the injury has caused you to suffer financially, physically, and emotionally.
You only have a limited time to file a personal injury claim. The state of Florida has a statute of limitations for receiving a settlement for an injury. The limitations for personal injury claims in Florida are four years after you have been injured or four years from the day you noticed your injury and two years following a medical malpractice incident.
Speaking with a personal injury attorney in Pinellas Park is the best way to clarify how a court may rule and the damages you may be entitled to.
Reasons People File Personal Injury Claims
People file personal injury claims for a wide variety of reasons. Their injuries may have a quicker recovery time or they might require ongoing medical treatments.
To fully recover from your injury, you might be subjected to doctor visits and more. It can get costly fast and some insurance companies may not be looking out for your best interest.
Some examples of why you should file a personal injury claim in Pinellas Park include:
- current and future medical costs
- lost income from your job
- loss of quality of life
- holding the negligent party responsible to prevent further negligence
- ensuring the insurance company is giving you a fair settlement
There are many different reasons for filing a claim. Whatever your reason may be, you deserve to be compensated to help deal with the emotional, personal, and financial costs resulting from your injuries.
The four most common types of personal injuries that occur in Pinellas Park, include car accidents, slip and fall accidents, bicycle accidents, and workplace accidents. Here are brief explanations of each type of injury:
- Motor Vehicle Collisions: The impact of automobile collisions can lead to an array of injuries, ranging from mild to severe. In a particular case in Pinellas Park, a motorist neglected their duty to stop at a red signal, resulting in an accident with another vehicle. This unfortunate event inflicted harm upon the passengers of the impacted vehicle. To address the financial burden of their medical treatment and associated losses, these individuals initiated personal injury lawsuits, seeking rightful compensation for the damages they endured.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Pinellas Park slip and fall accidents, a common type of personal injury, can take place in a wide range of settings, including malls, grocery stores, eateries, and communal areas. In a specific occurrence in Pinellas Park, a patron unexpectedly slipped on a slick surface within a retail establishment, resulting in a fractured wrist. This injured party subsequently sought legal recourse through a personal injury lawsuit, holding the store accountable for its oversight in ensuring a hazard-free environment.
- Bicycle Accidents: Pinellas Park, like many Florida cities, sees its share of bicycle accidents. In one instance, a cyclist was struck by a car while crossing an intersection, sustaining injuries that required medical attention. The injured cyclist filed a personal injury claim against the driver for failing to yield.
- Workplace Accidents: Workplace accidents can occur in various industries. For example, a construction worker in Pinellas Park fell from a height while on the job, suffering multiple fractures and a traumatic brain injury. The worker pursued a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury claim against the company for failing to provide proper safety equipment and training.
Types Of Damages Awarded For Personal Injury Claims In Pinellas Park
Pinellas Park is one of the most populated cities in Pinellas County and personal injuries can happen at any given time. Florida awards injury victims compensatory damages to help alleviate the physical and financial suffering from an injury.
Common compensatory damages awarded in personal injury claims in Pinellas Park include:
- medical expenses — ranging from EMS services to doctor visits
- lost income — inability to perform job duties resulting in losing pay
- pain and suffering — continuous pain and emotional distress
- loss of quality of life — you can no longer perform essential household duties or participate in a hobby
- wrongful death — dying as a result of a negligent driver or medical professional
- disability — you are physically or mentally disabled, affecting everything you do
- loss of consortium — you are no longer able to care for a spouse, child, or parent
Other damages may qualify you to receive compensation, depending on the cause of the injury.
Knowing What Your Claim Is Worth
Many personal injury cases may appear to be the same on the surface, but each is unique, which means different factors will affect how a claim is reviewed and the amount a claimant is awarded in compensation.
Factors that may affect your compensation in a personal injury claim include:
- type of injury
- extent of the injury
- financial losses as a result of the injury
- other ways the injury affects your normal life
Factors such as these are what courts will look at in determining how much compensation you can be awarded. Because each case is different, it is difficult to calculate a compensation amount without speaking to a legal professional.
Our Featured Case Results
Do I Need To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?
You do not have to hire a personal injury lawyer in Pinellas Park, but it is highly recommended that you do. There are many steps and processes that come with filing a personal injury claim, and only an experienced lawyer will understand how to execute all these steps flawlessly.
Some advantages of hiring a personal injury attorney in Pinellas Park include:
- a personal injury expert on your side that sympathizes with your injury and wants to help you recover from your losses
- filing a strong personal injury claim against the responsible party
- negotiating on your behalf and going to court if necessary
The responsible party might have an attorney that will try to shift blame towards you to get out of paying a settlement. Some insurance companies may want to pay as little as possible and will investigate every facet of the case to devalue it. For best results, hire a personal injury attorney who will fight for your rights, such as ours at Florin|Roebig.
List Of Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Pinellas Park
Florin|Roebig has a team of personal injury lawyers that have taken on simple to very complex cases. Our lawyers are local to the Pinellas Park area and have been defending our clients’ personal injury claims for decades.
Some of our personal injury lawyers serving Pinellas Park include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Taylor D. Roebig
- Chase P. Florin
- Nollys R. Solarte
- Taylor D. Roebig
- Parker Y. Florin, LL.M.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Reach Out For Help With Your Personal Injury Claim
At Florin|Roebig, we believe in helping our clients to the fullest extent of the law. We will go head-to-head with the person or company that caused your injury even if it means going to trial.
Our attorneys have won over $1 billion in settlements and have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best law firms in America. Call us to set up a consultation and we can start the process of getting your life back together.