Florida accidents lead to a vast number of personal injuries every year in the state. There were more than 400,000 car traffic accidents alone in 2017, up 25,000 from just two years before.
Accidents result from other incidents as well, like workplace mishaps, home accidents, such as in the swimming pool, and personal incidents like dog bites. Many accidents result in injuries that can affect a person’s health and quality of life, including effects on finances. Unexpected surgery costs, lengthy recovery time, missed work, and unpaid bills can rapidly add up after a personal injury.
Many people file personal injury claims in Port St. Lucie to recover some of their financial losses due to the accident. The attorneys at Florin|Roebig can assist with a personal injury claim. Our team of lawyers throughout Florida specializes in several areas of legal practice, including personal injury.
Do I Need A Personal Injury Attorney?
For the best chance at a successful outcome for your suit, it is necessary to work with a personal injury attorney. In addition to prosecuting your claim in court, a knowledgeable attorney can explain the claims process in terms you can understand.
Filing a claim may be confusing at first, but your attorney can help you understand where to file, who to list as a defendant, and the types of damages you may be eligible to pursue.
Many personal injury claims settle out of court, and your Port St. Lucie lawyer can help you fight for maximum compensation. If your claim goes to court, the attorney will represent your claim and work to prove negligence on behalf of the opposing party, which is necessary to receive compensation for a personal injury in the state of Florida.
How To File A Personal Injury Claim
After a traumatic incident or injury, it’s hard to know where to turn or what to do. At such a stressful time, taking things one step at a time can help you decide what to do. Asking for help from people who have the experience and knowledge to help can start your path toward recovery.
A personal injury case arises when one person suffers harm and someone else could be legally responsible for the harm. Port St.Lucie personal injury attorneys are experienced in pursuing personal injury claims that can offer some relief for emotional, physical, and financial harm.
The most common personal injury cases involve auto accidents, but any accident or injury, including medical malpractice, could result in a personal injury case.
Some injuries that could qualify as personal injury cases include:
- back and neck injuries
- birth injuries
- broken bones
- burns
- concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- disability
- slip-and-fall injuries
- wrongful death
Other types of personal injury claims can include product or service liability cases. Perhaps you used a product as directed but experienced an injury or serious problem. Or, you may have visited a neighbor or friend and experienced a dog bite injury.
You may be wondering if your injury qualifies to file a claim.
To help make this process easier, here is a guide for what to do immediately following an accident:
1. Gather Details From The Incident
Before meeting with an attorney, it’s important to collect the necessary information to document your injury and the circumstances of the situation. Consider the time, place, and people involved when you were hurt.
Any documentation you gather can be useful in a personal injury case.
Documentation can include:
- medical bills
- police reports
- eyewitness accounts
- insurance information
- videos or photos
2. Speak With A Personal Injury Attorney
After you’ve gathered your documentation, it’s time to talk with a personal injury attorney. They have the experience needed to advise you and can help you file a personal injury claim. They know Florida law and will be able to successfully direct the process so you can receive compensation for your injuries.
Understanding Florida law regarding personal injury claims is one important reason you should not delay contacting an attorney about your injury. The attorney will be able to tell you what your next steps should be.
Florida has statutes of limitations that limit the amount of time you will have to file a personal injury claim. A qualified and experienced attorney can explain the process and help you receive the compensation you’re entitled to receive.
3. Contact Insurance To File A Claim
After you’ve spoken to a personal injury lawyer, then you can contact your insurance company. Insurance companies have complex rules and procedures. In order to protect your rights, you should get help from a personal injury lawyer to communicate effectively.
This includes your communications with your insurance company or any other insurance company representative or investigator. You can risk damaging your case if you speak to any insurance representative (yours or another company) without consulting a personal injury lawyer.
A lawyer will help direct communication with insurance companies. Whether it is your insurance company or another company involved in the case, the insurance adjuster is responsible for their company’s financial well-being, not yours.
A personal injury attorney is experienced in working with different insurance companies and can support your case. Don’t risk saying or doing something that could affect the potential compensation you are entitled to receive—speak to your attorney first.
4. File Your Personal Injury Claim
Florida law regarding personal injury cases uses “comparative fault” as one standard. Another factor influencing personal injury cases in Florida is “contributory fault.” These legal terms refer to the responsibility for an incident or event leading to injuries.
A personal injury attorney understands the law and how awards are made or settlements agreed upon in Florida. They will identify defendants, assess damages, and can file the strongest claim on your behalf.
Other attorneys, including insurance company attorneys, are also experienced and may attempt to indicate that you had responsibility for your own injuries. They may also try to shift blame to other people who are co-defendants, or to people who aren’t defendants at all.
Personal injury attorneys are aware of all tactics used by defendants and their representatives to avoid responsibility in personal injury cases. Their job is to help hold accountable the people who are responsible for your injury. The start of this process is filing your initial claim and meeting with a personal injury attorney.
Common Personal Injury Claims In Port St. Lucie
Of the more than 400,000 auto accidents which happened in Florida in 2017, more than 166,000 of those crashes led to over 254,000 injuries. This included over 20,000 injuries that incapacitated drivers or passengers. Over 5,000 of the car crashes and 3,000 of the injuries occurred in St. Lucie County. Forty-one St. Lucie County residents died in auto accidents in 2017.
Other common personal injury claims in Port St. Lucie include slip-and-fall accidents, workplace accidents, product and service liability, and medical and health services malpractice. Dog bites are also a related category of personal injury claims.
How Much Compensation Can I Win From A Personal Injury Claim?
How much compensation you can win for your personal injury claim in Port St. Lucie truly depends on a number of factors. The type of accident, who was at fault, the ways in which the accident financially affected you, and other factors may all affect the amount of damages you may be awarded.
Plus, only certain expenses and costs related to your injury will qualify. However, injuries are subjective in many ways. Personal injuries can include those which harm a person physically, but also psychologically and emotionally. People also receive compensation for injuries which will affect them for the rest of their life, change their working ability, or impact their ability to enjoy life.
You can receive compensation for your personal injury case to pay for:
- medical treatment
- lost time and wages at work
- property damages and losses
- pain and suffering
- emotional distress
Compensation for specific needs or problems resulting from a personal injury is intended to “make someone whole” after an accident or incident has occurred. You may also receive compensation based on the degree of negligence that resulted in the accident or incident.
Additionally, some cases can warrant the award of punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. Although uncommon, punitive damages are meant to punish the negligent individual with the goal of avoiding future incidents.
Our Featured Case Results
List Of Personal Injury Attorneys In Port St. Lucie
If you are seeking help for a personal injury in Port St. Lucie, the first step may be to research available attorneys.
Here is a list of our Florin|Roebig personal injury attorneys who provide legal advisement for personal injury claims:
- 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.
- Taylor D. Roebig
- Parker Y. Florin, LL.M.
- Nollys R. Solarte, O.C.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Reach Out To A Personal Injury Attorney Today
The attorneys at Florin|Roebig are experienced, committed, and compassionate. We are ready to help you receive compensation for your personal injury case. Contact Florin|Roebig to find out how you can start the process of a personal injury claim today.
