People in Sanford get injured on a regular basis, often leading to medical expenses, lost earning ability, and other unwanted consequences. In some cases, these injuries can even result in permanent changes to the victim’s quality of life.
Collecting a financial settlement does not repair all the damage you suffer after sustaining a personal injury, but it can give you the resources you need to begin rebuilding your life.
At Florin|Roebig, we understand how difficult these situations can be for the victim and their family. Regardless of your circumstances, our team is here to help you understand your rights and make the best legal decision for your future.
Car Accidents And Other Incidents That Lead To Personal Injury
You can file a personal injury claim whenever you suffer an injury because of someone else’s negligence. Although these claims can vary considerably, certain types of accidents tend to lead to personal injury claims more often than others.
In the Sanford area, the most common incidents that lead to personal injury claims include:
- car accidents — Sanford is a part of Seminole County, where car accidents led to 4,660 injuries and 48 deaths in 2017 alone.
- slips and falls — Florida lists slip-and-fall accidents as a major cause of injury-related hospitalization for patients of any age.
- dog bites — Florida dog owners are responsible for making sure their pets don’t cause harm. However, in some cases, dogs may attack and injure people, leading to personal injury claims.
- medical malpractice — When Sanford healthcare providers are negligent and cause harm to patients, personal injury claims are often the result.
Updated July 17th, 2023: The top five accidents that cause personal injuries in Sanford:
- Rear-end collisions during heavy rainfall: Sanford, like other parts of Florida, experiences heavy rainfall at times. This can lead to wet road conditions, reduced visibility, and increased stopping distances, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.
- Wildlife-related accidents near rural areas: Sanford has some rural areas or neighborhoods close to natural habitats. This increases the potential for wildlife-related accidents, such as collisions with deer or other animals, which can cause significant injuries.
- Slip and fall incidents at outdoor venues during events: Sanford is known for hosting various outdoor events and festivals. Slip and fall accidents can occur due to uneven surfaces, inadequate lighting, or crowded conditions, particularly during these events.
- Boating accidents on the St. Johns River: Sanford is located along the St. Johns River, and boating activities are popular in the area. Accidents can occur due to collisions between boats, operator negligence, or hazardous conditions on the river.
- Pedestrian accidents in downtown areas: Sanford’s downtown area may have higher pedestrian activity, especially around shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Accidents involving pedestrians can occur due to distracted driving, failure to yield the right of way, or inadequate pedestrian infrastructure.
What You Need To Know About Personal Injury Claims
Every personal injury claim is different, but certain common factors will always come into play.
As you prepare to file your personal injury claim in Sanford, consider the following issues:
- personal injury claims hinge on negligence — You cannot file a successful personal injury claim without showing that the defendant’s negligence was the cause of your injuries.
- Florida courts adhere to a policy of comparative negligence — Florida courts use a policy of comparative negligence to assign a proportion of fault to every party involved in an accident. If you are found to be responsible in part for your injuries, your settlement amount will be reduced proportionally.
- contact an attorney as soon as possible — You have only a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim after becoming injured. As soon as you have received any medical care you need, begin the process of finding an attorney and filing a claim.
Types Of Damages Awarded For Personal Injury Claims In Sanford
Claimants are often curious about the types of damages they can receive if they file a personal injury claim in Sanford. The exact damages you will receive depends on the specific details of your injuries and the accident that caused them.
However, most of these settlements include the same general types of damages.
Some of the damages you may receive in your settlement include:
- medical compensation — If your injuries led to the need for medical care, you will be compensated for all related expenses. If you are expected to continue to need medical care in the future, this fact will be taken into consideration when your settlement is calculated.
- benefits for pain and suffering — If your injuries were painful and/or if you were psychologically traumatized by your accident, your personal injury settlement may include additional compensation for these negative experiences.
- compensation for lost earnings — In many cases, injuries will cause you to be unable to go to work, either temporarily or permanently. In these cases, financial settlements will include compensation to make up for these losses.
- punitive damages — In rare cases involving extreme negligence or malicious intent, punitive damages may be included in settlements as well.
Knowing What Your Claim Is Worth
Understanding how much your claim could be worth is an important part of preparing to file. However, because so many different factors can impact these cases, it can be difficult to estimate your claim’s value accurately.
Some of the factors to consider as you try to determine how much you could collect in a personal injury case include:
- the impact of the injury on your personal life — The more the injury has affected your personal life, the more your claim will be worth. For example, claims related to injuries that leave you unable to participate in former hobbies tend to be worth more than claims related to minor injuries.
- the financial impact of the injuries — The specific expenses you incurred because of your injuries will also be considered when your settlement amount is calculated.
- the circumstances surrounding the injury — The circumstances that led up to the injury may affect your claim’s value as well. For example, if the party who caused your injuries harmed you intentionally, your settlement amount will likely be higher.
The best way to get an accurate idea of how much your claim could be worth is to speak with an attorney.
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Do I Need To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney?
Having a personal injury attorney to represent you in your claim is not a legal requirement in the state of Florida. However, having a qualified attorney to represent you in these matters can make all the difference in the outcome.
Working with a personal injury attorney provides the following potential benefits:
- an experienced ally — Throughout your case, your personal injury attorney will use the experience they have with these claims to guide you as you make decisions and prepare you for the most likely outcomes.
- support when you need it — Going through the personal injury claims litigation process can be taxing, but your attorney will be available to support you every step of the way.
- a better outcome — When you have an experienced attorney representing you in your claim, you are more likely to win the case and receive a suitable financial settlement that compensates you for all your losses.
List Of Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Sanford
Filing a personal injury claim in Sanford is much easier with guidance and advice from a qualified attorney. At Florin|Roebig, we offer representation to personal injury victims across the state of Florida, including in the city of Sanford.
Some of the members of our team who can represent clients in the Sanford area include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- John J. Hart
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Reach Out For Help With Your Personal Injury Claim
The experienced attorneys at Florin|Roebig have represented countless clients in personal injury claims throughout the state of Florida, and we are here to help with your case. If you have been the victim of an accident caused by someone else, please contact our firm today to discuss your options or to schedule a consultation.