Injuries are unfortunate and can happen at any time or place. More often than not, they are preventable and tend to occur due to the negligence or careless acts of another party. For example, a drunk driver may crash, leading to severe injuries to the victims.
If you or a loved one has been an injury victim in Palm Beach Gardens that wasn’t your fault, you have the right to seek compensation. Unfortunately, proving liability is not always straightforward and a personal injury lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens is required to help increase the chances of fair compensation.
At Steinberg Law, we can help protect your rights, whether you have been involved in a car accident, slip and fall, motorcycle accident, traumatic brain injury, etc. Call us today at 877-783-4611 to learn more.
What Should I Do Following an Injury?
What you do immediately after an accident can significantly affect your claim. In order to protect your rights and make the claim easier, ensure you do the following:
Seek Medical Attention
It is important to visit a doctor for treatment and a thorough assessment of your injuries. They might need to use x-rays and other tests to check for injuries that might go unnoticed.
Keep in mind that the physician’s documentation will be essential in proving that you were injured.
Record the Scene
If possible, take photographs and videos of the accident scene. This includes injuries, damages, and other materials that can help prove your case.
Don’t Admit or Assign Fault
Even if you think you are to blame, avoid saying anything that could be deemed as an admission of blame. This includes an apology as such statements could limit your odds of winning the claim. Also, do not give a statement without consulting a reliable personal injury lawyer.
Gather Information from Witnesses
If there’s a person who saw you get injured, collect their contact information and statement about the accident. This will come in handy in proving liability and seeking compensation.
Report the Accident
If you’re involved in a car accident, don’t forget to call and report the incident to the police. If it is a workplace injury or a slip and fall in a commercial setting, you should report it to the supervisor or manager.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney
You will also want to contact a reputable personal injury lawyer in order to protect your rights and learn more about your legal options.
Why Should I Hire a Lawyer?
You might think a lawyer is unnecessary since it is a simple case. However, a personal injury attorney has years of experience in this field and knows exactly what to do in order to win your case. In addition, you might still be in pain, making it hard to represent yourself. Here is a closer look at how our lawyers can help:
Case Preparation & Filing a Lawsuit
You will require the right lawyer to ensure your claim is filed properly. This entails knowing what to include in the claim and how to go about the process. Our team will help you collect the necessary evidence, figure out the losses, and make sure your claim is filed properly and on time.
Settlement Negotiation
More often than not, personal injury cases are handled out of court. However, the insurance company may attempt to pay you less than you deserve. A skilled attorney will handle the negotiations and ensure you are compensated fairly.
Trial Preparation & Representation
In some cases, you may fail to come to an agreement during the negotiation stage, meaning you’ll have to take the case to court. In such a situation, you will need an excellent lawyer to prepare for trial and represent you accordingly.
What Damages are Recoverable in a Personal Injury Case?
In the state of Florida, you are eligible for the following types of damages in a personal injury case:
Economic Damages
These refer to expenses and damages that can be accounted for. They are costs and damages that you have incurred because of the accident and they include:
- Property Damage– The expenses for repairing or replacing an asset like a car, motorcycle, bike, etc.
- Medical Expenses– Entails the current and future medical costs incurred due to the accident. They may include medical bills, medical transportation, therapy, at-home nursing, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages– This entails the lost income as you undergo treatment and recovery.
Non-Economic Damages
These are also called general damages and are often subjective in nature, thus hard to calculate. Examples include pain and suffering, physical disfigurement, loss of enjoyment in life, loss of support, etc.
Punitive Damages
These are not designed to compensate the victim for their losses but are rather designed to punish the defendant for their gross negligence, carelessness, or malicious behavior.
How is Liability Determined in Florida for Personal injury?
In order to prove liability, you need to show that the defendant was indeed negligent. This involves proving the following:
Duty of Care
First, you need to show that the other party owed you a duty of care. For example, motorists are required to follow traffic rules and be careful while on the road. A physician is expected to provide reasonable care to the patients.
Breach of Duty of Care
Second, you need to show that the other party breached the above duty of care. An example includes when a motorist hits you on the road after running a red light.
Causation
This element requires that your losses and injuries are a direct result of the defendant’s negligence.
Damages
Lastly, you need to have incurred substantial damages as a result of the injuries sustained. They include the aforementioned economic and non-economic damages.
What is the Time Limit for a Personal Injury Claim in Florida?
Every state has a time limit for filing a personal injury claim, referred to as the statute of limitations. In Florida, you have 4 years from the date of the injury to make a legal claim. For medical malpractice and wrongful death cases, however, you have a 2-year limit.
Personal injury Claims Process in Florida
Filing a personal injury claim is not always straightforward. In most cases, you need a lawyer by your side to ensure a proper and streamlined process. Steps for filing a claim involve:
Meeting with an Attorney
The first step is to meet with a personal injury attorney for a free consultation and case evaluation. Keep in mind you may have to present records of your medical costs, receipts, etc.
Collect Evidence & Calculate Compensation
Next, the lawyer will collect as much evidence as possible like when and where the accident happened, people who were present, how the incident occurred as well as photos and video proof.
Negotiation
With the necessary evidence, the lawyer will hold negotiations with the insurance company in order to reach a fair settlement. Bear in mind that they may try to lowball you and that’s why you need an experienced legal representative.
Litigation
If negotiations do not bear fruit, your attorney will prepare to present your case in court. They will do the necessary paperwork and preparation in order to represent you accordingly.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer in FL Cost?
When you work with Steinberg Law, you do not have to worry about the cost as our lawyers operate on a contingency basis. This means that you only have to pay us if we win the case. If we do not, you don’t have to pay a cent. We get a percentage cut of your settlement as payment, and this figure is agreed upon during the consultation stage.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
At Steinberg Law, we have vast experience in representing people who sustained injuries in Florida because of another party’s negligence. We work to ensure that you get the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and losses. Some of the personal injury cases we handle include:
- Car accidents
- Uber accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Motorcycle accidents
- Premises liability cases
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Defective product cases
Our team is happy to assist you to take legal action against the party at fault for your injuries. Call us today for a free initial consultation.
Hire the Best Personal Injury Lawyer Today!
Personal injuries can be traumatizing for anyone, especially when they lead to life-altering situations. The team at Steinberg Law understands how challenging it can be to recover from such injuries. We have helped numerous people in Palm Beach Gardens seek compensation and protect their rights. We offer free consultation services and work on a contingency basis. As such, you can be certain that your case will receive the time and attention it requires.
Whether you have been hurt in a car accident, a bike collision, a slip and fall, or a defective product, we are here to help you seek justice and get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 877-783-4611 to initiate the process.
