Oldsmar Personal Injury Lawyer

August 7, 2023 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman

Accidents caused by the negligence of others result in millions of dollars of lost productivity and medical expenses each year, as well as an immeasurable amount of human suffering due to injury. 

For example, regarding personal injuries from vehicle accidents, The Washington Post reported that from 2000 to 2019, car wrecks killed more Americans than in both World Wars. According to government data, most were caused by drunk, speeding, or distracted drivers — accidents that those drivers could have prevented.

While a personal injury award cannot change the past, it can help alleviate the financial stress associated with unexpected injuries. It can also help you and your family move on with your life. To get started, discuss your case with an Oldsmar personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Florida Laws Allow Accident Victims to Recover Damages From Liable Parties

Oldsmar Personal Injury Lawyer

Florida tort law allows for people injured by the negligence of another to recover damages for the losses they sustain following an accident. They can do this by bringing a personal injury claim against the responsible party or parties.

Both economic and non-economic losses may be compensable. For example, some of the more common types of damages awarded in Florida personal injury cases include monetary compensation to cover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and loss of future earning potential.

Personal Injury Claims Our Law Firm Handles

Accidents that result in bodily injury can happen in an almost innumerable variety of ways. In order for a victim to be able to sustain a personal injury claim, they must be able to establish that the accident happened because of someone else's negligence.

Some of the more common kinds of personal injury matters that we handle include the following:

  • Car accidents
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Being struck by an object
  • Drunk driving accidents
  • Dangerous or defective products
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Workplace accidents
  • Construction accidents
  • Wrongful death
  • Aviation accidents
  • Medical malpractice and lack of proper medical care
  • Falls down stairs
  • Dog bites
  • Nursing home abuse
  • Truck accidents

Injuries Caused by Negligence

The personal injury accidents listed above can lead to minor injuries, while others are life-changing. You or someone you love may have experienced one of the following if you were involved in a type of accident caused by an at-fault party:

  • Burn injuries
  • Injuries caused by defective drugs
  • Brain injuries, including a traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Neck Injuries
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Birth injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Organ damage
  • Catastrophic injury, including loss of life

Yet, physical injuries aren't the only injury types you can be awarded compensation. Additional compensation can be rewarded for:

  • Monetary losses and lost wages that can cause a financial burden in your life.
  • Mental or emotional distress.
  • Diminished quality of life.
  • Loss of consortium.

If you have questions following your accident, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.

When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?

Nobody expects to be in an accident, and many people don't know what to do when one happens. However, even if you think your accident is minor, you think you can easily win your case, or that it's clear that negligent parties are at fault and owe you money, you should contact a personal injury attorney.

That's because the personal injury claims process can become more complex quicker than you expect. An experienced lawyer appreciates this complexity and the uniqueness of each litigated case. 

Every accident, crash, or wrongful death necessitates a thorough investigation to ascertain its cause, the responsible party's intent, and the degree they are liable. Though personal injury varies from state to state, according to the American Bar Association, each tort claim, regardless of its reasoning (whether strict liability, negligence, or if it was intentional), has two fundamental concerns, liability and damages.

Liability is determined by whether the defendant had a legal duty of care towards the plaintiff, breach of that duty, causation, and damages. Damages are the amount of money needed to compensate for the injuries sustained due to the defendant's actions.

If the defendant is found liable, then the court will determine the amount of damages owed to the plaintiff based on their findings of fact.

Personal injury attorneys understand the complexities of these cases and how they differ from other types of litigation. They also know how to navigate through the various laws and procedures of each state. This means you'll receive more accurate information about your case, better representation, and faster results.

For example, was the defendant liable for your injuries or damages, and if they were, to what extent? If you can demonstrate damages and liability to the court, our justice system will allow you to be compensated for your losses.

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else's negligence, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. We are here to help you get back on track with a fair settlement.

How Much Do Injury Attorneys Charge?

Many accident victims avoid contacting a personal injury lawyer because they think the cost will be too high. Fortunately, at Dolman Law Group, we don't charge you anything upfront for our services.

We offer a free initial consultation to handle your personal injury claim. We'll talk to you during this first meeting, evaluate your claim, answer any questions you might have, and get to know you and your case better. Also, during that confidential consultation, you can determine if we fit your legal goals, and we'll let you know the strength of your case.

We handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis. This means that instead of paying upfront, you'll be billed a percentage of any settlement you receive for your injuries, which the court will determine.

For an injury victim who needs an attorney, a payment structure built on a contingency basis makes having legal representation much more affordable.

A personal injury attorney typically charges hourly rates; however, some may charge a flat fee. The amount you'll pay your attorney from your compensation depends on several factors, including:

  • Your situation: Is there a need for immediate action? Are you looking for a quick settlement? Do you want to hire a lawyer who specializes in personal injury law? How much time does your case require? What type of compensation are you seeking?
  • The type of lawsuit: Will you sue for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or both? Will you seek punitive damages?
  • The experience of your lawyer: How long have they worked in this area? Have they ever won a big award before?
  • The size of your potential recovery: How much money would you like to recover?
  • The value of your case: How much evidence do you have? Do you have witnesses? Medical records? Other documentation?
  • The complexity of your case: How difficult is it to prove your case? Is there any chance of losing? How many people could be affected by your case?
  • The cost of litigation: What is the average cost per hour for a personal injury lawyer? What is the hourly rate for paralegals? How much time will it take to litigate your case?
  • The fees charged by your lawyer: How much will it cost to file suit? How much will it cost for depositions? How much will it cost to prepare for trial? How much will it take to settle your case?
  • The time length it takes to settle or litigate your case: How long will it take to resolve your case? 

Additional costs associated with hiring a personal injury attorney include:

  • The initial consultation (some injury attorneys charge for this, Dolman Law Group does not)
  • Document preparation
  • Travel expenses
  • Court fees
  • Investigation costs

When choosing a personal injury lawyer, it is important to find diligent representation that is knowledgeable, skilled, aggressive, honest, trustworthy, and fits within your budget.

Experienced attorneys will provide you with professional advice and guidance throughout the entire process. You should feel comfortable enough to ask questions and discuss all aspects of your case. The best lawyers are those who listen carefully to your needs, concerns, and goals.

We Represent Oldsmar Clients in Personal Injury Claims

A substantial portion of our practice is devoted to representing people injured in motor vehicle accidents. Car accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries, some of which can result in long-term medical complications.

The legal and technical issues that often arise in personal injury cases can be highly complex, so it is important to retain an attorney with a track record of successfully representing car accident victims. The attorneys of the Dolman Law Group have the skill and experience required to bring your case to a successful resolution.

Contact an Oldsmar Personal Injury Law Firm Today for a Free Consultation

People injured in preventable accidents may be eligible to receive significant financial compensation. Our Clearwater, Florida office is about 15 minutes from Oldsmar and is accessible via FL-580 West. We also represent clients throughout Pinellas County including, St Petersburg, Seminole Heights, Palm Harbor, Treasure Island, Tarpon Springs, Gulfport, Largo, Indian Rocks Beach, Dunedin, Belleair Bluffs, Safety Harbor, and Madeira.

It is important for victims to be aware that personal injury claims in Florida are subject to a strict statute of limitations. This means that any delay could jeopardize their ability to recover. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation with one of our injury attorneys.

Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

800 North Belcher Road

Clearwater, FL 33765

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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