Florida Laws Allow Accident Victims to Recover Damages From Liable Parties
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
- 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.
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.What Factors Determine the Cost I'll Pay for Legal Representation?
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?
- The initial consultation (some injury attorneys charge for this, Dolman Law Group does not)
- Document preparation
- Travel expenses
- Court fees
- Investigation costs