Florida Personal Injury Lawyer

Have you been injured in Florida due to someone else’s negligence? Accidents can leave you with physical pain, emotional distress, and mountains of medical bills that insurance is reluctant to cover.

You don’t have to fight for fair compensation alone. The Florida personal injury lawyers at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia can help navigate the legal system and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call us at 561-320-8285 or contact us online to get started with one of our Florida personal injury attorneys. Our attorneys are well-positioned to assist clients across Florida with their claims.

What is Florida’s Personal Injury Law?

Understanding Florida’s personal injury law is essential for anyone involved in an accident or injury case within the state. Understanding the legal process is crucial, as it outlines the steps involved in seeking compensation, from consultation and evidence gathering to potential resolutions through mediation or trial.

By familiarizing yourself with key components such as comparative negligence, damage caps, and the statute of limitations, you can better understand the legal landscape and protect your interests. A dedicated legal team can provide the personalized support and guidance needed to handle the challenges of the law effectively.

Comparative Negligence

In Florida, the principle of comparative negligence can significantly impact the compensation you may receive in a personal injury case. This concept means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced proportionately to your share of the blame.

Collecting witness statements is crucial to support your case and minimize assigned fault. For example, if you are deemed 20% responsible for an accident, the damages you are awarded will be reduced by that percentage. Florida’s comparative negligence system ensures that liability is fairly distributed among all parties involved and underscores the importance of presenting a strong case to minimize any assigned fault.

Damage Caps

Florida’s law also includes specific limitations on the amount of punitive damages that can be recovered in certain cases. These damage caps are designed to prevent excessively high awards and ensure that punitive damages remain reasonable.

Under Florida Statutes Annotated section 768.73, punitive damages are generally capped at three times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater. However, there are exceptions to this rule, particularly in cases involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence.

Understanding these caps can help manage expectations regarding potential awards and highlight the importance of focusing on compensatory damages to recover compensation for actual losses such as medical expenses and lost wages.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is a critical aspect of Florida’s injury law, setting the deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In Florida, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident or injury. For Florida wrongful death claims, the statute of limitation is also two years.

This timeframe applies to cases such as car accidents, slips and falls, and medical malpractice. Failing to file a claim within this period can result in losing the right to pursue legal action and recover damages.

Therefore, it is crucial to act promptly after an injury to ensure your case is filed within the allowable time. Consulting with a WHG FL personal injury attorney soon after an accident can help you make your claim in time and ensure that all necessary legal steps are taken in a timely manner. Acting promptly also ensures that the legal actions align with the client’s best interests.

Personal Injury Accidents in Florida

A personal injury, in legal terms, refers to a physical injury, emotional trauma, or property damage caused by someone else. In the aftermath of an accident, victims may need to seek fair compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. The impact of someone else’s negligence can lead to serious injuries and financial burdens, making it crucial to pursue legal representation to hold the responsible party accountable.

To win, your personal injury lawyer will need to prove that the other party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and their breach caused your injuries. This is the legal concept of negligence, and it’s key to any personal injury claim.

Common Types of Personal Injury Accidents

Unfortunately, Florida sees its fair share of mishaps that may cause painful injuries, emotional distress, and financial burdens. Here are some of the most common causes of personal injury accidents:

• Car accidents: Across the nation, car accidents are a leading cause of serious injury, and Florida is no exception. Reckless driving, speeding, and other negligent behaviors can put other motorists at risk.
• Truck accidents: Large trucks are a threat to the safety of Florida bicyclists, pedestrians, drivers, and other road users when they collide. Truck driver fatigue, defective parts, and limited maneuverability often play a part in these catastrophic truck accidents.
• Motorcycle accidents: Florida does not have a universal motorcycle helmet law, meaning that some riders choose to forgo one of the only forms of protection they have from larger vehicles. Drivers often overlook motorcyclists, increasing the risk of motorcycle crashes. Motorcyclist typically sustain severe injuries.
• Slip and fall accidents: Uneven walkways, poorly maintained stairwells, and other hazards can all cause slip and fall accidents.
• Dog bites: Dog owners are liable for any harm their pets cause. Floridians who experience dog bite attacks may have permanent scarring and emotional trauma.
• Medical malpractice: Medical professionals don’t always follow guidelines while doing their job. If you’re harmed, they may be liable for medical malpractice.
• Product liability: Defective products can lead to serious injuries. If you’re injured by a faulty product, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer.

If you or a loved one suffers harm as a result of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine if you need to take your case to court.

Injuries from Personal Injury Accidents

The wide variety of personal injury accidents is accompanied by an equally wide variety of potential injuries that victims may suffer. Some of the most common include:

• Broken bones: Fractures are a common consequence of many types of accidents. Broken bones may require casts, physical therapy, and potentially even surgery.
• Spinal cord injuries: Some accidents may damage the critical pathways between your brain and the rest of your body, potentially resulting in serious consequences like paralysis or other permanent disabilities from spinal cord injuries.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Injuries to the brain can impact motor skills and cognitive function. TBIs may cause long-term damage if not properly addressed.
• Soft tissue injuries: Whiplash injuries, sprains, and strains can cause significant pain and limit mobility.
• Amputations: In extreme cases, some accidents may lead to the loss of limbs or a traumatic injury with far-ranging impacts on quality of life.
• Emotional distress: The physical and emotional trauma of a personal injury accident can lead to anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

It’s essential that you seek out medical attention right away after any accident, even if you don’t feel hurt. Adrenaline can mask pain, making you unaware of your injuries. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive medical evaluation. Medical records may also be a key piece of documentation if you file a personal injury claim for compensation later on.

Compensation for Victims of Personal Injury Accidents

If you’ve been involved in a personal injury accident, you may suffer harm known as damages. Legally, you are entitled to compensation from the at-fault party. The types of damages available to victims of personal injury accidents may include:

• Medical expenses: Compensation for past, present, and future medical costs associated with your injuries, including hospital bills, doctor’s appointments, medication, and rehabilitation.
• Lost wages: Compensation for wages lost due to your injury and any future earning capacity you may have lost if your injuries prevent you from returning to work.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional pain caused by your injuries. This can include chronic pain, emotional distress, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Property damage: Compensation for repairs or replacement of your property if it was damaged in the accident, such as your car or belongings.
• And more

The specific amount of compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the specific facts of your case. For an assessment of your damages, contact a capable injury lawyer at WHG.

Set Your Claim Up for Success by Hiring a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer With WHG

An accident can turn your world upside down. Medical bills stack up, lost work puts a strain on finances, and the physical and emotional pain can be crushing. You may not know where to turn for help.

The team at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia is ready to assist in your case. Our personal injury law firm’s dedication to client success stories is proof of our effectiveness and commitment to providing the best possible service. Our dedicated Florida personal injury lawyers can help you by:

• Investigating the accident: We will gather evidence to determine the cause of the accident and identify the liable parties.
• Negotiating with insurance companies: We will deal with the insurance company on your behalf to prevent them from taking advantage of you.
• Calculating the full value of your claim: We will take into account all of your damages to ensure you receive fair compensation.
• Negotiating aggressively on your behalf: We will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
• Representing you in court if necessary: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we will take your lawsuit to court.

Areas We Serve

Our law firm serves clients throughout Florida, such as but not limited to:

• Boynton Beach (33426, 33435, 33436, 33437)

• Delray Beach (33444, 33445, 33446, 33483, 33484)

• Doral (33122, 33126, 33166, 33172, 33178, 33182)

• Fort Lauderdale (33301, 33304, 33305, 33308, 33311)

• Hialeah (33010, 33012, 33013, 33014, 33015, 33016)

• Hollywood (33019, 33020, 33021, 33023, 33024)

• Homestead (33030 – 33035)

• Jupiter (33458, 33469, 33477, 33478)

• Kendall (33156, 33183)

• Miami (33146, 33147, 33150, 33156, 33166)

• Miami Beach (33109, 33139, 33140, 33141, 33154)

• Miami Gardens (33014, 33015, 33054, 33055, 33056)

• North Miami Beach (33160, 33162, 33169, 33179, 33181)

• Palm Beach Gardens (33403, 33408, 33410, 33412, 33418)

• Pembroke Pines (33023 – 33029)

• Wellington (33411, 33414, 33449, 33467, 33470)

• West Miami (33144, 33155, 33172, 33174, 33182, 33194)

Book a Free Consultation with a Respected Florida Personal Injury Attorney at WHG

You deserve the full financial recovery necessary to repair and rebuild your life after your accident. At WHG, we know what you’re going through and we genuinely care about our clients, ensuring they receive the personal attention and support they need. Read firsthand experiences from our clients in their reviews.

You can contact us online or call us at 561-320-8285 to schedule a free consultation.

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