If you have been injured because of someone else’s actions, your entire focus will be on your recovery. As you begin to recuperate, the next thing on your mind might be how to pursue compensation that can help you pay for the medical costs associated with your injuries. Having a personal injury attorney on your side, especially one with expertise in Broward County, FL, can go a long way toward helping you successfully navigate the process of filing a personal injury claim.
Our firm, The Law Offices of Scott Sobol, is proud to serve accident victims and their families in Davie, Florida, and the surrounding areas of Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Lauderhill, Oakland Park, Tamarac, Hollywood, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Weston, and Miramar. If you’ve been injured in an accident, call or reach out to our firm today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Personal Injury Claims in Florida
There are a few different facets of personal injury claims that are important for injury victims to understand. You should consider all of the following aspects when filing your personal injury claim:
Florida’s Comparative Negligence Rule
Comparative negligence states have laws in place that reduce the amount of damages you can collect if any part of the incident is your fault. Florida follows the comparative negligence rule. This means that your damages will be reduced by the exact percentage of fault you are assigned, whether it is 5% or 50%. For example, imagine you suffer injuries from a car accident when a car decides to change lanes and run you off the road. As the court reviews your case, dashcam footage shows that you were speeding at the time of the accident. The court can decide to assign you with 10% fault for the accident to account for your driving at excessive speeds. If the court decides to award you with $100,000 in compensation, that number will be reduced by 10%, or $10,000, to account for your level of fault in the accident. This means that ultimately, you’ll only be eligible to collect $90,000 in compensation.
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Statute of Limitations
Every state has a statute of limitations when it comes to personal injury law. This means that you have a specific timeframe to file your claim. Once that timeframe lapses, you are no longer able to take any legal action or seek recourse. In Florida, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim is four years from the date of the accident.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
When it comes to filing a personal injury claim, there are a few ways to go about it. Depending on the circumstances of your situation, you may have a few different options for how you choose to file a claim. For car accidents, many people choose to file a claim with their insurance company and with the other person’s insurance who caused the accident.
In some circumstances, your law firm may choose to settle — while in others, your law firm may be forced to litigate your case in court. Regardless of whether or not you choose to file a claim with your own insurance company or with the other driver’s insurance company, it is important to make sure that you seek medical attention so that your injuries are well documented for the purposes of damages.
Damages Available
In a personal injury case, you can seek fair compensation in the form of either compensatory or punitive damages. Compensatory damages aim to cover medical expenses and lost wages when you were forced to miss work while you recover. Punitive damages are typically assessed to punish the defendant for their negligent actions.
Florida has a cap for punitive damages, which are only available in a small percentage of cases. State laws limit punitive damages to three times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000 — whichever amount is greater.
Personal Injury
Attorney in Broward County
Having a personal injury attorney fighting for your claim allows you to focus on moving forward from the incident at hand. Here at The Law Offices of Scott Sobol, our legal team will lay out your possible options in clear, concise terms that are easily digestible. You deserve to have an experienced attorney fighting by your side every step of the way. If you live in Davie, Florida, or the surrounding areas of Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Lauderhill, Oakland Park, Tamarac, Hollywood, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Weston, or Miramar, call or reach out to our firm today to schedule your own free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Injury Lawyer in Broward County
What should I look for when hiring a personal injury lawyer in Broward County?
When hiring a personal injury lawyer Broward County, it’s essential to find someone with experience handling cases similar to yours. A skilled personal injury lawyers should have a deep understanding of personal injury law, be familiar with Florida’s comparative negligence rules, and have a proven track record of helping injury victims secure compensation for damages like medical expenses and lost wages.
How does Florida’s comparative negligence rule affect my personal injury claim?
Under Florida’s comparative negligence rule, the compensation you can recover in a personal injury claim will be reduced by your percentage of fault in the incident. For example, if a court determines you were 10% at fault for an accident, your total compensation for medical expenses and other damages would be reduced by 10%.
What types of damages can injury victims recover in a personal injury case?
Injury victims can seek compensatory damages to cover costs such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the defendant for their negligence. A skilled personal injury lawyers can help you understand which damages may apply to your case.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Florida?
According to Florida’s personal injury law, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Acting promptly allows your personal injury lawyer in Broward County to gather evidence, document your injuries, and guide you through the legal process effectively.
What are the benefits of scheduling a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer?
A free consultation provides injury victims with the opportunity to discuss their case with a skilled personal injury lawyer. This initial meeting allows you to learn about your legal options, understand the potential value of your claim, and determine how to navigate the legal process to pursue compensation for medical expenses and other damages.
