Were you injured by another party’s actions in Florida? If so, you may be entitled to compensation, whether you crashed on a Florida highway or slipped and fell at a store.
The legal team at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help you seek the financial recovery you deserve under state law. Our Florida personal injury lawyers have 119+ years of combined legal experience. Our aggressive approach has allowed us to secure millions of dollars for our clients, helping them move forward after devastating accidents.
We’re prepared to pursue compensation for your medical bills, pain, lost wages, and other damages. Contact our Florida personal injury law firm today at (866) 311-6869 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident in Florida? How Can They Help?
Many people ask whether they require legal representation after an accident or injury. It’s a valid question. Not all cases will require attorney assistance. However, personal injury victims who retain a lawyer usually walk away with more money than those who do not.
Our personal injury attorneys in Florida know the ins and outs of state and insurance law. We handle these types of cases daily, meaning we can efficiently navigate the legal process. Having an experienced attorney in your corner is highly beneficial – especially if you’re struggling with painful injuries and undergoing medical treatment.
Here are a few ways Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help after a Florida accident:
- Evaluate your situation and give honest advice and guidance
- Investigate the accident or incident and gather solid evidence proving your claim
- Consult leading experts if your case involves complex topics or issues
- Identify the full extent of your losses to calculate your damages
- Negotiate with insurance companies and defense attorneys
- Aggressively represent you in court if we cannot fairly settle your case
Seek legal advice before accepting an insurance adjuster’s settlement offer. At worst, you lose time attending a free consultation. At best, you learn that the offer is painfully low and return to the negotiating table – and end up receiving much more compensation.
Call our Florida personal injury attorneys today to discuss an attorney-client relationship. We’ll answer your questions and advise you of your legal rights.
How Common Are Accidents in Florida?
Floridians are injured and killed in all types of accidents every day.
In 2022, the state experienced 396,478 car crashes, causing 251,911 injuries and 3,529 fatalities.
These motor vehicle accidents involved:
- 7,237 bicycle crashes
- 9,252 motorcycle crashes
- 10,159 pedestrian crashes
Additionally, thousands of Florida workers are injured or die on the job. In 2021, 315 people suffered fatal workplace injuries. Approximately 600 Florida residents are admitted to the hospital annually for dog bite wounds.
Our Florida Law Firm Handles All Types of Personal Injury Cases
Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help with any type of legal matter, including those involving:
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Wrongful death
- Slip and fall accidents and other premises liability matters
- Electric scooter accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workers’ compensation
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Product liability
- Assault, including sexual assault
- Dog bites
Whether you or a loved one were injured, Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help.
What Is the Value of My Florida Personal Injury Claim?
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
The value of your injury case will depend on your unique circumstances, including:
- The severity of your injuries and every way they impact your quality of life
- Your lost wages and ability to work after the accident or injury
- The injury-related expenses you’ve incurred
- Whether you share any blame for the Florida accident
- The psychological and physical effects of your injuries
- The insurance coverage available
Ultimately, speaking with a knowledgeable attorney is the best way to determine what your Florida personal injury case is worth.
What Damages Are Available After a Florida Accident or Injury?
Florida accident victims may be entitled to compensation for their financial (economic) and intangible (non-economic) losses. These damages are awarded to make an injured party financially whole after being hurt due to another individual’s negligence or wrongdoing.
Economic damages can typically be proven by receipts, invoices, and bills; they might include:
- Medical costs already incurred
- Future medical expenses for ongoing care and follow-ups
- Lost income and job benefits, including PTO
- Diminished earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage, including damaged personal property
You may have also suffered mentally and physically from your injuries. This type of harm is classified as non-economic damages, which can be challenging to prove without an attorney’s assistance.
They might include:
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- PTSD
- Inconvenience
- Loss of companionship
- Permanent disfigurement
- Disability
Florida courts also award punitive damages if a defendant’s actions are found to be intentional or grossly negligent. These are more difficult to prove than economic or non-economic damages, as they’re not meant to compensate for your losses. Punitive damages are awarded to a plaintiff to punish the defendant for their behavior.
How Do I Prove My Florida Personal Injury Case?
Some personal injury claims in Florida are based on intentional torts or strict liability. However, the majority arise due to negligence, meaning someone’s carelessness caused an injury.
As the injury victim, you have the burden of proving that the other party was negligent, which entails demonstrating the following elements:
- They owed you a legal duty of care, such as a duty to drive safely and follow state traffic laws.
- They breached that duty by failing to act with reasonable care, like by running a stop sign.
- The breach directly caused the accident and injury. In other words, you wouldn’t have been injured had they not run the stop sign.
- You suffered damages, such as medical bills, car damage, and lost wages.
You prove these elements by offering relevant evidence, such as:
- Eyewitness statements
- Accident reports
- Medical records
- Physical evidence from the accident
- Surveillance footage
- Photos and videos
- Expert witness opinions and testimony
A qualified attorney can help you prove negligence, thus establishing the at-fault party’s liability for your damages.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Partially Responsible for an Accident in Florida?
You may be able to receive compensation from another at-fault party even if you share some responsibility. The state of Florida implements a modified comparative fault rule that bars financial recovery if your share of blame exceeds 50%.
So, if you are found to be more than 50% responsible for the accident, you cannot recover compensation. However, if your portion of fault is 50% or less, you can receive damages that are reduced proportionately.
For example, a jury finds that you’re 40% to blame for an auto accident. The defendant would only be accountable for 60% of your damages.
Victim blaming is a common tactic insurance companies use to reduce their financial obligation. If you’re being blamed for an accident, seek legal help from an experienced Florida injury lawyer. An attorney will ensure that you don’t take on unfair blame. They’ll protect your right to a fair personal injury settlement that fully compensates you.
Common Injuries Suffered By Florida Personal Injury Victims
Every accident is different, as are the injuries sustained by each victim.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped people recover compensation after suffering:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fractured and broken bones
- Back injuries
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
- Amputations
- Nerve damage
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Burns
- Chest injuries
- Injuries to the face and teeth
- Catastrophic injuries
Let us handle the legal issues while you focus on your well-being. Call us today for immediate assistance.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Florida?
It won’t cost you anything upfront to hire our Florida injury attorneys. We take cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you only owe attorney’s fees if we reach a favorable resolution in your case.
Our legal fees will be deducted from the settlement or court award we win on your behalf. Our share is typically between 33-40%, but we’ll discuss the specifics during your free consultation.
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida?
Florida personal injury lawsuits are subject to a deadline, known as the statute of limitations. For most negligence-based cases, you’ll have two years from the accident date to file. For wrongful death cases, the time starts on the victim’s date of death.
However, other cases may provide more or less time to take legal action against the at-fault party. That’s why it’s essential that you speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Florida as soon as possible. That way, you’ll preserve your legal right to compensation.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Experienced Florida Personal Injury Lawyers
If you’ve suffered a personal injury in Florida, you don’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. The skilled legal team at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers is here to assist.
We’ll handle your insurance claim from start to finish, allowing you time to rest and recuperate. Contact our Florida law office for a free initial consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.
