Personal injuries can occur as a result of motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle accidents and accidents involving trucks and trailers.  Boating accidents, bicycle accidents, trip/slip & fall accidents, dog bites, injuries caused by defective products or premises, and any injuries caused by the actions or negligence of others.  Wrongful or accidental deaths may give rise to claims for damages to the survivors that are considered personal injuries.

Personal injury lawyers handle cases on a contingency fee basis.  That means the attorney gets paid a percentage of the amount recovered for the client, and if there is no recovery there is no fee.  For this reason anyone can afford to hire an attorney for a personal injury case.

Once the full extent of your injuries has been determined, the cost of your medical treatment has been established and your future medical and/or vocational needs are properly evaluated we can prepare a demand for settlement.  The demand seeks compensation for your actual medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other damages caused by the defendant.  Most personal injury cases can be settled, but sometimes the filing of a lawsuit is required to ensure full recovery for our clients.  Filing a lawsuit complicates matters and may increase the costs involved and the time it takes to resolve the case, so the decision to file a lawsuit is always given careful consideration, and as our client you will always be involved in important decisions about your case.

The party or parties responsible for your injuries are responsible for compensating you for your losses.  Your losses may include damage to your vehicle or other property, medical expenses, lost wages, pain & suffering, and other expenses you may have incurred as a result of your injuries.  Most responsible drivers have purchased liability insurance to pay these kinds of claims, but liability insurance may be purchased in varying amounts of coverage, and limitations on liability insurance coverage may prevent you from receiving adequate compensation for their losses.  It is therefore advisable to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance (UM).  Your UM will pay you if the party at fault does not have enough liability insurance coverage to pay the full value of your claim.  UM insurance can also be purchased in varying amounts of coverage.

Every driver in the state of Florida is required to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, also known as “no fault” insurance.  Your PIP pays for injuries you sustain arising out of the use of your automobile regardless of who is at fault. However, under current law you must see a doctor within 14 days or no PIP will be payable.  PIP usually pays 80% of your first $10,000 worth of medical expenses, directly to the medical providers.  If available, PIP may also pay a portion of your lost wages. Recent law changes may limit the PIP benefit to $2,500 unless a doctor confirms that the injured person has an emergency medical condition.