Personal injury law in the state of Florida can be complex. If you are facing a situation that requires representation from the best personal injury attorney, it is imperative that you make right choice for you. This means choosing an attorney with experience in both negotiation and litigation, as well as someone who understands the specific details of the case. Your choice of lawyer can mean the difference between a minimal payment or a life-sustaining settlement.
Personal injury law can include car accident claims, workers compensation cases, medical malpractice situations or product liability cases. The common denominator of personal injury claims is that they are typically the result of someone’s careless behavior or misconduct, known as negligence. Claims filed generally involve monetary compensation for mental and physical pain and suffering, as well as recognizing any quality of life issues. A competent personal injury attorney will fight not just for compensation for the injury’s current impact, but to cover you for any future impact – such as an inability to continue in your career.
What to Ask Your Personal Injury Attorney
- What does a personal injury case consist of? A personal injury case typically involves a plaintiff who has suffered a serious mental or physical injury which was a direct result of negligence on the part of the defendant named in the claim or suit. The defendant is often the insurance company representing the individual being accused of negligence.
- What are my options? Most personal injury cases are settled with arbitration, meaning that your attorney will negotiate on your behalf with the insurance companies and the offending party. A qualified attorney will have a strong understanding of precedent in your type of claim; that is, they will recognize a good offer from the insurance company – or an insufficient one. This is why it is important to have an attorney on your side when deciding upon your settlement. The insurance company will attempt to get off without making a top dollar payout, but your attorney will understand what is acceptable, and what is not. If your attorney cannot negotiate a settlement which fairly represents your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future loss of income, he or she may decide to proceed with a lawsuit.
- What is the statute of limitations on my case? The Florida statute of limitations will determine how much time you have to file a claim or begin a lawsuit. These time periods give a plaintiff time to decide if they wish to pursue legal action, typically 2-5 years or more. However, you do not want to delay if you are considering this course of action. Your personal injury attorney may need time to prepare before a filing. Also, the further you get from the incident, the harder it is to collect accurate and comprehensive evidence of the incident and your injury. One situation where you may wait to contact an attorney may be if you do not think you were injured in the accident; but as time goes on, medical issues surface. Still, it is best to get thoroughly checked out and contact an attorney as soon as possible should you suffer an accident involving someone else’s negligence.
If you have been injured in a car accident, were injured in a slip and fall, or were injured due to the negligence of a physician, call Probinsky & Cole today . We just may be the best personal injury attorney law firm to help you sort through the details and lend our expertise towards getting you the settlement you deserve.