Melbourne Personal Injury Lawyer

Most personal injury cases arise from negligence. However, you may have a case if someone else’s intentional wrongdoing injured you. A case may also arise due to strict liability, such as in cases involving dog bites. Strict liability allows you to recover compensation without proving the defendant was negligent.

Whether you were injured intentionally through road rage or accidentally through a failure to maintain safe premises, you may be entitled to compensation. Consult a lawyer to gain clarity on whether you have an injury case.

In the chaos and aftermath of an accident, knowing what to do can help protect your rights.

Take the following steps:

• Call law enforcement and report what happened
• Get prompt medical attention
• Exchange contact and applicable insurance information
• Take pictures and videos of the accident scene and visible injuries
• Gather statements and information from witnesses
• Document what occurred
• Notify the insurance company
• Speak to a personal injury lawyer

Do not admit fault at the scene or when speaking to the insurance company. Doing so can adversely affect a subsequent claim.

Florida is a modified comparative negligence state. This allows you to still get compensation even if you are partially at fault for the accident. However, you cannot recover if you are more than 50% responsible for your injuries.

If you are less than 51% to blame, your damages will be reduced in proportion. If you are found to be partially responsible, it can significantly impact the amount you receive.

An attorney can work to combat unfair allegations of comparative fault. Doing so can help you get fair compensation for your injuries.

Most cases do not make it to the trial stage. They are often resolved through negotiations with the insurance company. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your case may need to go to court. This may happen if the insurance company undervalues your claim or denies it entirely.

You should avoid settling for less than your case is worth. Sometimes, a willingness to go to trial can help improve negotiations and subsequent offers to settle. Retaining an attorney that has a strategy and is willing to litigate when necessary is essential.

The timeline for personal injury cases in Florida differ depending on the specific facts.

The following may affect how long your case will take:

• The severity of your injuries
• The medical treatment you require
• Your financial losses
• The complexity of the issues (e.g., a medical malpractice case can be complicated)
• The strength of the evidence supporting your arguments
• Whether your case settles or goes through litigation

It may take you significant time to reach maximum medical improvement after suffering injuries. The extent of your losses may not be immediately apparent. You should always talk to a lawyer before agreeing to a settlement.

A free case review is your first step toward understanding your legal options after an accident. During this consultation, we will ask you questions pertaining to your accident to help us get a better understanding of what happened and how we can help you.

During your consultation, we may ask you questions such as the following:

• When and where did your accident take place?
• Were there any witnesses?
• What injuries did you sustain?
• Did you take any photos of the scene?
• Did you seek medical treatment?
• What kinds of injuries did you sustain?
• How have your injuries affected your life?

These questions help us understand what happened, the extent of your injuries, and how we can help you.

We will also be able to answer any questions you have for us, such as: 

• Do I have a personal injury case?
• What experience does your firm have with cases like mine?
• What types of damages can I seek?
• How will I be updated throughout my case?
• What hopes and goals do you have for my case?

Let us put your mind at ease after an accident.