Personal Injury Lawyers in St. Lucie County

If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else, knowing what to do – and what not to do – immediately following your injury can make all the difference in your case. The personal injury attorneys at the Grall Law Group, PA, go over key aspects of filing a personal injury claim in Florida, including mistakes you should avoid and what to do if you get a call from an insurance adjuster.

Our attorneys are here to answer your questions about your personal injury case. Call 772-569-0000 and ask for a free consultation.

How Do I Know if I Have a Case and How Much It May Be Worth?

In general, the standard to determine if an individual has a valid personal injury case is whether another party’s negligence or carelessness caused the individual to get injured and sustain damages. For example, if an individual purchases an inflatable bounce house and their child ends up getting injured after using the bounce house in a manner not intended by the manufacturer, that individual may not have a strong case against the manufacturer.

However, if the bounce house was truly defective and the individual can prove that the defects led to their child getting injured, they may have a viable product liability claim.

Each case is unique, and it may not always be easy to determine if a person has a valid personal injury claim following an accident. This is why it is so important to contact a personal injury attorney right away – your attorney can determine whether you have a valid case and can also recommend the best course of action.

How Can Pre-existing Conditions Affect a Personal Injury Case?

If you have a pre-existing condition (such as an old injury, for example) and have suffered an accident that made your condition worse, you may still be able to recover compensation for the current damages the accident has caused. For example, suppose you were shopping at a major retail store and fell. You had a previous injury on your hip that required hip replacement surgery, but now you will need additional surgery to repair the damage resulting from your fall.

In this case, you may not be able to seek compensation for your original injury and surgery, but since the accident worsened your situation, you may be able to recover money for the additional surgeries, medical expenses, and worsened pain caused by the new injury.

It is worth mentioning that if you are filing an insurance claim, it is best to be prepared to thoroughly document your damages and prove your case, as the insurance company may try to use your pre-existing condition as a way to reduce your claim value or deny it altogether. If you have a pre-existing condition that was made worse after a personal injury accident, it is best to contact an attorney to discuss your case.

What Should I Do if I Get a Call From the Insurance Company Asking for a Recorded Statement?

If you filed an insurance claim, you may receive a phone call from an insurance adjuster or from an employee asking you to provide a recorded statement about your accident. Even if they sound friendly and compassionate when talking to you, it is crucial for you to remember that they are working for the insurance company and are not actually on your side.

Interviewing claimants or getting them to provide recorded statements is one of many tactics insurance companies use to protect their profits. They may act as if they care about your case only to make you comfortable enough to speak to them and say something that can be later taken out of context and used as an admission of liability. The more at fault they can make you appear to be, the less money they will have to pay you – if any. For that reason, be very careful when speaking to the insurance company, and if possible, defer all communications to your attorney.

What Mistakes Should I Avoid When Filing a Personal Injury Claim?

Besides speaking openly to insurance adjusters, there are several other seemingly minor mistakes that can deeply impact the success of your claim. Two of these common mistakes include apologizing at the scene of the accident and posting on social media after your accident.

For instance, suppose you were involved in a car accident with another driver. At the scene of the crash, you come out of your vehicle to check if anyone else is injured and accidentally say you are sorry to the other driver or to the police officer dispatched to the crash.

While you may have been just trying to be polite or were just distraught by the whole situation, saying that you are sorry may later count against you, as the other driver’s insurance company may understand it as an admission of guilt.

Likewise, be careful about what you post on social media after filing a personal injury claim. For example, if you filed a claim for a broken leg after a slip-and-fall incident but then post a picture of yourself rock climbing with friends, the insurance company may find that picture and use it to claim that your injuries are not as severe as you are claiming – regardless of whether the picture you posted is a memory from several years ago.

You will also want to refrain from posting about the accident or discussing it with friends until your case reaches a settlement. By being cautious, you are maximizing your chances of a successful claim.

Why Should I Hire an Attorney for My Case if I Don’t Plan to Go to Trial?

Many injured individuals hesitate to hire an attorney because they are unsure of whether they can afford one or simply do not see the point in working with an attorney when they are not planning to take their case to the courtroom. The reality is that a skilled personal injury attorney can do a lot more for you than just representing you in trial.

In fact, the majority of personal injury claims are settled without a trial. Your attorney plays a key role in helping you build your case by investigating the accident, gathering evidence, recruiting the help of expert witnesses, and handling insurance phone calls on your behalf – and that is not all. Your attorney can handle all aspects of your case for you from beginning to end. Most personal injury attorneys require no upfront payments, and you will only need to pay your attorney after your case is won and your settlement is paid.

The legal team at the Grall Law Group, PA, represents injured clients in St. Lucie County and all across South Florida. Contact us at 772-569-0000 to request a free consultation to discuss your case.