Personal Injury Lawyers in Indian River County

Getting injured at home, at work, or out in public is simply a risk we all have to deal with every day. While most of us can walk away with just a few bruises, some injuries often prove to be serious and even catastrophic, leaving a person unable to work or engage in their normal daily activities.

Some injuries are unfortunate accidents, while others are the direct result of someone else’s reckless or negligent actions. The latter can be considered a personal injury case, and the injured victim may have a case against the negligent party who caused the accident. The attorneys at the Grall Law Group, PA, explain how personal injury cases work in Florida and the steps you can take to recover maximum compensation for your injuries. For advice concerning your specific case, call the Grall Law Group, PA, at 772-569-0000.

How Is Liability Determined in a Personal Injury Case?

Determining liability for a personal injury case is a vital step in establishing financial responsibility for a victim’s damages. The process of determining liability varies depending on the type and circumstances of the accident and injury. Still, in general, it requires collecting sufficient evidence to document the causes of the accident and the resulting injuries and damages.

For example, suppose an individual was hit by a drunk driver and ended up in the hospital with multiple injuries. Gathering evidence from the scene of the accident – including videos, pictures, and the contact information of any witnesses – may all be helpful in determining that the impaired driver caused the crash that led to the other person getting hurt. Additional evidence, such as police reports and medical records, can also be helpful in documenting the victim’s injuries and other damages.

A personal injury attorney can play an important role in helping a personal injury victim prove that the other party’s negligent actions were the cause of their damages.

What Kind of Damages May Be Available to a Personal Injury Victim?

If successful in filing a claim, a personal injury victim may be able to recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are tangible financial losses directly resulting from the accident. Common examples of economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, loss of future income, and property damage.

An accident can cause a lot more damages that go beyond financial losses. Certain types of serious accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes or even dog bites, can not only cause physical scars but also emotional scars that can affect a victim for years to come.

For that reason, non-economic damages are meant to compensate the victim for the more subjective impact of a personal injury, including the pain and suffering caused by the injury itself, as well as the trauma and emotional distress caused by the accident, the injury, and the recovery process. Examples of non-economic damages include pain, suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In certain cases where gross negligence is involved, a judge may also require a defendant to pay punitive damages in addition to standard damages. Punitive damages are meant to serve as a way of punishing the defendant for their behavior and discouraging similar behavior from happening again in the future. However, not every personal injury case qualifies for punitive damages. Be sure to consult your attorney to understand the kinds of damages that may be available for your particular case.

Is There a Time Limit to Take Legal Action After a Personal Injury Claim?

Personal injury cases are a category of civil cases and thus are subject to a law that defines how much time a person can wait before taking legal action to seek compensation for their damages. This law is called a statute of limitations, and it imposes a hard deadline for personal injury victims to file a claim or seek compensation through litigation.

In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years, counting from the date when the injury and accident occurred. In other words, once your accident takes place, the clock starts ticking, and you will have only two years to file a claim seeking compensation. If you wait too long and miss the two-year deadline, you may be barred from recovering any compensation because you allowed the statute of limitation to expire on your claim.

Even though two years may seem like a long time, it is rarely a good idea to wait that long because the longer you wait, the more challenging it is to recover the necessary evidence to support your case. For that reason, it is imperative that you seek legal help as soon as possible and contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Do All Personal Injury Cases Go to Trial?

Many injured people may hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney for their case because they do not believe their case will go to a courtroom trial. In reality, the vast majority of personal injury cases are settled outside of the courtroom. Many cases, such as motor vehicle accidents, require negotiations with the auto insurance company representing the at-fault party. In general, insurance companies would rather avoid the expense and labor of going to court and may be willing to settle through negotiations rather than resort to litigation.

However, it is important to note that every case is unique. While many personal injury cases can be settled without a trial, some may only be resolved with the help of a judge in the traditional courtroom setting. While litigation requires more time and more labor, you are more likely to recover higher settlement amounts through litigation than through an insurance settlement. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence and believe you have a personal injury claim, talk to an attorney about your case in order to determine the best course of action.

Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer for My Case?

While you’re not required to have a personal injury attorney in order to file a personal injury claim in Florida, working with a skilled personal injury lawyer may help you maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries. Your attorney can handle several aspects of your case on your behalf, so all you have to focus on is healing and spending time with the ones who matter most to you.

The Florida personal injury attorneys at Grall Law Group, PA, have successfully represented countless injured victims in Indian River County and across Florida. We are here to help you assert your rights as a personal injury victim and to provide aggressive representation to maximize your chances of receiving full and fair compensation for your pain, suffering, and expenses resulting from your accident. To learn more, contact us at 772-569-0000 and request a free initial consultation to discuss your case.