Boca Raton Personal Injury FAQ

Accidents can happen suddenly, leaving victims confused and overwhelmed by physical, emotional, and financial problems. Dealing with long-lasting consequences can be difficult, especially when someone else’s negligent actions caused your injuries. Knowing your rights to compensation and how to proceed legally can help you move forward with your life. 

Many variables can cause your claim to be dismissed, so you should always exercise caution when handling legal matters. Our attorneys at Dyson Law, PLLC have answered the most commonly asked questions regarding personal injury claims in Boca Raton, so you can stay informed and take the best path towards a fair settlement. 

What is a personal injury claim?

A personal injury claim is, by definition, a legal action brought by an individual that was damaged due to the negligence or malicious conduct of another person, entity, or business. In this scenario, negligence refers to a failure to exercise reasonable care, while wrongful conduct usually refers to an intention to cause harm or willfully ignore common sense. 

You can take legal action in a wide range of situations; Common examples of personal injury claims involve car accidents, defective products, slip-and-fall, and medical malpractice. If your loved one has passed away, you also have the option to proceed with a wrongful death claim, which typically results in a bigger settlement due to the additional damages to consider. 

What damages can I pursue?

In Boca Raton personal injury cases, plaintiffs can be awarded two types of damages: economic and non-economic. The first refers to all damages that can be assigned a specific value, like medical expenses, property damage, repair or replacement costs, lost wages due to inability to work, and so on. Keeping all receipts and documentation can make this factor easier to calculate. 

The latter refers to non-quantifiable damages, like your pain and suffering. If your case involves a wrongful death, it’s also possible to receive compensation for loss of consortium and emotional anguish. In particular, in cases where the at-fault party’s conduct was particularly egregious, you have the possibility of being awarded punitive damages. 

Can I still be compensated if I’m partly responsible?

In Florida, even if you’re considered partly at fault, you can still pursue compensation under the pure comparative negligence rule. Your settlement will be reduced depending on the percentage of fault assigned to your actions, so even if you’re considered 90 percent at fault for what happened, you could still file a claim and obtain compensation for the remaining 10 percent. 

How long do I have to file my personal injury claim?

To avoid losing your rights to compensation, you must take legal action as soon as possible. All legal matters are subject to a statute of limitations, which is four years from the date of the accident in Boca Raton. It’s recommended to speak with a personal injury attorney to understand how this applies to your case, as certain elements can alter this deadline.

Can I trust the insurance company?

There’s a chance insurance adjusters will reach out to offer you a settlement in the days following an accident that resulted in a personal injury. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be wise to let them handle your compensation, as they don’t operate in your best interests. Their objective is to protect the company’s profits, and compensating you would result in a loss. 

It’s also common for insurance companies to discourage you from seeking legal representation, often accusing lawyers of being useless in this situation and a waste of your time and money. This is because experienced attorneys have the knowledge necessary to notice if you’re getting lowballed. 

They’re the only professional figure that sees your priority as their objective and will negotiate accordingly. Always consult with a lawyer before accepting offers or making statements, as you never know how your financial situation could be affected. 

How long will my case take?

The amount of time needed to resolve a personal injury claim can vary greatly depending on the circumstances of your case. The extent of your injuries, the amount of evidence gathered, the number of parties involved, and the possibility of reaching an agreement will influence the length of this legal process. 

Get Answers from Your Boca Raton Injury Lawyer

No one deserves to deal with severe injuries and unexpected deaths, especially when caused by another’s mistakes. If you didn’t find the answer you were looking for, you can discuss the specifics of your case with our reputable team of injury lawyers, who will do everything in their power to provide you with the maximum amount of compensation.

Dyson Law, PLLC, is a firm that puts a strong emphasis on the client’s well-being. We also offer free consultations, all you need to do to connect with us is call 561-498-9979 or fill out the contact form on our website.