If you have been injured due to an accident or even due to someone else’s negligence in St. Petersburg, then you might think about filing a personal injury claim. Whether it was an automobile accident, slip and fall, or another type of incident, knowing the process and what to expect can truly make all the difference in your case. Here are 10 essential things you should know before you file a personal injury claim in St. Petersburg, Florida.
1. Act Quickly – Time Limits Are Strict
There exists a statute of limitations on personal injury claims in Florida. This would mean that real-time to file your suit would be limited to four years from the day of a car accident, for example. Thus, should you not do so within that time, chances are you shall lose in court where your case could stand a good chance of being dismissed entirely. You would thereby lose your just claim to requesting compensation. You should, therefore, seek an attorney practicing personal injury litigation soon so you don’t waste time while losing your rightful compensation.
2. Florida Follows Comparative Negligence
Florida follows the rule of comparative negligence. This means that even if you have some percentage of fault in causing the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a car accident happens, and you are 20% responsible for that accident, your settlement will be reduced by 20%. That is why knowing this principle well is important before deciding whether or not to make a claim.
3. Document Everything
Proper documentation is among the most critical considerations in any personal injury case. From medical reports to pictures of the accident site, details matter. Be sure to make a record of all your medical treatments, prescriptions, bills, and other correspondence with insurance companies. These records will come in handy when meeting with a lawyer, insurance adjuster, or in court.
4. Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
They will not give you a fair compensation. They like to pay just the minimum that they can offer. Insurance adjusters will take every step not to give them the maximum level of compensation you deserve. In this case, you should be looking for a lawyer before talking with the insurer first. A st petersburg personal injury lawyer would protect your rights and fight on your behalf.
5. You May Be Entitled to More Than Just Medical Bills
Medical costs are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you hear about a personal injury claim, but damages can come in many shapes and forms: lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical costs, to name a few. If your injury is going to last for a long time, you will probably be able to claim future care or continuing treatment. An experienced personal injury attorney can spot all the potential damages you might claim.
6. Don’t Settle Too Quickly
The usual oversight committed by the layperson in personal injury cases is settling too soon. As the medical bills pile on, the victim usually wants to close the case and get on with life. This may lead to a low payout though in case your injuries are worse than initially thought. It’s wise to wait until you’ve fully recovered or your doctor has determined the long-term effects of the injury before accepting a settlement offer.
7. Consulting with a Lawyer Can Make a Huge Difference
A lawyer can make all the difference. Personal injury law can be very complicated. Small mistakes during the process of making a claim can be a hindrance to the potential of your claim. An experienced personal injury lawyer at St. Petersburg can help walk you through each step of this process while keeping deadlines met and your rights protected in pursuit of getting compensation that you may deserve.
8. You Don’t Pay Unless You Win
Most st petersburg personal injury attorney work on a contingency fee basis. This simply means you pay your lawyer only if you win your case. This allows you to hire the services of a lawyer without an upfront cost. The percentage that your lawyer will charge is usually from the settlement or award received. This fee agreement makes sure that your lawyer will always be on your side because they are going to gain by collecting as much money as they can collect for you.
9. Settlement Offers Can Be Negotiated
Oftentimes, a settlement offer from an insurance company usually presents itself, but the beauty is that settlement offers are also negotiable, though the figures provided most times during the very initial negotiations are generally very low-ball-type situations and are geared for speedy acceptance. A legal practitioner can successfully contest such offer, thus convincing them to award one more adequate reimbursement.
10. Filing a Personal Injury Claim Can Lead to Compensation and Justice
Filing a personal injury claim is not only a means of receiving compensation but also a way of seeking justice. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, then a personal injury claim holds them accountable for their actions. It can also prevent similar incidents from happening to others in the future.
A claim thus is presented, in the event of injury sustained, to court with significant attention to minute detail in St. Petersburg. In the first instance, medical evidence of injury that may take less time can help boost the validity and strength of the claims by having an effective injury lawyer help receive justly commensurate benefits. If one experiences an injury, he/she shouldn’t fail to consult with an attorney endorsed, who can have a background history of solving or dealing with injuries in the legal courts at St. Petersburg.