Top Things to Know Before Filing Personal Injury Lawsuit in Orlando
If you have never been injured in an accident before, you may have no idea what to expect when filing an Orlando personal injury lawsuit. Being new to the process can even leave you with more questions than answers, making choosing the right attorney for your case most important. While it’s difficult to predict all the factors that might arise when pursuing compensation, most accident victims encounter a few common issues.
Florida Personal Injury Law Requires Proof of Negligence
The majority of personal injury lawsuits in Orlando and throughout Florida require proof of negligence. Whether you suffered a slip and fall at a theme park or were hit by another driver illegally turning left, you have to show more than just the injuries you’ve suffered. The law requires you to prove the defendant was negligent and their carelessness caused you harm, which has left you with damages. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, there could be more than one responsible party involved. This makes building a solid case based on evidence crucial to your success in obtaining compensation.
Florida has a Time Limit for Filing Personal Injury Suits
Currently, State Statutes only allow you four years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury suit for your Orlando area accident. This means you should be seeking a seasoned attorney’s services as soon as possible. While this sounds like a long time, there are exceptions to this deadline.
If a government worker caused your accident, this timeframe gets shortened to three years or sooner. Wrongful death claims are only given two years to file a personal injury suit against the negligent party. There are instances where you may have an extended filing period, but this usually involves your being unaware or unable to know the source of your injury or the party responsible for causing it.
Speak with an Orlando Attorney Before Settling with the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters and representatives are very convincing when you first call to report your accident. They apologize for the harm their policyholder caused you and offer to follow up to check and see how you are doing. This is all an act, and you should never believe that these companies are concerned about your well-being. Insurers make money by not paying out claims and focusing on collecting premiums, so when someone calls with an injury demand, they need to minimize the payout.
Sending an early settlement offer knowing the injured victim is struggling financially, emotionally, and physically is a common tactic they use. You shouldn’t discuss, sign, or agree to any offer until you have an experienced Orlando personal injury attorney review it. These are typically low-ball figures being sent to you and rarely include substantial damages like pain and suffering, diminished work capacity, or mental anguish.
Choose an Orlando Accident Attorney that Uses Contingency Fees
Your financial situation has probably gone into a tailspin after being hurt by a negligent driver. The majority of Orlando’s personal injury attorneys will take your case on a contingency fee basis for this exact reason. This means you won’t pay a cent unless they get paid, and typically you’ll agree to give them a percentage of your award verdict or negotiated settlement. By working with a firm that offers this fee schedule, you can rest easy knowing that they are highly motivated to get the most out of your claim.
Trust an Experienced Osceola County Car Accident Attorney to Represent Your Claim
Jordan Law has represented individuals and their families whose lives were changed after a serious auto accident in the Orlando, FL, area. As your legal counsel, we always make ourselves available to discuss your case and answer any questions or concerns you might have. Trust us to help you recover costly damages, including:
Medical bills (current and future)
Transportation to medical appointments for your injuries
Lost wages
Disfigurement
Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium
Diminished work capacity
Permanent or Temporary disablement
Wrongful death
Loss of enjoyment of life
And more
If you’re unsure what insurance coverage will apply to your motor vehicle accident, the best thing to do is reach out to a skilled personal injury firm like Jordan Law to find out. We’ll perform a full investigation and assess what coverages the at-fault driver and your own policy provide for your injuries and related damages. So contact us today to schedule an initial consultation and learn more about what options you have for pursuing compensation in uninsured/underinsured accident situations.