How to Prepare for a Personal Injury Claim in Florida

Personal injuries can be severe. They can keep you from returning to work for years, so you shouldn’t sit idle while you recover. Instead, you want to file a claim for damages, and this article will point you in the right direction.

Here’s our comprehensive guide on how to prepare for a personal injury claim in Florida.

1. Document the accident

If it’s not too late, try to collect as much evidence as possible from the scene. This includes taking photos and videos to help prove your personal injury.

Moreover, the incident might not have affected just you. Your car or any other piece of personal property might be damaged too. Documenting the extent of that damage can help you make a stronger case.

2. Get in touch with a lawyer

The last thing you want is to handle your claim yourself. Chances are, you’re unfamiliar with the intricacies of the Florida legal process. You could do your own research, but by the time you’re done, the window for starting your litigation will have already passed.

Don’t take a gamble. Reach out to a reliable personal injury lawyer in Florida to breeze through the process.

When looking for an attorney, consider these factors to improve the odds of partnering with the right professional:

• Are they experienced? The more experienced your lawyer, the more they know about personal injury claims in Florida. Novice attorneys are usually more affordable, but in all likelihood, they can’t provide the same quality of service as their seasoned colleagues. Look for an attorney who’s been in the game for at least five to 10 years.
• How do they charge? Another essential detail you should take into account is your attorney’s legal fees for personal injury cases. In general, lawyers charge a flat rate, by the hour, or have a contingency scheme. The final option means the attorney receives a portion of the damages you recover at the end of the trial.
• Are they successful? Boisterous claims about winning 90% of cases are often disingenuous, to say the least. However, this doesn’t mean you should hire just any lawyer. Find one with a solid winning percentage.
• How do they address you? A phone call is usually all it takes to test an attorney’s willingness to help you. For example, if they’re friendly and go to great lengths to get to the bottom of your situation, they’ll probably dig deep to ensure a successful claim. By contrast, you should stay away from impolite professionals who only conduct a superficial investigation.

3. Consult your attorney

You’ve found a licensed professional with impressive credentials, but don’t stop there. Now you need to consult them to prepare for your Florida action as thoroughly as possible. Make the most of the time available to reduce the guesswork and uncertainty associated with these trials.

Attorneys can provide you with a bunch of useful information. For instance, they can tell you the approximate number of meetings you’ll need to arrange with them before the beginning of the trial. They can also approximate how much you’ll pay them if they operate under a contingency-based or hourly system.

Additionally, your lawyer should list the documents they’ll need to submit on your behalf. For example, the plaintiffs in a personal injury case in Florida are typically required to hand in this claim for damage, injury, or death form. Section 10 of this paper is the brass tacks, as this is where you describe the nature of your bodily harm.

4. Seek medical care

There are two reasons you should seek urgent medical attention, even if your injury isn’t severe. First, the sooner you go to a doctor, the faster you’ll recover. Any damage to your internal organs will be less likely to worsen, allowing you to avoid long-term consequences and putting you in better shape for the trial.

Secondly, prompt medical care is paramount from a legal standpoint. Think about it – what will the defendant conclude if you delay your trip to the doctor? Even worse, how will the judge and jury feel about it? That’s right. They’ll believe your injury isn’t as serious as you and your lawyers claim. As such, you’ll be less likely to prevail in your trial, and if you do, you may not receive the compensation you were hoping for.

Hence, don’t postpone your examination and therapy. Find a reliable Florida practitioner and get your recovery underway.

5. Keep collecting relevant documents

The more relevant papers you collect, the stronger case you can build. You should complement any pictures or videos you took at the scene with medical records that describe the nature of your injury and the associated discomfort. Make sure your practitioner signs it and the health institution has authorized you to use the paper in court.

Other than that, you may also request an accident report from the police. It’s especially useful if you’ve suffered a traffic accident.

6. Send your demand letter and ask for settlement

The demand letter officially requests the defendant to pay damages. It normally lists the evidence you have against them to make your case more compelling. Also, the paper specifies the amount of money you wish to receive as compensation.

If your lawyer puts together a robust claim and effective letter, the defendant may agree to a settlement. In other words, they may pay the requested figure or try to negotiate a slightly lower deal to avoid going to trial.

Alternatively, they could refuse the settlement, thinking they have a better case. If so, you may need to undergo Florida’s pretrial discovery process, where both parties gain access to the evidence of the opposing party. If the defendant denies the settlement after this, the next step is to go to trial.

It’s a bumpy road, but it can be less bumpy with a dependable lawyer by your side

Personal injury trials in Florida can be stressful, but a seasoned attorney is your light at the end of the tunnel. By contacting them immediately after your accident, you drastically improve your chances of winning. They’ll provide timely advice that can be the ace up your sleeve during the trial.