Northwood Village, West Palm Beach, FL Personal Injury Lawyer

Accidents happen every day, and when they do, they can leave people dealing with physical pain, stress, and financial hardship. Car accidents, falls or other unexpected events often come with a long, difficult road to recovery as well. When someone else is at fault for what occurred, a personal injury lawyer can help victims secure the compensation they need and deserve.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury cases take on many forms, but there are some that are more common than others. Typical accidents that often result in personal injury cases include the following:

Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the most common reasons people hire personal injury lawyers. These accidents can vary wildly in their severity and may lead to minor injuries like cuts and bruises, or more severe injuries like broken bones and head trauma. Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, though. This means that after an accident, each individual involved can expect their insurance to cover their medical costs.

However, no-fault insurance doesn’t always provide enough coverage, especially for severe, long-term injuries. That’s where a personal injury lawyer can step in. They can help injured individuals file claims against the at-fault driver to recover additional compensation. This can help cover the medical expenses, pain and suffering and other losses incurred from the accident.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, even if we tend to be very careful. Grocery stores, sidewalks or even the workplace can present situations that lead to slips and falls. Incidents like these can result in fractures, sprains, concussions or far worse. Because property owners are expected to keep their premises safe, failure to do so may lead to them being held liable for any injuries that occurred on the property.

Working with a personal injury lawyer in these circumstances helps prove that the property owner’s negligence caused the accident. These individuals work to gather evidence, such as witness statements, security footage or maintenance records. From there, they build a case that shows the dangerous conditions were either poorly addressed or ignored entirely.

Workplace Injuries

Many jobs come with some level of risk, and injuries can happen in even the most easy-going workplace. In practically any setting, workers can suffer injuries from heavy machinery, repetitive strain and much more. Workers’ compensation usually covers these injuries, as the program is intended to help pay for medical expenses and lost wages.

Even though workers’ compensation provides benefits, these can sometimes be limited or denied. A personal injury lawyer can help injured workers appeal denied claims or explore other options. This may include suing a third-party responsible for the injury. For example, if a malfunctioning piece of equipment cuts an employee’s hand, the manufacturer may be determined responsible.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional provides substandard care that harms the patient. This can include mistakes like incorrect diagnoses, surgical errors or prescribing the wrong medication. Proving medical malpractice can be challenging because in order to do so, legal professionals have to demonstrate that the healthcare provider deviated from the accepted standard of care.

A lawyer with experience in medical malpractice cases can help injured patients gather medical records, consult with witnesses and build a case to prove that negligence occurred.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians and cyclists face significant risks when sharing the road with motor vehicles. Accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists often result in serious injuries. Some examples include broken bones, spinal injuries or head trauma. Because cyclists and pedestrians have very little protection compared to drivers, they’re usually the more injured party when these accidents take place.

When drivers fail to yield or become distracted, they can be liable for the injuries caused. A personal injury lawyer can investigate the details of the accident, gather the evidence needed and help the victim seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance.

Dog Bites

Dog bites can cause serious harm, including cuts, infections and emotional trauma. Like many states, Florida has a strict liability law for dog owners. This means that owners are responsible for any injuries their dog causes, regardless of what the dog’s history has been like up to that point in time.

A lawyer can assist dog bite victims by filing a claim against the dog owner or their insurance provider. This can help the victim cover the cost of medical care, supplement lost wages and ease their pain and suffering.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Benefits Victims

It can be incredibly challenging, if not impossible, to make sense of the legal system alone, especially when dealing with the pain and uncertainty that follows a personal injury. As such, working with an attorney can be helpful beyond measure. Having a skilled legal professional on your side presents the following benefits.

Understanding of the Legal Procedures

Personal injury cases are not always straightforward, especially for people with complex injuries. From completing and filing paperwork to meeting various deadlines, the steps involved in processing these cases can get overwhelming quickly. A personal injury lawyer will guide their client through these procedures, making sure nothing is missed.

Proving Fault

One of the most challenging aspects of a personal injury case is proving that the other party was at fault. This requires gathering evidence like medical records, police reports or eyewitness testimonies, then presenting them in a coherent fashion. A lawyer knows how to collect, organize and present this information in a way that strengthens the case.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Dealing with insurance companies alone can lead to receiving insufficient payouts, being that these companies often low-ball personal Injury victims. They may pressure individuals to accept settlements as quickly as possible, even if the offer is far less than what the case is worth. A personal injury lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on behalf of the victim, and make sure that they get a fair settlement based on the nature of their injuries and losses.

Going to Court

Most personal injury cases never see the inside of a courtroom, as they usually settle beforehand. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, the case may need to go to trial. In this situation, a lawyer will prepare your case for court, present all the information collected, and argue on your behalf.

No Upfront Costs

Personal Injury lawyers tend to understand the financial strain that comes with personal injury cases. As such, they often work on a contingency basis, which means that they only get paid if they win their client’s case. In addition, some even offer free consultation services so that they can review options with their clients. These perks allow victims to pursue their case without having to worry about upfront legal fees.

Have an Experienced Lawyer on Your Side

A personal injury lawyer goes beyond representing clients in court. They help level the playing field against powerful insurance companies and work to secure the compensation needed for recovery. Having an experienced lawyer on your side can make a world of difference, so if you’ve been injured in an accident, reach out to Kogan & DiSalvo and book a free consultation with our office.