Personal injuries in Florida can result from car crashes, slip and fall accidents, medical negligence, or dog bites. These unexpected events can leave you with physical injuries, emotional distress, and growing medical bills that threaten your financial stability.
While you may have the right to seek compensation for your losses, dealing with insurance companies can be intimidating. They often try to minimize or deny valid claims to protect their bottom line.
That’s why you should work closely with a legal professional. An experienced personal injury attorney at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers guides you through the legal process, gathers strong evidence, and negotiates with insurers on your behalf.
They can also establish the value of your losses and litigate to maximize your recovery. You can count on us to handle the legal aspects as you focus on recovery.
Personal Injury Key Takeaways
- Hire a Palm Beach, FL personal injury lawyer immediately after an accident, especially for severe injuries or disputed liability, to protect your right to compensation.
- To prove your claim, a personal injury lawyer can gather evidence like medical records, witness statements, and professional testimony showing negligence caused your injuries.
- A personal injury lawyer negotiates with insurers, handles legal filings, and represents you in court to maximize compensation.
- Most personal injury lawyers charge contingency fees, so you pay only if you win your case.
- Call a personal injury attorney for a fair and just settlement.
When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
You should hire a personal injury attorney immediately after an accident to protect your legal rights. While hiring a personal injury attorney after a crash is optional, they can enhance your chances of a positive outcome.
Here are a few reasons to hire a personal injury attorney:
Severe or Long-Term Injuries
You should hire a personal injury lawyer if your injuries are severe or expected to have lasting effects. Severe injuries often lead to high medical costs, extended recovery periods, and potential loss of income.
You’re likely to accept a low settlement offer that doesn’t cover your losses if you initiate a claim for severe injury without a legal professional.
Here are a few severe injuries that warrant hiring a personal injury attorney:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
- Severe burns
- Fractures or crush injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations or loss of limbs
- Severe scarring or disfigurement
A skilled Florida personal injury attorney can document the extent of your injuries and initiate a claim on your behalf. They can also work with medical professionals to pursue compensation for ongoing care, rehabilitation, and diminished quality of life.
Disputed Liability
You should also hire a personal injury attorney when the fault for an accident is unclear. Insurance companies may try to shift blame onto you to reduce or deny your compensation. Florida follows the shared liability rule, meaning your percentage of fault can lead to a lower settlement value.
If an insurer finds you more than 50 percent at fault, you may lose your right to recover.
A personal injury lawyer can gather evidence such as witness statements, accident reports, and surveillance footage, and works with professionals to prove who was truly responsible. Their support establishes liability accurately and protects your right to compensation.
Bad Faith Insurance Tactics
Insurance companies sometimes act in bad faith by delaying investigations, undervaluing your claim, or denying it without valid reasons. They may pressure you into quick, unfair settlements before you understand the full scope of your injuries.
A personal injury lawyer recognizes these tactics and knows how to counter them. They communicate directly with insurers, demand fair evaluations, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit for bad faith practices.
Incomplete or Denied Claims
If your personal injury claim is denied or returned with missing documentation, don’t assume that’s the end of your case. Many claims are rejected due to technical errors or incomplete information, not because they lack merit.
A personal injury attorney ensures your paperwork, evidence, and medical records are complete and submitted on time. They can appeal denied claims and negotiate persistently for the compensation you deserve.
Multiple Liable Parties
Some accidents involve more than one responsible party, including multi-vehicle crashes, construction accidents, or defective product cases. You need the help of a legal professional to determine each party’s degree of fault.
A personal injury lawyer serving West Palm Beach can identify all potential defendants and their insurance policies. They can initiate multiple claims to maximize your compensation and prevent gaps in coverage.
Wrongful Death
You should also speak to a personal injury attorney after losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence. These cases involve emotional and financial hardship, including loss of income, medical costs, and funeral expenses.
A compassionate personal injury attorney can help a surviving family member file a wrongful death claim. They can establish liability and seek damages for loss of companionship and emotional suffering.
Uninsured or Underinsured Negligent Party
You should also speak to a personal injury attorney if the person who caused your injuries doesn’t have insurance or holds a low coverage limit. A Florida personal injury lawyer can explore other legal options, such as filing a claim through your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or pursuing assets from the at-fault party.
They can also investigate whether other entities, such as employers or manufacturers, share liability. The support of a personal injury attorney ensures that you don’t miss alternative compensation sources.
How to Prove a Personal Injury Claim
Proving a personal injury claim requires compelling evidence demonstrating that the defendant's negligence or intentional actions caused your injuries. A skilled personal injury attorney can use multiple types of evidence to establish fault and liability.
Here are different types of evidence a personal injury lawyer can use to prove fault:
Medical Records and Documentation
Medical records provide objective proof of injuries sustained and treatment received. For example, a personal injury attorney can use diagnostic records to establish a direct connection between the incident and your medical condition.
Hospital reports, diagnostic tests, physician notes, and prescription records create an irrefutable timeline of your injuries. A personal injury lawyer can leverage medical evidence to demonstrate causation, showing the defendant's actions directly resulted in the documented harm.
Photographs and Video Evidence
You can use injury photographs and surveillance footage to illustrate the facts and circumstances of the incident. A personal injury lawyer can use these images to reconstruct what occurred and demonstrate hazardous conditions the defendant failed to address.
Video evidence may capture the actual incident, proving negligent behavior. The availability of visual evidence helps create a strong claim in court, leading to a positive outcome.
Witness Testimony
Eyewitness accounts provide firsthand perspectives on the circumstances of the incident and the defendant's conduct. A personal injury attorney can identify and interview witnesses who observed the accident, gathering statements supporting your version of events.
A witness testimony supports your claim, establishes credibility, and counters the defendant's arguments. A personal injury lawyer can present witness evidence to paint a clear picture of fault and negligence.
Police Reports
Police accident reports document official incident investigations, recording officer observations and preliminary fault determinations. A personal injury lawyer can use these official records to support negligence claims, as they represent impartial findings made after the incident, before disputes arose.
Expert Witness Testimony
Expert witnesses have specialized knowledge in areas like accident reconstruction, medicine, or engineering. A personal injury lawyer can retain professionals to analyze evidence objectively and provide professional opinions on causation and liability.
Professional testimony establishes how the defendant's actions violated safety standards or professional obligations. A Florida personal injury lawyer can use their reports to simplify technical information to juries while strengthening fault arguments.
Communication Records and Admissions
Text messages, emails, social media posts, and recorded conversations may contain admissions of fault or evidence of negligent behavior. A personal injury attorney can mine these communications for statements revealing the defendant knew of dangers or acted carelessly.
A personal injury lawyer can use the defendant's or their representatives' admissions to strengthen their case. An admission can provide direct evidence of negligence without requiring extensive circumstantial proof.
Safety Violations and Regulatory Breaches
Evidence that the defendant violated safety codes, building regulations, or industry standards can establish apparent negligence. A personal injury attorney can research applicable rules and demonstrate how defendants failed to comply.
Prior Incidents and Pattern Evidence
Documentation of previous similar incidents or complaints against the defendant can reveal patterns of negligent behavior. For example, a personal injury lawyer can use prior incidents to show the defendant knew about dangers or tendencies toward negligence.
Pattern evidence can also strengthen the claims by demonstrating that the defendant's conduct wasn't isolated but reflected a systematic disregard for safety.
What Can a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Do for You?
A personal injury lawyer provides comprehensive legal representation addressing every aspect of your claim from initial consultation through resolution. They begin by evaluating the merits of your case, analyzing evidence, assessing liability, and determining realistic compensation expectations.
Before proceeding, you can use their free consultation to understand claim strength and potential outcomes.
A personal injury attorney can also negotiate directly with insurance companies on your behalf. They can also handle all communications, preventing you from making statements likely to undermine your claim.
They are also skilled negotiators who understand insurance tactics. A personal injury lawyer can apply pressure strategically, often obtaining higher settlement offers that cover your losses.
A personal injury attorney can also represent you in court if settlement negotiations fail. They can manage discovery, filing motions, and developing courtroom strategies. They represent you throughout trial proceedings, presenting evidence and cross-examining opposing witnesses.
A personal injury lawyer ensures you meet all regulatory deadlines. In Florida, you must file personal injury claims within two years of the injury date; missing this statute of limitations deadline prevents you from pursuing compensation.
A personal injury lawyer will monitor the applicable deadlines, preventing accidental forfeiture of your legal right to compensation.
They will also shoulder the legal burden, allowing you to focus on recovery. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney gives you a dedicated advocate who can maximize your compensation while protecting your interests.
Personal Injury Lawyer Frequently Asked Questions
Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer Before Hiring
Before hiring a personal injury attorney, ask about their experience with cases similar to yours, success rates, and fee structure. Inquire about case timelines, communication frequency, and whether they handle trials or settle cases.
Understand their caseload size and who'll manage your case. Ask for client references and clarify upfront costs. These questions can help an injured victim select a personal injury lawyer equipped to maximize compensation while aligning with their needs and expectations.
How Much Should a Personal Injury Lawyer Charge?
Personal injury lawyers typically work on contingency fees, meaning they only receive payment if you win your case. They take a percentage of your settlement or award as compensation.
Several factors influence the percentage charged, including case complexity, litigation duration, required investigation costs, attorney experience level, and local market rates. A personal injury claim requiring extensive trial preparation commands higher percentages than straightforward settlements.
The arrangement allows injured victims access to justice without upfront costs while motivating attorneys to maximize recovery.
Will My Personal Injury Claim Go to Court?
Most personal injury claims settle outside court through negotiation with insurance companies. However, your case may proceed to court if settlement negotiations fail or liability remains disputed.
Factors determining court involvement include injury severity, evidence strength, defendant cooperation, and insurance coverage limits. A personal injury attorney can advise you on the likelihood based on case specifics.
Consult Our Personal Injury Attorneys for Legal Support
You may endure worsening mental health after sustaining an injury in a personal accident caused by someone else’s negligence. For example, you may suffer post-traumatic stress disorder if the events leading to the injury were traumatic.
You must also demonstrate how the at-fault party’s action led to the injury. You, therefore, deserve representation from a personal injury lawyer who’ll fight tirelessly for your right to compensation.
Our personal injury attorneys at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers will investigate the crash, establish liability, and initiate a claim or lawsuit on your behalf. Call us at Contact us online or at (561) 800-8000 for a free consultation.
