Helping Injured Victims in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is a sun-kissed city known for its stunning beaches, vibrant entertainment, and exciting nightlife. People enjoy riding ATVs on dirt roads, shopping at Galleria Mall, or embarking on a cruise for special occasions.

Unfortunately, these entertainment options can also become the scene of accidents. According to the Florida Health Department, 21,775 fatalities occurred across Broward County in 2021, out of which falls contributed to 4,252 deaths, motor vehicle accidents contributed to 3,779 fatalities, and drowning caused 558 deaths.

Sadly, many victims of these accidents don't know how to navigate the intricate Florida legal system. Consequently, they end up falling into the trap of insurance companies and accepting low settlements that don't even cover their basic medical expenses.

If you or your loved one sustained injuries in an accident in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in Florida, contact us. We are a mid-sized exclusive personal injury law firm that serves all across Florida. We have handled multiple personal injury cases across Fort Lauderdale and helped victims recover fair compensation to get their lives back on track.

Florida's Complex Personal Injury Laws

Every personal injury case is unique and has different law applications. For example, Florida Uniform Traffic Control Laws would come into play in car accidents; in slip and falls, premises liability laws would apply. However, some laws are standard and apply to a wide variety of personal injury cases.

Florida law requires all motorists to carry minimum insurance for personal injury protection (PIP) of $10,000. So whenever you sustain injuries in an auto accident, you can file a claim with your insurance company. It doesn't matter who was at fault and caused the accident; you have to file your claim with your insurance company under PIP coverage.

PIP pays 80% of your reasonable medical expenses, 60% of lost income, and $5000 to the executor or estate in case of a death. As you can see, PIP provides the bare minimum and is significantly insufficient to cover your severe injury expenses.

Why Do You Need a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer?

An experienced Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer understands all the challenges you will face throughout your case. They can assist you in navigating the complex legal system, dealing with the insurance company's tactics and negotiating a fair settlement, and representing you in court.

• —No-Fault Law and Auto Accident Claims: To recover compensation for serious injury expenses, your injury must meet criteria to be considered severe including significant and permanent loss of bodily function, permanent injury, significant scarring or disfigurement, or death.
• —All Other Types of Personal Injury Claims: Cases such as slip and fall, medical malpractice, elder abuse, or product liability require filing a claim with the at-fault party's insurer or filing a lawsuit.
• —Florida's New Negligence Law: Florida adopted a modified comparative negligence rule. A party whose fault exceeds 50% will not be able to pursue a claim to recover compensation.
• —Statutes of Limitations: In most cases, such as car accidents and slip-and-falls, you have two years to file your lawsuit. However, if your action is against the government, it becomes three years.

In personal injury cases regarding auto accidents, personal injury victims can use their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to cover 80% of their medical expenses and up to 60% of their lost wages.

However, if the injuries and other damages are severe, PIP coverage may not be enough to cover the actual costs of the medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, or lost wages. More than this, PIP coverage does not cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

Regarding premises liability, all property owners have a duty of care to maintain their premises safe and place warning signs should hazardous conditions be present. In the same way, healthcare practitioners must provide a standard of care to their patients and can be held liable for medical malpractice should they fail to do so.

When it comes to a personal injury case revolving around workplace accidents, personal injury victims can file a workers' compensation claim to receive compensation. In some instances, workers have the right to pursue both a workers' compensation claim and a personal injury claim at the same time if they suffer work-related injuries.

Contact Tollinchi Law and have your case analyzed by dedicated and distinguished personal injury attorneys to learn more. In many types of personal injury cases, there may be more than one party that could be held liable for the injuries and other damages you have incurred but at the end of the day, the burden of proof is on your shoulders, and this is where our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers and law firm can help you out.

What are the Most Common Injuries in Personal Injury Cases?

• —Spinal cord injuries
• —Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• —Soft tissue injuries
• —Fractured or broken bones
• —Cuts and Lacerations
• —Burns

Dealing With the Insurance Company

Insurance companies are businesses focused on profits. They will try various tactics to minimize payouts, including offering quick low settlements, delaying claims processing, or denying valid claims altogether.

An experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer knows these tactics and can negotiate effectively on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

If negotiations fail to produce a fair settlement, your attorney can file a lawsuit and represent you in court to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Statute Of Limitations

Every state has laws regarding personal injury cases. This includes laws about the statute of limitations, which defines the maximum time allowed to initiate a legal action. Under Florida Statute § 95.11, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in Florida is set at two years from the date of injury. This was reduced from four years when Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 837 in March 2023. Keep in mind that if the case is against a government employee or entity, the statute of limitations might be different. Also, there are some exceptions to the statute of limitations including cases where the victim is a minor or the accident involved a wrongful death. You should consult with a Florida personal injury lawyer to determine which statute of limitations applies to your specific case.

Benefits Of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

Sustaining injuries in an accident and then trying to recover compensation via a personal injury claim can be a daunting task. You can hire a personal injury attorney to help you through the process. A skilled and experienced personal injury attorney has extensive knowledge about personal law and can advise you on your legal options. They can also use their resources to help gather important evidence to strengthen your case.

With their experience, personal injury lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companies to help you get maximum compensation and prevent you from falling victim to common pitfalls when dealing with insurance companies. It is in the best interest of the insurance company to reduce their payout so they will try various tactics to entice you to accept a low settlement offer.

Another key benefit of hiring an attorney is that they help expedite the process so you don't get frustrated by the drawn-out process of a personal injury claim in Florida. Lastly, with an attorney handling the legal aspects of your case, you can focus on recovering from your injuries, which can be extremely beneficial to you and your family.

Catastrophic injuries can lead to emotional suffering, debt, uncertainty, and financial losses. It is your right to seek fair compensation for your damages. To schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney at Tollinchi Law, please call us. We can seek compensation for your economic and non-economic losses caused by someone else's fault.