A personal injury claim in Royal Palm Beach, FL is a legal dispute that occurs when someone suffers harm as a result of the negligence or carelessness of another party. From fender benders on the highway to slips and falls at the grocery store, accidents and injuries can significantly impact our daily lives.
A Royal Palm Beach personal injury lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you’re entitled to after an accident. At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we have nearly three decades of experience helping injured clients get back on their feet.
Contact our law firm to speak with an experienced attorney regarding your injuries and legal options at (561)-556-7873. We offer a free consultation, so there’s no risk in reaching out for an honest assessment of your case.
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How Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in Royal Palm Beach, FL
Dealing with an insurance company or opposing party while struggling with injuries often results in walking away with far less than you deserve. The other party will try to take advantage of your situation. They don’t have your best interest in mind – they want to pay as little as possible to resolve the case.
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, here’s how we can help:
- We will schedule a free consultation. This initial meet-and-greet allows accident victims to discuss their cases, ask questions, and gather crucial information. It also allows us to assess the viability of your claim.
- If you decide to hire us, we will gather all relevant evidence and documents to support your claim.
- We will handle all communications with insurance companies and negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation.
- If we can’t reach a settlement, we will file a lawsuit if appropriate.
Contact Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Royal Palm Beach personal injury attorney.
How To Get to Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers From Royal Palm Beach, FL
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How Common Are Personal Injuries in Royal Palm Beach, Florida?
Accidents and personal injuries are, unfortunately, common occurrences. Understanding the patterns and prevalence of such incidents in your local area can help raise awareness and support preventative measures.
There were 391,820 car accidents in Florida in 2022. These resulted in 3,489 fatalities and 249,308 injuries statewide.
Focusing on Palm Beach County, there were 24,958 car accidents in 2022. These accidents led to 223 fatalities and 15,250 injuries.
Unintentional falls remain the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among Florida residents aged 65 and older.
Florida reported 315 fatal work injuries in 2021.
What is My Royal Palm Beach Personal Injury Case Worth?
Every case is different, but in general, the following factors inform the value of a personal injury case:
Severity of injuries/medical expenses: Medical bills associated with your injuries can add up quickly and are often high-priced. If your injuries require surgeries and long-term treatment options such as physical therapy, this greatly influences how much compensation you may be entitled to.
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity: Lost wages refer to income lost due to being unable to work following an accident. This includes both past wages as well as expected future earnings. Such estimations must also take into account potential raises or promotions.
Loss of earning capacity addresses a reduction in the victim’s ability to make as much money as they could before the accident.
Victim’s percentage of fault: The victim’s percentage of fault is another crucial factor to consider in a personal injury claim. If the injured party is found to be partially at fault for the accident, their compensation may be reduced proportionately.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims in Royal Palm Beach, Florida?
If you’ve been in a personal injury accident, there are common types of damages that you may be able to recover:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are awarded to return the victim to their financial standing before the accident. These damages compensate for actual losses and out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury, including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify since they lack an objective monetary worth. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life are the most common forms.
Punitive Damages
The primary goal of punitive damages is to reprimand the defendant and discourage such behavior in the future. However, these types of damages are seldom granted in Florida personal injury cases. They are awarded only if the plaintiff proves that the defendant engaged in intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For an Accident in Florida?
Fortunately, Florida’s negligence laws generally allow accident victims to recover damages even if they are partially at fault. However, the rules have recently changed, and understanding them is vital.
Florida changed its comparative negligence system on 3/24/23, adopting a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are determined to be more than 50% culpable for a personal injury accident, you will be unable to seek compensation from the other party.
However, if you are 50% or less at fault, you will still be able to recover compensation based on your percentage of fault. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All of Your Personal Injuries
Personal injury accidents can result in many different injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to life-altering disabilities.
Some of the most frequently encountered injuries in personal injury cases include:
- Whiplash
- Concussions and other brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Chest injuries
We can also help if you lost a family member in a fatal accident in Royal Palm Beach, FL. You may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
What Causes Most Personal Injuries in Royal Palm Beach, Florida?
Many factors can contribute to the occurrence of personal injuries.
However, some of the most common causes include:
- Car accidents: Distracted, reckless, or intoxicated drivers can be responsible for devastating collisions that result in serious injuries.
- Workplace accidents: Falls, equipment malfunctions, and unsafe working conditions can all cause severe injuries in the workplace.
- Defective products: Poorly designed or manufactured products can lead to injury if they fail to perform as expected.
- Medical malpractice: In some cases, the negligent actions of healthcare professionals can result in patient injury.
- Slip-and-fall accidents: Slippery surfaces, poor lighting, and uneven flooring can cause falls that lead to significant injuries.
Dog bites, nursing home abuse, bicycle accidents, assault, and other incidents can also lead to personal injuries.
How Do I Prove Negligence After an Accident in Royal Palm Beach, Florida?
To prove negligence in a personal injury case, you must establish four key elements: duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Each element is crucial in determining whether someone was negligent and ultimately responsible for your injury.
- Duty of Care
The first element, duty, refers to the legal responsibility that one party has to another to act in a certain manner. In a personal injury context, this typically means that an individual or entity must exercise a reasonable standard of care to avoid injuring others.
Example: A store owner has a duty to maintain a safe environment for customers, such as by regularly inspecting and repairing any hazards, like a wet floor, that could cause someone to slip and fall.
- Breach of Duty
Breach of duty occurs when a party fails to meet their duty or responsibility, meaning they did not act with the level of care or caution that a reasonable person would have under the same circumstances.
Example: If the store owner from the previous example failed to put out a “wet floor” sign after mopping, and a customer slipped and fell as a result, that would likely constitute a breach of duty.
- Causation
Causation links the breach of duty to the injury sustained by the victim. In other words, you must prove that the breach of duty directly caused your injury to establish negligence.
Example: In our store owner scenario, if the customer can show that their fall was a direct result of the wet floor and lack of warning signs, causation would be established.
- Damages
The final element refers to the harm or loss suffered by the victim as a result of the defendant’s negligence. This can include physical injuries, emotional distress, medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial losses.
Example: The customer who slipped and fell in the store may have suffered a broken wrist, which required medical treatment and time off work. These would qualify as damages resulting from the store owner’s negligence.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Accident in Florida?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases depends on the nature of the accident and when it occurred.
For negligence-related accidents that occurred before March 24, 2023:
- There is a four-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases. This time frame applies to incidents such as car accidents, slips and falls, or any event caused by another’s negligence.
- In medical malpractice cases, there is a shorter deadline to file a personal injury claim. You get two years from when the injury happened or when you should have reasonably found out about it.
For negligence-related accidents that occur on or after March 24, 2023:
- The statute of limitations changes, with the deadline shortened to two years for all negligence-related personal injury cases.
These deadlines are vital to remember, as failing to file a lawsuit within the designated time frame can result in losing your right to seek compensation.
Contact Our Royal Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyers For a Free Consultation
Personal injury cases in Florida can be complicated, but knowing the basics can help you feel ready to handle the legal process. If you need help after an accident in Royal Palm Beach, FL, contact Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Find all the areas we serve in South Florida:
- Broward County, FL
- Lee County, FL
- Palm Beach County, FL
- Collier County, FL
- Miami-Dade Cou
