Injuries can be physically and emotionally devastating and cause significant financial hardship. When another party’s conduct had a role in the incident that caused your injury, they may be responsible for paying you financial compensation.
If you or a loved one was hurt in an accident, contact a Winter Park personal injury lawyer at The Florida Firm. Our attorneys are so well-known in the community for their skillful representation that the majority of our clients are referrals from other law firms.
What Types of Injury Cases Do We Take?
Our firm has been representing individuals who have been injured for decades, and we have extensive experience in all types of personal injury cases. We have achieved payouts exceeding $1 million in numerous cases arising from:
- Car accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- Premises liability
- Defective products
- Workplace accidents
We pride ourselves on our accessibility and professionalism. Our Winter Park attorneys prioritize your needs throughout the legal process—our intention is to help you move forward and thrive after suffering serious bodily harm. We are skilled negotiators and settle most cases for a fair sum before trial, but we will aggressively litigate a case when doing so serves your best interests.
The legal process could be slow, and we recognize you may experience financial strain while your case is ongoing. We work on a contingency basis, collecting no fees or expenses from you until your case is resolved. In addition, we employ staff to assist you with disability benefits and other forms of financial support.
How Your Conduct Impacts Your Injury Claim
You will not be at your best immediately after being injured in an accident. However, you can help your case by taking certain specific actions and avoiding others.
Do not worry if your conduct did not adhere to these recommendations, but do discuss the situation candidly with our Winter Park injury attorneys. A skilled legal professional can work around many weaknesses in a case if they know about them from the beginning.
What to Do After an Accident
If you are badly hurt, just remain still and wait for emergency medical services. When your condition is stable, try to write down or record what you remember about the accident.
If you are conscious and can move safely, document the event as best you can by writing a note or making a voice recording on your phone. If you are in a motor vehicle with a dashcam, lock it and remove the memory card. Regardless of the type of incident, take pictures or video of the location where the event occurred and anything else that seems relevant.
Get medical attention immediately, but do not drive yourself. Take an ambulance if one is offered; otherwise, get a taxi or rideshare service or call a friend. Traumatic injuries sometimes do not produce symptoms immediately, but a thorough medical screening will find them and prevent you from aggravating a hidden problem. In addition, a medical record produced immediately after the incident connects your injuries to the accident and is critical evidence if you pursue a legal claim.
Things to Avoid When You Get Hurt
From the moment the accident occurs, it is essential to be very cautious when speaking about it. Many people talk through difficult events as a way of processing their feelings and confirming their impressions, so keeping silent about the event can be challenging. However, everything you say and everything you post on social media could be potential evidence in a legal claim.
The only person you should speak frankly with is a lawyer, and you should do it as soon after the event as possible. They can advise you on what to say if you must talk to an insurance adjuster. If you cannot take a complete social media break, they can explain how to avoid weakening your case through your posts.
Forms of Compensation in Injury Cases
When you can prove that you would not have been injured but for another’s conduct, you can claim compensation—often called damages. Your damages should cover your losses and compensate you for the way the injury impacted your quality of life. Our diligent personal injury attorneys in Winter Park could help you document your losses and compile proof of your damages.
Economic Damages
You may claim any injury-related out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical expenses and lost income. You are entitled to payment for your future medical care related to the injury and for your diminished earning capacity if the effects of the injury limit your ability to work.
Economic damages also include incidental costs of the injury, which could be substantial in some cases. You can claim expenses related to travel to medical appointments, household help for tasks you cannot perform due to your injury, and renovations to your home when necessary to accommodate an injury.
Non-Economic Damages
The most challenging aspect of a serious injury is often its non-economic impact. You are entitled to damages for your pain, psychological distress, disability, and changes to your lifestyle. We could prove your non-economic damages through medical records, personal statements and journals, photographs and videos, and testimony from friends and family.
Punitive Damages
Florida Statutes § 768.72 allows you to ask for punitive damages when there is clear evidence that the defendant’s conduct was grossly negligent, or they intended to cause harm. This is a high standard to meet, and punitive damages may not be available in most cases. However, our personal injury attorneys could use the threat of punitive damages as a negotiating tactic and will take a case to trial and seek these additional damages in an appropriate case.
Strict Time Limits Apply to Personal Injury Claims in Florida
Even when you have a strong case for compensation, delay could defeat you. The law requires you to file a lawsuit within two years of your injury in most cases. Missing the deadline means a court will not hear your case, regardless of its merit.
There are some circumstances that can extend the deadline, but they are limited, and you must prove you are entitled to a toll or delay. The best strategy is to speak with our accident attorneys in Winter Park as soon as possible after your injury.
Engaging The Florida Firm early has numerous benefits. We could ensure you receive referrals for the medical care you require, negotiate with your creditors to relieve financial pressure, and handle all communications with insurance companies and other parties involved in your case. Once we are involved, you can focus all your attention on healing.
Consult a Winter Park Personal Injury Attorney Today
When you suffer an injury, you need a reliable partner to guide you. At The Florida Firm, we take pride in the fact that other area lawyers choose us when they or their loved ones need representation in an injury case. They know we aggressively pursue fair compensation, achieve excellent results, and provide supportive, caring service to clients. If you need compensation for your injuries, do not wait to act. Contact a Winter Park personal injury lawyer at Colling Gilbert Wright today.
FAQs
If you are still pondering filing a personal injury lawsuit in Winter Park, you may have unanswered questions. Here are some of the topics that come up often in our initial contacts with clients.
Can I File a Claim Without a Lawyer?
You can, but doing so puts you at a disadvantage. The insurance companies that pay personal injury claims have teams of lawyers, investigators, and professional staff dedicated to limiting the company’s liability and paying you as little as possible— or nothing at all. Injured people who work with a lawyer collect considerably more on their claims than people who try to handle their case alone.
When you work with The Florida Firm, the insurance companies stop trying to intimidate or manipulate and negotiate instead. They are aware of our attorneys’ knowledge and skill, and respect us for our aggressive advocacy.
I Don’t Live in Florida—Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Here?
If the injury occurred in Florida or the defendant lives here or has a business here,
you can sue here. We regularly represent snowbirds and people passing through the state for business or vacation.
Why Sets Colling Gilbert Wright Apart?
If you decide to hire us, we will be working together for several months to several years. We strive to gain and keep your trust throughout the stressful process of bringing a legal claim.
Our experience and success are unmatched in Central Florida. Our firm culture emphasizes transparency and communication, individualized strategies, and attentiveness to our clients’ needs. Our care for our clients and our commitment to reach the most favorable outcome possible are why our colleagues and former clients recommend us wholeheartedly and refer their friends and loved ones to us.