Frequently asked questions

Bodily Injury

  • Bodily injuries in Florida can range from minor to severe. Examples include:

    • Cuts, bruises, and lacerations: These are common injuries from accidents like falls or collisions.

    • Broken bones and fractures: These can occur in car accidents, slips and falls, or sports-related incidents.

    • Internal injuries: These can be difficult to detect and may require medical attention.

    • Burns: These can be caused by fires, chemicals, or electrical accidents.

    • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): These can result from head injuries and have long-term consequences.t goes here

  • In Florida, bodily injury refers to any physical harm, sickness, or disease sustained by a person. This includes both minor and serious injuries and can encompass both immediate and long-term effects.xt goes here

  • The most common type of bodily injury coverage in Florida is bodily injury liability (BI) insurance. This is usually included in auto insurance policies and covers medical expenses for others if you are at fault in an accident.

  • The best full coverage car insurance in Florida varies depending on individual needs and budget. It's recommended to compare quotes from multiple providers, considering factors like coverage limits, deductibles, and customer service ratings.

  • Progressive's bodily injury coverage in Florida pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages for people injured in an accident where you are at fault. It can also cover legal fees if you are sued.

  • Bodily injury coverage typically does not cover injuries to the at-fault driver or property damage. It primarily focuses on medical expenses and related costs for injured parties other than the policyholder.

  • Medical payment coverage (MedPay) pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault in an accident. Bodily injury liability (BI), on the other hand, covers medical expenses for others if you are at fault.

  • The terms "physical injury" and "bodily injury" are often used interchangeably in Florida. Both refer to harm or damage to a person's body.

Personal Injury Lawyer

  • Personal injury lawyers in Florida are also known as trial lawyers, plaintiff lawyers, or accident attorneys. They specialize in helping individuals who have been injured due to negligence or wrongdoing by others.

  • Litigation is the process of taking legal action to resolve a dispute, while personal injury refers to a type of legal case where a person seeks compensation for physical or emotional harm caused by another party's negligence. Litigation is the broader term, and personal injury cases are one type of legal dispute that may involve litigation.

  • The most common types of personal injury cases in Florida include:

    • Car accidents: Collisions involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, or pedestrians.

    • Slip and fall accidents: Injuries sustained due to hazardous conditions on someone else's property.

    • Medical malpractice: Negligence or errors by healthcare providers resulting in harm.

    • Product liability: Injuries caused by defective or dangerous products.

    • Wrongful death: Cases where a person dies due to another's negligence.

  • The highest personal injury settlements in Florida are often confidential, but they can reach millions of dollars, especially in cases involving severe injuries, permanent disability, or wrongful death.

  • In Florida, personal injury refers to any physical or emotional harm suffered by a person due to another party's negligence or intentional actions. It encompasses a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to severe brain trauma and wrongful death.

  • In a Florida personal injury case, damages can include:

    • Economic damages: Medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other financial losses.

    • Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible losses.

    • Punitive damages: Awarded in rare cases to punish the defendant for particularly egregious conduct.

  • To claim for an injury in Florida, you generally need to:

    1. Seek medical attention and document your injuries.

    2. Notify the responsible party or their insurance company.

    3. Gather evidence, such as photos, witness statements, and medical records.

    4. Consider consulting with a personal injury lawyer to protect your rights and maximize your compensation.

  • The length of an injury claim in Florida can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Some cases can be resolved in a few months, while others may take several years.

Car Accident Lawyers

  • Yes, Florida is a no-fault state. This means that after a car accident, each driver's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers their medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident.

  • In Florida's no-fault system, each driver's own Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance covers the damage to their vehicle, regardless of who is at fault.

  • Whether you need a lawyer after a car accident in Florida depends on the severity of the accident, the extent of your injuries, and the complexity of the insurance claims. If you suffered significant injuries or property damage, or if fault is disputed, consulting with a Florida car accident lawyer is highly recommended to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation.

  • The average settlement for a car accident in Florida varies widely depending on the severity of injuries, property damage, and other factors. Minor accidents with minimal injuries might settle for a few thousand dollars, while severe accidents with significant injuries can result in settlements of hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

Personal Injury Protection

  • PIP, or Personal Injury Protection, is a type of car insurance coverage mandated in no-fault states like Florida. It covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

  • Bodily injury liability (BI) insurance covers medical expenses and other damages for people you injure in an accident where you are at fault. Personal Injury Protection (PIP), on the other hand, covers your own medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault.

  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is also known as no-fault insurance in states that require it.

  • PIP typically doesn't cover:

    • Damage to your vehicle or another person's property

    • Pain and suffering

    • Injuries sustained while committing a crime

    • Injuries that occur while you're working (workers' compensation typically covers these)

  • Personal injury cover, such as PIP in no-fault states or MedPay (medical payments coverage) in other states, can be valuable as it helps cover medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Its worth depends on your individual circumstances and risk tolerance.

  • Personal accident insurance, a separate coverage from PIP, typically doesn't cover:

    • Intentional self-injury

    • Injuries resulting from illegal activities

    • Pre-existing conditions

    • Injuries sustained during acts of war or terrorism

Slip and Falls

  • There is no single "average" payout for slip and fall cases in Florida. Settlements vary widely depending on the severity of the injuries, the extent of medical treatment, lost wages, and other factors. Some settlements may be a few thousand dollars, while others can reach hundreds of thousands or even more.

  • There is no cap on pain and suffering damages in Florida slip and fall cases, except in medical malpractice claims. The amount awarded for pain and suffering depends on the severity of the injuries, the impact on the victim's life, and the persuasiveness of the evidence presented in court.

  • Personal injury settlements in Florida are usually paid out in a lump sum after both parties agree on the amount. The settlement can be paid directly to the injured person or their attorney. In some cases, structured settlements may be used, which involve periodic payments over time.

  • To win a slip and fall case in Florida, you need to prove:

    1. The property owner owed you a duty of care to keep the premises safe.

    2. The property owner breached that duty by allowing a dangerous condition to exist.

    3. You were injured as a direct result of that dangerous condition.

    4. You suffered damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

  • The steps in a personal injury lawsuit in Florida typically include:

    1. Filing a complaint: This initiates the lawsuit and outlines your claims.

    2. Discovery: Both sides exchange information and evidence.

    3. Settlement negotiations: The parties may try to reach a settlement out of court.

    4. Trial: If no settlement is reached, the case goes to trial.

    5. Appeal: Either party may appeal the trial court's decision.

  • Yes, slipping and falling cases fall under tort law in Florida. Tort law deals with civil wrongs that cause harm to another person, and slip and fall accidents are considered a type of negligence claim.

  • In most personal injury cases in Florida, your house is protected by homestead exemption laws. This means that even if you lose the lawsuit, your primary residence cannot be seized to satisfy the judgment. However, there may be exceptions in rare cases, such as if the lawsuit is related to a mortgage or property lien.