Palm Beach County, FL Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal Injury Cases Our Office Has Handled in Palm Beach County, FL

The legal field of personal injury law is vast. There are thousands of ways in which a person might be injured, whether in an accident or on purpose. Because the field is so broad, many personal injury lawyers focus on practicing certain types of cases. Below are some, but not necessarily all, of the cases our personal injury attorneys have experience with.

Auto Accidents

Vehicle accidents on the road are some of the most common personal injury claims. Accidents range from mild bumps and bruises to severe injuries. The nature of the accident is important to consider, as multiple vehicles might be involved. Our office has experience with accidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, Uber and Lyft, taxis, and limousines. Many accidents do not involve multiple drivers but only one driver and pedestrians. Pedestrian accidents can be particularly harsh, and plaintiffs often have serious injuries and great damages.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death is a serious kind of personal injury case because it involves the loss of a loved one due to someone else’s wrongful actions. This kind of claim involves not only the injuries sustained by the deceased person before they passed away but also the losses and injuries suffered by your family.

Cruise Ships Injuries

Florida is known for its beautiful seas, beaches, and vacation spots. Taking a cruise is a popular tourist activity in Florida, but accidents happen sometimes. If you were injured aboard a cruise ship, a lawyer can help you get compensation. Remember to keep copies of your tickets as they are a contract between you and the cruise ship company. Your ticket might have terms and conditions that limit the cruise line’s liability.

ATV Accidents

Another popular activity vacationers and residents of Florida enjoy is riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) through nature trails. Remember, ATVs are not like ordinary vehicles. You do not necessarily have to have a license, and ATVs are not street-legal. As such, ATV riders might not have insurance, and a personal injury lawsuit might be the only way to get compensation.

Possible Damages for Personal Injuries in Palm Beach County, FL

Many personal injury plaintiffs argue for compensatory damages to make up for the economic and non-economic costs of their injuries. You can claim costs for medical treatment, property damage, and the value of lost earnings if you cannot return to work. You can also claim the value of your pain and suffering, which can be very high in cases with severe injuries.

In the past, Florida had limits on how much compensation a plaintiff could be awarded for non-economic damages like pain and suffering. However, the Supreme Court of Florida ruled in 2017 that these caps violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Florida Constitution. Now, non-economic damages are unlimited, and juries may award any amount they believe is reasonable and appropriate.

Punitive damages are designed to punish defendants for exceptionally bad or shocking behavior. These damages are not awarded often. According to Florida Statutes § 768.72(2), punitive damages may only be awarded if we can prove that the defendant intentionally caused harm or their negligence rose to a much higher level of gross negligence. Punitive damages must be proven by clear and convincing evidence, so the bar is high.

When You Should Speak to a Lawyer in Palm Beach County, FL About Your Personal Injury

You should get in touch with a personal injury lawyer about your claims as soon as possible. You do not have an unlimited amount of time in which to file your case. If you wait too long, you might be unable to file your case at all, and you will not be able to recover any compensation.

Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3), personal injury lawsuits must be filed within 4 years of when the injuries occur. You might think this is a long time to file your claims, but there is a lot of work to do in this relatively short amount of time. We need to track down witnesses, prepare evidence, and assess your damages before we file the case. The sooner you meet with a lawyer and get started, the better.

If the statute of limitations is close to the deadline, you might be able to get the statute tolled under Florida Statutes § 95.051(1). Tolling involves delaying the deadline for specific reasons. Under the law, you can pause the clock on your case if the defendant is out of state and cannot be served notice, the defendant is hiding out to avoid liability, the plaintiff is a minor, or if the plaintiff has a disability that prevents them from filing the case.

Call Our Palm Beach County, FL Personal Injury Attorneys for Help Now

Call our personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. at (954) 751-4258 to arrange for a review of your case for no charge.