If you have been injured due to the reckless or careless actions of another person or party, you have a right to be compensated for your medical expenses, lost wages while you recovered, and the pain and suffering you experienced. However, you may not be in a position to effectively build an insurance claim, let alone represent yourself. Our law firm can help.
The Florida personal injury lawyer with the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato can investigate your accident, identify who is liable for your injuries, deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, and fight to get you the maximum compensation possible. For over 75 years, we have been protecting the rights of injury victims like you, and in that time, we have won over $200 million in personal injury settlements.
Call us at (954) 633-8270 today and speak with a member of our personal injury team today. We provide free case consultations for accident victims. Learn more about us and your legal options for a healthy recovery.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Florida Can Manage Your Case
We have decades of experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases for clients. Some of the types of cases we have handled in the past include the following:
- Car accidents: Probably the most common form of personal injury cases we handle.
- Bicycle accidents: We can help if you have been struck by a negligent driver while riding your bike.
- Motorcycle accidents: Lacking much in the way of protection, motorcyclists often suffer catastrophic injuries when hit by other drivers.
- Truck accidents: Collisions with big semi-trucks can result in massive property damage and severe injuries for passenger vehicles and their occupants.
- Pedestrian accidents: Like bicyclists and motorcyclists, pedestrians can suffer severe injuries when hit by a reckless driver.
- Premises liability: Property owners and business managers have a responsibility to maintain a safe property for visitors.
- Slip and falls: A common type of premises liability, victims can hold those responsible liable for their injuries.
- Dog bites: Dog owners are strictly liable for the injuries their pets cause to others.
- Product liability: Manufacturers and distributors have an obligation to protect the public from harmful products.
- Medical malpractice: Doctors, nurses, and healthcare facilities have a responsibility to practice according to a standard of care, and any deviation could be grounds for malpractice.
- Nursing home abuse: Our elderly deserve to be treated with compassion and respect, and facilities that fail to protect them can be held liable for the injuries they cause.
- Funeral home negligence: Funeral homes that lose remains, fail to follow instructions, or are a party to theft can be sued for damages.
- Workplace accidents: From workers’ compensation claims to third-party lawsuits, we can help you and your family recover from your injury.
- Wrongful death: Any negligent action that takes the life of a loved one is grounds for a personal injury claim.
If you do not see the type of accident you were in here, please call us anyway. We want to hear from you.
How You Can Help Your Case and Your Lawyer While at the Accident Scene
If you have been in an accident, there are steps you can take right away that will ensure a healthy recovery and protect your right to fair compensation. We advise you to do the following for your health:
- Check for injuries: Take your time and see what is hurting. If you are with others, and your injuries allow you to move, you can check on them as well.
- Move to a safe location: If it is difficult to move, stay where you are. If you can move, get to a safe location to avoid any further injury.
- Call 9-1-1: When you speak with the operator, let them know what has happened. Let them know where you are and whether you need medical assistance.
- See a doctor immediately: You want to see a doctor as soon as possible. You may be suffering from obscured injuries that may not present themselves. Your doctor can run tests and provide a diagnosis.
- Follow their treatment plan: Complete your doctor’s orders. Don’t miss appointments, either.
You can also take steps at the accident scene for your insurance claim. If your injuries allow you, you should also do the following:
- Take pictures and videos: Pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any relevant information can help with your personal injury case. If there are any dash cams, traffic cameras, or surveillance cameras near the accident, make a note of them.
- Record what you remember: Additionally, record what you remember from the accident. You should continue this journal with your medical progress.
- Exchange information: Gather contact and insurance information from the other party. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information.
- Inform the insurance company: Eventually, you will need to speak with the insurance company. When speaking with them, the other party, or the police, keep to the basic facts. Don’t make accusations or admit fault.
Then, contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato. We can take over your claim and allow you the time necessary to heal from your wounds. Call us today for a free case consultation at (954) 633-8270.
We Can Handle Filing Your Personal Injury Claim in Florida
There is no law that says you must use a personal injury attorney in Florida. You are well within your rights to build your claim and pursue compensation. To do so, you will need to do the following:
- Contact the insurance company to open a claim
- Assess your losses and compile receipts, invoices, and bills
- Complete their forms and submit your evidence, such as the police report, medical records, and any statements
- Once the insurance adjuster finishes their investigation, they will send you a settlement check
Sounds straightforward, but if you are dealing with injuries and have never dealt with an insurance company or the claims process, there are many opportunities to make errors and lose the money that you are owed.
Our personal injury attorneys in Florida have the knowledge, resources, and experience to thoroughly investigate your accident and negotiate a settlement that accurately reflects your losses.
Insurance Deadlines and the Statutes of Limitations in Florida
There are a multitude of deadlines involved in claims and lawsuits. Depending on the type of case you have and any extenuating circumstances, your deadlines could vary significantly.
For example, Florida is a no-fault state, and drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage. PIP is designed to provide medical care and other benefits regardless of fault. However, you must see a doctor within 14 days to receive these benefits, per Florida Statutes § 627.736.
There are also the statutes of limitations, which limit the time you have to file a lawsuit. These vary based on the case you are pursuing, such as:
- Two years: Most personal injury cases fall under the two-year deadline. This includes car accidents, wrongful death, and medical malpractice.
- Five years: If your lawsuit involves bad-faith insurance practices, then the deadline to file a lawsuit against the insurance company is extended to five years.
The statute of limitation in your case could also be shortened or extended (also known as tolled). For example, if the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations is tolled until their 18th birthday.
Our lawyers are aware of these deadlines and can ensure your case complies with them, but you must contact us as soon as possible.
Proving Negligence in Florida Personal Injury Cases Requires Evidence
For a successful claim, we must show who was at fault, how the accident occurred, and the link between the accident and your injuries and losses. This process is typically shown in four parts:
- Duty of care: This is the relationship between you and the other party. There must be some obligation, whether through the law or professional standards, toward your health and safety.
- Breach of duty: At some point, the other party deviated from the norm or violated a law.
- Causation: This failure by the other party, whether through an action or inaction, led to an accident that caused you to suffer injuries.
- Damage: Finally, your injuries have had an impact on your life. You may have suffered physically, financially, or even emotionally, and the other party is liable for the losses you have experienced.
Let’s use a car accident as an example. Every driver on the road has a duty of care to operate their vehicle safely and follow traffic laws. The other driver decides to drive over the speed limit and weave through traffic, cutting off other drivers and breaching their duty. Driving at high speed, the other driver fails to adjust to changing traffic and rear-ends your car. They wreck your car, leaving you in the hospital and out of work until you recover.
To prove these four parts, though, requires evidence. The evidence in your case could include any of the following:
- Photos of the accident scene and your injuries
- Video of the accident before and as it happened
- The police report
- Medical reports, including your doctor’s prognosis
- Witness statements
- Physical evidence
- A journal on your recovery
We would also consult with subject area experts on your case. Experts could include:
- Medical professionals who could assess your potential recovery
- Financial advisors who could determine your earning potential post-accident
- Accident reconstruction specialists who can explain how the accident occurred
These experts can validate your statements and clarify the more nuanced aspects of your case.
How Comparative Negligence May Affect Your Case
When we and the insurance adjusters investigate your accident, there may be some questions as to your degree of fault in the accident. The insurance adjusters may try to place a greater degree of blame on you for the accident to devalue or deny your claim.
Under Florida Statutes § 768.81, you may receive compensation as long as you are 50% or less responsible for your own injuries. Any greater than that, the insurance companies can deny your claim.
We can protect you from this tactic and counter their stance with the evidence we collect during our investigation.
Recoverable Damages Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Florida Will Seek
Personal injury accidents can lead to severe to catastrophic injuries for the victim. As a personal injury victim, you may be suffering from the following types of injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
These injuries typically require days, months, and possibly years to fully recover from. In some instances, victims never recover and live with disabilities and disfiguring scars.
Even if your physical injuries were minor, you could be living with mental anguish and emotional distress from that event. These mental health injuries are as equally valid as any broken bone.
As your personal injury lawyer in Florida, we will seek the maximum compensation possible in your case, such as the following:
Non-Economic Damages Available to Personal Injury Victims
Non-economic damages are subjective in nature. These intangible losses represent the impact on your quality of life. Due to their nature, it is very easy for most people to make mistakes with their non-economic damages when filing a claim. Our Florida personal injury attorneys know how to assess these damages and can fight to obtain them for you.
Non-economic damages you may demand in your personal injury claim often include the following:
- Pain and suffering: The physical pain and discomfort, the emotional distress, and mental anguish you experienced
- Disability: Including any scarring and disfigurement that affects your lifestyle
- Loss of consortium: Sought by your spouse or partner for any changes in your relationship
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If you can no longer enjoy hobbies and activities you once participated in
Economic Damages in Your Florida Personal Injury Claim
Any direct financial losses that can be tied to an invoice, bill, or receipt are classified as economic losses. They have a dollar value attached to them that is easily calculated. However, it is very easy to miss the full range of economic losses you may have, especially any future needs.
The economic damages you may be able to claim in your personal injury case could include the following:
- Medical bills: Any emergency medical attention, hospitalization, surgery, medications, and rehabilitation
- On-going healthcare: Includes any possible medical treatment as well as in-home nursing, medical assistive devices, and in-home modifications
- Lost wages: Income from salary or hourly pay, as well as any tips, bonuses, and benefits
- Reduced earning potential: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work or the same career, plus the costs of any vocational training in a new career
- Property damage: Any repair or replacement costs, whether it is a vehicle or personal items such as a phone, jewelry, or clothes
Punitive Damages May Be Awarded
Punitive damages are rare and used to punish the defendant and warn others against similar actions.
If the defendant’s actions in your accident were deemed overly egregious or expressed wanton recklessness and disregard for your safety, the judge or jury in your lawsuit could award you punitive damages.
Wrongful Death Damages for the Family
If those who have lost a loved one in a personal injury accident, please accept our sincere condolences. We understand the heartache and loss you and your family are experiencing. Our personal injury lawyers in Florida can help you get through this difficult time by pursuing a wrongful death claim.
Filed by the personal representative of the deceased, your family may be able to get compensation to help you recover. Wrongful death damages may include the following losses:
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
- Medical bills prior to your loved one’s passing
- Loss of wages and inheritance
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of support
To learn more about your personal injury case in Florida, call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today at (954) 633-8270. We provide new clients with a free case consultation.
We Will Be Prepared to File a Lawsuit if It Becomes Necessary
In most instances, personal injury cases are settled during negotiations with the insurance company. However, there are times when it becomes necessary to take our case to court and have a judge or jury decide, such as:
- The insurance company is unwilling to negotiate a fair settlement
- There is a dispute over who is liable and to what degree
- The insurance company is using questionable tactics to avoid paying
- The statute of limitations is about to expire
If your case go to trial, we will handle the legal process. We will:
- File the complaint and deal with their response
- Present the evidence to be used in discovery
- File any motions
- Represent you during trial and deal with any appeals if necessary
Depending on the case and parties involved, a lawsuit could take a few months to years to resolve. We will be with you throughout the whole process, no matter how long it takes.
How Our Personal Injury Attorney in Florida Can Aid You
The personal injury attorneys with the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato believe in treating every client as a member of our family. When you hire us as your attorney, you can expect us to provide you with feedback and updates throughout your case. We educate you on the options available to you so that you can make the best decisions for you and your family’s future.
We will:
- Investigate the accident
- Gather evidence
- Speak with eyewitnesses
- Consult with experts
- Identify all liable parties
- Determine your damages
- File claims with all insurers
- Negotiate a fair settlement
- Represent you in court if necessary
Our goals are to get you the best possible settlement and the peace of mind that your case is being handled professionally. At any time, you can reach out to us with your questions and concerns. We will address them with you and make sure that we are doing what is best for you and your family.
Past Clients Have Loved the Success We’ve Achieved for Them
Over the years, we have helped numerous clients obtain the compensation they need and deserve to recover from their injuries. Our case results include such wins as:
- $5.25 million for a fatal truck accident
- $3.85 million for an auto accident
- $3.5 million in a funeral home negligence case
Happy with their cases, our clients leave such glowing testimonials as the following:
- “I would highly recommend Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato. The whole team was highly professional and helpful. They kept me informed every step of the way. They actually make you realize you are not just a number but a member of their family that they care what happens with your case. Thank You Richard Pravato and Betsy for all you have done to make this as painless as possible.” — D.T.
- “Words cannot begin to explain the gratitude I have for Vincent and Richard Provato and their staff. I have taken a long and hard two-year journey through recovering from my accident, and they were there with me and for me every step of the way. If you can put your faith in anything, put it in this, that this firm did their job and never had me question their ability to do so once.” — K.K.
As our clients say, we “give attorneys a good name.”
You May Find Your Answers Here
Below are some of the more common questions clients ask us. Hopefully, they can help in your personal injury case:
1. When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
You should contact us as soon as possible. The sooner we can begin working on your case, the better chance we have of securing sensitive evidence.
2. How Much Does a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Typically Charge?
Most personal injury lawyers in Florida work on contingency agreements. Under this agreement, you pay nothing up front. They only receive their attorney’s fees when you win a settlement or court award. If you do not win, you owe them nothing.
3. How Much Is Your Personal Injury Case Worth?
Every case is unique, so the value of your case will be based on the damages specifically related to you. Your attorney will have the resources and knowledge to compile the full range of damages you are eligible to receive.
If you still have questions, contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato for a free case consultation.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Florida Are Ready to Help You
If you have suffered an injury due to a negligent party, call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato. Our legal team is standing by to provide you with a free case consultation. Learn more about us and your case.
There is no reason you should suffer from the mistakes of others. Call (954) 633-8270 today.
