Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyer

Accidents happen every day across the state of Florida, from motor vehicle collisions to slips and falls on other people’s property. In many cases, these incidents are caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another person. If you believe that your accident is negligence-related, you may be eligible for financial compensation—and the Clearwater accident attorneys at Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner can help.

Through a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party, you can recover damages for the financial, physical, and emotional losses that you sustained due to his or her negligence. Our Clearwater personal injury lawyers will fight tenaciously to recover the compensation you deserve and advocate for your right to justice.

Why Choose Us

Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients and are dedicated to securing the maximum possible settlement. We will work closely with you to identify all possible avenues to compensation.
Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis for maximum affordability. If we do not secure compensation in your case, you will not be charged legal fees. If we do recover an award, we will take an agreed-upon percentage of your settlement as payment.
Your attorney will work closely with you throughout the claims process. Our firm will maintain a direct line of communication between you and your lawyer and will be available to answer questions, respond to concerns, and provide important case updates.

What Is a Personal Injury?

A personal injury refers to any injury that you sustain to your body, mind, or emotions due to someone else’s actions. A personal injury lawsuit enables injured people to recover compensation for the losses they sustain due to the at-fault party’s negligence. There are multiple situations where a personal injury claim may arise, including accidents, intentional acts of violence, and injuries due to medical negligence.

At Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner, we handle multiple types of personal injury claims, including the following.

Bicycle accidents
Car accidents
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Slip and falls
Premises liability
Medical malpractice
Construction accidents
DUI accidents
Boat accidents
Wrongful death

If you have been injured in an accident but are unsure whether you qualify for a personal injury claim, speak to an attorney at Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner as soon as possible. Our Clearwater, FL personal injury attorneys can evaluate your claim and identify whether you have grounds for a lawsuit.

Damages Available in Florida Personal Injury Lawsuits

An unexpected accident can have devastating consequences on your life. You may require extensive medical care and grapple with painful physical injuries, long-term impairments, and thousands of dollars in medical bills. You may be unable to work for a long time and struggle with the psychological impact of the injury.

Through a personal injury lawsuit, you can hold the person responsible for your injuries accountable for these losses. In Florida, you have the right to recover compensation for your economic, or financial, damages, as well as your non-economic pain and suffering losses. Common types of damages available in Florida personal injury claims include the following.

Past and future medical expenses, including doctor’s visits, prescription medications, and surgical costs
Rehabilitation, physical therapy, and other types of specialized medical treatments
Disability accommodations, such as mobility equipment or live-in caregivers
Lost wages during your recovery period and loss of future earnings if your injuries prevent you from returning to work
Physical pain and suffering, such as chronic pain, permanent disability, and disfigurement
Emotional pain and suffering, such as depression, anxiety, and emotional distress
Loss of quality and enjoyment of life

Elements of a Personal Injury Lawsuit

You may qualify for a personal injury lawsuit if you suffer injuries in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. To secure compensation in your claim, however, you will need to prove that the at-fault party’s actions caused your accident. You and your attorney will need to gather enough evidence to prove four key elements.

Duty: The at-fault party owed you a duty of care at the time of the accident. This element will depend on the circumstances surrounding your case. For example, motor vehicle drivers have a duty to follow the law and drive safely.
Breach of duty: The at-fault party breached his or her duty of care through a negligent act or failure to act. For example, a driver who operates his or her vehicle while under the influence breaks Florida law and therefore, breaches his or her duty of care.
Causation: The at-fault party’s breach of duty caused your accident and your resulting injuries. Multiple pieces of evidence can help establish causation, including photographs, surveillance footage, witness testimony, police reports, and expert witness testimony.
Damages: You sustained damages in the accident that you can collect in your lawsuit. You can use many documents to prove this element, including medical bills, paystubs, journal entries, and invoices.

Your attorney from Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner can help you prove each of these elements and gather the evidence you need to establish your right to compensation. Our Clearwater personal injury lawyers will work diligently to secure the settlement that you deserve.

Florida’s Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

Like other states, Florida upholds a statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. This law sets a limit on the amount of time that you have to file a claim. If you do not file your lawsuit within the specified time frame, the court will likely dismiss your case, preventing you from recovering compensation.

While you generally have four years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim in Florida, the deadline could be much sooner in certain cases or later in others. If you do not discover your injury until a later date due to certain circumstances, the deadline is extended from the date of discovery rather than the date of the injury. However, there are other exceptions that could affect your filing deadline. To protect your right to compensation, speak to an attorney as soon as you realize that you may be eligible for legal action.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible for financial compensation. In these situations, the Clearwater personal injury attorneys at Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner can represent your claim and fight for your right to maximum recovery. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and identify your optimal path to justice.

If your injury happened in St. Petersburg, contact us and speak to a St. Petersburg, Florida injury lawyer.