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. Call (727) 761-0340.
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.
If you or a loved one has 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.
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 personal injury accident.
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.
Do not overlook the importance of working with an attorney if you have permanent or catastrophic injuries. These are injuries that will not fully improve and may impact your health, well-being, and your financial security for years to come. Let our Clearwater personal injury lawyer examine the extensive losses owed to you in these cases.
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 personal injury lawyer will need to gather enough evidence to prove the four key elements of negligence.
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.
Many times, more than one person could be at fault for an accident. You may have injuries and losses from the actions of another person, but you did something or did not do something to contribute to the incident occurring. This can impact your ability to recover damages.
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means that you can still file a claim for your losses if you are at fault in some cases. To do so, you must be no more than 50% at fault. If you are 51% at fault, you cannot seek compensation against the other party for your losses.
This rule can be limiting. Your Clearwater personal injury lawyer will work closely with you to demonstrate you are not at fault in any way, if possible, or to show you are under 50% at fault. If there is any dispute about your negligence or the role you played in this incident, we encourage you not to speak to the insurance company. Instead, talk to our legal team first.
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 personal injury 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 a Clearwater personal injury lawyer as soon as you realize that you may be eligible for legal action.
If someone’s actions or inactions caused you an injury, you may have the right to pursue legal action against the at-fault party. However, the duty of proof is on your shoulders. That means you must demonstrate who is at fault, why that is, and what your losses are. What you do after an accident makes a big difference in the long term. Here are some strategies to help you build your case.
Then, contact a Clearwater personal injury attorney. The sooner you contact an attorney, the more effective that professional is for you. Our legal team will work with you early on to inform insurance companies, gather evidence to support your case, and begin connecting you with the best possible access to care.
If you have yet to contact an attorney or you did not take any of these steps, we can still help you. Seek legal guidance as soon as possible to preserve your right to guidance. With a free consultation, there is no reason not to speak to a Clearwater personal injury lawyer.
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 case evaluation 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.