Personal Injury

Personal Injury in Estero, FL

Accidents happen everyday. Sometimes, there is nobody at-fault for what happened. But when an accident is the result of negligence or other wrongful conduct, the victim has the right under state law to seek compensation. A Southwest Florida personal injury attorney can help you sue the responsible parties for monetary damages.

Why Do You Need to Contact a Lawyer Following an Accident?

Obviously, the first thing you should always do following an accident is to seek medical attention. This applies even if you “feel fine” or are able to walk away from the accident scene. In many cases, accident injuries are not always immediately apparent or visible. This is especially true when it comes to something like a traumatic brain injury, which often cannot be properly diagnosed without medical testing.

Once you have received medical attention, however, it is best to contact a Southwest Florida personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. There are a few reasons for this. First, it is important to gather and organize any evidence regarding the accident as soon as possible after it has happened. An experienced lawyer knows what to look for in these situations.

Second, a lawyer can clearly explain your legal rights and responsibilities following an accident. For example, many accident victims fail to promptly notify their own insurance company of what happened. This can significantly affect the victim’s ability to seek compensation through their own insurer later.

Third, the state imposes strict deadlines to file any type of personal injury claim. In most cases, the statute of limitations is just a few years from the date of the accident. But there are exceptions that may apply to your particular case. Once again, seeking timely advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer can prove invaluable.

Will I Have to Go to Court?

Many accident victims are reluctant to engage a personal injury attorney because they fear it will lead to lengthy–and potentially costly–litigation. In reality, most personal injury cases are settled without anyone ever stepping foot inside of a courtroom. Indeed, many personal injury claims arising from auto accidents are resolved through insurance, and it is unnecessary to directly sue the negligent driver.

At the same time, there is a small percentage of claims that cannot be settled. Often, these are cases where the victims have suffered extreme injuries and the negligent parties are simply unwilling to concede liability or the proper amount of compensation. If you find yourself in this situation, a qualified Southwest Florida personal injury lawyer can bring your case to trial.

If successful, a jury can award you not only compensation for your measurable damages, such as your medical bills and lost wages, but also your intangible pain and suffering. And in cases where the defendant’s conduct was not simply negligent but the result of malice or especially egregious, a court may even award punitive damages.

So if you have been injured in an accident and need legal advice on how to proceed, contact me today to schedule a consultation.