LAKELAND PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
Suffering from a personal injury can be life-changing. When accidents cause chaos in your life, we at The Fran Haasch Law Group are here to help. Our experienced Lakeland personal injury attorneys are dedicated to assisting injury victims with their legal needs so that they can focus on the most important thing: healing. Contact one of our Lakeland personal injury lawyers at The Fran Haasch Law Group today and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.
WHAT IS A PERSONAL INJURY?
A personal injury is an injury to the body, mind, or emotions instead of an injury to property. Understanding the various situations that can lead to these types of injuries – including carelessness and accidents, medical malpractice, intentional acts, or product flaws – enables people to take appropriate steps toward claiming due compensation for their losses.
There are many types of personal injuries, but some of the most common include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Scooter accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
HOW DO I FILE A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM?
If you are pursuing compensation on your own, the first step is to file a claim with the insurer. The next step is negotiating a settlement.
Unfortunately, many people fail to realize how much their personal injury claim is worth and accept an initial offer that may be far less than they deserve. Our Lakeland personal injury attorneys will evaluate your damages and how much compensation you should be entitled to.
DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY FOR MY PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM?
We highly recommend seeking legal help from a Lakeland personal injury attorney at The Fran Haasch Law Group after experiencing a personal injury. A personal injury attorney is a lawyer who provides legal representation to those who claim to have been injured, physically or psychologically, as a result of the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, company, government agency, or any entity.
If you have suffered a personal injury in Lakeland because of someone else’s negligence, you may be considering pursuing compensation for your damages. You do not need a personal injury lawyer to file a claim and negotiate with the insurance company, but hiring one can make the process simpler and increase your chances of being fully compensated.
Our Lakeland personal injury attorneys will work on your behalf to get you the money you need to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Contact one of The Fran Haasch Law Group personal injury attorneys today.
What A Lakeland Personal Injury Lawyer Will Do For You
At the Fran Haasch Law Group, your personal injury lawyer will handle all aspects of your case, including the following:
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence to support your claim. This may include photographs of where the accident occurred, witness statements from people who saw what happened, medical records to document your injuries, and police reports documenting how officers responded at the scene.
- Filing all paperwork on time so you do not miss any important deadlines.
- Negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf to get you the best possible settlement.
- Representing you in court if necessary.
When To Hire A Lakeland Personal Injury Lawyer
It is best to contact an experienced law firm and hire an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident occurs. This allows your lawyer time to investigate the accident scene, gather evidence, and talk to witnesses. However, if you have already started the process on your own or are waiting for the insurance company to respond to your personal injury claim, you have the option to hire a personal injury attorney later. Contact our experienced lawyers at the Fran Haasch Law Group for a free consultation.
How Much Will It Cost To Hire A Lakeland Personal Injury Attorney?
Our Lakeland personal injury attorneys at The Fran Haasch Law Group work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not pay your lawyer until we win your case. At that time, we allocate a percentage of your award to your attorney as a payment for their services.
CAN I RECOVER DAMAGES IN A PERSONAL INJURY LAWSUIT IN LAKELAND?
There are three types of damages possible for personal injury cases.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are designed to compensate a victim for financial losses that result from an accident. These include past and future medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and funeral expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are designed to compensate a victim for non-financial losses that result from an accident. This includes pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement or scarring, loss of consortium (the inability to maintain a relationship), and emotional distress.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may also be awarded in some personal injury cases, which are designed to punish the defendant for their actions. However, these are not common and are usually only awarded when the defendant’s actions were particularly egregious or dangerous.
HOW MUCH IS MY PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM WORTH?
The value of a personal injury claim depends on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, who is at fault, and whether or not you will be able to make a full recovery. In general, the more serious your injuries are, the higher your claim is likely to be.
Can I File a Claim on Behalf of My Spouse?
To file a claim for someone else, you must be the person’s parent, guardian, or power of attorney. If your spouse suffers an injury in an accident, they must file their own claim. However, if the victim is married at the time of filing, Florida law allows the victim’s spouse to collect damages. Damages in these cases may include loss of consortium, which is the inability to maintain a marital relationship due to an injury.
Can I Recover Compensation If The Defendant Does Not Have Insurance?
If the defendant does not have insurance, you may still be able to recover compensation for your pain and suffering. If this is the case, your lawyer will file a lawsuit against the defendant and attempt to recover damages by garnishing their wages or seizing their assets.
DETERMINING FAULT IN A PERSONAL INJURY CASE
The first step to determining fault is deciding whether or not the defendant acted negligently or with intent.
Determining fault in a personal injury case can be a complicated process and may require the analysis of different factors such as eyewitness testimony, physical evidence, and expert testimony. Because of this, it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to help navigate the process and build a strong case. We at the Fran Haasch Law Group are here to assist you in gaining justice for your personal injury case.
How Do I Know Who Was At Fault For My Accident?
The insurance company will investigate the accident and assign fault in most cases. However, if you are not sure who was at fault or the insurer is disputing your claim, we advise hiring one of our Lakeland personal injury attorneys to conduct an investigation and determine who was at fault.
Comparative Negligence in Florida
Florida’s fault system underwent a significant change under HB 837, which took effect in March 2023. The state moved from a pure comparative fault approach to a “greater percentage of fault” system, meaning that individuals who are more than 50% responsible for their own injuries cannot collect damages.
Suppose you are awarded $100,000 in damages, but you are held to be 40% responsible; in that scenario, you will only get $60,000. In contrast, if you are found to be 51% liable, you will not be able to claim any damages. It is crucial to have an experienced attorney on your side to demonstrate that the other party was at fault for the accident.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A LAKELAND PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM TO BE SETTLED?
The length of time it takes to settle a personal injury lawsuit varies depending on the circumstances of each case. For example, if liability is not disputed, it may be possible to settle early in the process. However, if the parties cannot agree on a settlement, the case may take longer to resolve if there are complex legal issues.
The Insurance Company Offered Me a Settlement. Should I Take It?
You do not have to accept an initial settlement offer. You are entitled to negotiate for a better deal or, if necessary, file a lawsuit. If the insurance company is offering a low settlement, your personal injury lawyer can also explain why you deserve more.
THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN FLORIDA
The statute of limitations is the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit after an accident. In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years. This means you must file your lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident.
TYPES OF LAKELAND PERSONAL INJURY CASES WE MOST OFTEN HANDLE
At The Fran Haasch Law Group, our personal injury attorneys cover various cases that fall under personal injury law. This includes:
- Auto Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Rideshare Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Trucking Accidents
- Wrongful Death
- Catastrophic Injuries
THE FRAN HAASCH LAW GROUP HELPS ACCIDENT VICTIMS
A personal injury has the potential to take over your life, leaving you overwhelmed and buried in debt. In addition, personal injury law is a complex process. Having one of our dedicated Lakeland personal injury attorneys on your side to help guide you through the process is the best way to ensure you receive the maximum compensation available to you.
Our attorneys have a reputation for getting the results our clients need and deserve. If you have been the victim of a personal injury accident but are unsure whether or not you have a legal case, we are here to help. Call now for a free evaluation at (727-637-0100.)
