Personal injury law is such a wide branch of law that it can be confusing for even some of the most well-versed professionals. In case you find yourself at the center of a personal injury case, here are some key facts that many Floridians may not know.
1. Personal injuries can vary
When personal injury comes to your mind, you likely automatically think “car accident.” While personal injury does cover car accidents, it also covers any other sort of injury you may experience that is caused by someone else’s negligence.
This could include:
- A slip and fall accident
- A DUI accident
- Pedestrian or bicycle accidents
- An injury while on the job
- medical malpractice
- A wrongful death incident
- An injury that occurs on someone else’s property
A good rule of thumb to determine whether an accident falls under personal injury is to ask yourself if your injury could have been prevented if someone had done their job or followed safety rules correctly.
2. Time limits do exist
Personal injury cases do fall under a statute of limitations, meaning that the injured individual only has a certain amount of time to bring the case forward to receive compensation. The time limit usually begins counting down whenever the injured individual discovers their injury. This is because some injuries can take weeks or months to show up.
The statute of limitations can vary based on the type of injury and the state you live in, so be sure to contact a Tampa personal injury attorney for help.
3. Personal injury = civil court
Unlike criminal court cases, personal injury cases are settled in civil court. This means that personal injury cases are solved using litigation techniques rather than using a jury or other means. While some personal injury cases do go to trial, the percentage is very low. In fact, most personal injury cases are settled early through negotiation tactics and processes.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, don’t navigate personal injury alone. Contact the experienced attorneys at Lorenzo & Lorenzo to receive the help you need. Call today for a free consultation.
