Thousands of people are injured in Florida every day. Many of these injuries happen as a result of another person’s negligence. In these situations, injured victims may want to pursue a claim against the liable parties to cover their losses through compensation. However, the road to compensation can be challenging to navigate, primarily if you have never dealt with a personal injury claim before. Unfortunately, inexperienced claimants are often victims of insurance companies and their low initial settlement offers. You should not take any offer from the liable parties without talking to an experienced Miami personal injury lawyer first. Our personal injury lawyers from Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA invite you to keep reading as we discuss how you can increase your personal injury settlement in Florida.
How Much is My Personal Injury Case Worth in Florida?
One of the main questions you may have after another person’s negligence has injured you is whether you will get compensation. This is particularly true if you suffered severe injuries requiring costly medical procedures and a lengthy recovery period. Fortunately, as an injured victim, you have the right to fight for compensation to cover your losses. Furthermore, there may be circumstances allowing you to increase the compensation you can get. However, it is essential to understand the different types of compensation for which you can fight. In Florida, you can recover various types of compensation or “damages.” The different damages you may have access to are:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are tangible losses that are easy to determine and quantify. This compensation is aimed at covering losses such as your past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, property damage, and rehabilitation – among other tangible losses. In Florida, there are no specific caps for economic damages. This means the party at fault for your losses has to pay for those losses in full, no matter how great your losses may seem.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are typically more challenging to determine and quantify. This type of compensation is more subjective and aims to award damages for things such as pain and suffering. Non-economic damages can also cover losses such as emotional anguish, loss of enjoyment, and loss of consortium.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded in specific situations. Typically, this compensation is granted in cases where the defendant’s actions or omissions are particularly wanton or egregious.
Your case’s overall value can change depending on your particular circumstances and the extent of your losses. In determining how much your case is worth, the court will consider all of the elements in your case. With the assistance of a Florida personal injury attorney, you can get the opportunity of maximizing your personal injury settlement.
How Can I Increase My Personal Injury Settlement in Florida?
In order to increase the overall value of your settlement in Florida, you need to provide as much evidence as possible to substantiate your claim. We will illustrate a situation where you can see the critical role evidence plays in your personal injury claim. Suppose you are involved in a car wreck in Florida. What you do after your crash can make a significant difference in your claim and increase your potential settlement. You should do the following to improve your settlement:
Collect Evidence
The first thing on your mind after a crash is preserving as much evidence as you can. One of the best ways to preserve concrete evidence is by taking pictures of the scene. Additionally, you can take video footage demonstrating the extent of your accident. This information can be vital because it can show the court – in real-time – the events taking place right after your crash. Make sure to gather critical information such as the name, address, phone number, and insurance information from all parties involved. All of this data may prove to be essential in any future claim.
Get Medical Assistance
Car accidents are notorious for causing severe, sometimes life-threatening injuries.
Thus, getting medical treatment right after your crash is critical. Any treatment, medication, or surgery you had to go through after your car accident should be documented in your medical record. It would be best to preserve a copy of your medical records and use it as evidence. In court, you can present your medical records as evidence of the extent of your injuries and loses – which should be compensated.
Hire an Attorney
Hiring an attorney right after your car crash is essential. There are many things your lawyer can do to increase the value of your case and avoid any mistakes that can jeopardize your claim. For example, your Miami personal injury lawyer can look for all of the evidence in your case for you. Typically, your lawyer should know, what, when, and where they should look for the evidence to substantiate your claim.
Additionally, they understand how personal injury law works. Your attorney can negotiate with insurance companies, and take them to court if their initial settlement is not enough to cover your losses. At court, your lawyer can help persuade the jury and judge you deserve compensation for all of your losses.
It is critical to understand you only have a limited time to file your claim with the court. This is known as the statute of limitations. As a plaintiff, it is necessary to follow the timeline set forth by this statute. If you don’t file your claim following the statute of limitations, you may risk your potential compensation.
This is not the only scenario where you can maximize your compensation after your personal injury. Compensation may also be available in many different circumstances, including slip and fall accidents and medical malpractice in Florida. However, it shows two critical aspects that can play a significant role in your claim. First, it shows you can have the right to compensation that reflects your losses. Second, your personal injury attorney can help you get compensation and increase it by providing the necessary evidence supporting your claim.
Florida Personal Injury Attorney Offering Free Consultations
If you or a loved one was hurt in an accident, our Miami personal injury attorneys can help you. We know how frustrating and challenging dealing with an injury caused by a negligent person can be. We will dedicate all of our efforts to make sure the liable parties face justice for your injuries. Call Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA today and schedule your free, confidential consultation. Our phone number is (305) 694-2676