In most cases, it costs nothing upfront and you will pay nothing out of your own pocket to hire a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer. If your accident was caused by another person’s or entity’s negligence, a lawyer will often accept your case on a contingency-fee basis. You will not pay any of the expenses associated with preparing your claim and there will be no retainers, upfront fees, or traditional hourly fees.
Concern about how much a personal injury lawyer will cost should not prevent you from getting legal help when you would benefit from it the most. The law firm will accept a percentage of your recovered damages as their fee. The firm should detail the percentage so you won’t be surprised at any point.
When Is the Best Time to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Even when you know you have a valid claim for financial recovery, it can be hard to know the right time to hire a personal injury lawyer. The sooner you do so, the better, since early involvement by your lawyer can mean:
- They have sufficient investigation time.
- They can manage deadlines and file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.
- They can interview witnesses before they forget details or move away.
- They can examine and preserve evidence.
Since it costs nothing upfront to hire a lawyer, you can get one on your side before speaking to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Doing so could prevent you from saying or signing anything that might later be misconstrued or used against you. It also gives your lawyer the opportunity to protect you from speedy, but flawed settlements, and bad faith insurance practices.
What Types of Cases Do Personal Injury Lawyers Accept?
To constitute a personal injury claim, you must prove the legal elements of negligence, including duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Our team handles many different types of accidents and includes:
- Florida boat accident lawyers
- Florida construction accident lawyers
- Florida car accident lawyers
- Florida golf cart accident lawyers
- Florida product liability lawyers
- Florida personal injury protection (PIP) lawyers
- Florida slip and fall accident lawyers
- Florida truck accident lawyers
- Florida wrongful death lawyers
If you were injured in an accident and are unsure of your right to compensation, most law firms will offer a free consultation with a team member. During your consultation, they can review the details of your case and describe its merits and your options.
How Much Compensation Can a Personal Injury Attorney Recover?
The monetary value of your personal injury claim will depend on a variety of factors, including how much time you miss from work, the severity of your injuries, and the rigors of your treatment protocol and recovery. You can recover economic damages that include:
- Known and anticipated medical bills
- Emergency room and ambulance fees
- Assistive devices and medications
- Known and anticipated income losses
- Loss of the ability to earn in the future
- Property damage, loss, or diminishment
You can also recover non-economic damages, which can be more difficult to assess and document on your own. A lawyer in your area can collect evidence that will substantiate the following damages:
- Disfigurement and impairment
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful death damages are available for families who lost a loved one in a negligence-based accident. These include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of domestic contributions. They can also include your loss of consortium, guidance, and companionship.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
A 2023 change in Florida law decreased the personal injury statute of limitations from its previous four-year status. Per Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have:
- Two years to meet the personal injury statute of limitations
- Two years to meet the wrongful death statute of limitations
If you are suing a municipality, you have six months from the date of injury to notify a government agency or municipality of your claim, according to Florida Statutes § 768.28(6)(a)(1). This notification must be made in writing. If you miss a notification or filing deadline, you could jeopardize your ability to pursue compensation at all.
How Can You Prove the At-Fault Party’s Negligence and Financial Liability?
The at-fault party’s insurance provider will require proof of its policyholder’s negligence before considering a settlement. It wants evidence that is impartial, unbiased, and objective. The evidence you use may include:
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Written prognosis
- Salary history records
- The accident or incident report
- Accident reconstruction
- Photos and video footage
- Accident scene photos
- Witness statements
Focus on getting better. While you do, your legal team will build the strongest possible case file for you with all the supporting evidence you need.
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case?
No two personal injury cases are exactly alike and no two will settle in the same amount of time. From start to finish, your claim could last a few months or a few years. Factors that define the timeline of your personal injury case can include:
- Your treatment plan and prognosis for future care
- The time it takes for a comprehensive investigation
- The time it takes to prepare and file your claim
- The discovery process and deposition sessions
- The time it takes to reach a settlement agreement
You, too, play an important role in the timeline since the final decision to accept or reject a settlement offer is yours to make. Your personal injury attorney will never make a decision on your behalf, but will guide you toward the best, most well-informed decision for you.
Get a No-Cost, No-Obligation Personal Injury Consultation
If you were injured in an accident, you could have the basis of a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit. Our law firm will clarify how much our personal injury lawyers cost and how hard we will fight for your financial compensation.
Learn more about our contingency-fee structure and its benefits to you. Contact our consultation team at Ged Lawyers to get your free case review today.
