Things to Keep in Mind Before You File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Lake City

If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may feel a strong sense of injustice. Perhaps you are now exploring your legal options online, and you’re thinking about filing a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party that caused your accident. While this is often a smart move, the average American may feel a little overwhelmed when they encounter the complexities of the legal world for the first time. Fortunately, you can proceed with a sense of confidence as long as you keep the following factors in mind:

There’s a Time Limit

The first thing you need to consider is that you might lose your ability to sue if you wait too long. This is due to something called the “statute of limitations.” While this term might sound complex, the concept is quite simple: You only have a certain amount of time to file your lawsuit. For most personal injury lawsuits in Florida, the statute of limitations is four years.

While this might seem like plenty of time, it’s best to act as quickly as possible. Evidence can vanish over time, and key witnesses might become unavailable. You should also know that certain types of lawsuits may have shorter statutes of limitations. For example, medical malpractice lawsuits have a statute of limitations that is only two years.

You Can File a Lawsuit Even if You Were Partly to Blame

Many people mistakenly think that if they were partly to blame for their own injuries, they cannot file a lawsuit. This is not true, as Florida’s system of “pure comparative negligence” allows you to sue even if you were 99% responsible for your own injuries. While this would result in a settlement that is only worth 1% of its original value, it would still be technically possible.

Florida is a No-Fault Car Insurance State

Finally, you should know that Florida is a no-fault car insurance state. This means that you actually don’t need to prove that anyone was to blame for a car accident if you want to receive compensation through PIP insurance. However, this only applies to car accidents. Furthermore, the no-fault system may be circumvented if you have suffered a “serious injury.” If you meet this threshold, you may sue the negligent party directly and receive a larger settlement. Examples of serious injuries include amputations, spinal cord injuries, disfiguring burns, and things of that nature.

Where Can I Find a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney in Lake City?

If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney in Lake City, look no further than Koberlein Law Office, PLLC. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured plaintiffs in Florida. We know that the legal world can often seem a little daunting — but you’re not in this fight alone. With our help, you can move forward and pursue compensation with a sense of confidence and professionalism. Book your consultation today to get started with an effective action plan.

Sources

1. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0095/Sections/0095.11.html
2. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.81.html

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KOBERLEIN LAW OFFICES, PLLC

855 SW Baya Drive
Lake City, FL 32025
Phone:
386-269-9802

If you have further questions about this article or legal concerns call 800-672-3103