An unexpected accident can change your life forever. If you have been injured due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another party, it is essential to seek the assistance of a personal injury lawyer. At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, we understand the challenges that accident victims face. We are dedicated to providing personalized and effective legal representation to help you obtain the financial compensation you need. Contact our personal injury lawyers in St. Petersburg, Florida for a free case consultation to find out how we can help.
Why Choose Bailey & Glasser, LLP?
- We are a trusted law firm that serves clients throughout the state of Florida and across the nation. Our personal injury attorneys have helped numerous clients recover compensation for their injuries and losses.
- Our attorneys know how to achieve the case results that clients need. We have collected over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts and handled over 3,000 cases. We can take personal injury claims to trial when necessary.
- We have extensive knowledge of the legal system and the tactics that insurance companies use to avoid paying injury claims. We use this to build strong cases for our clients. We are not afraid to take on insurance companies and corporations to fight for your rights.
How Can an Attorney Help?
When you hire a personal injury attorney after an accident in St. Petersburg, you benefit from a range of professional legal services, personnel and resources. Your attorney will know exactly how to navigate Florida’s personal injury laws, for example, and can handle confusing legal paperwork for you during the claims process.
A law firm can send investigators to the scene of your accident to collect key evidence to support your case against one or more parties. Your lawyer will accurately evaluate the extent of your losses to determine how much your case is worth. With this information, your attorney can fight for maximum financial compensation for your damages. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, an attorney can take your case to trial to fight for a just case outcome.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim is a civil lawsuit that is filed by an accident victim (the plaintiff) against one or more parties (the defendant) for allegedly causing the harm being claimed. Most personal injury cases in Florida are based on the legal doctrine of negligence. Someone is negligent if he or she fails to use ordinary or reasonable care.
Negligence consists of four elements:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
The plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant owed him or her a duty of care, or an obligation to act in a reasonable manner. The defendant must have committed an act or omission that violated or fell short of this duty of care. The defendant’s negligence must be the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries or losses. Finally, the plaintiff must have compensable losses or damages as a result of the incident.
Types of Personal Injury Claims We Handle
The attorneys at Bailey & Glasser, LLP have been representing plaintiffs in personal injury claims and lawsuits for many years. We have experience in a variety of case types and can help you with even the most complicated legal matter.
Our list of practice areas includes, but is not limited to:
- Automotive accidents
- Burn injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Defective firearms
- Defective medical devices and drugs
- Illnesses caused by asbestos
- Institutional abuse and neglect
- Medical malpractice
- Premises liability claims
- Product liability
- Sexual abuse and harassment
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Workplace accidents
- Wrongful death claims
It is important to find a personal injury attorney with experience in the type of accident that injured you. Each type of personal injury case has unique laws and statutes. If you do not see your type of accident or injury on this list, contact us to discuss your specific case. This is not a comprehensive list.
Who Is Responsible for a Car Accident in Florida?
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries in Florida. While most states operate under fault-based insurance laws, Florida is a no-fault insurance state. This means if you are injured in a car accident, you must first file a claim with your own insurance company for compensation, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
However, if your injuries are severe enough to exceed Florida’s tort exemption threshold, you may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. An attorney can review your legal options after a car accident in St. Petersburg that causes bodily injuries or property damage.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
Most personal injury claims in Florida must be filed within four years of the date of the accident or the date that the claimant discovered or reasonably should have discovered the injury. This rule is established in Florida Statutes Section 95.11, otherwise known as the statute of limitations.
There are some exceptions to this rule. The time limit to file can be shorter or longer depending on the circumstances of the case. This is why it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after being injured in an accident in St. Petersburg. If you wait too long and file after the deadline has passed, the courts will most likely refuse to hear your case.
Damages Available in a Personal Injury Claim
The damages, or financial compensation, available in a personal injury lawsuit can vary based on the plaintiff’s losses and how drastically the accident impacted his or her life.
By filing a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek damages for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Lost future capacity to earn
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
In some cases, punitive damages are also available. These may be awarded if a defendant behaves with gross negligence, maliciousness or a reckless disregard for the safety of others.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney for Free at (727) 894-6745
If you’re grappling with the aftermath of an accident, Bailey & Glasser, LLP is ready to help. Our experience extends beyond general personal injury, with a specialty in dealing with motor vehicle incidents in St. Petersburg. Whether you’re involved in a car accident or a truck mishap, we have the legal expertise to build a robust case on your behalf. Additionally, if you’ve suffered the unimaginable loss of a loved one, our wrongful death attorneys are prepared to fight for justice. Allow us to handle your legal battles while you focus on healing and moving forward.
Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation with a personal injury lawyer to learn more about your legal rights and options. Call (727) 894-6745 to reach our local law office location.