While there is no way to completely erase the risk that you might get hurt in an unexpected accident, that does not mean you have to just accept your misfortune when someone else’s misconduct is the direct cause of your injury. In this sort of situation, civil litigation against the reckless or careless person who caused you harm could be key not only to covering short-term bills and personal losses, but also to minimizing the negative impact your injuries might have for years to come.
Representation from a attorney can make a world of difference in how effectively you can enforce your rights and how efficiently you can progress through your legal proceedings. Whether you want to pursue a settlement outside of court or need to take your case before a civil judge, help is available from a dedicated and experienced Gibsonton personal injury lawyer at Distasio Law Firm.
Common Grounds for Gibsonton Personal Injury Claims
Technically, there are no strict restrictions established by state law on what types of accidents could serve as the basis for a personal injury case. While auto accidents represent a majority of personal injury claims in Florida, other scenarios that could potentially give rise to litigation include:
- Collisions between cars and pedestrians, motorcyclists, or bicyclists
- Traffic wrecks involving commercial trucks and/or buses
- Slipping, tripping, and other types of accidents on private property
- Defects in consumer products, including prescription drugs and other medical products
- Negligence by healthcare providers
- Boat collisions and other waterborne accidents
To justify a lawsuit or settlement demand, though, what all these incidents would need to have in common is “negligence” by at least one person involved. As a skilled Gibsonton personal injury attorney, such as Scott Distasio could explain, being “negligent” in a legal context means having a duty to act in a certain way, failing to meet that duty, and directly causing physical harm through that irresponsible act.
Different situations impose different “duties of care” on the people involved, and exactly what qualifies as a “breach” of duty can likewise change based on the circumstances. Furthermore, injured people can be found negligent and therefore partly liable for their own damages, which would allow a court overseeing their case to reduce the total amount of compensation available to them.
What Damages Could Be Recoverable?
Comprehensive recovery for a personal injury generally must account for both economic and non-economic forms of harm stemming from the accident in question, as well as both past and future losses relative to when the claim first begins. Compensable losses often include:
- All medical expenses, including future rehabilitative and maintenance care costs
- Lost working ability and/or work income
- Personal property damage and related expenses
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Emotional anguish and psychological trauma
- Lost enjoyment/quality of life
However, no matter how long the losses associated with an injury are expected to last, Florida Statutes §95.11(3) allows most personal injury victims only two years after being hurt to bring a lawsuit. A personal injury lawyer’s assistance could be vital to building and filing a strong claim in Gibsonton within this legal timeframe.
Contact a Gibsonton Personal Injury Attorney Today
Personal injuries are disruptive no matter how they happen or how long their unwanted effects persist. If this kind of disruption only happened to you because another person acted irresponsibly, that person should—and often can, with proactive legal action—bear financial responsibility for your ensuing damages.
Talking to a Gibsonton personal injury lawyer from Distasio Law Firm could provide you with the information you need to start building your case. Call today for a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable legal professionals.
