Miami Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal Injury FAQs

• Do I Have a Personal Injury Claim?

  Were you injured due to someone else’s actions? You may very likely have a claim.

  Personal injury laws allow injured parties to seek compensation when their injuries were caused by someone else.

  Various legal grounds exist for personal injury claims, including:

  • General negligence, or a failure to exercise a reasonable amount of caution
  • Intentional torts or intentional wrongdoing
  • Medical malpractice, or a failure to adhere to standards developed by the medical community
  • Premises liability, or a failure to maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition
  • Strict liability, which imposes liability on certain parties regardless of fault
  • Product liability and defective products

  Most claims are based on accidents. Victims can receive compensation regardless of whether the defendant intended to harm them or not.

  The only sure way to know whether you have a valid claim is to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Most injury law firms offer free case reviews. You can come in and tell the lawyer your story, and they’ll explain your options.

• What Is the Value of My Personal Injury Case?

  Determining the exact value of a claim isn’t always straightforward. Each case comes with its own set of injuries and complications. Careful analysis is required because no two injury claims are exactly the same.

  Some common factors that lawyers and courts consider when determining how much a case is worth include:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • How much you’ve spent on medical treatment costs
  • Whether you’re expected to need ongoing medical care and the cost
  • The cost of rehabilitation, vehicle repairs, and other expenses
  • Whether the injury results in lost wages and the value
  • Expected future impacts, including lost future earning capacity
  • The toll the injury has taken on your mental health and quality of life
  • Whether shared fault is an issue
  • The strength of the evidence available to prove liability

  Your lawyer’s skills are also important. Skilled negotiators can often convince the insurance company to offer higher settlement awards.

  When your lawyer has a proven track record of success at trial, the insurance company will probably be more likely to negotiate in good faith for a full settlement.

• How Much Do Miami Personal Injury Lawyers Charge?

  The cost of legal representation is a huge concern for many injury victims.

  Our team at Zayed Law Offices works on a contingency fee basis. Like most law firms, we only take attorneys’ fees if we recover compensation in your case. When we do, we take a percentage of your compensation award. You’ll agree to that percentage when you hire us.

  Because there’s no fee unless we win, you can always afford to secure quality legal representation.

• How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida?

  Under Florida law, the statute of limitations in most cases; including wrongful death cases, cruise ship accidents and more, is two years.

  There is only a limited amount of time to seek compensation after an injury. Victims typically have two years from the date of an injury to file a lawsuit and ask for compensation. In fatal injury cases, the two-year clock starts to run on the date of the victim’s death. 

  Exceptions to the deadline are fairly rare. If you were a minor at the time of the injury, you’ll have two years from the date you turn 18 to file a lawsuit, assuming your parents didn’t file one on your behalf. If the defendant is also facing criminal charges, the statute of limitations can be paused.

  The consequences for failure to meet the deadline are severe. You’ll lose your right to compensation entirely after two years pass.

• What Damages Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Case?

  Damages in Florida are classified according to the nature of the loss. Both economic damages and non-economic damages are available. 

  Economic damages offset the financial expenses you have incurred due to an accident and injury. Any type of financial expense should be accounted for–both past and expected future losses.

  Examples include:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning potential
  • Physical therapy
  • Nursing care
  • Rehabilitation 
  • In-home assistance
  • Property damage
  • Increased travel costs
  • Out-of-pocket expenses

  Non-economic damages attempt to compensate victims for intangible losses and suffering. These losses don’t have a clear financial value. They can, however, become a significant portion of your settlement or verdict if your injuries are severe.

  Some examples of non-economic damages include: 

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress and trauma
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Anxiety
  • Depression 
  • PTSD
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Physical disfigurement and scarring
  • Loss of consortium

  Punitive damages might be awarded if the defendant’s acts were intentional or shockingly reckless. Courts are most inclined to award punitive damages as punishment when the defendant’s acts show an extreme disregard for human safety. 

• Should I Accept the First Settlement Offer from the Insurance Company?

  In most cases, you should not accept the first settlement offer from an insurer. Insurance adjusters often start with a lowball offer, hoping you will settle quickly before fully understanding the extent of your injuries and damages. Their goal is to protect the company’s bottom line – not to provide you with fair compensation.

  Before accepting any offer, consult an experienced attorney who can evaluate your case and determine its true value. A lawyer can accurately assess your past and future losses to ensure you don’t settle for less than you deserve. 

  Negotiating with insurers can be complex, but experienced personal injury lawyers know how to push back and fight for maximum compensation. If you’ve received an offer, don’t rush into a decision – seek legal guidance to protect your rights.