Florida Accident Lawyer

Hire a Florida Accident Lawyer to Seek Just Compensation

When you or someone you love suffers serious injuries in an accident, recovering just compensation can be critical for moving on. Not only can your financial costs add up quickly, but the non-financial costs of the accident can impact all aspects of your life (and your loved one’s lives) as well. Recovering maximum compensation can help manage costs in the months and years to come, but doing so requires the representation of an experienced Florida accident lawyer.

At Searcy Denney, we have decades of combined experience helping Florida residents, visitors and families recover fair compensation after serious accidents. If you need advice regarding your legal rights, a personal injury lawyer can help. Your experienced accident lawyer can explain everything you need to know in a free, no-obligation initial consultation, and if you have a valid personal injury claim, your Florida accident lawyer can fight to recover the full financial compensation you and your family deserve.

Tens of thousands of accidents occur throughout Florida each year. While many of those incidents involve car accidents that result in minor and/or serious injuries, there are various other types of accidents our Florida accident lawyers handle in which individuals may experience catastrophic harm or even death.

At Searcy Denney, we work hard to ensure accident victims, regardless of the type of accident that occurred, receive the proper compensation necessary to ensure they can continue to care for themselves post-accident and well into the future. Each personal injury attorney at our firm stands ready to assist those who have been hurt in the following types of accidents:

Car Accidents

Car accidents can leave drivers and passengers suffering from all types of injuries. If you have been injured in a car accident in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation, and you will want to discuss your situation with a lawyer promptly. Florida’s auto insurance laws are unique, and they restrict the types of coverage that are available to car accident victims in some cases. A Florida accident lawyer at Searcy Denney can deal with the insurance companies and help you seek the full compensation you deserve.

In addition to representing car accident victims, our lawyers also represent victims’ family members. This includes parents whose minor children have been injured and other family members who have lost loved ones in fatal collisions. No matter what happened, our law firm can help you understand your situation, and we can take appropriate legal action on your family’s behalf to hold the at-fault party accountable.

Aviation Accidents

Our attorneys have assisted numerous survivors and families who have lost loved ones in incidents involving commercial airlines, helicopters, small planes, and other types of aircraft. Aviation cases can be complex, so you’ll want to work with a knowledgeable auto accident attorney with the experience and know-how to get the compensation you deserve.

Railroad Accidents

While railroad accidents were less prevalent in prior years, more recently, we have started to see an influx of incidents involving train derailments, train vs. vehicle collisions, and freight train crashes. When such crashes occur, the results are often horrific for those on the train and in the surrounding areas.

Boating Accidents

People from all around the country come to Florida to experience fun in the sun, which often includes good times on the water. However, the thrill of having the sun and water hitting your face can quickly turn into a nightmare if a boating accident occurs.

Bicycle Accidents

Many residents and tourists choose to leave their motor vehicles in their parking spots and travel by bike instead. However, those in automobiles and other modes of transportation may neglect to be mindful of bikers who share the roadway. The injuries sustained in such accidents can be quite significant, so it is important for all accident victims to seek legal guidance from a well-versed Florida accident lawyer.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog or attacked by any other type of animal, help is available. Animal owners have certain legal obligations that must be met, and our auto accident attorneys are here to ensure that you receive the proper compensation to which you are entitled if you have been injured by a dog or any other species.

Golf Cart Accidents

Golfing is a favorite pastime for individuals young and old. That said, seeing a golf cart on the course or even off the course is not uncommon. Golf cart safety must be adhered to at all times and those who sustain injuries due to a cart operator’s negligence may be entitled to compensation based on the specifics of their case.

Pedestrian Accidents

Thousands of people flock to Florida throughout the year, and many of them choose to view the various cities and tourist locations on foot. Whether you’re a visitor or a resident, those operating motor vehicles have a responsibility to look out for pedestrians and ensure they operate their vehicles in a way that keeps them and everyone else as safe as possible.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating for victims. The fact that riders do not enjoy the same protections offered by automobiles made of metal, steel, and other shielding materials means that those who are involved in crashes are susceptible to a variety of injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, or even the possibility of death. If you or a family member has been hurt in a motorcycle crash, our attorneys are here to help.

When filing an accident claim in Florida, it is critical to know what happened and why. Once you contact us, we will promptly launch an investigation focused on determining what claim (or claims) we can file. In most cases, our investigations will uncover evidence that justifies claims based on one (or more) of the following:

Negligence

Most accident claims are based on negligence. Car and truck drivers, boat captains, railroads, airlines, property owners, and other individuals and businesses all owe duties of care under Florida law. When they breach these duties, they can be held liable for the consequences—including the long-term financial and non-financial costs of victims’ injuries.  

Strict Liability

In some cases, businesses and pet owners can be held strictly liable for victims’ injuries. This means that proof of negligence is not required. We have significant experience handling strict liability cases in Florida, including cases based on vehicle defects, other product defects and vicious dog attacks.

Vicarious Liability

Under Florida’s vicarious liability laws, employers can be held liable for their employees’ negligence in many cases. If you or your loved one was injured in an accident caused by someone who was working, a Florida accident lawyer at Searcy Denney may be able to file a claim against his or her employer. Most employers have liability insurance that covers their employees’ negligence.

Governmental Liability

Governmental entities can also be held liable for accident victims’ injuries in some cases. If you or your loved one was injured in an accident involving a government vehicle or government property, then you may have a claim against the government. These claims are subject to special deadlines and requirements, so it is important to work with a Florida accident lawyer who has specific experience handling these types of cases.

Our Law Firm Handles Cases Involving All Serious and Fatal Accident-Related Injuries

Serious accidents can cause a wide range of injuries. Our law firm represents individuals and families in cases involving all forms of accident-related trauma. This includes cases involving common injuries such as:

• Back Injuries – We represent accident victims who have suffered all types of back injuries, including vertebrae fractures, herniated discs and spinal cord trauma. Whether you are struggling to cope with lower back pain or are facing the life-altering consequences of being paralyzed in an accident, our lawyers are here to help.
• Broken Bones – Broken bones are serious injuries that require appropriate treatment, rest and rehabilitation. Accident victims who suffer broken bones will often miss significant time from work during the recovery process—adding to the costs they need to recover. We handle cases involving broken ribs and collar bones; broken bones in the arms, legs, hands and feet; and other fractures throughout the body.
• Internal Injuries – Our lawyers represent accident victims and families in cases involving all types of internal injuries. This includes internal bleeding, myocardial contusions, punctured and collapsed lungs, damaged kidneys, and other types of organ damage.
• Neck Injuries – Neck injuries are extremely common in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, boating accidents, and other types of incidents and collisions. If you are dealing with a neck injury after an accident, you should see a doctor promptly and talk to a Florida accident lawyer as soon as possible.
• Nerve Damage – Nerve damage is an all-too-common injury that can have lifelong effects. Unlike many other types of accident-related injuries, nerve damage is permanent in many cases. This means that accident victims who suffer nerve damage will often face a lifetime of consequences.
• Soft Tissue Damage – Common soft tissue injuries include sprains, strains and tears. Among these injuries, tears are the most serious (and often require surgery), though all types of soft tissue injuries can lead to medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering and other losses.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – Traumatic brain injuries are common accident-related injuries as well. We represent accident victims and families in cases involving concussions, coup-contrecoup injuries, diffuse axonal injuries and all other types of TBI. Whenever you have concerns about a possible brain injury, prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical, and giving the brain adequate rest can often be critical as well.

Types of Compensation Available to Accident Victims and Their Families

When we represent accident victims and their families, we focus on helping our clients recover the maximum compensation available as quickly as possible. This includes not only compensation for their financial losses, but for their non-financial losses as well.

In accident cases, the losses that victims and their families are entitled to recover are referred to as “compensatory damages.” While every case is unique, compensatory damages broadly fall into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the losses that directly impact victims’ and family members’ finances. If you have an accident claim in Florida (and you are not limited to filing a personal injury protection (PIP) claim under Florida’s “no fault” insurance law), you are entitled to seek compensation for all of the financial costs resulting from the accident. This includes:

• Financial costs you incur before you file your claim;
• Financial costs you incur while your claim is pending; and,
• Financial costs you are likely to incur in the future.

After a serious accident, not only can your financial costs begin to add up quickly, but they can also continue to add up for years—if not decades—to come. This makes it critical to work closely with an experienced Florida accident lawyer who can help you understand the long-term costs of the accident and make sure you do not settle for less than you deserve.

When we represent accident victims and their families, our law firm seeks to recover full compensation for our clients’ financial losses including:

Medical Bills

Medical bills are usually among the first costs that drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other victims incur after suffering accident-related injuries. These costs can add up incredibly quickly; and, even if you have health insurance, you can find yourself incurring bills for a variety of treatment-related costs and expenses from day one.

If you have an accident claim in Florida, you can seek compensation for all of your (or your loved one’s) medical bills resulting from the accident. This includes bills for initial diagnosis and emergency treatment, surgical procedures, follow-up care, therapy and rehabilitation, and any other necessary medical care—now or in the future.

Other Out-of-Pocket Costs

Along with medical bills, accident victims and their families are also entitled to recover just compensation for other out-of-pocket costs from the at-fault party. In non-fatal accident cases, these typically include the cost of prescriptions, medical supplies, temporary transportation, and other necessary services. In fatal accident cases, these typically include funeral and interment costs, as well as any other costs associated with the victim’s untimely passing.

Loss of Earnings and Benefits

Victims and families can seek just compensation for their loss of earnings and benefits in all types of accident cases as well. Once again, this includes both losses incurred to date and anticipated losses in the future. When you have a claim for lost earnings and benefits, the amount you are entitled to recover depends on your (or your loved one’s) age, employment status, income history and various other factors. While calculating just compensation for future loss of earnings and benefits presents some unique challenges, our lawyers have the experience required to seek the full compensation you and your loved ones deserve.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages cover losses that impact victims’ and family members’ lives in other ways. While it is not possible to simply “add up” these losses, there are methods that our law firm can use to calculate an appropriate non-economic damages award in your case. When determining how much financial compensation we can seek from the at-fault party in your case, we will consider losses such as:

Pain, Suffering and Emotional Trauma

Serious accidents can leave victims facing severe pain and suffering. They can also cause emotional trauma for victims and their families. Whether these consequences last for moments, months, years or decades, they are all losses for which victims and their families can—and should—seek just compensation. Our law firm has a long track record of recovering these non-economic damages for victims and families across Florida.

Permanent Scarring and Disfigurement

Accident victims who are left with permanent scars or permanently disfigured are entitled to just compensation for these consequences as well. This compensation is above and beyond victims’ compensation for the costs of treatment and their pain and suffering. Scars and disfiguring injuries can serve as daily reminders of the trauma that accident victims have endured, and these are lifelong losses for which victims deserve to be fully and fairly compensated.

Loss of Companionship, Consortium, Society, Support and Enjoyment of Life

Victims and family members are also entitled to just compensation for their loss of companionship, consortium, society, support and enjoyment of life. Suffering serious injuries or losing a loved one can impact your life in ways you could not previously have imagined. While no amount of money can truly compensate for your life being altered by someone else’s negligence, this is the best our legal system has to offer, and it is important to make sure the at-fault party is held fully accountable.

Punitive Damages in Florida Accident Cases

Along with economic and non-economic damages, accident victims and their families will be entitled to receive punitive damages in some cases as well. Under Florida law, punitive damages can be awarded in cases involving gross negligence, malicious acts and other egregious forms of misconduct.

Unlike economic and non-economic damages—which are intended to compensate victims and families for their losses—punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party. If you have an accident case, our law firm can determine if a claim for punitive damages is warranted; and, if so, we can seek these additional damages on your behalf.

Discuss Your Claim with a Top-Rated Florida Accident Lawyer for Free

If you would like to know more about your legal rights after an accident in Florida, including the statute of limitations for your potential case, please contact us to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with an accident lawyer at Searcy Denney. To schedule an appointment as soon as possible, call 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can reach you online today. Our offices are located in Tampa, Tallahassee and West Palm.