Steps to Take If Injured in Palm Beach County

Personal injury law is a wide umbrella under which many different types of accidents and incidents fall. Whether slipping on a poorly maintained floor or being struck by a distracted driver, an injury can wreak havoc on your life. Not only do you experience physical pain and discomfort, you often contend with significant financial consequences, not to mention stress and anxiety. You may be entitled to compensation – but the clock is ticking. Consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Injured in Palm Beach County?

Countless personal injuries occur every day; claims and lawsuits are, not surprisingly, common. Accidents happen. People make mistakes. While true, this does not mean that you need to suffer physically, emotionally, and financially because of the wrongful, reckless, negligent, or careless actions of another party.

Personal injury can result from:

• Car accidents
• Bus or truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Cyclist and pedestrian accidents
• Slip and falls
• Defective products
• Workplace accidents
• Dog bites

Regardless of the type of incident, if you have been injured in Palm Beach County, it is essential that you take the following steps:

• First and foremost, ensure your own safety. If you have been in a car accident, for example, assess yourself (and passengers, if applicable) for injuries. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe spot, such as the side of the road, so it does not interfere with traffic or contribute to further incidents.
• Report the incident to the appropriate parties or authorities. Again, in the case of a motor vehicle accident, call 911 or the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the area in which the collision occurred. For a dog bite, contact animal control; for a workplace accident, report it immediately to a manager or supervisor; and for a defective product, inform the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). If you are not sure to whom you should report your injury, contact LaBovick, LaBovick & Diaz’s team of experienced personal injury attorneys. We can help you take the appropriate next steps.
• Document the Injury. Recollections can change and shift; memories become fuzzy or uncertain over time. It is critical to write down everything you can remember about the incident as soon as you can. Describe the situation and conditions, what you were doing, who else was there, what time of day it was, and any other details you can recall. Take pictures of any visible injuries or damage to property as well. It is helpful to turn on your camera or phone’s timestamp function as well.
• Request the Names and Contact Information of Witnesseses. If there are witnesses to your injury, ask for their names and contact details. You cannot compel them to provide this information, so always be polite and respectful.
• Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer. After you report your accident or injury to the appropriate authority or party, consult an experienced attorney. It is vital that you do so before speaking with the third-party’s insurance company. They will often offer a lowball settlement, hoping to “cut their losses” and dispose of your claim as quickly as possible – and at the least cost for them.

While an offer might sound attractive initially, if your injuries worsen, if you are out of work for an extended period of time, and/or if you require more extensive treatment, this will dwindle rapidly.

“Personal injury” is an exceptionally broad term. These are general steps you should take after an injury. Even if you do not initially want to pursue legal action, it is still important to set yourself up for success if you change your mind later.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You

A consultation with a personal injury lawyer can help you accomplish a number of important goals. Primarily, they will listen to you and help you determine if you have a viable claim.

Sometimes, as cliche as it is, accidents really do just happen. In other cases, injuries are the result of another party’s negligence. Your attorney can walk you through the situation and guide you towards the next steps.

If you do have a claim, personal injury attorneys are trained to negotiate with insurance carriers, communicate with other third-parties on your behalf, gather the required documentation, and build a compelling case that gives you the best chances of receiving the compensation to which you are entitled.

While just five percent of personal injury cases go to trial, it is critical that your attorney have court experience. This gives them a “leg up” in the negotiations process, as insurance companies make it their business to know which lawyers they can persuade to settle quickly and which will fight aggressively on behalf of their clients.

If you have been injured in Palm Beach County, do not hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. Doing so positions you most favorably to ensure your rights are safeguarded and get the justice – and compensation – you deserve.

Mike

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