We Take Winter Haven Personal Injury Accident Cases Just Like Yours
Accidents happen in a number of ways. At Brooks Law Group, our attorneys have represented clients in all types of personal injury claims for more than 30 years. If you have been hurt or suffered losses in any of the following areas, we can help.
- Dog bites
- Construction accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Social Security Disability claims
- Defective product accidents
All of these accidents have the potential to cause life-altering injuries. A Winter Haven personal injury lawyer at Brooks Law Group can explain how Florida law applies to your case. Then our accomplished legal team will put all of our energy and resources into building a strong claim on your behalf.
Car Accident Claims
Car accidents make up the majority of personal injury claims in Florida. The state’s no-fault auto insurance laws require each driver to file a claim with his or her own insurance company to claim coverage for any injuries, property damage, and other losses. But the insurance company is only obligated to pay a fair settlement up to the maximum limit allowed on the insurance policy. In serious car accidents, the limit may not be enough to fully cover the cost of the victim’s injuries. If this is the case with you, you’re not out of options.
Accident victims that have sustained serious permanent injuries and have maximized the limits of an insurance policy can file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver. The serious injury threshold in Florida is $10,000, which means when accident victims sustain losses that exceed this amount, they could have a valid personal injury lawsuit.
Truck Accident Claims
Trucks are massive road companions. For this reason, compensation sought in a Winter Haven truck accident claim often meets the $10,000 serious injury threshold in Florida. Drivers can still file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the liable party. But determining who was at fault for a truck accident is incredibly complex.
Liable parties in truck accident claims can include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The cargo loading company
- Maintenance companies and mechanics
- The truck manufacturer
- The maker of the truck’s parts, if they were faulty
- Other drivers
Sometimes, only one party is to blame for a truck accident. But other times, truck accidents involve multiple defendants. Determining who is at fault is critical in order to obtain compensation from all available sources. In addition, insurance companies will be looking for any way to limit their policyholder’s fault in the accident. Many times, that can mean trying to push the blame onto you. The best way to avoid being taken advantage of is by contacting a proven truck accident lawyer.
Ready for help? Call us at 1-800-LAW-3030 right away.
Motorcycle Accident Claims
Motorcycling is a popular hobby for Floridians. However, it has its dangers. Motorcycles are smaller and less visible to other drivers on the road. In addition, there is limited protection for bikers other than a helmet and protective road gear. That means that they are at much greater risk of injury compared to other motorists, who are shielded by seat belts, airbags, and advanced safety systems.
Recovering compensation for motorcycle accident injuries is not always easy for motorcyclists. Jurors and insurance companies often have strong biases against bikers, believing them to be reckless people that endanger the lives of themselves and others. A personal injury lawyer will understand how to break down these biases. An attorney will also know how to counter these arguments from the insurance company so that claims are not denied or reduced for unfair reasons.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Winter Haven, let one of our personal injury attorneys stand up for you.
Pedestrian Accident Claims
Pedestrians are at great risk of lifelong injuries when they are in an accident. Nothing can protect them from the violent force of impact in a collision. The only thing pedestrians can do to shield themselves from harm is to follow Florida’s pedestrian laws (e.g., using sidewalks and crosswalks when they are available, avoiding texting while walking, etc.).
Common injuries in pedestrian accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Back and spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
- Road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Neck injuries
- Torso injuries
- Foot and ankle injuries
Pedestrians in Florida have several options for claiming compensation. Pedestrians can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. If the injuries exceed the policy limits of the negligent driver, victims can file a claim with their own auto insurance company if they carry such insurance.
Not sure who was responsible for your accident? Turn to a lawyer from Brooks Law Group for help. We’ll conduct a detailed investigation of the accident scene, consulting with experts (if necessary) to reconstruct what happened and who should be held responsible for your accident.
Wrongful Death Claims
There’s nothing more tragic than losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence. In Florida, the estate of the deceased can file a claim for compensation. There are two types of claims loved ones can file after someone’s death.
The claim that most people have heard of wrongful death. Within these claims, relatives seek damages for the losses they sustained as a result of their family member’s death. For example, a wrongful death claim can seek damages for loss of income, funeral expenses, and burial costs.
The second type of claim that close relatives can file after a loved one’s death is a survival claim. These claims seek damages for losses the deceased suffered before his or her death. For example, if a person was involved in a car accident, he or she may have suffered serious injuries but not succumbed to them for a few days. In this case, a survival claim would seek damages such as the medical expenses that the deceased victim incurred prior to his or her death.
Slip and Fall Claims
Slip and fall claims are one of the most common types of personal injury cases. These claims fall under premises liability law in Winter Haven.
Property owners are responsible for ensuring their property is safe and free of all reasonable hazards. When someone slips and falls due to an unsafe condition (e.g., broken steps, spills, cracked pavement, etc.), he or she can file a claim against the property owner for compensation.
Although slip and fall claims sound fairly straightforward, they are not. Certain circumstances can complicate these claims, such as if the dangerous condition was open and obvious. Additionally, Florida also categorizes visitors in different ways. Trespassers have little rights and so may find it difficult to claim compensation for injuries.
No matter if you slipped and fell in a grocery store, apartment complex, parking lot, or public street, someone else could be held liable for your injuries if their property wasn’t cared for properly. But the facts of the incident matter. Reach out to Brooks Law Group to learn if you have a case today.
Dog Bite Claims
Florida operates under strict liability for dog bite claims. This means that the dog bite victim does not have to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog had a previous history of aggressive tendencies in order to be compensated.
Dog owners attempt to use many defenses in attack claims. Some will be valid. For example, owners are not responsible for dog bites when the victim was unlawfully on the property or provoked the animal.
Dog bites can cause catastrophic injuries, and often happen to children. Examples of these injuries include:
- Puncture wounds
- Infection
- Disfigurement
- Muscle tears and damage
- Eye injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Death
- Post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety
Brooks Law Group has multiple offices in central Florida. If you were bitten by a dog in Winter Haven or a surrounding community, our team of legal professionals will fight for justice for you.
Construction Accident Claims
Working on a construction site is one of the most dangerous jobs nationwide. Individuals who are hurt in construction accidents must go through the Florida workers’ compensation system to claim damages if their employer is responsible for the accident. However, employers are not the only ones who may be to blame. A personal injury claim may be possible against an outside third party.
Construction sites may be home to a contractor and multiple subcontractors. These parties may be working in the same area at once. If you work for the contractor and a subcontractor’s negligence causes your injury, you could file a lawsuit against them. This is called a third-party claim and could provide certain compensation that workers’ compensation will not, such as for pain and suffering.
If you are unsure of who should be held accountable for your construction accident, a Winter Haven personal injury attorney is your best bet to find the answers you are looking for.
Nursing Home Abuse Claims
Seniors are among society’s most vulnerable sectors. Tragically, the elderly sometimes fall victim to abuse and neglect if they reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
Inadequate staffing, poor supervision, lazy hiring practices, and insufficient medical care are all cited as problems in American nursing homes. While victims often suffer physically, they also may be subjected to verbal, emotional, and financial abuse at the hands of their caregivers.
If you suspect that a family member or friend is being abused in a Winter Haven nursing home, don’t wait. Contact an aggressive nursing home abuse attorney at Brooks Law Group immediately. We’ll look into the situation right away to help get the victim removed from the facility and hold the responsible parties accountable for their inexcusable treatment.
Social Security Disability Claims
Individuals that have sustained a permanent injury that prevents them from working for one year or more can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI.
Applicants must meet strict requirements when applying for government assistance. Even when they do, they may find their application denied on a technicality. The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies far more applications than they accept every year.
Disabled individuals who want to give themselves the best chance of securing SSDI benefits should speak to a Winter Haven Social Security Disability lawyer right away. You will already be facing a waiting period because the SSA is experiencing a backlog of applications. It’s better to have a lawyer review the application to ensure that it is complete so that you don’t have to wait even longer to obtain benefits.
If you have already been denied SSDI, our lawyers can help with the appeals process, including preparing you for hearings and other proceedings.
Defective Product Claims
Consumers have the right to expect that the products they use are safe. When those products fail and someone is hurt, it’s possible to file a claim against the maker of the faulty product. These types of claims are also known as products liability cases.
Defective products cases often involve:
- Appliances
- Auto parts
- Medications
- Power tools
- Chemical products, such as Roundup
- Medical devices
- Workplace machinery
- Tainted foods
Defective product cases involve going up against big companies protected by large insurance companies and high-powered corporate counsel. You’ll need a tough attorney who will push for a full and fair settlement for you and is prepared to take the case to trial if necessary. You’ll find the defective product lawyer you need at Brooks Law Group.
Were you injured in an accident in Winter Haven? Florida law allows accident victims who are hurt due to another’s recklessness to seek financial compensation for their injuries and other losses.
At Brooks Law Group, we provide top-quality legal services to injured people throughout central Florida. When you work with us, you will get personalized service and compassionate attention from an experienced personal injury lawyer who is committed to securing compensation for you.
Under Florida law, the statute of limitations or deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is four years after the accident occurred. If the deadline is missed, then your case will be dismissed, unless a rare exception is granted for an extension.
Insurance adjusters may attempt to take advantage of you throughout the aftermath of a traumatic injury. The following are steps you can take to protect your rights after an accident:
