We know that being injured in an accident can be devastating. Medical expenses that you may or may not be able to pay quickly pile up. Your injuries may be so severe that you are unable to work and earn enough to afford your day-to-day expenses, much less your mounting medical bills. On top of that, you’re having to deal with the pain, suffering, depression, and restrictions resulting from your accident injuries. If you were injured in an accident in New Port Richey, Florida, that was caused by the negligent acts of another, you may be able to collect compensation for the damages resulting from those injuries. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to collect compensation for your medical expenses, lost wage, pain, suffering, and more. New Port Richey personal injury lawyer Tania Rivas can help.
Common Types of Personal Injury Accidents
Personal injury accidents can happen anywhere at any time. All it takes is a single act of negligence, such as driving over the posted speed limit or failing to mop up a wet floor in a grocery store, to trigger an incident that could result in injury or even death for another person. Here are a few of the most common types of personal injury accidents our client’s experience:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice/prescription drug errors
- Slip and fall accidents/premises liability
- Workplace accidents
- Construction site accidents
- Nursing home accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Defective products/product liability
- Dog bites/animal attacks
These accidents can result in serious, even fatal injuries, including bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, lacerations, burns, disfigurement, amputation, whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and more.
How A Port Richey Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You
Tania Rivas and Rivas Law Group provide the kind of experienced legal representation you’ll need to recover the full compensation you deserve for your accident-related accidents. In order to prevail in your personal injury claim, you’ll have to be able to show that:
- You were involved in an accident;
- The accident resulted from the negligent acts of another;
- You were injured in the accident; and
- You suffered losses (damages) as a result of those injuries.
Tania will be able to help you collect the evidence (accident reports, medical records, eyewitness testimony, etc.) you’ll need to prove your case. She’ll use this evidence to negotiate a settlement with the negligent party’s insurance provider. If the insurance company refuses to settle, she has the skill and experience needed to fight your case in court.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Port Richey
There are three types of damages available to you if you’re filing a personal injury lawsuit in a Port Richey accident: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
- Economic damages are those that can be assigned an accurate dollar amount, such as medical expenses (including ongoing and long-term medical care), lost wages, lost employment, and more.
- Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, PTSD, and other damages with a subjective dollar value.
- Punitive damages are sometimes imposed by a judge to discourage others from causing similar accidents. These types of damages are rare.
Your actions during the personal injury lawsuit process can have a big impact on the outcome of your case. You should try to collect as much evidence from the accident scene as possible. Don’t accept fault for the accident. Don’t speculate about the seriousness of your injuries until you’ve had a chance to seek medical treatment. If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, make sure you file an accident report.
A New Port Richey personal injury lawyer will advise you to avoid speaking about your case to others or posting about it on social media while your case is in progress. Anything you say on social media can and will be used against you by the other side’s insurance company. There’s even the possibility that the insurance company has assigned investigators to monitor your actions. They’re hoping to catch you engaged in any activity (such as jogging or lifting heavy objects) that could cast doubt on the extent of your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims
How long do I have to file a New Port Richey personal injury claim?
In most situations, you have only two years from the date of your accident or from the date when you learned about your accident injuries in which to file a personal injury claim in New Port Richey.
How much does it cost to hire a New Port Richey personal injury attorney?
Tania Rivas, like most New Port Richey personal lawyers, accepts personal injury cases on a contingency basis. This means there are no upfront charges or retainers if she decides to represent your case. Tania collects her fees as a (pre-determined) percentage of the cash settlement she recovers on your behalf.
What If I’m partially at fault for the accident?
Florida is a comparative liability state. This means the amount of compensation you’ll be able to collect could be limited by the percentage of liability you share for the accident. For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and the court determines that you share 20 percent liability for the accident, you’ll only be able to collect $80,000.
If you are found to be more than 50 percent at fault, you will not be able to recover damages.
How much is my personal injury case worth?
Every personal injury case is different; because there are so many variables involved, it’s impossible to provide an accurate dollar value at the outset of a claim. These variables can include your percentage of liability for the accident, the extent of your injuries, the strength of the evidence supporting your claim, and more.
When should I contact a personal injury attorney?
You should speak with a New Port Richey personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. Don’t agree to any settlement until after you’ve had a chance to talk to an attorney. They are here to protect your right to seek the total compensation you deserve for your accident-related damages.
Speak to a New Port Richey Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Accident
If you’ve been injured in an accident in New Port Richey, reach out to New Port Richey personal injury lawyer Tania Rivas as soon as possible after your accident. Tania is here to help you recover the full compensation you are due for the damages caused by your accident-related injuries. Her dedication and expertise have enabled her to recover millions in settlements for her clients, including $800,000 for the family of a pedestrian struck and killed by a motorist and $315,000 for a client injured in a grocery store slip and fall accident.
You can contact Rivas Law Group online or call us at (813) 406-4460 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case with an experienced New Port Richey personal injury lawyer.
