West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury

People generally have a responsibility to act with reasonable care, but not all people uphold their obligations, and careless behavior frequently causes accidents that result in bodily injuries. Thus, many people injured in accidents pursue claims against the party that caused their harm I personal injury lawsuits. In most cases, a plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit must prove that the defendant acted negligently. In other words, the plaintiff must show that the defendant had a duty under the law to comply with a certain standard of conduct, but the defendant acted in a manner that constitutes a breach of the duty. Lastly, the plaintiff must show that the breach caused them actual harm.

Car Accidents

Car accidents frequently occur throughout Southwest Florida, but that does not mean they are unavoidable. Instead, in most instances, car accidents are caused by careless driving. Car accidents may also be brought about by defective vehicles, unsafe roadways, or a combination of factors. Regardless of the exact cause of a car crash, a person injured in a collision may be able to recover compensation if he or she can prove another party negligently caused the accident. Damages recoverable may include the cost of medical bills, compensation for lost wages, and money for the pain and suffering caused by the accident. If you were hurt in a collision, a skilled West Palm Beach personal injury attorney can advise you of the full amount of damages recoverable.

Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks present a greater risk of harm than other vehicles, in part due to their immense size and weight. As such, there is a separate set of regulations that commercial truck drivers must abide by to ensure the safety of other motorists and passengers. When commercial truck drivers deviate from the obligations imposed by the regulations, it can have devastating consequences. Specifically, when truck drivers fail to adhere to drive time restrictions, truck weight limits, or otherwise fail to drive in a safe manner, it often results in an accident that causes catastrophic and widespread injuries. Truck drivers often operate their trucks on behalf of trucking companies, and therefore, a person injured in a trucking accident may not only be able to pursue claims against the truck driver but also the company that employs the driver.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists often enjoy the freedom and exhilaration that comes with riding a motorcycle, but motorcyclists are unfortunately more likely to be involved in accidents than other motorists. Motorcycle accidents often occur because other drivers follow too closely behind motorcycles and strike them from behind or turn left in front of a motorcycle without adequate clearance. Motorcycle crashes often cause serious injuries such as fractures, lacerations, organ damage, and brain damage. In some cases, a driver that causes a motorcycle accident will argue that the injured motorcyclist is at fault for the collision and, therefore, should not be awarded damages. In Florida, though, even if a plaintiff is partially responsible for their own harm, they may still recover compensation.

Premises Liability

Slip and fall and trip and fall accidents are common causes of injuries, as are accidents caused by other dangerous conditions on a property. Whether a person that owns or possesses a premises will be held liable for harm caused by a dangerous condition depends in part on whether the person injured was a licensee, invitee, or trespasser and whether the person that owns or possesses the premises knew or should have known of the dangerous condition or created the condition. Many of the dangerous conditions that cause accidents at a property, such as liquid or debris on a floor or a product that is not properly secured on a shelf, are transient. Thus, in many premises liability cases, the injured party will have to rely on eyewitness statements and circumstantial evidence to prove liability. If you were hurt on someone else’s property, it is prudent to contact a West Palm Beach personal injury attorney to discuss what evidence you may need to recover damages.

Bicycle Accidents

Bike riding is an increasingly popular means of transportation, and there are more bicyclists on the road than ever before. Even the safest bicyclists can be injured in an accident due to other motorists’ failure to abide by the duties imposed by Florida laws pertaining to the safe operation of vehicles around bicycles. Specifically, drivers are obligated to check for cyclists before opening doors and leave sufficient room when following and passing cyclists. Bicycle accidents can result in catastrophic and life-threatening injuries, and drivers that cause accidents by failing to comply with the duties imposed by law should be held liable for any harm they cause.

Wrongful Death

People that suffer the loss of a loved one due to an accident might be able to recover damages from the person responsible for the accident under a wrongful death claim. Florida’s Wrongful Death Act entitles people to recover compensation for the death of a spouse, child, or parent. The damages recoverable include lost wages, medical bills, funeral expenses, and compensation for the loss of the person’s support, and mental anguish and pain. It is prudent for people dealing with the loss of a loved one to contact a knowledgeable West Palm Beach personal injury attorney promptly, as wrongful death claims generally must be pursued within two years of the date of death.

Bad Faith Insurance Claims

Many people who own property, vehicles, or businesses buy property insurance under the belief that they will be able to recover insurance benefits if their covered asset suffers damage. Unfortunately, though, insurance companies do not always uphold their end of insurance agreements, and in some instances, they will deny valid claims. It is common for insurance companies to undervalue claims as well or delay paying benefits that are owed. Insurance companies are obligated to honor the terms of their policies, however, and if they refuse to do so, the insured may have grounds for pursuing a bad faith claim.

Speak to a Trusted West Palm Beach Personal Injury Attorney

If you suffered harm in an accident, it is advisable to speak with an attorney regarding what measures may be available to protect your interests. The trusted West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys of Winegar Law, P.A. possess the knowledge and experience needed to help you seek a successful result, and we will work tirelessly on your behalf. We regularly represent injured parties in lawsuits in West Palm Beach and Miami. You can reach us at our offices in West Palm Beach and Miami by calling 561-717-0447 or through our online form to schedule a confidential and free consultation to discuss your legal needs.