Life in Doral can be a vibrant mix of sunshine, community, and bustling energy. But an unexpected accident can stop you in your tracks and turn your world upside down.
Whether it was a slip and fall on a wet sidewalk at CityPlace, a car accident on the Palmetto Expressway, or a dog bite while walking around at Doral Central Park, the pain, medical bills, and lost wages can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn.
At Redondo Law, we understand the emotional and financial toll that personal injury victims endure, and we’re here to help. With extensive experience in personal injury lawsuits, knowledgeable Doral attorney Mike Redondo is a trusted advocate who will fight for your rights and guide you through this challenging time.
Don’t let an insurance company intimidate you into taking a low-ball settlement offer that doesn’t fully compensate you for your injuries and losses.
Contact Redondo Law today to schedule a free consultation and learn how Mike can use his vast legal knowledge and compassion to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Were you injured in one of these accidents? Our Doral personal injury attorney can help!
At Redondo Law, we have a proven track record of championing accident victims and successfully handling cases in the following areas and beyond:
Car accidents
Doral’s busy streets and highways can be a recipe for disaster. Rear-end collisions at red lights, distracted drivers at intersections, speeding, and drunk driving can all cause accidents that lead to serious injuries like whiplash, broken bones, and even traumatic brain injuries.
Truck accidents
Truck accidents, typically involving commercial vehicles, can be catastrophic due to the sheer size and weight of the trucks. These accidents, often caused by truck driver fatigue, improper maintenance, overloaded trailers, or violations of safety regulations, can result in severe injuries, such as permanent spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or even fatalities, for car occupants, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
Motorcycle accidents
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries due to the limited protection that motorcycles offer riders. These accidents can be caused by various factors, including reckless driving, failure to check blind spots before changing lanes, or hazardous road conditions. The injuries sustained, such as road rash, broken bones, and head trauma, can lead to extensive medical treatment and long-term recovery.
Pedestrian accidents
Doral’s vibrant downtown area and pedestrian walkways are great for getting around on foot, but they can also be dangerous due to reckless or inattentive drivers. Crosswalk accidents, distracted drivers turning corners, or speeding vehicles can leave pedestrians vulnerable to catastrophic injuries like broken bones, head trauma, and internal bleeding.
Bicycle accidents
Bike accidents can happen when cyclists collide with vehicles, pedestrians, or other obstacles due to drivers’ negligence, poorly maintained roads, or inadequate cycling infrastructure. These accidents often result in serious injuries, such as fractures, head trauma, or internal injuries, as cyclists have minimal protection compared to vehicle occupants.
Dog bites
Doral is a pet-friendly city, but even the most playful pup can cause a serious bite. Dog bites can result in severe injuries, such as puncture wounds, infections, and, in extreme cases, permanent disfigurement. Dog owners in Doral have a responsibility to control their pets, particularly in public spaces, to prevent attacks. Failing to properly restrain or train their dogs can lead to significant physical pain and emotional trauma for victims.
Slip and fall accidents
A wet floor at a local business, uneven pavement on a public sidewalk, or a broken step at your apartment complex can all lead to nasty slip and fall accidents. These and other premises liability incidents can result in serious injuries like hip fractures, sprains, and head trauma, causing significant medical bills and disrupting your life.
Boat accidents
Doral’s waterways offer endless opportunities for fun and relaxation, but sunny days on the water can turn tragic in a flash, and the complexities of maritime law can be overwhelming. Collisions with other vessels due to operator negligence, equipment failures, or hazardous water conditions can lead to serious injuries like head trauma, spinal injuries, and even drowning.
Wrongful death
Wrongful death occurs when someone’s life is lost due to another party’s negligence or intentional actions, leaving families devastated both emotionally and financially. These cases can arise from various incidents, including vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, or defective products. The impact of wrongful death extends beyond emotional pain to include lost income, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship, making it crucial for families to pursue legal action to secure compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Do I have a personal injury claim?
If you were injured in a preventable accident, you may have a personal injury claim. Whether you were involved in a car accident, subjected to poor medical treatment, or injured by another person’s negligence, your standing to sue hangs on your ability to establish the following elements.
The responsible party owed you a duty of care
The duty of care is a legal obligation that requires individuals or organizations to act in a way that prevents inflicting harm on others.
For instance, drivers on the road have a duty to follow traffic laws to prevent accidents. Similarly, medical professionals have a duty to provide care that meets accepted medical standards, while property owners have a duty to maintain their premises safely for visitors.
They breached that duty
A breach occurs when the responsible party fails to fulfill their duty of care, behaving in a way that falls below the expected standard.
For example, a driver might breach their duty by texting while driving or running a red light. A doctor could breach their duty by making a significant error in diagnosis or treatment. Property owners can breach their duty by ignoring safety hazards, like wet floors or broken handrails.
This breach directly led to your injuries or other harm
To succeed in a personal injury claim, you need to prove that the breach of duty directly caused your injuries.
For example, if a driver who ran a red light collided with your car and you suffered a concussion, broken bones, or other injuries, you would need to show that the crash directly led to these injuries.
Similarly, if a medical error resulted in complications or worsened your condition, or if a slip and fall on a poorly maintained property led to fractures or head trauma, you would have to demonstrate that the breach directly caused your injuries.
The process of proving negligence can be much more complicated than it appears, requiring in-depth knowledge of the law and extensive evidence gathering. As such, it’s essential to have an experienced attorney by your side who understands the nuances of personal injury law and can effectively build a strong case on your behalf.
Are my injuries serious enough to pursue compensation?
Florida requires all drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which covers up to $10,000 of the policyholder’s medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who’s at fault for the accident.
Because all drivers are supposed to have this no-fault insurance, an injured driver is only allowed to pursue a lawsuit against a negligent driver if their injuries meet a certain medical threshold under Florida law. This includes:
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
It’s important to note that this law does not apply to accidents in which the injured party wasn’t driving a vehicle, like premises liability accidents, pedestrian accidents, bike accidents, dog bite incidents, etc.
What types of compensation can I expect?
In a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek compensation for various types of economic damages and non-economic damages to help restore you to your pre-accident condition. While it might not be entirely possible to fully return to how you were before the accident, financial compensation can support you in finding a new “normal.”
The types of compensation you may be entitled to include:
- Medical expenses. Covering current and future medical bills related to the injury, such as hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages. Reimbursement for income lost due to time off work for recovery or medical appointments, as well as future income loss if the injury impairs your ability to work.
- Pain and suffering. Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. Compensation for the impact of the injury on your ability to enjoy daily activities or hobbies.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement. Compensation for lasting physical impairments or changes in appearance that affect your quality of life.
- Property damage. Reimbursement for any property damaged in the accident, such as a vehicle in a car accident.
Each case is unique, so the specific compensation you can expect will depend on the details of your accident and the extent of your injuries. An experienced attorney can help you calculate all damages related to your injury, including past and future expenses, to ensure your compensation fully considers your losses.
What should I do if I’m injured in an accident to protect my rights?
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, regardless of the type of accident, you should first make an effort to document the scene and gather any witness statements, if possible.
The next thing you should do after leaving the scene is seek medical attention, even if you don’t initially feel injured. This is a crucial step as it helps establish a direct connection between your injuries and the accident, which generally makes the process of proving negligence easier.
Next, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you determine if you have a legal claim and work to gather evidence and negotiate with the other party’s insurance company to maximize your compensation.
Please be aware that under Florida law, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is only 2 years. This means that a lawsuit must be filed within 2 years from the date of the accident for you to be eligible for compensation.
In some circumstances, the deadline to file a lawsuit may be extended if the injury is not discovered until later, but in other cases, like claims against a state or local government agency, you may have a shorter timeline. Therefore, you should contact an attorney to discuss your options as soon as you can to avoid missing your chance to file a claim.
What if I was partially at fault for an accident in Florida? Can I still get compensation?
In short, yes. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that even if you were partially at fault for an accident in Florida, you can still receive compensation, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if a court finds that you were 20% responsible for a car accident and your damages amount to $50,000, your compensation would be reduced by 20%, resulting in an award of $40,000.
However, you should also be aware that Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule has a 51% bar, meaning if you’re found to be 51% or more at fault, you will not be eligible to receive any compensation.
Looking for the best injury attorney in Doral?
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Florida, it’s possible that the responsible party’s insurance company has already contacted you about compensation. Remember that insurance companies prefer to settle matters as quickly as possible and for the least amount of money to protect their bottom lines.
Because of this, it’s crucial to speak with a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offer from an insurance adjuster to ensure your rights are adequately protected.
At Redondo Law, experienced Doral personal injury attorney Mike Redondo spent his early career as an attorney for insurance companies, so he’s well-versed in the tactics they employ to minimize payouts.
Today, Mike uses that experience to fight for the rights of injured individuals and ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. He understands how insurance companies operate and can effectively counter their tactics to maximize your settlement.
Reach out today for a free consultation to learn how Redondo Law can help with your Doral injury claim.
References
Chapter 627 Section 737 – 2023 Florida Statutes. (n.d.). M.flsenate.gov. Retrieved May 6, 2024, from https://m.flsenate.gov/Statutes/627.737
