If you suffered an injury to your person because of another person’s careless or reckless conduct, you may be in a position to recover compensation for your losses. A Hillsborough County personal injury lawyer could look into your accident and determine who was at fault. If you have grounds for a lawsuit, a skilled personal injury attorney could then file a claim for damages on your behalf.
What Types of Accidents Lead to Personal Injury Claims?
A variety of different accidents can lead to personal injury claims, including motor vehicle collisions, trips and falls, pedestrian accidents, bicycle crashes, and accidents that occur while on the job.
The key to recovering compensation in these situations is to prove the following legal elements:
- That the responsible party owed a duty of care to act as an ordinary and reasonable person would under the circumstances
- That the responsible party breached – or violated – that standard of care
- That the responsible party actually and proximately caused the accident victim to suffer one or more injuries to their person
- That the accident victim suffered economic and/or noneconomic damages
The accident victim is responsible for demonstrating all of these elements in a lawsuit. A Hillsborough County personal injury attorney could help victims by gathering supporting evidence and assembling a strong claim.
Recoverable Damages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
In order to be eligible for personal injury compensation, the accident must have been a cause of the victim’s injuries. However, the accident need not be the only cause.
Just as an accident victim is responsible for proving fault (or liability), they are also responsible for proving all of the damages in their claim. Sometimes, plaintiffs retain a medical expert who can support their claim and causally connect the injuries with the accident. At other times, a medical expert might render an opinion regarding a permanent impairment or estimate the cost of future medical procedures or long-term care.
The value of the damages in a personal injury case depends on many factors, including the extent of the accident victim’s injuries, the amount of their medical bills, and their need for future care or treatment. Potential damages include payment of related medical expenses, loss of income, loss of ability to work, lost consortium, loss of life enjoyment, and loss of use of a body part.
Although there is no straightforward formula for calculating damages, a Hillsborough County personal injury attorney can highlight the strengths of the case – and the impact of the injuries – to try to maximize recovery.
Contact a Hillsborough County Personal Injury Attorney Today
Effectively settling and litigating a personal injury case often requires a knowledgeable and experienced attorney. Insurance companies may try to settle personal injury claims for the smallest amount of money possible. Consequently, you want a skilled Hillsborough County personal injury lawyer on your side aggressively advocating for you throughout your legal proceedings.
Call an experienced personal injury attorney today to discuss the facts of your claim and your next steps. They could help your case by negotiating a fair settlement or litigating your case through the court system. Call today for a case review.