Eight Things to Think About Before You Sue

There’s no shortage of information on personal injury claims and lawsuits out there. Your family members may have some suggestions. Your co-worker may have some opinions or suggestions. Overall, the internet is full of articles that claim to know everything you need to know about personal injury lawsuits. With so much information, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out how to proceed. Enduring a personal injury can be horrifying enough along with emotional distress and financial worry but understanding Florida’s personal injury laws can also become a worry if not properly handled. In this blog post, we will list eight things to think about before you file a personal injury lawsuit.

1. Do you have a valid personal injury case?

If you or your loved one was injured, it’s understandable that you want to hold the responsible party liable for your damages. However, it is important to assess whether you have a valid legal claim or cause of action. If your injuries were very minor or if you or your loved one weren’t really injured, then you may want to reconsider filing suit.

2. Was the other party negligent?

To be eligible for compensation from a driver who caused a crash, injury victims need to show that the driver was negligent. Every motor vehicle operator has a legal duty to drive with reasonable care and in a way that does not put others at risk of injury. When liability after a car accident is contested, an investigation may become necessary to establish negligence. A car accident lawyer will know where and how to look for evidence that supports your case.

3. When did your injury occur?

You may have heard about the “statute of limitations.” It is important to understand how the statute of limitations can affect your personal injury claim. The statute of limitations is a timeframe within which the injured party must take legal action in order to obtain compensation for their damages. Failure to bring a personal injury claim within that time period can result in you losing the right to file a lawsuit and recover damages.

4. Who are you going to sue?

Figuring out who to sue after sustaining an injury is not always an easy task. A personal injury attorney can help you answer this important question. Issues: If you were involved in an accident where multiple parties may be liable for your injuries, you should contact a personal injury lawyer. When multiple parties are involved in an accident, insurance companies can be very difficult to deal with. Since several individuals were injured, there may not be as much settlement money to go around. You could also be the subject of insurance claims from the other parties, ultimately having your settlement offer decreased or reduced to nothing because of your proportional fault for the accident. An attorney can help protect you against counterclaims and cross-claims by the other parties who were involved in the accident.

5. Where Should You File Your Case?

Several factors may influence where a case should be filed including: subject matter of the case, the type or amount of the remedy sought, and the location of the parties. A court must have jurisdiction over the parties to the suit, particularly the defendant (personal jurisdiction), as well as jurisdiction to hear that particular type of case (subject matter jurisdiction) before it can step in and resolve a dispute.

6. What is your personal injury case worth?

If you or a member of your family was recently involved in an accident, you may be wondering how much your personal injury claim might be worth. Several factors can affect the value of a personal injury claim. Each case must be considered on its own facts and circumstances. However, consideration is to be given to all of the following factors as appropriate: the nature and extent of the injury, its permanency, the amount of pain and suffering already endured and to be endured in the future.

7. Have you tried to settle your personal injury case?

Try to look at your case from the other party’s point of view. Perhaps they have a valid defense to your claim or even a potential counterclaim they may file against you. If so, take that into consideration. If a dollar value is at issue, try to be practical and consider reducing the amount you are asking for in order to resolve the case. In all honesty, you may receive more through a settlement than you would by suing, because you will have to pay attorneys’ fees and other costs in connection with a lawsuit.

8. Do you have the time to file a lawsuit?

In most cases, it may take two to three years to go through the complete lawsuit process. When your case is filed in court, it can take quite a bit of time be two years or longer before you get a trial date. If you choose Suarez & Montero to represent you, our lawyers and staff will be there to support you and provide information through each step of the process.

Speak with a Miami Personal Injury Attorney

If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, you may have a right to seek compensation for your losses. The Law Offices of Suarez & Montero Car Accident Attorneys is a personal injury law firm with locations in Miami and Broward. A personal injury claim can seek funds that cover medical expenses, lost income and other damages. Almost nothing is more aggravating to a client than to leave a legal project in a lawyer’s hands and then have weeks or even months go by without anything happening. You want a lawyer who will work hard on your behalf and follow through promptly on all assignments. Consider the size of the law firm when hiring an attorney. Many times, a large law firm will assign the case to a less experienced attorney, and not necessarily the attorney that you initially met with. Being able to communicate effectively with your attorney is a crucial aspect of any successful case. Evaluate your attorney’s responsiveness, by asking how you will be able to contact them and how long it will take them to return your communications.

Our attorneys are ready to provide proven legal representation in pursuing your claim and stand ready to protect your rights. The car accident attorneys at Suarez & Montero can help those of you who would like to pursue a car accident claim. To discuss how we can assist you, call us or contact us online. We encourage you to learn more about and the successes our attorneys have had on behalf of individuals and families who have suffered serious personal injury in accidents involving vehicles. Call us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your case and help you understand your legal options.

We serve clients throughout Florida including those in the following areas:

Miami-Dade: Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead, Kendall, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Tamiami, and Westchester.

Broward: Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Weston; and Palm Beach County including Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach