What Personal Injury Damages Can You Retrieve in Florida

Getting hurt in an accident can be traumatizing for anyone. Victims may experience physical pain and limitations, hindering them from performing their daily tasks. This unfortunate event can also lead to costly medical bills and cause significant emotional damage, especially if someone else could’ve easily prevented it in the first place.

Fortunately, you can get financial compensation for your losses and damages. However, you’ll need help from a professional personal injury lawyer to ensure you make the right decisions and seek justice.

If you want to get payment and well-deserved justice, this article will discuss compensatory and punitive damages. We’ll also explain how to get financial compensation for your losses and damages.

What Are the Types of Compensatory Damages in a Personal Injury Case?

Economic damages are the financial costs incurred from an accident, like damage to property, lost wages, and medical bills. On the other hand, non-economic damages refer to an incident’s physical, emotional, and mental impacts, like the loss of a limb, permanent disfigurement, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and physical pain and suffering.

You could receive compensation for economic and non-economic damages if you’ve suffered a loss. You should also know that getting monetary damages is usually easier than punitive damages.

Are There Limits on Compensatory Damages?

In Florida, there’s no limit to your compensation for economic and non-economic damages if you have the proper evidence. You can gather the appropriate evidence and fight for your total payment by hiring a professional personal injury lawyer. You can also schedule a meeting with them to get an estimate of the value of your injuries and losses.

What Is Punitive Damage and Gross Negligence?

Punitive damages are an award a person can receive if they get hurt by someone’s gross negligence. Gross negligence is extreme carelessness that deliberately disregards others’ safety and well-being. 

What Are Examples of Gross Negligence?

Some examples of this behavior include driving while intoxicated or drugged and distracted driving because of texting or talking on the phone. It can also be tired and reckless driving, such as speeding or going the wrong way on a one-way street.

Is There a Limit on Punitive Damages?

In Florida, punitive damages can’t exceed three times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000. You must speak to a professional personal injury lawyer if you’re considering claiming punitive damages. That way, they can help you decide how much you can demand.

How to Recover All Damages in a Florida Personal Injury Case

After understanding the different types of damages from a personal injury case, this section will explain five steps to help you get well-deserved justice and compensation.

1. Get Medical Help

Immediately call 911 and ensure they’ll take you to a hospital to check for internal or external injuries. Don’t delay getting medical help after an accident because it will make you look like you weren’t hurt and make the other party deny you’re injured.

2. Gather the Evidence

After an accident, collect evidence like photos, video, property damage, injuries, police reports, and witness accounts.

3. Keep Good Records

Organize all medical records, bills, and correspondence with insurance companies to avoid scrambling for them at the last minute.

4. Never Accept a Lowball Offer

Don’t accept a lowball offer from the guilty party’s insurance company because it could mean you’re not getting the compensation you deserve.

5. Find an Attorney

You can protect yourself and your rights by consulting a professional personal injury lawyer. They will manage the entire process and provide clear answers to your questions.

Bouncing Back from Traumatic Events 

Accidents can be distressing, especially if the other party could’ve easily prevented them in the first place. You can recover from these unfortunate events by seeking immediate medical attention and finding a reputable personal injury lawyer.

Mendes, Reins and Wilander have a personal injury lawyer in Tampa. We’re ready to help victims get well-deserved justice and compensation. Contact us now at 888-862-0025 or via email to get a free consultation!