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Florida Personal Injury Lawyers
$3,830,000

Catastrophic motorcycle accident resulted in a jury verdict.

$1,748,000

Auto accident, multi-car crash

$1,200,000

Auto accident

$1,035,000

Auto accident involving defective airbag

$850,000

Auto accident

$700,000

Auto accident

$700,000

Auto accident

$600,000

Hospital turned away patient

$550,000

Auto accident involving tractor trailer

$450,000

Auto accident

$400,000

Car accident

$350,000

Golf Cart Accident

$300,000

Slip and Fall at Work

$210,000

Slip and Fall

$195,000

Auto Accident

$175,000

Accident involving pressure cooker

$106,890

Auto Accident

$100,000

Auto Accident

$100,000

Auto Accident

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Importance Of Credibility In Your Florida Personal Injury Case

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If you have a personal injury case, you should know that whether or not you are credible can affect the outcome of your case. Insurance companies understand this, and the at-fault party’s insurance company will do its best to discredit you. Our skilled personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm know the tactics insurers use to attack the credibility of victims and how to protect your credibility. We can offer legal guidance and help protect the value of your claim.

What Is Credibility and Why Is It Important?

When someone is credible, others see them as trustworthy and believable. Credibility also applies to evidence. Credibility is vital in a personal injury case because a credible victim is more likely to recover the compensation they deserve. A jury is more likely to empathize and side with a credible victim. This situation may influence the insurance company to make a reasonable offer because they want to prevent the case from going to court, where a jury may award much higher compensation to the claimant.

A jury is not likely to side with a claimant with less credibility. When a claimant is less credible, the insurance company may be unwilling to make a reasonable offer. The insurance company may not feel worried about going to court since they know in court, they may be able to undermine the victim’s credibility even further. In such a situation, the insurance company may feel they can win the case or be asked to pay a small amount of money.

What Factors Into a Victim’s Credibility?

Various things factor into whether you are seen as credible or not. The following are some of these things;

  • Criminal record
  • Driving record
  • Personal background
  • Financial stability
  • Statements about the accident

For example, you may be seen as credible if you make consistent statements about what happened and don’t have a history of lying. On the other hand, your credibility may be questioned if you make an initial statement about the accident, then your story changes later on. Your credibility may also be questioned if you have a criminal background and poor financial credit. If you have poor financial credit, it may be assumed that you are seeking money because you are desperate.

How the Insurance Company May Try To Damage Your Credibility

Below are some of the ways the insurance company may try to damage your credibility;

  • Going through your financial history
  • Stalking your social media pages
  • Digging up criminal records or old traffic tickets
  • Asking for full access to your entire medical history and combing through it, for example, with the hope of finding out that you have a mental issue or a pre-existing condition that you did not disclose

How You Can Establish Credibility

Below are some of the ways you can establish credibility in your Florida personal injury case;

  • Seeking prompt medical attention
  • Giving consistent statements regarding what happened
  • Following your doctor’s orders
  • Avoiding engaging in activities that may contradict how serious you claim your injury is

Contact Us for Legal Help

Our Miami personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm are here to help protect your legal interests. We have been helping personal injury victims recover the compensation they deserve for years. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Tampa, Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, and West Palm Beach areas.

Source:

law.cornell.edu/wex/credibility

Read What Others Have To Say About Us

  • “I can’t express how much I appreciate this law firm. I had the honor to deal with attorney Daniel. He kept me updated on my case. I couldn’t ask for a better law firm. Daniel fought for me til the end and got me what I deserved. Thanks Daniel and your team for always being there to answer any of my questions. If I ever need a law firm again...”

    Terry Mcphillips
  • “Speedy & superb handling of clients & cases, kind & caring. Highly recommended professionals. They made everything very easy for us, were outgoing & polite. I would call them again if ever in need, rather than call the larger firms that need to advertise & brag about winnings…Pendas was a pleasant & more personal approach instead of...”

    Joseph Kestell
  • “Wow I called Pendas Law Firm the other day at their main intake line it was around 11 o’clock at night and I’ve got this wonderful representative his name was Jeffrey Alvarez. This guy was very professional and his compassion was out of this world I don’t know what I would do if I could not have got a hold of him...”

    Luis Sanchez
  • “Thank you for helping us in our time of need. This firm handled my father’s workers comp case, and helped us with every question we had, and we had a plenty. Thankful for the entire legal team!”

    Enilno Resu
  • “I just concluded a case with attorney Michael Sanchez and paralegal Camilo Lopez. I can only say they are exceptional. The customer service is unique, they have been battling alongside me since day 1. They are not only courteous and professional, but they also are amazing at their job. Thanks to them I got a great deal. I am glad I decided to use their services...”

    Israel Garcia
  • “Their attorneys are absolutely someone you want handling your car accident claim. They communicated with us promptly and thoroughly. I was very happy with our recovery. Already recommended them to others in the same circumstances, their staff speaks Spanish and you feel like in family.”

    Ian Brito
  • “Very Professional law firm. They explained to you every detail what to do according to the laws (worker’s compensation). Mr. Danilo Cruz is the best Lawyer and his team. They are very kind, friendly, responsible, I love this firm. They fight for their clients. AwesomeTeam!”

    Lau Rod