What Kind of Investigations Do Florida Personal Injury Attorneys Conduct?
After suffering injuries in Florida because of another party’s negligence, it is best that you retain a skilled personal injury attorney, even though you have the right to handle your personal injury case alone. When you think of an attorney, you most likely think of them representing you in court, but the role of a personal injury lawyer goes beyond courtroom representation. One of the most crucial aspects of a personal injury attorney’s job is to conduct thorough investigations to build a strong case. Therefore, your Florida personal injury attorney must not only be an effective advocate. They also need to be an effective and diligent investigator. An effective and hardworking investigator can give you the best chance of winning your personal injury case. Below, we discuss the different kinds of investigations Florida personal injury lawyers conduct.
Scene Investigations
After you hire a personal injury lawyer, they will most likely conduct investigations at the accident scene. Your attorney will go where your accident happened to assess the location and document any relevant evidence. Scene investigations involve identifying factors that may have contributed to the accident. For example, if yours was a car accident, your attorney will assess the accident scene to determine if road conditions or other hazards may have contributed to your accident. If you were involved in a slip and fall accident, your lawyer will assess the accident scene to identify hazards such as poor lighting, wet floors, or uneven surfaces that may have contributed to your accident.
Medical Investigations
Your personal injury attorney will conduct thorough medical investigations to establish the severity of your injuries. They will review your medical records, consult with medical experts (if necessary), and collect any other necessary medical evidence to determine the extent of your injuries. Your personal injury lawyer will conduct medical investigations to establish a link between your accident and injuries. Additionally, medical investigations enable attorneys to determine the potential long-term impact of an injury on a victim’s life.
Liability Investigations
Your Florida personal injury attorney will investigate whose negligence contributed to your accident. This is the person who is liable for your injuries and damages. Establishing liability is a vital part of a Florida personal injury case. If you cannot establish liability, you cannot recover compensation. Simply saying you believe another party is to blame for your accident is not enough. You must establish liability, which entails proving the elements of negligence: duty of care, breach of duty of care, and causation.
Damages Investigations
Your personal injury lawyer will investigate the extent of your damages to ensure you recover fair compensation. This entails analyzing, among others, lost income, medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering. Your attorney will also evaluate your case to determine if you are entitled to punitive damages. According to Florida Statute 768.72, a defendant in a Florida personal injury case can be asked to pay punitive damages if there is evidence that they are guilty of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Our skilled and dedicated Orlando personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you with all aspects of your personal injury case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your case.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Ocala, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Naples, West Palm Beach, and Melbourne areas.
