You probably have many questions regarding your potential injury claim. Below are just a few frequently asked questions that we hope are helpful. For a more detailed response, or if you have a question and would like to speak with a lawyer for personal injury, please contact us; one of our attorneys will be happy to help.
Click on each question to read the answer.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for personal injury?
At The Barzakay Law Firm, we work exclusively on a contingency fee basis. This means we will not get paid anything unless we successfully resolve your case by way of settlement or jury verdict. Our fees are deducted from your settlement or award. If you don’t get paid, we don’t get paid!
Who will pay for my medical bills?
It depends on what caused your injuries. In Florida, if you are injured in an automobile accident, the first $10,000.00 of your medical bills will be paid by your automobile insurance company. Medical bills in excess of $10,000.00 will be paid by your health insurance company and/or the party at fault for the accident. If however you have no automobile or health insurance, then we will ask the doctors that treat you to withhold collecting payment until you receive your settlement proceeds or award which will include an amount for your outstanding medical bills. If you were injured on someone else’s property such as in a slip/trip and fall accident, your health insurance company will pay your medical bills. If you do not have health insurance, we look to the insurance policy covering the property where you were injured, which may have a provision to pay for some of your medical bills. If there is no such provision then as in the automobile case we will ask the doctors that treat you to withhold collecting payment until you receive your settlement proceeds or award.
How long will it take before my case is resolved?
There is no exact timeframe for when a case will resolve because each case and each individual is unique. Depending on the extent of your injuries some cases can be resolved in a matter of days, while others can take weeks, months or even years. That being said, while we certainly do not want to rush a case simply so it can be settled, we are confident that we can resolve most cases in just a few months.
How much can I expect to receive for my injuries?
This is perhaps one of the most common questions we are asked. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing the true value of your case until we have a better understanding of the extent of your injuries. Moreover, it is possible that injuries may start off as minor and develop into something more serious in the future. There can be both past and future lost wages to consider in addition to future medical care and a host of other factors that must be considered when determining the value of your case. As we get closer to the end of your medical treatment we will be in a much better position to discuss the true value of your case.
Will I have to go to court?
The vast majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court without you ever having to step inside a courtroom. However, sometimes insurance companies are not willing to make a reasonable settlement offer. In this situation some personal injury lawyers simply seek a quick settlement take what they can get and will not go to trial for you. At The Barzakay Law Firm, if an insurance company refuses to do the right thing, then we will take them to court and force them to do the right thing.
What if I was involved in a car accident and the person at fault has no insurance? Do I still have a case?
Yes, so long as you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage through your own automobile insurance company. UM coverage allows you to file a claim against your own insurance company for injuries caused by an uninsured motorist. This is why it is imperative to ensure you include UM coverage on your policy. There are just too many uninsured drivers in Florida.
What if I was involved in a car accident which was not my fault but I do not have any insurance? Do I still have a case?
Yes, so long as the party at-fault has insurance. His or her insurance company will pay for the damage to your vehicle and for your pain and suffering. As mentioned in the answer to question number 2 above, your medical bills will be paid at the conclusion of your case from the settlement proceeds.
What if I’m injured on someone else’s property?
Those injured by a negligent owner or possessor of a premise may recover damages for their injuries, including loss of income, medical expenses, pain, suffering, etc. If you are injured on someone else’s property, you should consult an experienced lawyer for personal injury in Florida. An attorney will be able to analyze your case and the principles of law pertaining to premises liability. You should not give an interview to insurance adjusters or investigators hired by insurance companies until you have consulted with an attorney.