Car accidents are a common occurrence on the roads of Florida, and they can have serious consequences for those involved. If you have been in a car accident in Florida

How to Prove Fault in Your Tampa Car Accident Claim if There Were No Witnesses

Each year, thousands of car accidents occur in Tampa, many with no witnesses. This lack of direct witnesses can pose a serious challenge for those seeking to prove fault in

When Does Uber or Lyft’s Insurance Coverage Apply to Your Lakeland Rideshare Accident Claim?

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular in Lakeland and other cities, providing a convenient and affordable mode of transportation for many people. However, with the rise

What to Do if You’re Injured by an Airbag in a Lakeland Car Crash

Car crashes are an unfortunate reality that can cause serious injuries and even fatalities. In the midst of the chaos and confusion of a car crash, one may not even

Recent Car Accidents Blogs:

Will There Will Be A Car Accident Investigation?

The at-fault party’s insurance company will immediately launch an auto accident investigation to reduce their payout.

This investigation includes taking statements from the parties and witnesses and collecting physical evidence, such as photographs and even the damaged vehicles.

While the insurance company attempts to avoid liability, most auto accident victims are left to deal with the personal and financial effects of the trauma. This reality is why it’s important to have a specialist on your side. We won’t let the insurance company take advantage of you.

Should I Seek Medical Attention After An Accident?

Most people avoid doctor appointments after a vehicle accident. However, after a severe auto crash, it is important to follow medical advice to give yourself the best and fastest chance to heal.

Seek medical care immediately after an injury and avoid missing appointments with your healthcare professionals.

Should I Tell My Doctor About Prior Injuries?

Your auto accident case value is determined by evidence from several places, especially your doctors. Most people who require treatment will get better; however, some catastrophic injuries require lifelong care.

After an accident, document what future needs may be necessary. It is also important to tell your doctors about past issues.

The doctors need to give opinions about new injuries and prior injuries that were possibly exacerbated. Failure to provide your doctors with accurate information may damage your credibility and undermine your doctor’s findings.

What Is A Permanent Injury In Florida?

After Lakeland, FL, car accident, you must demonstrate that your injury is permanent to receive compensation for pain and suffering, disability or physical impairment, deformity, mental anguish, inconvenience, or loss of capacity for enjoyment of life.

To be considered a permanent injury, it must include:

A significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function.

Permanent and significant scarring or disfigurement.

An injury that the evidence shows is permanent to a reasonable degree of probability.

What Is "Maximum Medical Improvement?"

Maximum medical improvement is when an injured patient’s condition cannot be further improved or when a healing plateau is reached.

It can mean the patient has fully recovered from their injury, or their condition has stabilized, and no substantial change can be expected. Maximum medical improvement does not mean the patient will not receive future care.

What Is "Palliative Care?"

Sometimes, future care is designed to help with functionality or pain levels and will not cure the condition. This kind of treatment following a car wreck is called “palliative care.” Palliative care is a multidisciplinary approach to specialized health care for people with severe conditions.

It focuses on providing patients with relief from the symptom or pain. Such therapy aims to improve the patient’s quality of life.

How Can A Lawyer Help Me After An Accident?

After getting the care you need, obtaining good advice and counsel is important for your future. Hiring the right personal injury attorneys can make a difference in your case. If you need legal assistance, contact one of our car accident specialists.

If you hire a lawyer on contingency, you will likely pay the same percentage fee whether your lawyer is a first-year lawyer with little or no experience or a board-certified specialist by the Florida Bar.

If you or a family member suffered a catastrophic injury that was not your fault, a Brandon catastrophic injury lawyer could help you seek the compensation you deserve from the negligent party. Just “Ask Dave” about your personal injury case. You can focus on getting better and adjusting to your new normal while we handle the legal details.

How a Catastrophic Injury Could Change Your Life

Unless they have walked this path themselves, most people have no idea what drastic changes a catastrophic injury could impose on their lives. Here are just a few examples of how your life could be different after suffering a life-changing injury.

Mobility Issues

Depending on the type of devastating injury, lasting impairment could make tasks that used to be simple now impossible or extremely challenging. If the injury leaves you with mobility issues, simply getting out of a chair and walking across the room could be a struggle. Paralysis or weakness in your arms or legs could mean you will need help dressing, bathing, and eating.

Lack of Free Time

Before the accident that left you with lifelong challenges, you might have enjoyed an active lifestyle, playing with your children, going out with friends, or attending sporting events. After a catastrophic injury, you might not have time for those activities.

Frequent visits to multiple specialist doctors and your general practice physician, physical therapy sessions, and other medical treatments can monopolize your time.

Chronic Pain

Most people are not surprised that life-changing injuries cause pain at the moment of the accident. However, they might not realize that after devastating injuries, many people never break free of the shackles of chronic physical pain. Depending on the type of injury, this pain can be beyond the comprehension of someone who has not experienced it.

Financial Worries

Many people barely survive financially after suffering a catastrophic injury. They might not have the time or functional ability to earn a living anymore or have to try to live on a drastically reduced income.

Compounding this financial struggle is the fact that many people have several hundred thousand dollars in medical expenses after a severe accident requiring surgeries, long hospital stays, and ongoing care.

Emotional Distress

Accidents that cause life-changing physical injuries can also inflict emotional trauma on the victim. Chronic depression, fear, anxiety, anger, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can leave the injured person unable to get a decent night’s sleep because of night terrors and other sleep disorders. PTSD can isolate the victim because of its impact on close relationships and the ability to work for a living.

The person who caused the catastrophic injury through negligence should be the one to pay for these impacts on the injured person’s life. As soon as you reach out, a Brandon catastrophic injury attorney can get started on your claim or lawsuit.

The Definition of a Catastrophic Injury

There is no single universally accepted definition of a catastrophic injury. NeuLife Rehabilitation, a residential provider of specialized post-acute treatment programs for many different catastrophic injuries, offers a common definition: a catastrophic injury is “a severe injury to the spine, spinal cord, or brain, and may also include skull or spinal fractures, loss of a limb and severe burn injuries that [lead] to a permanent or long-term severe functional disability or disfigurement.”

A catastrophic injury lawyer in Brandon, FL could help you pursue the monetary damages you deserve from the at-fault party. You might need months of rehabilitation treatment, multiple surgeries, and other medical interventions. The recovery process from catastrophic injuries and the many needed medical treatments can be long and difficult. Usually, a person in the situation will face a lifetime of medical treatment.

What Type of Lawyer Handles Catastrophic Injury Cases?

You can turn to a catastrophic injury attorney in Brandon, FL for help with your personal injury case. At Dismuke Law, our catastrophic injury lawyers know how to handle these claims. You should not have to battle the insurance company alone while trying to recuperate from your devastating wounds.

We can deal directly with the defendant’s insurance company and negotiate to settle your claim fairly. If the insurer will not pay the amount you deserve, we could take your case to court and ask a judge and jury to decide.

The Filing Deadline for a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit in Brandon, Florida

Unfortunately, as soon as you are involved in an accident that causes a catastrophic injury, the clock starts ticking on the time Florida gives you to pursue monetary damages for your injuries. If you do not file a lawsuit before the filing deadline, Florida law could forever bar you from seeking compensation for your losses from the careless party who injured you.

Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), you only have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your loved one did not survive their catastrophic injuries, Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d) limits you to only two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Common Types of Recoverable Damages in Brandon Catastrophic Injury Claims

There are two primary categories of recoverable damages in catastrophic injury claims in Florida.

Economic Losses

The category of economic losses encompasses your medical expenses, including:

The initial treatment you needed following the accident
Post-crisis rehabilitation
Specialized medical interventions
Follow-up procedures
Surgeries
Medical equipment
Prescription drugs
Pain management

Your lost wages and decreased future wages also fit into the category of economic losses.

Non-Economic Losses

Non-economic damages are intangible losses like pain and suffering for your physical discomfort, emotional distress, and inconvenience. This category also includes things like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.

We could seek additional compensation for the family through a wrongful death claim if your loved one did not survive their catastrophic wounds that someone else caused through negligence.

Getting Started with a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Serving Brandon, FL

Reach out to us today at Dismuke Law to start the process of holding the negligent party accountable for the harm they caused you. Your initial consultation is free, with no obligation.

We handle catastrophic injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not owe us any legal fees until you win. If your Brandon catastrophic injury lawyer does not win your case, you will not owe us any money for attorney fees. You have nothing to lose, so contact us and “Ask Dave” about your case now.

Take The Next Step

We Care About Your Recovery

Seriously injured? Have no coverage? We want to talk to you and we can help. We have two convenient office locations in Lakeland and Tampa and can even come to you if you are unable to travel due to your injuries. When you’ve been hurt in Florida, 1-800-ASK-DAVE is the only number you have to remember.

WHAT IS MY AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT CASE WORTH?
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT!

Contact Us Today

WHAT IS MY AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT CASE WORTH?
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT!

Not Just Your Attorney

Acting Within Our Community

Charities We Support and Communities We Are Involved In