Answers To Frequently Asked Personal Injury Questions In Jacksonville

The attorneys at Finnell, McGuinness, Nezami & Andux P.A. are committed to comprehensive client service, and that means answering all questions you may have about personal injury law and your legal options. Below, we’ve provided some frequently asked questions and corresponding answers. After reading, please contact us to ask us your own questions during a free initial consultation.

Do I need to consult with a specific doctor after an injury? Will it affect my ability to file a lawsuit?

You do not need to see a specific doctor. The most important thing to do right away is just seek medical treatment. When it comes time to file a lawsuit, medical records will be important, so you may want to be selective about who you see for follow-up or specialty care (only to ensure that you obtain the documentation that will most clearly demonstrate your injuries). Initially, however, the only concern should be seeking a doctor who will stabilize and treat you as soon as possible.

I only have $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage, but my medical bills are going to be much higher than that. Do I have any options for seeking more compensation?

Florida law requires that all vehicle owners have at least $10k in PIP coverage, which will be used to cover injuries after a car accident – regardless of fault. However, if you can demonstrate that your injuries are “serious” (as defined under state law) and if the other driver was at fault, you likely have the option to pursue additional compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.

Insurance laws and regulations are unreasonably complicated. The average person has trouble understanding what they are entitled to, and insurance companies are in no hurry to inform them. When you contact our firm, we can explain your options in plain English, and we’ll even deal with the insurance company on your behalf.

If someone commits a crime that causes me serious injury or kills someone I love, can I sue them? Or do I need to just hope they are criminally convicted?

Thankfully, the criminal and civil justice systems are not mutually exclusive. The best-case scenario is that the person who committed the crime/harm will be both criminally convicted and found liable in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

We can help you file a civil lawsuit regardless of what prosecutors do or what the verdict in a criminal case turns out to be. Also, because the standard of proof in a civil case is lower, it is possible to find someone “guilty” in civil court even if they were found not guilty in criminal court.

Can I afford to hire a personal injury attorney?

Nearly all personal injury attorneys in Florida (including us) take cases on a contingency fee basis. That means we don’t get paid unless we help you recover money. Our fees are paid out of a portion of the money you are awarded. We also offer free initial consultations, so you are not taking a financial risk by seeking legal help.

Contact Us To Ask Your Own Questions

Finnell, McGuinness, Nezami & Andux is based in Jacksonville and Green Cove Springs, Florida and we serve clients throughout the surrounding region. To schedule your free initial consultation with our skilled and caring attorneys, call us at 904-717-7747 or send us an email.