Were you hurt due to someone else’s actions in Mary Esther, FL? If so, call Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers at (850) 809-0170 for assistance. Our skilled Mary Esther personal injury lawyers can help you recover the much-needed compensation you deserve under Florida law.
Our law firm was founded over 40 years ago to passionately represent victims against at-fault parties and insurers. With over seven decades of combined experience, we’ve successfully secured hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
Now, our Mary Esther legal team is here for you in your time of need. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your injuries and legal options, so contact us today to schedule yours.
Why Should I Hire Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers To Handle My Mary Esther Personal Injury Case?
An unexpected injury can derail your life in various ways. You may need to undergo painful medical treatment as you heal, leading to physical suffering and monetary costs. You may also have to miss work, worsening your financial position.
You already have enough to worry about; you shouldn’t have to deal with the many complexities involved with a legal claim. Let our Mary Esther personal injury attorneys handle your case from start to finish so that you can focus entirely on your well-being.
If you hire Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers after an accident in Mary Esther, Florida, you can expect us to:
- Help you understand your rights and provide consistent status updates
- Thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your injuries
- Develop a customized strategy tailored to the facts of your case
- Gather evidence and consult expert witnesses to strengthen our arguments
- Accurately calculate your past and future damages
- File all claims and communicate with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Negotiate for a fair settlement that fully compensates you
- Take your case to court in Okaloosa County, FL, if necessary
Our founding attorney is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar, demonstrating his heightened knowledge of state personal injury laws. We are also members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and have an AV Preeminent rating with Martindale-Hubbell.
Get our award-winning attorneys in your corner to improve your chance of success. Contact our Mary Esther law office for a free consultation to learn more about an attorney-client relationship.
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
If another party caused your injuries, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against them. Doing so will allow you to hold them accountable for their negligence or misconduct. It will also make you “whole” again by compensating you for your damages.
The following are examples that could give rise to a civil claim:
- You were injured in a boating accident because the operator was drunk
- Your child slipped on a puddle at the grocery store and broke their arm
- You lost a loved one in a fatal traffic collision
- Your doctor failed to properly diagnose a condition, leading to complications (medical malpractice)
- You were burned by a defective kitchen appliance (product liability)
It’s best to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer in Mary Esther to determine whether you have a valid case. We’re available 24/7 to answer your call.
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
There are numerous benefits to hiring a personal injury attorney. People with skilled legal representation tend to receive much higher payouts than those who go it alone.
Here are some reasons why:
- You will likely have to deal with an insurance company to resolve your case. These entities have teams of people and vast resources to fight claims. With an attorney representing you, you put yourself on equal footing with a large insurer.
- Your case may involve complex facts, issues, or questions that require specialized expertise. An established law firm has a network of experts they can call upon to assist, which can strengthen your position.
- An adjuster may engage in various strategies to take advantage of your situation. They may blame you for your injuries, request unnecessary documentation, and unjustly delay the process. Your lawyer will battle against unfair insurance tactics and push for a fair result.
You should also consider the stress and effort that comes with fighting for compensation. If you’re in the midst of recovering from injuries, you probably shouldn’t add any more to your plate. A lawyer will take on all aspects of your claim, giving you time to focus on healing.
We Handle All Personal Injury Cases in Mary Esther
At Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers, we help Mary Esther victims after all types of incidents. Below are some of our main practice areas.
Car Accidents
Although Mary Esther is a small city, Highway 98 is a common site of crashes. This major roadway has a large traffic volume at any given time, leading to an increased risk of collisions. Our Mary Esther car accident lawyers can help you with your PIP insurance claim and identify all other potential compensation sources.
Motorcycle Accidents
As a coastal city with typically warm weather, Mary Esther is a great place to ride a motorcycle. However, any time you take to the roads, you’re at risk of being injured in an accident. If you’ve suffered harm in a crash, our Mary Esther motorcycle accident lawyers can work to hold the negligent driver accountable.
Truck Accidents
Trucking accidents may not be as common in Mary Esther as they are in larger urban areas. However, given its location near major highways and routes frequently used by commercial trucks, 18-wheeler collisions can still occur. Our Mary Esther truck accident attorneys can assist in filing claims against the trucker, trucking company, and any other responsible parties.
Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries – including amputations, severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, and paralysis – can drastically affect your life. You may require ongoing medical care and help with daily activities for the foreseeable future. Our Mary Esther catastrophic injury attorneys will ensure that you receive the resources you need to move forward.
Dog Bites
Under Florida state law, a dog owner can be held strictly liable for damages caused by their canine biting another person. That’s true even if the dog had never shown vicious or aggressive tendencies. However, the owner may not be quick to accept liability. Let our Mary Esther dog bite lawyers fight for a fair result.
Slip and Fall Accidents
You can fall and injure yourself anywhere in Mary Esther, from the local library or movie theater to a friend’s house. If the property owner or operator was negligent in maintaining the premises, they may be on the hook for your losses. Our Mary Esther slip and fall accident lawyers will gather the proof needed to establish your claim.
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one due to negligence or wrongdoing can be one of the hardest things you ever experience. Whether they were killed accidentally or in a violent manner, the wrongdoer can be held liable for financial compensation. Our Mary Esther wrongful death attorneys can help you and your family seek justice and accountability.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Most personal injury attorneys in Mary Esther and throughout Florida represent clients on a contingency fee basis. That means it will cost you nothing upfront to obtain representation, and you will never owe any money out of pocket. Instead, attorney’s fees will be deducted directly from any award your lawyer wins on your behalf.
So, if you do not receive compensation through a settlement or court verdict, you will not have to pay for legal services.
This arrangement is beneficial for those who have fallen on hard times because of unexpected financial setbacks.
What Damages Are Available To Mary Esther Accident Victims?
Mary Esther injury victims may be entitled to recovery for their economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include any injury-related costs and losses, such as:
- Medical bills for EMS transport, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, surgery, and related services
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Reduced earning capacity
- Reasonable out-of-pocket costs
- Property damage
- Physical therapy
You may also be compensated for non-economic damages for things like:
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Scarring
- Inconvenience
- PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Though rare, some Florida cases that go to court qualify for punitive damages, which serve as a form of punishment. However, you must prove that the defendant’s conduct in causing your injury was grossly negligent or intentional.
How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
The value of any personal injury case is dependent on the unique facts and circumstances.
When our Florida personal injury lawyers are assessing what your claim is worth, we will evaluate the following:
- The severity of your injuries
- All the ways you’ve been impacted, including a decrease in your quality of life
- Your healthcare costs now and in the future
- Any income you lost due to your accident
- Whether you’re able to earn the same amount of money as before you were hurt
- The parties involved and insurance coverage/policy limits
- Whether you share any blame for the cause of your harm
Other factors, like the competence of your lawyer and the strength of your evidence, can also affect the amount you recover. By working with a knowledgeable attorney, you significantly increase your odds of a successful outcome.
Personal Injury FAQs
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After an Accident in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations sets a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. You will generally have two years from the date of your accident to initiate a case. However, certain exceptions could give you more (or less) time to act.
If you don’t file your lawsuit within the applicable timeframe, it will likely be dismissed, meaning you’ll lose your right to compensation. Don’t let a procedural error keep you from securing the financial recovery you need. Reach out to our Mary Esther injury lawyers to get started.
What Is Negligence, and How Do I Prove It?
Negligence is the failure to act reasonably in a given situation, harming another person. This legal concept is at the root of most personal injury matters. In other words, these claims typically arise after accidents rather than intentional conduct, like assaults.
You must prove the following elements of negligence to establish liability:
- The opposing party owed you a duty of care.
- They breached their duty by acting unreasonably. For example, they ran a stop sign.
- That breach of duty directly led to your injuries. For example, when the defendant failed to stop as required by law, they ran into you as you were riding your bike.
- You sustained damages, such as bicycle accident injuries and property damage.
How do you prove that the at-fault party was negligent? You will need evidence, such as:
- Surveillance footage capturing the accident
- Eyewitness statements
- Photos and videos of the scene
- Medical records
- Accident report
- Expert witness testimony
- Property damage estimates
Our Florida personal injury attorneys can build a strong claim backed by solid evidence. We will force the insurance provider or other opponent to engage in meaningful negotiations or risk facing us in court.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go To Trial?
It is unlikely that your case will go to trial. Instead, you will probably reach a settlement agreement that resolves all matters related to your accident and injuries. This is often the preferred route to take, as it is quicker and provides more certainty.
That said, our experienced Florida trial attorneys will be ready to litigate if necessary. If the other side refuses to negotiate or settle in good faith, they can expect to battle it out in the courtroom.
Of course, the decision of whether to accept a settlement or go to court will be yours. We’ll be sure to explain the pros and cons of each option so that you are fully informed as you decide how to proceed.
How Long Will My Injury Case Take?
All cases can take different paths, meaning some conclude within weeks, whereas others can take more than a year.
The duration of your particular case will depend on many things, including:
- The time it takes you to achieve maximum medical improvement
- The evidence-gathering and investigation process
- Each side’s willingness to negotiate and resolve issues
- Whether you file a lawsuit and the length of the discovery process
- Whether your lawsuit goes to trial
Our Mary Esther injury attorneys will keep you apprised of all updates, ensuring that you know the status of where you stand.
What Should I Do After an Accident?
The aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming. However, you should keep a level head and take certain steps to protect your health and legal rights.
If possible, do the following after an accident in Mary Esther, FL:
- Notify the appropriate authorities. For example, after a motor vehicle accident, call 911. If anyone is physically injured, be sure to request EMS. If the police are dispatched, they will investigate the scene and prepare a formal accident report detailing the incident.
- Exchange contact information with others, including those involved in the accident and witnesses/bystanders.
- Document the scene. Take photos and videos of relevant details that can explain how or why the accident happened.
- Do not apologize or otherwise discuss matters of fault. These kinds of statements can be twisted and later used against you.
- Seek medical attention, even if you don’t think you need to. You may have sustained injuries that aren’t apparent right away, so it’s best to get checked. If your physician discovers anything wrong, your medical chart will tie your injury to the accident.
Consult an injury lawyer before speaking with anyone, including an insurance representative. If you decide to hire someone to advocate for you, they will communicate on your behalf and help you avoid making mistakes that could hurt your claim.
Contact Our Experienced Mary Esther Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help
If you were injured in Mary Esther, FL, Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers is here for you. Our attorneys have 75 years of combined legal experience, and we know how to get results for our clients.
Benefit from our top-rated services and award-winning representation by calling us today for a free case evaluation. Our Mary Esther personal injury attorneys are ready to assist in recovering the compensation you deserve under Florida law.