Personal Injury & Traffic Accident Attorney in Jacksonville, FL

Frequently Asked Questions About Filing a Claim

Each year across the nation, millions of individuals suffer personal injuries in serious accidents that could have been prevented. If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by a negligent party, you likely have many questions and concerns regarding your situation. At The Costantino Law Firm, we follow the Golden Rule by treating our clients the way we would want to be treated if we were in their position. For that reason, we have answered many frequently asked questions on this page to provide a starting point for our clients to learn about aspects of their cases. If you have further inquiries, we are prepared to answer them at once when you contact us.

When can an accident lead to a personal injury claim?
If you suffered injuries in an accident that was caused by another party's reckless or negligent behavior, you may have reason to file a personal injury claim. If you have losses that are not physical, you can also file a claim to recover damages. Some instances of noneconomic damages include the infliction of emotional distress upon your life.

What is the statute of limitations in Florida for personal injury claims?
Every state has a statute of limitations that governs the time frame you have to file a personal injury lawsuit for damages. If you miss the deadline for filing, you can lose your opportunity to collect compensation. After you are injured in a personal injury case, you only have four years to file a lawsuit for most types of personal injury claims. You should therefore, take immediate action after the accident by speaking with a personal injury lawyer from our firm.

What is negligence?
Negligence can be described as the failure to act with a reasonable level of caution or care. When lack of proper care leads to another individual's personal injuries, the negligent party can be placed at fault. A good indication of whether an individual was negligent is to question whether a reasonably prudent individual would have acted in that same manner given the circumstances. If not, that individual was likely negligent.

What is the difference between compensatory and punitive damages?
Damages that are compensatory are awarded to the plaintiff in a personal injury case and are used to help the plaintiff rebuild his or her life to make it similar to how it was prior to the accident. Compensatory damages include recovery for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and all future medical bills related to this injury. Damages that are considered punitive are designed to punish the defendant, but they can also benefit the plaintiff. You can receive punitive damages as the plaintiff in some circumstances that the state law allows, such as in a drunk driving case.

What factors determine how much I can receive in damages?
One of the factors that can influence the value of one's personal injury case is the extent of the damage caused by the accident. A personal injury case's value is determined based on lost earnings, medical bills, ongoing medical care, and the expected future loss of earnings. Some of the more serious injuries that a person can sustain can result in lost time at work, expensive medical bills, and substantial pain and suffering.

If I was injured on the job, can I file a personal injury claim?
You may be able to pursue benefits from financial compensation and workers' compensation. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, you can pursue financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit in addition to the workers' compensation benefits. This situation can occur if a third party is at fault for your injuries. If a manufacturer provided a defective piece of equipment, you may also have grounds for a personal injury case.

What if I lost a loved one to another's negligence?
If you are suffering the emotional and financial damages associated with losing a loved one to wrongful death, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This claim will be against the negligent party, whether that involves the person driving the vehicle that caused the fatal accident or the owner of the premises where the deceased slipped and fell. You can pursue damages for pain and suffering, lost earnings, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship.

How do I know if I need an attorney?
If you are suffering serious injuries and are not sure of the long-term impact that can result, hiring an experienced Jacksonville personal injury attorney can benefit you. You can consult the lawyer at our firm to find out what process you should take before you give a statement or sign any papers. Our attorney can provide you with legal advice throughout the case to help ensure that you receive the amount of compensation you deserve.

Were you injured in an accident in Jacksonville?

Accidents that cause serious personal injuries to people take place frequently. At The Costantino Law Firm, we help victims and their families as they seek justice by holding the responsible party liable for negligent behavior. As a result, we help victims recover monetary compensation for lost income from missed work, medical expenses, and rehabilitation as well as for pain and suffering. Our Jacksonville, FL, personal injury and traffic accident attorney has been practicing in this area of law for more than 29 years with constant dedication to our clients. His willingness to take whatever approach is necessary is manifested in the results of our firm. Schedule a free case evaluation today to have your situation promptly evaluated in regard to its potential for recovery. Contact us for the legal assistance you need.

Contact Us

Do you have questions about
your potential case? Send us a
message and I will answer you promptly.

Office Location

6 East Bay Street
Suite 304
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Facebook Twitter Avvo Linked In

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

The Costantino Law Firm, P.A. - Personal Injury Lawyer
Located at 6 East Bay Street, Suite 304
Jacksonville, FL 32202 View Map
Phone: (904) 355-3023