Personal injuries result from many different circumstances. Sometimes the injuries occur from our own carelessness. Sometimes they occur totally by happenstance and pure accident. But more often than not, they result because someone else was careless, inattentive or distracted.
Automobile crashes, slip or trip and falls, dangerously defective property or defective products are typical causes of personal injury cases in Florida. In such situations the at-fault party usually walks away from the incident with little or no consequence. But the injured person may face uncovered medical expenses, property loss, diminished value of a vehicle, inconvenient trips to the doctor or therapist and missed time from work. Even worse is the change in one’s physical health and wellbeing that may adversely affect lifestyles and relationships.
Frequently the most frustrating and long-lasting injuries are ones that cannot be repaired with surgery. These injuries may last a lifetime. Most of us work hard to stay healthy and in good shape. Carelessness and/or negligence of another can wreck that in a moment. Almost all personal injury situations involve new injury, new symptoms and aggravation of preexisting previously asymptomatic conditions. The defense refers to this as a “preexisting condition” and seeks to avoid taking responsibility for the problems they cause. But we all are a current compilation of years of growth and development of our physiological body habitus. We are who we are. Fortunately, Florida law has long since recognized that an at-fault party is equally responsible for causing new injuries/symptoms and aggravating underlying asymptomatic conditions/symptoms.
If you are injured by the carelessness or negligence of another, see a doctor, a chiropractor or a therapist and get checked out. Have the injury documented. Under Florida No-Fault Law, you must do this within 14 days of the incident, or your own automobile medical insurance will be reduced from $10,000 in coverage to $2,500. Don’t assume you will get over it; get it checked out. Hopefully you have no long-term issues. But the law puts the onus on you to be proactive.
Also, be sure to include Under Insured/ Uninsured Motorist Coverage in your automobile insurance policy. Florida does not require vehicle owners or drivers to carry liability Insurance coverage and accordingly does not require any minimum liability coverage. There is no financial responsibility law in Florida. The only way to protect yourself from a careless or negligent uninsured or underinsured driver is to purchase UIM from your own carrier. You need to be sure to protect yourself and family. Your personal insurance agent should be happy to explain all your insurance needs to you.
DUNLAP, RAVIS & MILLER, PLLC
1400 Marsh Landing Parkway, Suite 108
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250
(904) 580-8585 - Telephone
