West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyers Protect the Rights of Accident Victims

Accidents can happen to anyone at any time. Unfortunately, one person’s carelessness can cause life-changing injuries and harm for others. An accident victim carries a heavy burden, from hefty medical bills to chronic pain to changes in their relationships. The law recognizes these losses that victims may suffer and provides avenues for them to hold the person or persons at fault accountable for their lack of due care.

Many personal injury cases can be negotiated with the defendant’s insurance to reach a fair settlement for the victim without requiring a court case. However, in some circumstances, a defendant or their insurer will refuse to acknowledge their mistakes to avoid paying financial compensation. As a victim, it’s crucial to enlist the help of a trusted personal injury lawyer to protect yourself in these situations.

At RTRLAW, we strive to provide all our clients with outstanding legal representation and caring, compassionate legal advice every step of the way. We have been fighting for the rights of Florida accident victims since 1988. Contact us today at our West Palm Beach office to find out how our dedicated legal team can help you with a FREE, no-obligation case review at (561) 331-6920 or toll-free at 833-HIRE-RTR (833-447-3787).

Steps to Follow After an Accident:

Accidents happen suddenly and catch you off guard. In many cases, victims are too injured to do anything but wait for medical care. However, if you are not incapacitated by your injuries, taking certain steps after an accident can safeguard your well-being and improve your chances of recovering the full compensation possible for your case:

Remove yourself from danger: If you have been involved in a crash, a fall, or any other type of accident, get yourself out of harm’s way and into a safe place to prevent further injury. However, do not move if you believe you have a spinal injury. You could make the injury much worse.
Call 911 if anyone is severely hurt: Do not hesitate to get immediate medical care if you or anyone involved in the accident has suffered significant or life-threatening injuries. Follow the paramedic’s recommendations for treatment and do not refuse to go to the hospital if they deem it necessary.
Contact police when needed: The police should always be called for car accidents involving injuries. Their accident report provides critical evidence for your case. Be sure to request a copy of the report for your case.
Seek a prompt medical evaluation: Even if you feel ok after the accident, you may still have injuries. A medical assessment immediately following an accident protects your health and provides crucial evidence for your claim.
Document evidence: Take pictures or video of the accident scene. Get insurance information from those directly involved. Collect contact information from witnesses.
Contact a trusted personal injury law firm: RTRLAW provides FREE, no-obligation case reviews and you pay NOTHING upfront or until we win your case, so there is no risk in reaching out to discuss your accident and your legal options.

Practice Areas We Serve

A wide variety of legal circumstances are covered by personal injury law. They all involve a victim who has been harmed by someone else’s carelessness. Our personal injury attorneys at RTRLAW are seasoned negotiators with decades of experience obtaining settlements for accident victims. We take pride in defending the legal rights of our clients and fighting for their monetary compensation.

The following are just a few of the personal injury cases where we may help and counsel clients:

Car accidents
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Ridesharing accidents (Uber/Lyft, buses and taxis)
Bicycle accidents
Slip and fall and trip and fall accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Defective products
Wrongful death
Negligent security cases
Sexual assault cases
Food poisoning
Bed bug injuries
Nail salon injuries and other premises liability cases

How Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Assist Clients?

Personal injury lawyers provide representation to those injured by the negligence of others. This entails much more than just filing a claim. Ways that your personal injury lawyer from RTRLAW can help you include:

Case investigation: The first step of any case is determining the facts surrounding the accident and how to approach your claim. Your legal team will thoroughly analyze your case and look at every angle to provide the best possible legal counsel.
Evidence recovery: Every strong claim requires solid evidence. As part of the information-gathering process, your lawyer may interview witnesses, obtain the police report, visit the accident scene, consult medical experts, and more.
Claim management: Your lawyer will ensure all necessary documents are filed correctly and on time. They will advise you throughout the process, so that you can feel confident and less stressed.
Claim negotiation: Our personal injury lawyers are skilled negotiators with years of experience dealing with insurers of all sizes. We have a proven track record of successfully negotiating settlements for our clients. Since 1988, our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for tens of thousands of clients.
Case representation: If a defendant refuses to take responsibility for their actions or their insurance is unwilling to reach a fair settlement, RTRLAW will engage in litigation on your behalf. Our lawyers are trial-tested and ready to fight for your rights in court when necessary.

Are There Time Limits on Filing a Florida Personal Injury Claim?

Every state has a statute of limitations that defines how long a victim has to begin court proceedings for an incident. As of March 24, 2023, all legal actions founded on negligence must be filed within two years of the accident (Four-years if the incident occurred prior to March 24, 2023). This limit applies to nearly all types of personal injury claims.

This time limit makes prompt action critical to the success of your claim. If you miss the filing deadline, it will likely result in your claim being dismissed. However, even if your claim has passed the two-year mark, discussing the case with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can still be worthwhile because some circumstances can “toll” the claim. Tolling essentially extends the amount of time you can file a valid claim.

What Damages Could a Personal Injury Lawyer Help You Recover?

The insurance company may offer you a quick settlement for your injuries, but consult a personal injury lawyer first before agreeing to an offer. Once you have accepted a settlement, you lose your ability to seek further damages if you have more accident-related losses in the future. If your personal injury lawyer engages in negotiation or litigation with the insurance company, they will seek two main types of damages: economic and non-economic..

Economic damages cover financial losses from your accident, including:

Lost wages.
Medical expenses.
Costs for medical supplies.
Loss of earning capacity if you have suffered a debilitating injury that prevents you from working.

Non-economic damages attempt to make amends for the physical and emotional difficulties you’ve suffered due to your injuries. While these damages are much more subjective than economic damages, they generally increase with the severity and duration of your injuries. A seasoned personal injury lawyer will fight to ensure you are made whole after your accident and will ensure you are fairly compensated for your non-economic losses, such as:

Pain and suffering.
Mental anguish.
Loss of enjoyment of life.
Disfigurement and scarring.
Loss of consortium

There is also a third type of damages, known as punitive damages. The court may award punitive damages in certain cases where the defendant acted in a malicious or grossly negligent manner. The primary purpose of punitive damages is to punish the offender for their dangerous and harmful actions.

Benefits of Choosing a Local West Palm Beach Law Firm

Palm Beach County has many law firms, but not all of them understand the local courts, medical networks, and community the way a local firm does. Choosing a law firm with deep roots in the area can make a meaningful difference in how a case is handled.

RTRLAW has served clients throughout South Florida for decades and understands the unique dynamics of the West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County community. Our attorneys have built relationships with local medical providers, experts, and legal professionals, allowing us to guide clients through the legal process while helping them access the care and resources they need after an injury.

Useful Information About Palm Beach County Courts

West Palm Beach is located in Palm Beach County, which is part of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. Several courthouses serve residents throughout the county.

Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley Courthouse
- 205 North Dixie Hwy.
  West Palm Beach, FL 33401
  Open: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Phone: (561) 355-2996
North County Courthouse
- 3188 PGA Blvd.
  Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
  Open: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Phone: (561) 624-6650
South County Courthouse
- 200 West Atlantic Ave.
  Delray Beach, FL 33444
  Open: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Phone: (561) 274-1400

These courthouses handle a variety of civil, criminal, and administrative matters for residents throughout Palm Beach County.

Contact RTRLAW for a Free Case Review

If you were injured in an accident in West Palm Beach or anywhere in Palm Beach County, our legal team is ready to help. RTRLAW offers free consultations so you can learn about your options and determine the best path forward.

If you are unable to visit our office in person, we can schedule a phone or virtual consultation for your convenience.

Call our toll-free number 1-833-HIRE-RTR to speak with a member of the RTRLAW team today.