Port St. Lucie Personal Injury Attorneys

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in St. Lucie County

When someone else—whether it’s another person, a business, or even a manufacturer—causes a serious accident or injury, they can and should be held accountable. At Smith, Ball & Báez, we are committed to helping victims of severe bodily injury, as well as the loved ones of those wrongfully killed, fight for the justice and fair compensation they are owed. With decades of combined trial experience, our Port St. Lucie personal injury lawyers have the litigation skills and extensive legal resources needed to effectively advocate for you.

If you or someone you love was injured due to the careless, reckless, or wrongful conduct of another, help is just a call away. Turn to the team at Smith, Ball & Báez and receive the personalized, compassionate, and dedicated legal representation you need to heal and move forward with your life.

Call (561) 500-HELP or contact us online to request a free initial consultation.

Proving Your Personal Injury Case

As the person bringing the personal injury claim, known as the “plaintiff,” you have the burden of proof. This means that you are the one responsible for proving your personal injury claim. This typically requires extensive evidence, especially if you are seeking compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.

At Smith, Ball & Báez, we conduct exhaustive investigations and evaluate all available evidence to prove our clients’ claims, including but not limited to:

• Establishing the defendant’s liability by proving how the standard of care was breached
• Outlining the severity, nature, and extent of your injuries and resulting damages
• Obtaining medical records and talking to doctors to prove the extent of your medical care
• Analyzing eyewitness statements, reviewing surveillance footage, and other evidence
• Working with accident reconstructionists, economists, and others to obtain expert testimony

Our Port St. Lucie personal injury lawyers can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, working to recover a fair settlement if possible. Although we are often successful in negotiating with insurance providers, some cases must proceed to trial. If this is the case, we are fully prepared to aggressively fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.

How Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Rules Could Affect Your Car Accident Claim

Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of bodily injury in Florida. These types of cases are also different from other personal injury cases because they are subject to the state’s no-fault insurance rule. Under this rule, accident victims must typically file personal injury protection (PIP) claims with their own auto insurance providers to receive compensation for certain covered losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages.

However, PIP does not cover all of your economic losses. In fact, it only provides compensation for up to 80 percent of your medical costs and up to 60 percent of your lost wages. It also does not provide any compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Because of this, it is often necessary for victims of severe car accidents to go outside the no-fault system and file claims against at-fault drivers’ insurance companies and/or third-party personal injury lawsuits against negligent parties.

To go outside the no-fault auto insurance system, you will need to prove that you suffered a “serious injury,” as defined by Florida’s “serious injury” threshold. You will also need to prove that another party was at least partly responsible for the accident and that your injuries led to measurable damages for which you can be compensated.

After any type of motor vehicle accident—whether a car accident, motorcycle crash, or collision with a large truck or commercial vehicle—our team can help you understand your legal rights and recovery options. Get in touch with Smith, Ball & Báez today to learn more during a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.

Should You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?

While you have the option of filing a claim on your own, there are many reasons to work with an experienced personal injury attorney. Numerous studies have shown that people who enlist the help of attorneys when filing personal injury claims tend to receive better settlements than those who navigate the process on their own. This is often because insurance companies know that attorneys understand the law and have the resources to pursue maximum compensation for their clients. As a result, insurance companies are often more likely to offer fair settlements and less likely to try to take advantage of people who are working alongside legal professionals.

Another benefit to hiring a personal injury lawyer is that your attorney can focus on the legal details of your case while you focus on your physical recovery. When you’re busy scheduling doctor visits and follow-up appointments, making sure you get the time off work you need, and managing your day-to-day bills and expenses, the last thing you have time for is submitting paperwork for your claim, putting together evidence, or fighting with the insurance company for a fair payout. Instead, allow our team at Smith, Ball & Báez to handle these and other claim-related tasks so that you can dedicate your time and energy to getting back on your feet.

When you trust your case to our Port St. Lucie personal injury attorneys, you can count on us to:

• Take the time to listen to your story and learn about your unique challenges
• Work quickly and efficiently in our efforts to settle your claim for a fair amount
• Provide you with consistent communication and updates on the status of your claim
• Develop an innovative legal strategy based on the specific details of your case
• Communicate with the insurance company, including negotiating for a fair settlement
• Prepare your case for litigation and, if necessary, represent you and your interests at trial
• Answer any questions and address any concerns you may have

We believe in providing our clients with the highest level of service and support possible. Our compassionate team can assist you whether you were involved in a serious motor vehicle accident, hurt on someone else’s property, or harmed by a defective product or medical malpractice. We understand the many challenges you are facing, and we know how to help.

Schedule a complimentary consultation today; call (561) 500-HELP or contact us online using our secure submission form.