Tampa Personal Injury Attorney

When someone else’s negligent or unlawful actions cause you or a loved one serious injury, you have the right to pursue justice against the responsible party and receive compensation for the losses you sustained. Insurance companies are not inclined to give full damages to injured parties, which is why it’s in your best interest to have tough and experienced legal representatives fighting on your behalf.

Settling now for less than you are owed could leave you short of funds in the future to cover medical bills, lost wages due to disability, rehab treatments, and other expenses. You deserve compensation for what was taken from you, including your emotional and psychological well-being. Speak for free today with the Tampa personal injury lawyers at Kogan & DiSalvo to get started on your case.  

Types of Personal Injury Cases

A personal injury is any kind of injury one sustains due to someone else’s malicious, negligent, or unlawful actions. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the action that caused the injury was a crime — it simply means that the behavior was beyond the bounds of acceptable conduct.

Given the numerous contexts in which one person may injure another, there are many types of personal injury cases. The veteran Tampa personal injury attorneys at Kogan & DiSalvo have experience handling all of the following matters.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the most common scenarios that lead to personal injuries. Negligent and reckless drivers cause a wide range of accidents and injuries owing to behaviors like:

• Driving while distracted
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Speeding
• Aggressive driving
• Failing to stop at stop lights and signs
• Failing to signal
• Failing to yield

In many cases, unsafe vehicles end up being the cause of personal injuries. Sooner or later, for example, a car with worn brakes will fail to stop when the brake pedal is applied. The driver will then likely be on the hook for any injuries and property damage that comes about due to the failure.

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents involving big rigs tend to cause more serious personal injuries than accidents among smaller vehicles.

For this reason, commercial truck drivers must take various skill and knowledge tests. They must also abide by numerous rules and regulations relating to vehicle safety, maximum time on the road, and more. Failure to follow these rules can lead to accidents.

In some situations, truck accidents are caused by factors outside the driver’s control, such as faulty equipment or parts or substandard repair work.

Shipping companies might also be on the hook for failing to properly secure cargo when loading a truck.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders trade a measure of safety for the experience of open-air travel. Still, with proper care and caution, motorcycle riders are generally safe — until another motorist operates their vehicle negligently. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents due to negligence are an all-too-frequent occurrence on Hillsborough County roads.

Because of the nature of motorcycle riding and how exposed riders are, the probability of suffering a catastrophic injury or death is significantly elevated for motorcyclists.

Pedestrian Accidents

Like motorcyclists, pedestrians are at risk of experiencing life-altering and debilitating injuries from traffic accidents.

Pedestrians sometimes go unnoticed by motorists, especially those who are distracted. However, with proper care on the road, a motorist should never cause a pedestrian accident.

Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle ridership has skyrocketed in Tampa and throughout Hillsborough County, which is a good thing for the health of riders. With more cyclists, though, come more bicycle accidents.

Negligence on the part of motorists is the single biggest factor in bicycle accidents. But other negligent parties, such as property owners, bicycle parts makers, and repair shops, may be liable in these cases as well.

Bus Accidents

Bus accidents can occur for various reasons, including:

• Careless bus drivers
• Distracting passengers
• Other motorists
• Poor hiring practices
• Negligent bus repair

Dangerously defective bus parts and equipment also contribute to bus accidents in Florida.

Work Accidents

From fast-food restaurants to construction sites to public schools, the opportunities for employees and workers to suffer a life-changing injury are ever-present. Fortunately, workers’ compensation is available in most on-the-job injury situations. In some cases, injured workers are also entitled to pursue civil lawsuits for compensation above and beyond what workers comp provides.

Injured workers sometimes struggle to get the workers’ comp benefits they deserve due to resistant employers and insurance companies. Personal injury lawyers can help.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents occur when a property owner or tenant fails to keep their premises safe. Snow, ice, standing water, and other slick substances must be attended to promptly, or a property owner can be held liable for the resulting injuries.

Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries often lead to significant financial and emotional setbacks for victims and their families.

Examples of catastrophic injuries include:

• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Crushing injuries
• Amputations
• Severe burns
• Scarring and disfiguring injuries

Sadly, those who suffer catastrophic injuries frequently struggle with them for the rest of their lives. An experienced personal injury attorney can help them pursue damages to cover present and future expenses, as well as compensation for the loss of quality of life.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death occurs when a person or entity’s actions lead to someone’s death. Law enforcement often gets involved in these sorts of cases, but not always.

Regardless of what happens on the criminal side of things, family members of wrongful death victims can seek restitution through a civil claim or lawsuit.

Liability in Personal Injury Cases

One of the most important questions to ask after you’re injured is, “Who is liable?” In personal injury cases, a person is liable when they violate a duty of care owed to others and injury or death results.

Duty of care refers to an obligation to act reasonably toward someone else in certain circumstances so as to prevent harm.

For example, motorists have a duty to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner. If they don’t and a person is consequently injured, they can be held liable for damages.

Damages

Both economic and non-economic damages are available in personal injury cases, providing compensation for losses such as:

• Medical bills payments
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Injury victims may also be entitled to seek punitive damages as punishment for grossly negligent or particularly egregious misconduct. Grossly negligent conduct is any behavior that demonstrates a conscious disregard or indifference to others’ safety and well-being.

Deadlines and Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury claims come with a time limit known as the statute of limitations. In Florida, injury victims generally have two years from the date of their injury to pursue damages. They therefore shouldn’t delay in seeking the counsel of a Tampa personal injury lawyer.

Note that this two-year time frame is a shortened version of the previous deadline of four years.

Tampa Personal Injury Lawyers at Kogan & DiSalvo Are Ready to Help

Don’t hesitate to seek justice for your injuries — by waiting too long, you could lose valuable compensation. Let an experienced personal injury attorney in Hillsborough County review your case to see how we can potentially help.

Call Kogan & DiSalvo today to schedule a free consultation and learn about the compensation you’re entitled to.