Originally named “Floranada,” a combination of Florida and Canada, the City of Oakland Park is the home to more than 40,000 residents and is located in Broward County. Statistics show that personal injuries occur on a daily basis in the United States and smaller cities like Oakland Park are not immune to these types of accidents. When a personal injury lawsuit is brought in court, sometimes the issue of liability is clear, while other times it is much more difficult to determine. For this reason, it is important to have a skilled Oakland Park personal injury attorney on your side.
Personal injury victims file their lawsuits in civil court. The victim, is then known as the plaintiff. These cases can name several defendants, or the parties being accused of wrongdoing, or just one, depending on the facts of the case. Named defendants may include individuals, private businesses, or even the government. The general process of a lawsuit includes:
It is important to be aware that state law governs statutes of limitations, or the time-frame during which a lawsuit may be filed in court and after which it will be barred forever. Under Florida law, plaintiffs typically have four years from the date of the accident to file suit in the appropriate court. The clock usually starts from the date of the injury, but sometimes the law begins the time from the date the victim discovered the injury. If the personal injury claim is filed against a municipality or county, the statute of limitations in Florida is only three years and a lawsuit may be filed only after the 180-day investigation period, unless the claim is formally denied. The amount of damages available is also limited when a governmental entity is a party to a personal injury lawsuit.
Typically, state law governs personal injury cases, with few exceptions. These include accidents that involve parties who are from different states or different countries. In such scenarios, federal or international law may govern the personal injury lawsuit. The burden falls squarely on the plaintiff to prove injuries occurred for which monetary compensation is due. Some evidence that may be presented by a personal injury attorney on behalf of a plaintiff may include video footage, photos, medical records, medical bills, and any other information relating to the accident.
If you or someone you know has been injured due to the negligence of another, contact a knowledgeable and aggressive Oakland Park personal injury attorney right away to learn about your rights under the law. Serving clients from the Florida Keys to West Palm Beach for more than 25 years, the Law Offices of Joseph I. Lipsky, P.A. can guide you every step of the way. Call us at 954-693-0073 or click here today to schedule your free personal injury case evaluation.