FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

If you or a member of your family has been seriously injured in an accident as a result of the negligence of another, you deserve to recover compensation that allows you to rebuild your life. Our Saint Petersburg personal injury team will provide answers to frequently asked questions to help you determine what to do when an injury or accident occurs.

  • How do I know if I have a personal injury case?
  • How soon after I am injured do I have to file a lawsuit?
  • I have been in a motor vehicle accident.  Should I go to a doctor?
  • Do I have to go to court if I want to recover monetary damages?

Woodruff Injury Law—Helping injured people in Florida since 1969

If you have recently been injured or in an accident, contact Woodruff Injury Law to see if you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries.  Schedule your free initial consultation today.

How do I know if I have a personal injury case?

First, you must have suffered an injury to your person or property.  Second, you should consider whether your injury was someone else’s fault.  It is not always necessary to have a physical injury to bring a personal injury lawsuit.  Some personal injury claims are based on nonphysical losses and harms.  In the case of an assault, for example, you do not need to show that a person’s action caused you actual physical harm, but only that you expected some harm to come to you.  You also may have a case if someone has attacked your reputation, invaded your privacy, or inflicted emotional distress upon you.

How soon after I am injured do I have to file a lawsuit?

Every state has certain time limits, called “statutes of limitations,” that govern the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit.  In some states, you may have as little as one year to file a lawsuit arising out of an automobile accident.  If you miss the deadline for filing your case, you may lose your legal right to recover damages for your injury.  Consequently, it is important to talk with a lawyer as soon as you suffer or discover an injury.

I have been in a motor vehicle accident.  Should I go to a doctor?

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should see a doctor right away.  First of all, you should see a doctor for your own well-being.  You may not be able to discern the extent of your injuries yourself.  A small ache could be something significant, or it could be nothing at all.  Only a doctor can tell you for sure.  Secondly, you should see a doctor because if you decide to bring a legal claim against the at-fault driver or another party, you will need documentation of your injuries and medical treatment.

Do I have to go to court if I want to recover monetary damages?

At Woodruff Injury Law, we prepare every case as if it were going to court.  This is the only way to show the responsible parties or their insurance companies that you are serious about pursuing your claim.  The majority of lawsuits settle before they get to trial—some settle on the courthouse steps.  Your case may settle even before we file a lawsuit for you, or it may go all the way to a trial and a jury verdict.  What happens in your case depends on the facts, the law, and the parties involved.  But we will prepare your case to get the best possible settlement or verdict, and we will be with you at every step along the way.

Florida’s West Coast Personal Injury Law Firm

If you have frequently asked question that was not addressed here or you need more information following an injury resulting from a crash or someone else’s negligence, carelessness or recklessness, contact Woodruff Injury Law as soon as possible.  Our personal injury law firm in Saint Petersburg will answer your questions and help you protect your legal rights.