Important Legal Terms to Know for Your Personal Injury Case

    Going through a personal injury claim can be confusing. At Sunshine State Law Firm, we want to help you navigate the process as smoothly as possible. Here are some terms you may hear during your case: 

Adjuster: The insurance representative hired to assess the validity of your personal injury claim. 

Contingency Fee: The payment an attorney agrees to receive as a set percentage of the money recovered. Here at Sunshine State Law Firm, our fee is only a percentage of your recovery, and we only get paid if we win your case. 

Defendant: The person who is accused of a crime or who the plaintiff brings the negligence claim against. 

Fault State: A state where the party at fault for a car accident is responsible for compensating the injured party. The injured party can file a claim against the other party’s insurance company to seek compensation. 

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): A U.S. law that protects patients’ medical information. 

Liability: Refers to a person’s legal responsibility to act within reasonable care and to potentially pay damages to the other party. 

Litigation: The process of filing a lawsuit or taking legal action to court. 

Negligence: An act that occurs when the defendant was careless. Negligence must be proven for the plaintiff to receive compensation for their injuries. 

No-Fault State: A state where drivers that are involved in a car accident are required to seek compensation for their injuries and damages from their insurance companies, no matter who is at fault for the car accident. Florida is a no-fault state where drivers must carry PIP insurance, which covers medical costs and lost wages in a car accident. 

Personal Injury Protection (PIP): A type of no-fault insurance coverage that assists in paying for lost wages and medical costs if you’re injured in a car accident. In Florida, PIP coverage is $10,000 in medical expenses and $5,000 in death benefits. 

Plaintiff: The person who files a claim against the other party. 

Settlement: An agreement between the parties involved in a personal injury claim. The injured party receives a certain amount of compensation in exchange for not pursuing litigation. 

Statute of Limitations: The limited time within which someone can file a personal injury claim. 

Third-Party Claim: When someone other than the plaintiff files a claim against the other party involved. Third-party claims can be filed by anyone who is injured by another person’s act of negligence. 

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM): Insurance that protects you and your passengers if you are involved in a car accident with a driver who doesn’t have any insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover all your damages. 

     If you’re considering filing a personal injury case, contact Sunshine State Law Firm. We have experienced attorneys that will help you get the compensation you deserve.