Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Jacksonville and Nearby Areas of Florida
When you are injured in an accident in Jacksonville, Florida, having an experienced and proven Jacksonville personal injury lawyer on your side helps to ensure you are treated fairly. Personal injury damages are handled through an insurance claim where an insurer pays a settlement to the victim on behalf of the at-fault individual. This may be through homeowner’s insurance, medical malpractice insurance, driver’s insurance, or any number of liability policies designed to protect an individual from being personally liable for the cost of their actions.
Many people do not realize that they are often entitled to far more than the insurance company offers for compensation or are overwhelmed by the complicated process and do not understand how to fight for their own best interests. This confusion and anxiety may be compounded by the difficulties of dealing with significant injuries and pain—not to mention the enormous disruption that these injuries cause—resulting in victims accepting settlements that are only a fraction of what they are truly owed. Insurance companies are well aware of this and capitalize on the claimant’s vulnerabilities to save as much money as possible.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we understand the tricks and tactics insurance companies use to minimize personal injury settlements. Our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers have decades of experience with these claims. We are here to investigate your accident, identify all liable parties, and fight for every penny you may deserve.
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Contact a Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer for FREE
Have you been injured in an accident in or around Jacksonville? Contact Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers online or call 904-758-1111 for a FREE, no-obligation consultation. Our Jacksonville personal injury attorneys are here to help you understand your options for moving forward. While we may not be able to provide concrete answers to all your questions during this first meeting, we will leave you with a much clearer concept of the options available to you and how we can help.
– you are in good hands!
No Matter the Injury, We Can Help You Seek Justice
Jacksonville is an incredibly busy city. This means that there are several opportunities for accidents while just going about your day. When accidents occur, it can be very difficult to know where to turn for help. Talking to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident can clarify your options.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we have a long and proud history of fighting for individuals and families who have been impacted by someone else’s negligence. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an accident, we encourage you to get in touch—even if your specific situation is not listed below—to learn how we can help.
Personal injury claims we frequently handle include:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Scooter accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Aquatic Accidents
- Boating accidents
- Jet Ski accidents
- Premises Liability Claims
- Medical Malpractice
- Wrongful Death
- Construction Accidents
- Workers’ Compensation Claims
In heavily populated areas like Jacksonville, there are endless ways to sustain an injury. Many of these are beyond the control of the victim. No matter if your accident falls into one of the categories above or is another issue entirely, a unique approach will be required to build a strong case and work toward a fair settlement. We understand that no two accidents are alike. You can rely on our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers to treat you and your situation with the attention, respect, and care it demands.
Remember, insurance companies may be quick to assess the value of your injury and offer a quick settlement. These formulaic settlement offers often fail to cover even a portion of the actual damages victims of injury face. When you need real compensation, you need real justice. We are here to truly listen to how your injury has and will continue to impact your life—and to help you seek compensation that covers all those concerns.
Damages Available Through a Jacksonville Personal Injury Claim
When pursuing a personal injury claim in Jacksonville, you may be eligible to recover damages to compensate for the physical, emotional, and financial toll caused by your accident. These damages fall into one of three categories:
Economic Damages
Economic damages, also known as special damages, provide reimbursement for direct financial losses resulting from the injury. They may include:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgery, physical therapy, and medication
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from working
- Property damages, such as car repairs or repayment costs after an accident
- Costs of ongoing care, such as in-home nursing services
- Out-of-pocket expenses for assistive devices like wheelchairs or prosthetics
- Expenses related to home modifications for ramps, handrails, and similar items
Special damages are intended to provide dollar-for-dollar reimbursement for all the expenses related to your accident. They are also intended to cover projected future expenses and financial losses, such as diminished earnings due to an inability to work.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, also known as general damages, are intended to compensate victims of serious injury for more subjective losses. They may include compensation for:
- Physical pain and suffering caused by the injury
- Emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment in life due to physical or emotional struggles
General damages can provide compensation for forced changes to your lifestyle such as an inability to swim, run, and engage in other activities you enjoy. They can also provide compensation for spouses grieving a loss of intimacy due to limitations brought about by the injury.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases—where the at-fault party acted with extreme negligence or malice—punitive damages may be awarded in Jacksonville personal injury claims. These are intended to punish the person responsible for the accident and to deter similar behavior in the future.
Florida law places a limit on punitive damages in most cases. Under Florida Statutes §768.73, punitive damages are usually capped at the greater of:
- Three times the amount of compensatory damages, or
- $500,000
However, if the defendant’s conduct is found to be motivated by intentional harm or financial gain, the cap may be increased.
How Much Is My Jacksonville Personal Injury Case Worth?
Determining the value of your personal injury claim will involve assessing a variety of factors unique to your accident and injury. At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we utilize a range of tools to thoroughly evaluate and accurately calculate all your damages. Our attention to detail helps to ensure that all costs and impacts the at-fault party should be paying for are considered.
Each personal injury case is different. Our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers will take all the time necessary to assess the damages related to your injury. We are fully dedicated to helping victims of serious injury obtain the compensation needed to make the fullest recovery.
Our firm has secured millions in settlements and verdicts for victims of serious injury.
Proving Fault After a Personal Injury in Jacksonville
Before you can initiate a claim, you will need to prove that you were, in fact, the victim in the accident. This requires showing the party you are filing a claim against was at fault for the accident and resultant injuries. Depending on the type of accident, there are many ways that our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers will use to investigate it and properly establish liability.
Common ways fault can be proven include:
- Police reports
- Traffic cameras
- Witness statements
- Admission by the at-fault party
- Black box recorders in commercial trucks
- Tire mark patterns
- Pictures and videos of the scene of the accident
In some cases, accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and other professionals are brought in to assist with investigations. Taking this thorough approach helps to ensure that even the smallest contributing factors are uncovered, enabling your attorney to hold each negligent party to full account for their actions. During your FREE consultation at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we can discuss how liability is determined in greater detail to ensure you understand and are comfortable with the process.
Understanding Comparative Fault in Florida
Damages awarded in a Jacksonville personal injury claim can be impacted by Florida’s comparative fault rule. Simply stated, this rule allows victims of serious injury to file a lawsuit even if they played a role in the accident. However, the percentage of fault assigned to the victim must be less than 50% to qualify for legal action.
Under comparative fault, a victim will accept a certain amount of blame, and their final settlement will be reduced by the percentage of fault they contributed. For example, a $100,000 settlement agreement will be reduced by 15% if the victim accepted 15% of the blame for a car accident, perhaps because they were speeding at the time of the accident or failed to take reasonable corrective actions. This means the actual award would be $85,000.
Establishing liability requires a full understanding of Florida’s liability laws and personal injury regulations. Without a proper investigation, it may be impossible to know the root cause of your accident. Before you suggest that you are to blame for an accident or that your actions played a role, talk to a personal injury attorney to learn how liability is determined and how comparative fault might impact your settlement.
How Can I Get Compensation for a Serious Injury?
When you are seriously injured in Jacksonville, several steps may be needed to help you get fair compensation. These include:
- Filing a Claim. Your lawyer will submit a formal claim to the at-fault party’s insurance company, outlining the damages you are seeking.
- Gathering Evidence. Your attorney will gather the necessary documentation to support your claim.
- Negotiating With Insurers. Your Jacksonville personal injury lawyer will attempt to settle with insurance.
- Filing a Lawsuit. If negotiations fail, your attorney may file a lawsuit to pursue compensation through the courts.
- Going to Trial. In rare cases, a case may proceed to trial where your lawyer will argue your case in front of a judge and jury.
The personal injury claim timeline can vary significantly based on factors unique to each case. Claims that settle during negotiations may be over within a few months. Those that proceed to trial will take longer. However, all options—even those that may take more time—need to be considered when seeking compensation for serious injury.
Our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers are experienced in settlement negotiations and trial proceedings. We build solid, fact-based claims to seek comprehensive damages that will enable our clients to make the fullest recovery—physically, emotionally, and financially—possible.
What Makes Our Approach to Personal Injury Representation Stand Out?
The Jacksonville personal injury lawyers at our firm believe victims of serious injury deserve serious compensation. When you choose us for representation, you can expect us to:
- Listen Closely. We will take time to understand your unique situation and what matters most to you.
- Conduct a Comprehensive Investigation. We will gather evidence, speak with witnesses, consult with experts, and review medical records to determine liability and damages owed.
- Explore All Legal Options. We will provide straightforward information about all of your options—from settlement to trial—to ensure we select the best course of action.
- Fight for Fair Compensation. We will fight tirelessly for the full compensation you deserve.
- Offer Ongoing Support. We can connect you with medical professionals and other resources to help you make the best recovery possible.
Choosing a personal injury firm in Jacksonville can be challenging. There are so many options—each claiming to be the best—that even looking for a lawyer can feel overwhelming. It is important to remember, when looking for a personal injury lawyer, that some firms take on multiple cases at once, focusing their efforts on high-volume, quick-settlement claims.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we do things differently.
From the moment you contact our Jacksonville office, you will experience the personalized attention and commitment to your recovery that we are known for. We will treat you with respect and compassion, and make your well-being our top priority.
Read some of our 5-star client testimonials.
Common Jacksonville Personal Injury FAQs
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Florida is two years from the date of the injury. However, exceptions may apply depending on the specifics of your case. Contacting a Jacksonville personal injury lawyer as soon as possible helps to protect your right to seek compensation.
Two years is both a long time and no time at all. It is a long time in terms of evidence preservation, witness memories, and record evaluations, but when you’re recovering from a serious injury, it can pass in a blink all the same. Don’t wait to act. The sooner you get in touch with a personal injury lawyer, the sooner they can get to work on securing the compensation you are owed.
Most Jacksonville personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs. Your lawyer will only get paid if they successfully recover compensation for you.
It is important to remember that a contingency fee only applies to the attorney’s fees. Even if you do not win your case, you will likely be responsible for case-related expenses such as court filing fees, record fees, witness fees, and similar costs. It is also important to know that a personal injury lawyer in Jacksonville may choose to charge interest on any advanced contingent costs, but only with the written informed consent of the client. Before you agree to a fee structure, make sure you understand everything it entails.
If you are able, following an accident you should:
- Check for injuries
- Take photos of the scene
- Collect contact info from anyone else involved
- Collect contact information from witnesses
- Notify your insurance company
Always cooperate with EMTs and police officers who come to the scene, but do not admit fault. This is equally important when talking to your insurance company.
When an injury is serious, you may not be able to act on the scene of an accident. Your attorney will work to gather supporting evidence while you focus on recovering. On that note, talking to a personal injury attorney after an accident is a good way to understand your options.
The amount of time it takes to complete a personal injury claim depends on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, the cooperation of all parties involved, and other case specifics. Claims that go to trial will take longer than those that settle.
Your lawyer should keep you informed and involved at all points to make sure you are comfortable with how your claim is proceeding.
Yes! Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are partly to blame for an accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% liable for an accident, you could still recover 80% of your damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
Questions About Your Rights? Our Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyers Have Answers. Contact Us for Free
To schedule your free and confidential case evaluation with one of our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers, contact us online or call us at 904-758-1111 today. The sooner you schedule your initial consultation, the sooner you will have a clear understanding of your legal options and the strength of your case. We encourage victims to reach out to our firm before initiating a claim or having any communication with the at-fault party or their representatives so that we can start building a strong case from day one.