Gainesville Personal Injury Lawyer

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At Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., we recognize that significant injuries cause more than just physical pain.

Whether you have experienced nursing home abuse, wrongful death, a slip and fall incident, an accident on a construction site, or other personal injuries, the mental, physical, and emotional toll that a personal injury can take on your life is excessive.

Call us today at (800) 800-2575. At Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., our Gainesville personal injury lawyers have a long track record of recovering compensation for our clients when negligent people leave them with medical bills, pain, and suffering after accidents. Let us see how we can help you.

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Why Choose Our Law Firm for Help with Your Gainesville Personal Injury Claim?

With over 40 years in the personal injury arena, the attorneys at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., have a deep-rooted history of successfully handling injury claims and obtaining results. Our commitment to justice has enabled us to recover hundreds of millions of dollars for thousands of personal injury victims and their families throughout Florida.

When you need a team that gets results, you know where to turn. From our central office in Gainesville, our law firm proudly serves clients from various locations, including Ocala, Lake City, The Villages, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa, Palatka, and St. Augustine. No matter where you are in Florida, we’re here to serve you. Retaining a lawyer from Bagen Law means that we’re prepared to offer you:

• Comprehensive Experience: We are practiced and knowledgeable in all facets of personal injury law ranging from car accidents and nursing home abuses to medical malpractice and defective products. Our extensive portfolio ensures that no matter the nature of your injury, we have the expertise to represent you.
• Dedicated and Compassionate Team: At Bagen Law Accident Injury Lawyers, our dedication goes beyond the courtroom. We understand the pain and trauma our clients face, and our goal is to ease your journey toward justice with empathy and commitment.
• 24/7 Availability: Accidents don’t wait, and neither do we. Day or night, our team is ready to hear about your case during a free consultation. Simply reach out to us at (800) BAGEN LAW. Conveniently located next to the Florida Highway Patrol office on Highway 441 in Gainesville, our main office is easily accessible.

When you’re faced with the aftermath of an injury, trust a team that stands by its promise to deliver. Choose Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. Your justice is our mission.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

When someone suffers an injury due to someone else’s negligence, that party may be held legally liable for the harm done. This scenario is the basis for filing a personal injury claim

When you have a personal injury claim, you can get compensation for medical expenses, pain, suffering, and future medical expenses from the other party’s insurance company or others found liable for your injury.

You can benefit from having Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., represent you in your personal injury lawsuit. Our attorneys will identify the liable parties and recoup fair compensation for your injuries. Most commonly, the case is resolved through a settlement or other resolution. Other times, it resolves with a court ruling.

Types of Gainesville Personal Injury Cases We Handle

The attorneys at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., handle all types of personal injury claims in Gainesville, including:

• Gainesville car accident lawyer
• Gainesville truck accident lawyer
• Gainesville motorcycle accident lawyer
• Gainesville medical malpractice lawyer
• Gainesville nursing home abuse lawyer
• Gainesville dog bite injuries lawyer
• Gainesville wrongful death lawyer
• Gainesville construction accident lawyer
• Gainesville slip and fall injuries lawyer
• Gainesville defective product lawyer
• Gainesville rideshare accident lawyer

Other Gainesville personal injury claims include aviation and watercraft accidents, birth injuries, food poisoning, asbestos exposure, and mesothelioma are some of the less common situations that can cause personal injuries. Contact Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., for help determining whether you qualify to receive compensation for the personal injuries you sustained because of someone else’s negligence.

Our Gainesville Office Locations

Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., has its headquarters located in Gainesville along with another law office to offer our clients convenient access to quality, effective legal counsel for their Gainesville personal injuries.

You can drop by one of our Gainesville law offices to speak with an attorney for free about your case. Or, you can contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting with you.

Gainesville Accident Statistics

Gainesville has a population of more than 140,000, and it serves as the county seat of Alachua County. Gainesville is also home to the University of Florida, and every year, tens of thousands of students come to the area, increasing the area’s population considerably. As such, your chances of getting into a serious car accident are relatively high. In fact, the Florida Department Highway of Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) claims that Gainesville and surrounding areas account for about 1.2 percent of all reported car accidents in Florida. The FLHSMV reported the following accident statistics for Alachua County and the Gainesville area in a recent year:

• 2,260 collisions, resulting in 3,257 injuries and 52 fatalities
• 115 motorcycle accidents, resulting in 5 fatalities
• 110 bicycle accidents, resulting in 4 fatalities
• 143 pedestrian accidents, resulting in 12 fatalities
• 1,285 hit and run accidents, resulting in 307 injuries and 3 fatalities

Although you can get into a car or traffic-related accident anywhere in Gainesville, some roads and intersections are more dangerous than others. A few roads and intersections that report the most accidents include:

• NW 34th Street & NW 39th Avenue
• West University Avenue & NW 22nd Street
• SW 37th Boulevard & SW Archer Road
• SW 16th Avenue & SW 13th Street
• SW 20th Avenue & SW 62nd Boulevard

If you suffered serious injuries in a car accident in Gainesville, reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney from Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., for help.

Injuries That Give Rise to Personal Injury Claims in Gainesville

People can suffer a wide range of personal injuries in Gainesville. Some of the most common injuries that lead to personal injury claims include:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

One of the most prevalent personal injuries that victims sustain is a traumatic brain injury, which auto accidents or other accidents that strike the head can cause.

Traumatic brain damage may have extensive physical and psychological effects on a victim. While some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the stressful event, others might take days or weeks to appear, which means that your medical bills could accrue long after your accident.

Internal Bleeding

Doctors sometimes call internal bleeding internal hemorrhaging. Trauma from a car accident, slip and fall, or other events can cause internal bleeding. This symptom can become lethal if left untreated.

Fractures And Broken Bones

People may suffer shattered bones after accidents in several different ways. For instance, severe fractures can result from being ejected from a car after a collision without a seat belt, during an injury at work, or a slip and fall accident on private property.

Spinal Injuries

Vertebra fractures are some of the most serious because, in the worst cases, they call or paralyze their victims. Not only are vertebra fractures scary and life-altering, but they’re also expensive. Medical expenses and the cost of equipment and rehabilitation can add up quickly.

What Should I Do After an Accident in Gainesville?

The moments after an injury can be overwhelming, but knowing the basic steps to take after an accident can make the process much easier.

Seek Medical Attention

After an injury, you should seek medical treatment right away. Prioritize visiting the emergency room, your primary care physician, or another health care facility. If necessary, call 911 to get an ambulance to the accident scene.

Any delay in visiting the hospital might impact your well-being or legal situation. Most insurance companies believe that seeking medical treatment within 72 hours after the accident is an acceptable amount of time.

Mention all of your symptoms and pain to your doctor, even if you believe they are insignificant. On the other hand, avoid embellishing or exaggerating. Tell your doctor the truth, and do what they say.

Report The Incident And Gather Evidence

In a personal injury case, you and your lawyer must demonstrate that someone else’s carelessness caused your injuries. You must offer supporting paperwork and evidence to do so.

Gather records and documentation for every aspect of your case, including images, police reports, witness contact information, and medical records. To help you remember the events later, you should also compose a document outlining what occurred before, during, and after the accident in your own words.

Keep all supporting paperwork and evidence until your case fully resolves.

Contact An Attorney

After receiving medical care, hire a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. You’ll need help constructing your case from someone with your best interests in mind.

Consider this: Attorneys will represent the insurance companies and other defendants. They’ll have legal experts helping them, so you’ll want your own attorney.

How Do I Know If I Have a Personal Injury Case in Gainesville?

To have a personal injury case, certain legal requirements must be met. These requirements vary by state, but in Gainesville, Florida, the following elements must be present:

Duty of Care

The first requirement is that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care. This means that the defendant had a legal obligation to act in a way that would not cause harm to the plaintiff.

Breach of Duty

The second requirement is that the defendant breached their duty of care. This means that the defendant failed to act in a way that would not cause harm to the plaintiff.

Causation

The third requirement is that the defendant’s breach of duty caused the plaintiff’s injuries. This means that there must be a direct link between the defendant’s actions and the plaintiff’s injuries.

Damages

The fourth and final requirement is that the plaintiff suffered damages as a result of their injuries. This can include physical injuries, emotional distress, lost wages, and medical expenses.

It is important to note that even if all of these requirements are met, the plaintiff must still prove their case in court. This can be a complex and challenging process, which is why it is important to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side.

What Compensation Will You Recover After Your Gainesville Accident?

Emergency medical treatment is expensive. When only one tablet of acetaminophen can cost $50 during your hospital stay, medical bills can quickly reach hundreds of thousands of dollars for catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. As a result, your injuries might result in significant medical debt.

You can also miss work as a result of your injuries. You will have an even harder time paying your medical expenses without an income. On the plus side, the insurance provider for the at-fault party is responsible for covering your medical expenses as payment for your injuries.

If you have severe injuries that mean that you’ll likely miss out on an income for years to come, or even a lifetime, it is especially imperative that you obtain the highest settlement possible with the help of an experienced lawyer adept in navigating Florida law.

Some examples of costs that the insurance company should pay are:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages, earnings, or income of any kind
• Pain and suffering
• Damages for any permanent bodily impairment
• Emotional harm

These expenses will be taken into consideration by insurance adjusters when determining the value of your claim. Additionally, the value of your emotional trauma as an injured person cannot be understated. We recognize that an accident can take a huge toll on you and your loved ones that extends far beyond the initial medical expenses and recovery time that you face.

You should employ a lawyer to represent you in negotiations with the insurance company if you feel the firm’s offer is less than what you deserve. By working to understand the unique circumstances of your case, our lawyers are well-equipped to present your claim and your story to those responsible for compensating you for your losses.

What Are the Time Limitations on a Personal Injury Case in Gainesville?

An accident victim has a specific length of time to file a lawsuit under Florida’s personal injury statute of limitations. In 2022, Florida HB 837 shortened the statute of limitations for civil actions based on negligence, i.e., personal injury cases, to two years instead of the previous four. However, this change only affects actions that took place after March 24th, 2023. Those that occurred before this date are still subject to the four-year statute.

Depending on the nature of your claim, you may be subject to other specific time limits. Personal injury victims do well to consult an experienced Gainesville personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following an accident or injury to get the most accurate and current information regarding their rights to pursue compensation. By doing so, your attorney can help ensure that you don’t run out of time to file a claim.

How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Gainesville Personal Injury Case?

Each case involving a personal injury is different. The intricacy of the case, the amount of compensation sought, the court’s schedule, your patience in waiting for a better outcome, and the insurance company’s desire to negotiate a fair settlement all affect how long the case lasts.

Therefore, it’s difficult to estimate with any degree of accuracy how long your personal injury lawsuit will take to settle. Nevertheless, according to research studies by the National Center for State Courts and the U.S. Department of Justice, most personal injury claims are settled.

Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was Partially At Fault for the Gainesville Accident?

As of March 2023, Florida now follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means that you may receive compensation if you were not more than 50% at fault for causing your injuries, but your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for your injuries, your damages will be reduced by 20%.

How Much Does It Cost to Work With a Lawyer?

The personal injury lawyers at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., work on a contingency fee basis. We do not receive compensation unless we win damages for you. You pay none of our time-based fees if we cannot recover compensation for you. We’re confident in our ability to help our clients achieve their goals and are fully incentivized to help you reach a favorable outcome to your claim.

How Can a Gainesville Personal Injury Attorney Help Me Obtain Compensation?

Each personal injury case has unique circumstances. Some include only a minor vehicle accident, while others result in life-threatening damage to the victims. As a result, some cases are legally simple, while others are more intricate.

Our Gainesville personal injury attorneys can undertake all of the necessary tasks to resolve your personal injury case. Below is an outline of a few of the most typical things a personal injury lawyer at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. can handle on your behalf.

Understand The Facts Of Your Case

When you contact a personal injury lawyer at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., we will look into your case immediately. Our personal injury attorneys can piece together what happened by digging through the facts on the police or incident report, watching video footage, and speaking with witnesses. This information will go a long way in settling your claim for the fairest amount.

Attempt To Reach A Settlement With Insurance Adjusters

Just as every personal injury case is unique, every insurance adjuster approaches each negotiation in their own way. Attorneys will know what compensation you deserve and how to negotiate with the adjusters to acquire it.

Once your attorney knows the facts surrounding your case, they can present those details to the insurance adjuster to seek compensation and secure the highest possible settlement for you.

File A Lawsuit

Insurance companies always want to make a profit, so they will look for reasons not to pay. Insurance adjusters may decline to offer a fair and reasonable settlement for any injuries you sustain.

In that situation, a lawyer will sue the insurance provider on your behalf. Your legal representative will draft a complaint that details the circumstances of your incident and justifies why the insurance provider should foot the bill.

Our Gainesville personal injury attorneys can tirelessly negotiate, research, and prepare motions to resolve your case. Lawsuits might last months or even years, and your personal injury attorney will be with you every step of the way.

Defend You In Court

The judge may order a trial for your case if the insurance provider refuses to negotiate. When this happens, each party has the chance to persuade a jury why they should or should not be liable for the injuries.

For example, insurance companies will argue that your injuries were caused by something else, while your attorney will argue that their insured client severely harmed you.

How Florida’s PIP Requirement Can Affect Your Compensation

Regarding auto accidents, in some states, the legislature has created an at-fault system, which means that the responsible party would be liable for your injuries.

Florida, however, is a no-fault state. With no-fault insurance, regardless of who was at fault in an automobile accident, both parties can file claims with their auto insurance carriers. To cover this, every driver in Florida must obtain personal injury protection (PIP) insurance as part of their auto insurance policy.

No-fault regulations should simplify getting medical care for individuals hurt in auto accidents. There are certain limitations, though. For instance, PIP insurance only covers a specific amount of medical bills.

You may elect to launch a lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries if they are severe enough to surpass the injury threshold set out by the law or to be more costly than PIP coverage.

When Is the Best Time to Contact a Gainesville Personal Injury Lawyer?

In general, it’s best to contact a lawyer as quickly as possible to discuss your claim. After ensuring that you seek immediate medical attention and follow up with your doctor about the steps you should take for your physical recovery, you can then prioritize looking after your financial security and investigating your legal options. Thankfully, accident victims who retain the skilled counsel of a lawyer can make this process much easier on themselves, knowing that they can focus fully on healing from their physical injuries while a lawyer manages the more minute aspects of their case.

If you have doubts about contacting a personal injury lawyer, rest assured that reaching out to a legal professional comes at no initial cost to you and with no obligation. However, you will likely discover quickly that a lawyer can be a huge asset to you in a variety of cases. Some situations that can necessitate hiring counsel include:

• If you have questions about your legal rights
• If the insurance company treats you unfairly
• If you cannot access or pay for necessary medical treatment

The personal injury attorneys at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. can help if you encounter any of these problems.

Contact Us Today

Recovering from your injuries is hard enough. Don’t let the insurance companies take advantage of you in such a vulnerable state.

If you have any questions about your personal injury case, the attorneys at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. in Gainesville, FL, are here to provide answers. Call us today at (800) 800-2575 or contact us online to discuss your case.

Client Reviews

• “Thank you Mr. Bagen, you made a miracle and changed our lives forever and for good.” – Mattie C.
• “Your kindness and caring make a much bigger difference than you will ever know – thanks so very much.” – Pat L.

Read more of our client testimonials here.

Resources

Gainesville Emergency Rooms

Seek immediate medical treatment from one of Gainesville’s emergency rooms or urgent care centers if you suffered serious personal injuries in a Gainesville accident:

• HCA Florida Millhopper Emergency: 4388 NW 53rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32606
• HCA Florida North Florida Hospital Emergency Room: 6500 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32605
• UF Health Shands Trauma Center: 1515 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32608
• Malcom Randal Veterans Affairs Medical Center Emergency Room: 1601 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32601
• UF Health Pediatric Emergency Room: 1600 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32608
• UF Health Emergency Center – Kanapaha: 7405 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32608

*Disclaimer – Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., does not endorse these medical providers, nor do we profit from having them listed on our website.

Gainesville Courthouses

• Alachua County Family and Civil Justice Center – The Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida: 201 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
• U.S. District Court Clerk: 401 SE 1st Ave # 243, Gainesville, FL 32601

Neighborhoods We Serve in Gainesville, Florida

Ridgewood (32605) , Suburban Heights, Westmoreland (32605), Sugarfoot (32607), Hazel Heights (32605), Pleasant Street Historic District (32601), Duckpond, Highland Court Manor(32609)