On Behalf of Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa | September 8, 2024 | Bicycle Accidents
Around 6,000 bike incidents were reported in Florida in a recent year. To make things more stressful for victims, a good number of bike-related incidents involve hit-and-run drivers. Being injured in a hit-and-run bicycle accident can be a challenging experience, as it leaves you in pain and uncertainty.
Consult with a Port St. Lucie bike accident lawyer to help you determine the proper steps to take immediately after the accident to protect your rights.
What Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident
What you do after a hit-and-run bike accident is very important to ensure you are in the best position to seek compensation. Here are some steps to take after being hurt in a hit-and-run bicycle accident in Florida:
Ensure Your Safety and Seek Medical Attention
Your immediate priority should be your safety. Move to a safe location, away from traffic if possible, and assess your injuries. Even if you feel okay, you need to visit a doctor for a comprehensive evaluation. This is because the shock from the accident may mask some injuries, and your condition could worsen over time. Importantly, this medical evaluation will also serve as key evidence of your injuries during the legal actions.
Report the Accident to the Police
Florida law requires you to report a bicycle incident to the police that involves an injury, hit-and-run, loss of life, or $500 worth of damage within 10 days. A police report establishes an official account of the accident. Therefore, be sure to provide a detailed report of the incident to the responding officers.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Even if the at-fault driver is unknown, you should notify your insurance company about the accident. Florida is a no-fault state, so your own insurance may cover some of your treatment expenses and property damage under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Be honest in your report, but avoid making unnecessary or inconsistent statements, since they could be used against you later by the insurer.
Contact a Hit-and-Run Lawyer
Hiring a lawyer after a hit-and-run bicycle accident can greatly boost the chances of a fair outcome of your case. In a hit-and-run case, identifying the other driver can be difficult, but your lawyer will work to uncover any available evidence. This could involve interviewing witnesses and engaging with a accident reconstructionist, among other ways.
If the driver is identified, your Port St. Lucie bicycle accident lawyer will file a personal injury lawsuit against them. If the driver remains unknown, they can help you explore the option for uninsured motorist claims. Having a lawyer handle the legal aspects lets you focus on your recovery.
Contact a Port St. Lucie Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you have sustained injuries in a hit-and-run bicycle accident in Port St. Lucie, Florida, you still have options to seek justice. You may, however, must engage a hit-and-run bicycle accident attorney to help explore the options available. At Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa, our legal team has experience handling such cases and is ready to support your claim.
Remember, the sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of building a strong case. Contact us today to request a free case evaluation.
On Behalf of Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa | September 22, 2024 | Workers' Compensation
If you have been injured in the course of your employment, you want to make sure that you receive adequate compensation to cover your medical bills and lost wages. Each state has its own rules regarding procedures for reporting a work-related injury and how long you have to file. In Florida, you only have thirty days to report a work-related injury or illness. Failure to report the injury within this given time frame may result in a denial of your claim.
If you have been injured while at work, our Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation lawyers are here to answer any questions you may have.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Employees who are injured during the scope of their employment or have experienced a work-related illness are typically entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers are compensated regardless of the role they partook in the work-related accident or illness.
Employers with four or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation. It protects employers from being sued privately by the employee. However, if your employer does not carry workers’ compensation or if they fail to report your injury to the insurance company, you may be eligible to file a personal injury suit against your employer.
What Qualifies as a Work Injury in Port St. Lucie?
Unfortunately, not every injury that you sustain under the scope of your employment will qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Accidents that are generally not covered under workers’ compensation include:
- If you were in a car accident commuting to work from home or vice versa
- Employees who are injured due to horseplay or fighting
- Employees who are injured while working from home and who were not performing job-related tasks
The regulations surrounding benefits can be complicated. If your workers’ compensation claim is being denied, it is essential that you reach out to a Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible following your injury.
Reimbursement for Lost Wages Following a Work Accident
If you are unable to return to your normal job following your injury or illness diagnosis, you may be entitled to wage benefits after the first seven days of missing work. If you are disabled for more than 21 days, then you will receive wage replacement benefits for your first week on disability.
To collect under workers’ compensation, you must be seen by a physician who has been approved by the insurance provider. For an occupational disease, you must demonstrate that your illness was contracted in the course of your employment and that your job was a major contributing cause of your developing the disease.
Wage replacement benefits will vary based on your type of injury. If you are able to return to your normal job but are able to perform lighter tasks, then you will likely receive temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits. Employees receiving TPD will only receive 80% of the difference in wages between their previous wages (pre-injury or illness) and their current wages.
Reach Out to a Port St. Lucie Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you have been injured while on the job, our team of workers’ compensation attorneys at Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa want to hear from you. Whether you are in the beginning stages of filing your claim or you find yourself jumping through “hoops” with insurance, we can be of help. To schedule your free case evaluation with one of our Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation attorneys, contact us online or by phone today.
Gerald A. Rosenthal
Retired
Since opening the firm now known as Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa more than 40 years ago, Gerald A. Rosenthal has been a dedicated champion of the everyday hero – police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, construction workers, farm workers, and more. Passionate about preserving the civil rights of laborers, he has fought tirelessly against giant insurance companies who deny the injured workers their benefits. It’s not just the lawsuit Rosenthal fights to win – he is driven by the opportunity to restore his client’s quality of life.
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