Ocala Personal Injury Lawyer

Emergency rooms see millions of injured people each year. Slippery floors and speeding vehicles can result in injuries ranging from relatively minor cuts to life-changing spine or brain injuries. No matter what type of injury you suffered, however, you will likely face financial losses such as medical bills or lost income.

The Ocala personal injury attorneys at Meldon Law are committed to helping victims of accidental injuries recover from their losses whenever they can.  If you would like to learn about your legal rights following a personal injury, please call our office today at (352) 373-8000 or fill out our online contact form to discuss your specific situation with a member of our legal team.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation in an Ocala Personal Injury Claim

Negligence means that someone did not act with reasonable care and their action or inaction caused an injury. Our personal injury attorneys care about you and take your case personally. We use our experience and extensive knowledge of the law to determine who is liable for your injury and to prove that negligence occurred.

Injury victims have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party by filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit. You may be entitled to compensation for expenses you paid or funds you’ve lost, such as:

• Medical expenses
• The cost of repairing or replacing damaged property
• Loss of wages while you’re unable to work, or loss of future earnings if a serious injury prevents you from working in the future
• The costs of renovating your home or vehicle to accommodate a disabling injury

You can also receive compensation for losses that don’t always come with an invoice, commonly called non-economic damages. These can include:

• Diminished quality of life
• The physical and mental pain and suffering
• Disability or disfigurement due to the injury
• Loss of relationships

At Meldon Law, our personal injury firm in Ocala is a force to be reckoned with inside and outside of the courtroom because we simply won’t back down.

How an Ocala Personal Injury Lawyer Proves Negligence

To prove negligence in personal injury claims, Ocala personal injury lawyers must establish four essential components: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Let’s take a closer look at how attorneys tackle each of these elements:

• Duty of care: It’s the lawyer’s responsibility to demonstrate that the defendant had a legal obligation to act in a way that any reasonable person would under comparable circumstances to prevent harm to others. This is known as the “duty of care.”
• Breach of duty: The attorney must provide evidence showing that the defendant failed to uphold their duty of care by acting or failing to act in a manner that a reasonable person would have in the same situation. This evidence may include witness accounts, expert opinions, or records of the defendant’s actions.
• Causation: The lawyer must establish a direct link between the defendant’s breach of duty and the injuries sustained by the plaintiff. This involves presenting a clear connection between the defendant’s actions and the plaintiff’s suffering. To prove causation, the attorney may rely on medical records, expert testimony, and other relevant evidence.
• Damages: Lastly, the lawyer must demonstrate that the plaintiff suffered actual damages due to the defendant’s negligence. To quantify these damages, the attorney will collect evidence such as medical bills, income statements, and expert opinions.

Evidence We May Use to Prove Negligence

To prove negligence, injury lawyers often rely on various types of evidence, including:

• Police reports and accident scene investigations
• Witness statements and testimony
• Medical records and expert medical opinions
• Video footage or photographs of the incident
• Records of property damage and repair costs
• Expert analysis of the incident, such as accident reconstruction

By thoroughly investigating the case and gathering compelling evidence, personal injury lawyers can build a strong argument to demonstrate the defendant’s negligence and secure compensation for their client’s damages.

How Much You Can Get in a Personal Injury Claim in Ocala, FL

You will find compensation calculators online, but the truth is, the only way you can get an estimate of the value of your claim is to get a consultation and talk to a lawyer who can evaluate the facts of your case.

How much you can get in an Ocala personal injury claim will depend on a variety of factors, which include the severity of your injuries, your future prognosis, how much work you missed (and whether you can still work at all), and the degree to which your life has been affected by your injuries or the loss of a loved one.

One exception to this is the damage caps Florida imposes on punitive damages, which are damages that can be ordered in cases of serious wrongdoing. For example, a driver who has caused drunk driving accidents in the past knowingly getting behind the wheel when they knew they had been drinking and were therefore putting others at risk.

In Florida, punitive damages are limited to three times the amount of your compensatory damages or $500,000.

Let Your Ocala Personal Injury Lawyer Handle Communication With Insurance Companies

After an accident, insurance companies often prioritize their own financial interests over the well-being of the injured party. They may employ various tactics to minimize the value of your claim or even trick you into making statements that can be used against you. This is where an Ocala personal injury lawyer can provide invaluable protection during insurance negotiations.

Here are some ways a personal injury lawyer can safeguard your interests:

• Handling communication: Your lawyer will handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf. This prevents you from inadvertently making statements that could harm your claim, such as admitting fault or downplaying your injuries.
• Advising you on your rights: A personal injury lawyer will inform you of your legal rights and help you understand the claims process. They will advise you on what information to provide and what to keep confidential to protect your claim.
• Assessing the full value of your claim: Personal injury lawyers have experience in evaluating the true value of a claim, taking into account factors such as current and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. They will fight for fair compensation for all of your losses.
• Negotiating with the insurance company: Your lawyer will handle negotiations with the insurance company, using their knowledge of the law and the evidence in your case to advocate for a fair settlement. If the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, your attorney can advise you on the option of taking legal action.
• Protecting you from unfair tactics: Insurance companies may use various tactics to minimize your claim, such as offering a lowball settlement or pressuring you to accept a quick payout. Your lawyer will recognize these tactics and protect you from being taken advantage of during the negotiation process.

By working with a Florida personal injury lawyer, you can level the playing field against insurance companies and ensure that your rights and interests are protected throughout the claims process. Your attorney will fight to secure the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on your recovery and moving forward with your life.

Florida’s New Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits in 2023

Most personal injury cases are settled with insurance companies before reaching court. But, there are times when it is necessary to file a lawsuit for appropriate compensation.

Prior to Governor Ron DeSantis’s 2023 reforms, injured parties in Florida had four years from the time of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, that has now been reduced to two years. Now more than ever before, it is critical that you talk to an attorney about filing a lawsuit in a timely manner.

The sooner you have a consultation with us, the sooner we can begin gathering evidence to present your claim. If you don’t file by the deadline, you will not be allowed to file.

Our Ocala personal injury attorneys will go over this important point of law with you during your free evaluation. We will keep your case on schedule to allow you the opportunity to file a lawsuit, should that become necessary.

How Modified Comparative Negligence Can Affect Your Ocala Personal Injury Case

Under Florida’s updated 2023 768.81 comparative fault statute, in Ocala and elsewhere in Florida, if you were 50% or less responsible for the accident, you may be able to recover compensation from the liable party. But, if it’s determined that you were 51% or more responsible for the accident and subsequent injury, you may not be able to recover any compensation.

Since 1986, Florida has been a pure comparative negligence state, which means after an accident, the degree of fault of each party involved in an accident is assessed, and damages are allocated accordingly. However, that changed in 2023. Under the new Florida negligence law, plaintiffs who are found to be more than 50 percent liable are barred from recovering damages.

The defendant’s insurance company may try to claim your percentage of fault is higher than it actually was to reduce your compensation or bar you from getting compensation at all. We will fight to prove your true level of fault if you were partially responsible for the accident.

Meldon Law, Your Ocala Personal Injury Attorneys

Meldon Law was established over 50 years ago. We now have multiple offices and serve our fellow Floridians with the Meldon CARES pillars of excellent service:

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Reliability
• Excellence
• Success Driven

Our entire staff believes that what we do isn’t just our job, it’s our calling. Our clients become family, and we fight for our family.

How Much it Costs to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Ocala

Our Ocala personal injury lawyers work on contingency, which means there are no upfront costs for you. Our fees and costs and additional case expenses like court filings and expert witnesses will come out of your settlement or court award. If you don’t get compensation for your damages, you don’t pay. So there is everything to gain and nothing to lose by seeking justice.

We offer transparent contingency arrangements, and we will make sure you understand the details. We will explain the contingency plan to you once we have determined that you have a valid claim and taken you on as a client.

Testimonials From Our Personal Injury Clients in Florida

As always, our clients and their welfare rank highest with our personal injury lawyers in Ocala and the other Florida communities we represent, and your opinions of our work matter.

“Hands down the best law firm!!! True to their word, They won’t back down! God sent me to them for a reason, Thank You Jesus. Grateful for sure. Trustworthy, Notable and for the people. Thank you!!!” —Jermaine

“My team with Meldon Law was awesome and were really helpful during a difficult time in my life. They showed how much they cared and took their time to explain the process to me. I’m happy I chose them to help me with my case.” —Orianna

“GREAT LAW FIRM! The personal detail and professionalism is what sets this law firm apart from others. Extremely empathetic!”—Mike

How Our Ocala Personal Injury Lawyers Help You

Your injury and the circumstances surrounding your accident are unique to you. Our personal injury attorneys adapt their work to meet your needs and to help you get the best possible outcome for your case. We:

Meet With You for Free

We provide a free evaluation of your case. This is a time when we listen to your story, answer your questions, and discuss the options we see for you. If you would like to work with us, we assemble your Meldon Team.

Conduct an In-Depth Investigation

Our experts conduct an independent investigation of the accident which led to your injury. We gather police, medical, and insurance reports, collect and analyze evidence from the scene, speak with witnesses, and review what we’ve learned to determine negligence and identify the liable party or parties.

Negotiate for What You Deserve

We help you assemble and file your claim, accounting for all of your economic and noneconomic damages. We then negotiate with the insurance company or companies for an appropriate settlement on your behalf. If a settlement is reached, we follow through to ensure all funds are disbursed properly.

Prepare for Trial and Represent You in Court

If a settlement cannot be reached, we prepare for trial and represent you in court, fighting for justice and fair compensation.

Common Accidents Our Ocala Personal Injury Lawyers Represent

If you’ve never been injured due to someone else’s negligence, it can be challenging to know if you have a case and how you should proceed. Our attorneys have experience handling cases similar to yours, so they can provide you with knowledge and guidance as you move forward.

Our Ocala personal injury attorneys at Meldon Law regularly handle a variety of injury cases. We are here to help with:

• Amputation Injury
• ATV Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Boating Accidents
• Brain Injury
• Burn Injury
• Bus Accidents
• Car Accidents
• Catastrophic Injury
• Construction Accidents
• Distracted Driving Accidents
• Dog Bite
• Drunk Driver Accidents
• Fractures & Broken Bones
• Head-on Collision
• Hit & Run Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Rear-End Collision
• Rideshare Accidents
• Rollover Crash
• Scooter Accidents
• Slip & Fall
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Truck Accidents
• Uninsured Driver Accidents
• Wrongful Death

Negligence can be a complex legal concept. The type of evidence needed to prove negligence and the legal questions that may arise in a particular case will depend on the specific act that caused your accident and injuries.

For this reason, you want to ensure that your attorney has experience handling cases that involve the type of accident that happened to you. Our team members have decades of experience handling all types of injury cases.

Why Recovering Non-Economic Damages Is an Important Part of Ocala Personal Injury Claims

Recovering economic damages like medical bills and missed work is important when you’ve been the victim of an accident that never should have happened. But your non-economic damages matter, too. These are damages that have less-tangible costs, but they can be significant. Non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering: This type of damage compensates the victim for the physical pain and emotional anguish they have endured due to their injuries.
• Mental anguish: Mental anguish damages recognize the psychological impact of the injury, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Loss of enjoyment of life: This damage type addresses the ways in which the injury has diminished the victim’s ability to participate in and enjoy their usual activities and hobbies.
• Loss of consortium: Loss of consortium damages compensate the victim’s spouse or family members for the loss of companionship, affection, and support due to the injury.
• Disfigurement: Disfigurement damages acknowledge the emotional distress and self-consciousness that can result from permanent scars or other physical changes caused by the injury.

By awarding non-economic damages, the legal system acknowledges that the victim’s suffering extends far beyond financial losses and seeks to provide a measure of compensation for the intangible yet significant ways in which their life has been altered. This type of compensation is essential for helping victims cope with the challenges they face and move forward.

How Negligence Leads to Personal Injury Claims in Ocala, FL

Millions of Americans sustain injuries in traffic-related accidents every single year. Florida saw nearly 400,000 crashes and 250,000 injuries in 2022, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Motor vehicle accidents happen for many reasons, including the actions of negligent drivers.

Driving drunk or distracted or recklessly violating traffic regulations can lead to crashes and legal liability for any injuries that result from such negligence. Traffic accidents involve different types of vehicles, each of which contributes in its own way to the nature and severity of the injuries suffered. For the zone of the accident and the type of accident, we also serve as a Gainesville accident attorney.

• Car Accidents – The majority of traffic accidents involve passenger vehicles. Even with all of the safety features and modern technology in vehicles these days, occupants of cars still regularly sustain severe injuries in crashes.
• Big Truck Accidents – When you drive around Ocala, you will likely encounter a number of large commercial trucks. Because these trucks are so much bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles, truck accidents can result in devastating injuries and property damage.
• Motorcycle Accidents – Motorcyclists have no seat belts, airbags, bumpers, or steel frames around them to protect their bodies from the impact of a crash. Even helmets cannot prevent all head and brain injuries in a motorcycle accident. For these reasons, motorcyclists can sustain debilitating injuries in accidents.

What to Do to Protect the Value of Your Personal Injury Claim in Ocala, Florida

• Following any type of traffic accident, you should follow the advice of emergency medical personnel. If you don’t receive medical care at the scene, see a physician that same day.
• If you can remain on the scene, you should wait for law enforcement to arrive and then share your side of the story.
• If another driver is intoxicated or has violated the law, police can arrest the driver or issue citations, which can help with your case.
• As soon as you know your physical health is stable after an accident, our personal injury attorneys can determine the best course of action for you.
• Do not speak with insurance representatives before speaking with one of our Ocala personal injury attorneys. Don’t give a recorded statement even to your own insurer. We will handle these important tasks on your behalf.

Premises Liability Accidents

Many accidents occur because a property owner was negligent in the upkeep of their premises. When a business or property owner allows unsafe conditions or hazards to exist, customers and visitors can be injured.

These are a few of the types of premises liability accidents our Ocala personal injury attorneys represent:

• Slip and Falls – If you slip and fall, you may limp away with a sprain or experience a devastating brain injury. Wet floors, crumbly stairs, and construction debris all present hazards to the unsuspecting public.
• Falls – In addition to slips or trips, people fall from heights due to dangerous conditions. Falls down a flight of stairs, off of landings or balconies, or from other high places can result in severe injuries.
• Dog Bites – It’s not unusual for property owners to have dogs on the premises. If a dog or other animal attacks and bites you, you may suffer lacerations, torn ligaments, scars, infections, and emotional trauma. We can help you hold animal owners liable for your losses.

Ocala Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Medical Malpractice Claims

Another cause of injury to Ocala residents is medical negligence. Health professionals can and do make serious medical errors that sometimes result in injuries and extensive financial losses.

Medical malpractice may occur at any time, including but not limited to the following:

• Misdiagnosis
• Surgery
• Prescribing or administering medications
• Birth

Proving that negligence was at the root of your injury involves complex analysis and the presentation of technical evidence, a task at which our personal injury attorneys excel.

Our Ocala Personal Injury Lawyers Giving Back in Florida

Our Ocala personal injury lawyers have been fortunate as a law firm to explore multiple ways to give back to the community, including through our:

COVID-19 Response

During the pandemic, we donated food to front-line workers, hosted free laundry days, and even gave away free laundry for a year. Through a partnership with the Lubavitch Chabad Jewish Student and Community Center from the University of Florida, we handed out free boxes of fruit and vegetables. We also handed out restaurant gift cards and free face masks.

Meldon Law Scholar-Athlete Program

For the past 25 years, we’ve awarded more than 500 scholarships to high school seniors showing excellence in academics and athletics.

Veterans Making a Difference Program

We established this initiative with CBS4 News to honor veterans and veteran organizations that make a difference in their communities.

Down-to-Earth Informative Legal Content

Understanding the law and our rights as citizens is an important safeguard for all of us. Over the years, we’ve worked hard to inform the public about the law through multiple outlets:

• Podcasts
• Blogs
• Consumer guides
• Books
• Legal talk radio shows

Everyone at Meldon Law aims to continue to serve and recognize communities around Florida through these organizations and our legal practice

Get Your Free Case Evaluation With an Ocala Personal Injury Lawyer

At Meldon Law, our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping you in any way possible following your accident. We understand the stress an injury can put on you and your family. Our job is to address the legal issues of your case while you focus on rest and recovery.

If you have been injured, you want a law firm on your side with the experience, skill, and knowledge necessary to provide comprehensive legal representation. Please call our personal injury lawyers in Ocala, FL, at (352) 373-8000 for a free consultation today.

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