St. Augustine, Florida, is a popular tourist destination. However, it’s not uncommon for vacationers to sustain serious injuries here. Accidents can happen at hotels, resorts, and amusement parks—and boating and car accidents are also far too common.
Unfortunately, many facilities and services fail to provide a safe environment for their guests and passengers. In addition to the physical and psychological pain these accidents cause, the financial burden can be devastating.
If another party’s negligence ruined what should have been the trip of a lifetime, our St. Augustine personal injury lawyer at Fasig Brooks want to hold them accountable.
What to Do in Case of a Vacation Accident or Injury in St. Augustine
If you get hurt while on vacation in St. Augustine, you should immediately seek legal representation to help you recover fair compensation from the responsible party. Here are some crucial steps you should take:
Get Pictures of the Accident Scene and Your Injuries
Accident victims should always take photos showing how they were injured. If you cannot take your own pictures, have your traveling companion or someone else do it for you. Snap some photos of the location where the accident happened and of your wounds. Photographic evidence can show the severity of your injuries and paint a picture of why the accident occurred.
Save All Paperwork
If the incident involved a particular resort, theme park, or another establishment, you should save your tickets and any receipts you received during your visit. Your lawyer will likely use these items as supporting evidence proving where you were when the accident occurred.
Collect the Responsible Parties’ Information
Getting the contact information from the premises owner or manager is also essential. This is particularly important in a Florida premises liability case, and one of our attorneys will likely need to contact them. You will also want to get the information of any eyewitnesses who observed your accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Always seek medical attention immediately after an accident, and do not delay any recommended treatments for your injuries. Prompt medical care is vital to your case, especially if you plan to leave the state soon.
Getting treatment as soon as possible connects your accident to your medical bills. On the other hand, waiting too long to get treated can cause an insurance company to deny your claim or a court to throw out your case.
Talk to a St. Augustine Personal Injury Lawyer
Professionals who regularly practice law in St. Augustine know how to handle a personal injury claim for an accident that happened while a client was in St. Augustine. Our law firm has extensive experience in personal injury accidents and can advise you about your next steps.
When you hire us, we can investigate your claim, calculate your damages, and negotiate with the other party for compensation on your behalf.
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Proving Fault in Florida Injury Cases
Florida law requires establishment owners to maintain an adequate standard of care that protects guests from foreseeable harm. Any injuries resulting from an owner or other executive’s negligence could qualify a guest for compensation. A negligent defendant may be held liable for providing restitution for any damages they cause.
Vehicle operators in Florida are also required to exhibit a duty of care that keeps those around them safe from foreseeable harm. To win in a negligence case, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant breached their duty of care, leading to the accident victim’s injury.
A St. Augustine vacation accident attorney can help injured tourists pursue personal injury claims within the applicable Florida statute of limitations. Florida Statute § 95.11 sets forth a time frame of four years for legal actions that are founded on negligence.
Due to the unexpected nature of a vacation accident, injured Florida visitors are often unsure of where to turn for legal assistance, especially if they live out of state.
Accident victims may also be unaware of their legal options for pursuing personal injury compensation, including payment for the cost of past and future medical treatment, lost wages from missing work, and pain and suffering.
Tourists to or residents of Florida should hire a Florida-based attorney for a few reasons:
Required Florida Licensing
First, only an attorney licensed to practice law in Florida can pursue a lawsuit in a Florida court. Our firm routinely handles complicated accident cases involving Florida individuals and businesses, which out-of-state attorneys may not be eligible or qualified to handle.
Local Investigation
After a personal injury claim, the case must be thoroughly investigated, and evidence must be gathered and preserved. This investigation requires an in-person inspection of the accident location and could include interviews with local witnesses.
Even if an out-of-state attorney is licensed in Florida, they may not be able to act quickly enough to preserve evidence and interview eyewitnesses. Failure to complete these tasks could doom a claim or lawsuit before it ever begins. A local attorney is often far better equipped to perform an accident investigation.
County-Specific Court Procedures
Each court in Florida has a unique jurisdiction with its own county-specific rules and procedures that plaintiffs and their attorneys must follow. Our Florida law firm has the experience necessary to work effectively within any Florida court system.
Out-of-state attorneys may not be familiar with all local rules and procedures, which can add unnecessary obstacles to an already complex legal process. These kinds of problems can be easily avoided by going with our local firm.
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Contact Our St. Augustine Vacation Accident Lawyers Today
If someone else’s negligence caused your vacation injury, you have a right to pursue financial compensation. Fasig Brooks is a results-driven law firm that handles all kinds of personal injury accidents in and around St. Augustine, Florida. And we work on contingency, which means we only get paid when you win.
If you believe your accident was preventable and caused by the negligence of another party, our vacation accident lawyers in St. Augustine, FL, will review your case for free. Let us explain your legal rights and our plan to get you a settlement check representing the full value of your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
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