Miami Personal Injury Attorney Blog

JURY SAYS GEICO FAILED

October 29, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

A jury told GEICO to pay $9.6 million because it failed to help its own policyholder settle a claim following a fatal accident. When an insurance company pays its policy limits that does not settle the case. Insurance companies have to try to get a release for its policyholder whenever it can. That is the duty it owes to the people who pay for their insurance.

James Harvey was insured with GEICO with $100,000 policy limits. He had crashed his Hummer into motorcyclist John Potts and killed him. GEICO sent a check for the $100,000 policy limits to the attorney who represented Mr. Potts’ estate. The estate’s attorney properly requested GEICO to make Mr. Harvey available to answer questions about any other assets he might have to compensate the estate. GEICO said no and advised Mr. Harvey to not give a statement.

The GEICO adjuster ignored the estate’s attorney. If GEICO had allowed and encouraged Mr. Harvey to provide asset information to the estate attorney, then the estate would have executed a release for the $100,000 policy limits. After weeks of no response from GEICO, the estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the GEICO insured and obtained an $8.47 million verdict against Mr. Harvey.

Personal Injury Law Questions to Ask If You’ve Been in a Car Accident in Miami

October 23, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

If you’ve been in a car accident in Miami, whether the accident is large or small, you may have many questions. Victims face a range of challenges on the road to recovery. Paying medical bills can be difficult, especially if you have had to miss time at work. Determining the degree of negligence or fault is an important first step that your insurance providers or personal injury lawyer in Miami will have to make before you can collect a recovery.

Your car accident will likely be investigated by the police, by your lawyer, and by insurance adjusters. If you’ve been in an accident and wonder whether you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries, here are ten important questions to ask. Of course, the answers to these questions are no replacement for hiring a personal injury attorney in Miami.

If your accident took place at an intersection, did the other driver hit you while making a left turn?

Car Accident Lawyer Gets $11.5 Million for Miami-Dade Drag Racing Victim

October 16, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

Two Miami-Dade women suffered serious injuries in an alleged drag racing accident. According to the Daily Business Review, their auto accident attorney was able to secure them an $11.5 million award in damages. Both women suffered collapsed lungs, among other injuries, including broken ribs and fractures. The drag-racing driver had been speeding through a residential neighborhood.

Drag racing has been glamorized in films and in the media, but the practice is incredibly dangerous—not only to the drivers who participate in this high-risk activity, but also to other drivers and pedestrians who happen to be on the road. Miami recently found itself in the national media spotlight when Justin Bieber was arrested for drag racing. Despite having to pay heavy fines and take courses, Bieber faced no jail time.

Miami is not the only place where drag racing has taken its toll on lives and families. ABC News reports of a deadly drag racing accident that killed five spectators in Maryland.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT TELLS STATE FARM TO PAY UP

October 16, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

EVIDENCE OF FUTURE MEDICARE BENEFITS AT IS NOT ADMISSIBLE AT TRIAL

State Farm took a father and his developmentally disabled adult son to the Florida Supreme Court and lost. The son was hit by a vehicle while riding his bicycle in 2007. Since he was disabled, his father, as his parent and natural guardian, sued State Farm for uninsured motorist benefits in the case of Joerg v. State Farm.

Before the accident, the son was entitled to Medicare benefits because of his disabilities. At trial, the father and son asked the trial court to prevent State Farm from telling the jury about his benefits under Medicare and Medicaid. The trial court agreed with the father and his son. After a four day trial, the jury awarded a total of $1,491,875.54 which included $469,076 for future medical expenses. State Farm appealed the case all the way to the Florida Supreme Court.

WHY IS MY CAR INSURANCE SO EXPENSIVE?

October 16, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

Everyone who owns and operates a registered vehicle in Florida is required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. According to Florida Statute § 627.736, for a person to be eligible for PIP medical benefits, those injured in a motor vehicle accident must seek initial services and care from specified providers within fourteen (14) days after the motor vehicle accident. Medical benefits up to $10,000 are available for “emergency medical conditions” diagnosed by specified providers, and up to $2,500 for non-emergency medical conditions. In addition, the law specifically excludes licensed acupuncturists and massage therapists from being reimbursed for medical benefits. Chiropractors cannot make the determination that a patient has suffered an emergency medical condition but are authorized to provide treatment to PIP insureds.

The insurance companies hate to lose. We all know that. In PIP they complain about fraud and Plaintiff attorneys all the time without ever mentioning the enormous premiums collected. But one thing is certain – insurance companies are always looking at the bottom line.

Over the years, insurance companies followed one version or another of “delay, deny, defend”especially in PIP. It is simply the same pig but with different dresses. The routine defense in PIP was to win on the pleadings not with juries. However, many insurance companies began to believe that the judges who decided the cases on the pleadings were largely selected by the Plaintiff’s Bar. This belief was supported by selective background research and typical corporate thinking. As a result, a new strategy emerged.

Car Accident Lawyer’s Tips: Four Proven Tips to Help You Heal Emotionally Following an Accident in Miami, Florida

October 16, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

According to one doctor’s report, despite dramatic improvements in car safety features, better legislation to prevent accidents, and more attention to infrastructure and to the structural integrity of highways, fewer researchers have studied how to help car accident survivors psychologically recover following an accident. Yet, according to one PTSD doctor, more physicians are trained regarding the possible psychological impact that car accidents can have on victims and their families. It can be difficult to predict how one will react psychologically to a car accident. Some people walk away unscathed emotionally, while others develop phobias, PTSD, and other stress reactions. It can be hard to know who will be affected and who will be okay. For this reason, it is important for car accident survivors to get the care that they need and deserve. Speaking to your doctor, your personal injury lawyer in Miami, and using community resources, can help you get well and stay well after you’ve survived the traumatic experience of a crash.

Neurologists studying the brain have also identified some markers that help people stay happy and heal. While these tips are no replacement for proper medical and psychological care, they are proven strategies that may be able to help car accident survivors get through the day. Here they are:

Practice gratitude. While it may seem challenging to find things to be thankful for in the aftermath of a crash, gratitude releases dopamine and serotonin—the same neurotransmitter that Prozac helps release. Researchers have found that even when people cannot find things to be grateful for, considering even the question can boost mood.

DO I NEED A TRIAL LAWYER FOR MY MIAMI CAR ACCIDENT?

October 16, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

If you were injured in a car accident in South Florida, then you need a lawyer. But what kind of lawyer should you get? In personal injury, there are basically three types of lawyers: claim attorneys, litigators, and trial lawyers.

Claim attorneys can handle your case up to settlement or the filing of a lawsuit. They refer unsettled cases to litigators or trial attorneys. Litigators file lawsuits and work to settle cases but do not go to trial. They will refer the case to a trial attorney if they cannot settle a case. Trial attorneys represent you before a jury and, hopefully, achieve the best result possible.

Generally, claim attorneys do not litigate and litigators don’t try cases. On the other hand, trial lawyers will handle your case from the beginning through settlement or trial. Generally, the referral of a personal injury case does not change or increase the amount of the attorney’s fee in accordance with the Florida Bar Rules of Professional Conduct.

DEFENSE EXPERTS PAID $700,000 BY INSURANCE COMPANIES

October 16, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

Insurance companies spend incredible amounts of money to experts who regularly testify at trial. In Miami car accident cases, these experts are usually board certified orthopedic surgeons or neurologists who testify for insurance companies on a regular basis and at tremendous financial gain. However, a skilled trial attorney can expose the bias of these well paid experts and that can make all the difference in the result obtained.

The Florida Evidence Code allows any party to attack the credibility of a witness by showing the witness is biased. Florida law permits evidence of any potential bias between a party and an expert. This evidence extends to a defendant’s law firm or even the employer of that lawyer.

In Vazquez v Martinez, the court allowed evidence that proved the defendant’s experts had been paid nearly $700,000 over a three year period by the defense or its agents. The court explained: “Whether the party has a direct relationship with any of the experts does not determine whether discovery of the doctor/law firm relationship or doctor/insurer relationship is allowed. The purpose of the rule is to expose any potential bias between a party and an expert.”

Car Accident Lawyer in Miami Discusses Impact of Personal Injury Claim on Insurance Rates

October 16, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

If you’ve been in a car accident, you may find yourself facing additional new expenses and financial burdens. Accident survivors may have to shoulder new medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and may even miss time at work. They may have to repair or replace a car that has been damaged or totaled. On top of all these new concerns, accident victims may also worry that their auto insurance rates will rise.

Concern about auto insurance rate increases are legitimate, especially in Florida. According to the Palm Beach Post, Florida is among the top ten most expensive states for auto insurance. One of the main reasons why Florida’s auto insurance rates are so high is due to the fact that Florida requires individuals to have Personal Injury Protection insurance. This insurance pays for medical expenses for injuries sustained in an accident.

It is difficult to predict if, or by how much your auto insurance may go up after you’ve been in an accident. But, it is important to understand that a personal injury claim could protect you from having to shoulder additional expenses and it can also help establish negligence in court. If you were not negligent in an accident, not only is the other driver responsible for expenses, but the likelihood that your insurance will significantly rise following the accident decreases. Whether your insurance goes up after an accident depends largely on complex algorithms used by insurance providers, which take into account everything from driving history, your location, credit history, and who was at fault in an accident if an accident has taken place.

Slip and Fall Lawyer in Miami Discusses Facts to Consider As You Seek Legal Advice

October 6, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

According to the Centers for Disease Control, every year, slip and fall injuries cost Americans close to $34 billion for medical and hospital expenses. Older adults are more prone to the most serious injuries resulting from slip and falls, though individuals at any age can suffer broken bones, head trauma, or other injuries as a result of a slip and fall. When falls occur, there is a 20% chance that the fall will result in a serious injury. The CDC reports that falls can cause brain injury, wrist fractures, ankle fractures, and hip fractures. These injuries can lead to lifestyle changes, result in missed time at work, and may make it difficult for some individuals to live independently.

Traumatic brain injuries resulting from slip and falls can be particularly pernicious. In some cases, it can take a while before patients experience the full range of symptoms of a head injury. Insomnia, memory loss, vision problems, changes in mood, and dizziness can all be symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury. Slip and fall victims may not be immediately aware that these changes can be linked back to their accident. This is why it is important for slip and fall victims to follow up with physicians following release from the hospital and to make sure that they are tested properly for all symptoms.

Some slip and fall victims may experience post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of their accident. They may avoid situations similar to the circumstances leading to their fall. This can lead to major disruptions in life activities. Older adults are most prone to suffer following a slip and fall because their injuries—psychological and physical—are more likely to result in a more sedentary lifestyle. A slip and fall accident can affect an elderly adult’s health years after it takes place and can even shave off years from a person’s life.