Pensacola Beach is the jewel of North Florida. Pristine white sand beaches and other natural beauty complement the local economy to make the community an attractive one to residents and visitors alike. While Pensacola Beach may be paradise, but unfortunately there’s always the risk of suffering an injury in the community.
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of injury, as are motorcycle accidents and boating accidents. No matter the cause, being injured by someone else’s actions or negligence can leave you with injuries that prevent you from working. In addition to losing wages due to missing work, you might also be facing a pile of medical bills and other expenses that seem unpayable.
In the weeks following your injury, you may get a settlement offer from the insurance company. While this offer may be much lower than the money you really need to cover your expenses, you might think you have no choice but to accept it.
Before you do, contact a Pensacola Beach personal injury lawyer. At Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon, we have been helping members of our local community get the full compensation they deserve for over 100 years. We know how stressful this time of your life can be, and we also know how to help you start recovering financially.
Call us at 850-444-4878 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
How Negligence Affects Your Pensacola Beach Personal Injury Lawsuit
To recover compensation for your injury, you must be able to show that the person who injured you either did so intentionally, or they were acting negligently. Legally speaking, if a person acts in a way that another reasonably prudent person wouldn’t (or fails to act when a reasonable person would), they are being negligent, especially if their action or inaction leads to injury.
In general, there are four elements of negligence that must be proven in a personal injury case. If these criteria are met, it’s often easier to get the compensation you deserve.
1. There was a duty of care established
Duty of care is the requirement for one person to exercise care, caution and prudence toward other people and the general public. Drivers, for instance, have an obligation to follow all traffic laws and operate their vehicle safely. For manufacturers, on the other hand, that means creating products that aren’t dangerous in ways outside of what’s on the warning label.
2. There was a breach of duty of care
If someone does not follow their duty of care obligations, that means they have breached that duty and, therefore, acted negligently. A driver who runs a stop sign has acted negligently, as has a car manufacturer who installs a faulty engine in their vehicles.
3. An injury was caused by the breach of duty of care
If a driver rear-ends you because they weren’t paying attention, and your neck is injured as a result, your injury was caused directly by the other person’s breach of duty. However, if you’re on the opposite side of the road and wreck your car because you were distracted by the accident, any injuries you suffer maybe considered caused by your own actions.
4. There are real, compensable damages
Finally, you must be able to show that you suffered damages that can be financially compensated. This is usually relatively easy; medical bills or car repair invoices can prove you suffered in a way that money can compensate.
Speak to a Pensacola Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Figuring out what to do after you’ve suffered a personal injury can be difficult. But with the help of an experienced attorney, the process can become easier. At Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon, we have been helping injury victims in the Pensacola area get the compensation they deserve since 1913.
To speak with an experienced Pensacola Beach personal injury lawyer, call us at 850-444-4878 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.