The Pendas Law Firm – Florida, Georgia, Washington & Puerto Rico Injury Lawyers

What qualifies as a personal injury case?

A personal injury case arises when someone is harmed due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Common examples include car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, slip and falls, medical malpractice, dog bites, workplace injuries, and defective product claims. The central question is whether someone else’s careless or wrongful conduct caused your injury.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?

The statute of limitations varies by jurisdiction. In Florida, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. In Georgia, the deadline is also two years. In Washington State, the deadline is three years. In Puerto Rico, the statute of limitations is just one year, making it the shortest of the jurisdictions we serve. There are limited exceptions in certain circumstances, including claims against government entities, but the safest course of action is alw...

Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for the accident?

In most cases, yes. Florida uses a modified comparative negligence rule that allows recovery only if you were less than 51 percent at fault, with your compensation reduced by your share of responsibility. Georgia applies a similar modified comparative negligence standard, but with a lower threshold that bars recovery at 50 percent fault. Washington and Puerto Rico both follow pure comparative fault rules, which means you can recover damages even if you bear a majority of the fault, though you...

What types of compensation can I recover?

Personal injury victims may be eligible for economic damages including medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In rare cases involving extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be awarded. The full scope of available compensation depends on the severity of your injury, the applicable laws in your jurisdiction, and the facts of your case.

What is PIP and how does it affect my case?

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is a type of no-fault insurance coverage. Florida requires all drivers to carry PIP, which pays up to $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. To qualify, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the crash. Georgia and Washington do not require PIP coverage but drivers may purchase it as an optional add-on to their policy. Puerto Rico operates its own no-fault system through the ACAA, which provides limited med...

Will my personal injury case go to trial?

Most personal injury cases settle before trial through negotiation or mediation. Mediation is an informal settlement conference where both sides meet with a neutral mediator to try to reach an agreement. The mediator cannot force a settlement, and you retain full control over whether to accept any offer. However, if there is a genuine dispute over who was at fault or what the injuries are worth, your attorney may recommend going to court. The Pendas Law Firm prepares every case as if it will ...

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney?

The Pendas Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket during the course of your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery we obtain for you, and if we do not win your case, you owe us nothing. We also advance all case costs, including filing fees, expert witness fees, and discovery expenses, and we only recover those costs if the case is successful.

How long will it take to resolve my case?

The timeline depends on the type of case, the severity of the injuries, the number of parties involved, and the jurisdiction. Some straightforward auto accident claims can reach settlement in as little as four months, while complex cases involving catastrophic injuries or multiple defendants may take considerably longer. Generally, the higher the value of the claim, the harder the opposing side will fight, which can extend the process. Our attorneys work efficiently to resolve cases as quickl...