The Panama City vacation accident lawyers at The Bruner Law Firm have extensive experience helping both residents of and visitors to Panama City get the justice and compensation they deserve. We know that you never expected to be hurt on vacation, and an injury accident can not only ruin your trip, but could also impact you long after the holiday is over.
If someone else’s negligence caused you harm, we’ll help you seek fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. We’ll be ready to hold the individual or party accountable for their reckless or careless actions, and we’ll seek the maximum amount of money possible to help you pay your bills and move forward after this accident.
Hiring a lawyer can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. If you don’t know the legal process, you might not know what to expect or the steps you need to take in a vacation accident case. You also don’t want to add any legal expenses to the pile of medical bills you already have to pay. That’s why we offer free consultations to anyone thinking about seeking representation. There’s no risk or obligation to speak with us about your case. We’ll be ready to meet with you free of charge to review the details of your vacation accident and determine if we can build a solid case for you. Call us at (850) 769-9292 today for your free consultation.
Common Causes of Vacation Accidents
When you travel to another state or outside the country, you expect to have an excellent time. People tend to feel safe from any potential harm when they’re on vacation. They believe it’s a time for fun, laughter, and exploring. Panama City tourists get exposed to beautiful beaches, unique restaurants, and exciting attractions every day. The Sunshine State is the perfect destination for those who enjoy the warm weather.
However, there’s the potential for an accident to occur anywhere, even in the most idealistic of places. Suffering an injury during vacation is always disappointing. Various factors contribute to vacation accidents in Panama City. The most common factors include the following:
- Slip/trip and fall
- Motor vehicle accident
- Bicycle accident
- Boat accidents
- Jet ski accidents
- Amusement park accidents
- Waterpark accidents
- Hotel / AirBnB / Timeshare accidents
- Bar / Nightclub accidents
Whether your injuries are minor or severe, it could put a significant damper on the whole trip for you and the people traveling with you. When you’re at your hotel, the beach, a restaurant, or nightclub, the individuals responsible for maintaining these places should ensure everyone’s safety. That means there shouldn’t be loose objects overhead, puddles of water on the floor, or broken glass where people are walking. If someone’s negligence causes you to suffer an injury, you could seek compensation from them.
What Should I Do if I Am Injured on Vacation?
Depending on the location you suffer an injury depends on who you should notify. If you’re in a public place, you should report your accident to the owner, manager, or another executive in charge of the guests. If you suffer injuries from an auto accident, you should call the police and request a copy of the crash report they write. Telling the right person about what happened is a crucial piece of evidence proving where your accident occurred, how it happened, and all individuals involved.
After reporting your injury, you should seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, the shock could diminish your symptoms. If you wait too long to see a doctor, an insurance company could use that information to deny your insurance claim and refuse to compensate you. Seeking treatment at an urgent care facility or hospital is acceptable for receiving a diagnosis. If your doctor refers you for any additional treatment, you must follow their orders, even if your treatment continues when you return to your resident state.
If your injury resulted from someone’s poor decisions or negligent behavior, you’re entitled to compensation. If you want to file a claim against the at-fault party, you should hire a lawyer to help you. When you’re on vacation, you’re unfamiliar with the area you’re in and the specific laws relating to situations like yours. A Panama City vacation accident lawyer knows the strict deadlines to adhere to and essential documentation to submit in Florida cases.
Should I Hire A Panama City Vacation Accident Lawyer?
Many people will try to handle their vacation accident cases on their own. That could cause problems. If you’re unfamiliar with insurance claims, the insurance company could take advantage of you. When the assigned adjuster sees that you didn’t seek representation, they might try to take advantage of you. They’ll make the process as difficult as possible and provide a settlement offer much lower than you deserve.
Our attorneys will file your insurance claim promptly, submit documentation supporting your injuries resulted from the accident, and negotiate a fair settlement for you. You shouldn’t have to pay expenses for the harm someone else’s reckless decisions caused. We believe in protecting our clients’ rights and seeking the justice they rightfully deserve.
Who Should I Seek Compensation from for My Injury?
The individual or entity you seek compensation from depends on the type of accident that occurred. Each personal injury case is different when it comes to the responsible party’s insurance policies. Some examples of personal injury accidents that occur on vacation include the following:
Slip/Trip and Fall: An accident occurring on someone’s property typically means you’re eligible for compensation under their liability policy. Florida law requires all businesses and property management companies to carry liability insurance with minimum limits. Those limits compensate individuals injured as a result of the business owner or property owner’s negligence. You could file a liability insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier to seek compensation for expenses.
Motor Vehicle Accident: Whether you get hit by a car, truck, motorcycle, or another motor vehicle, you could receive compensation in one of three ways: from the other driver’s liability insurance, your UM insurance, or a lawsuit against the driver. Drivers throughout the country must carry auto insurance with bodily injury limits. Even if you’re from out of state, you could seek compensation from the liable motorist or your insurance for your injuries. If you live outside Panama City, but in the state of Florida, you could also seek benefits from your PIP coverage.
Bicycle Accident: Bicyclists don’t carry insurance. However, the driver who hit them does. If someone driving a car, truck, or other motor vehicle hits you on a bike, you could seek financial compensation from his or her auto insurance carrier.
Water Vessel Accident: Water vessel owners are not required to carry liability insurance. Most people rely on the additional coverages available in their auto or homeowner’s insurance policy. If you suffer an injury while out on the water, you could seek compensation from the boater’s car or homeowner’s insurance. If a company owns the vessel that caused your accident, you could go after the company’s liability insurance.
Property Owners/Operators: If your injuries occurred at a hotel, rental property, amusement park, or another establishment, you could hold the property owner or the business owner accountable if they failed to provide safe premises. Your premises liability claim could help you secure fair compensation if they failed to address or warn you of known hazards.
Your Panama City vacation accident lawyer will review the appropriate insurance policies and determine the maximum financial payment available. It’s possible to file multiple insurance claims for compensation from more than one source. Hiring an experienced attorney will help you figure out where your settlement could come from and how much you could potentially receive.
How Much is My Case Worth?
Damages are losses incurred as a result of an accident and injury. There are two types of damages in vacation accident cases: economic and noneconomic. Economic damages are expenses, such as medical bills and lost wages, while noneconomic damages are intangible impacts, such as emotional and psychological trauma. The economic and noneconomic damages you could receive compensation for in your insurance claim include:
Medical Expenses: Treatment deemed necessary by a medical professional for your recovery, including physical therapy, surgery, prescription medicine, home health care, and ER visits.
- Loss of Income: Wages you couldn’t earn because your injuries kept you out of work for an extended period.
- Future Earning Capacity: Pay you’re unable to make in the future if your injury is permanent or your doctor diagnoses you with a permanent disability.
- Pain and Suffering: Significant pain and suffering experienced as a direct result of your accident.
- Emotional Distress: Emotional or psychological trauma suffered that impacted your lifestyle, such as stress, PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
The severity of your injuries and the extent of the losses you’ve incurred will determine the amount of compensation you could claim.
Injured While Vacationing in Panama City? Call the The Bruner Law Firm
If you or your loved one sustained an injury during vacation, call The Bruner Law Firm for help today. We believe in providing our clients with a high level of service, no matter what. Our team of legal professionals is available 24/7, so you can reach us when you need us. You’ll never wait long to receive a callback for the status of your case or to schedule an appointment. We know how important it is to resolve your unfortunate situation as quickly as possible.
Our Panama City injury lawyers will use all the resources at our disposal to get you the compensation and justice you’re owed. We aim to resolve your insurance claim or lawsuit promptly so that you can move forward with your life. Call us at (850) 769-9292 to get started with your free consultation.
