Melbourne Personal Injury Lawyers

Melbourne personal injury cases we handle

Personal injury law covers harm caused by careless drivers, businesses, and property owners. We handle a wide range of claims in Melbourne and throughout Brevard County, including:

• Car accidents: Crashes on I-95, U.S. 1, New Haven Avenue, and the Eau Gallie Causeway can cause serious injuries. We represent people hurt by speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, and failure to yield.
• Truck accidents: Commercial truck crashes are often more complex and may involve the driver, the trucking company, a maintenance provider, or a cargo company.
• Motorcycle accidents: Riders are frequently hurt when drivers fail to look, change lanes carelessly, or follow too closely.
• Slip and fall accidents: Property owners must keep stores, restaurants, apartments, and public spaces reasonably safe. Wet floors, broken stairs, and uneven walkways can lead to serious falls.
• Medical malpractice: Malpractice can occur when a doctor, hospital, or other provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and causes harm.
• Defective products: A dangerous product can injure consumers when it’s poorly designed, poorly made, or sold without adequate warnings.
• Nursing home abuse: Residents have a legal right to safe, dignified care under Florida’s nursing home bill of rights. When neglect or abuse harms an older loved one, families can hold the facility and its staff accountable.
• Wrongful death: If a loved one died because of another party’s careless or reckless actions, your family may have the right to bring a wrongful death claim.

If you’re not sure whether you have a case, a Melbourne personal injury lawyer can review what happened and explain your options.

Common injuries in Florida personal injury cases

Accidents can cause injuries that affect your work, your daily routine, and your long-term health. Common injuries in Florida personal injury cases include:

• Brain injuries and concussions
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs
• Broken bones and fractures
• Burns, scarring, and disfigurement
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Soft tissue injuries and nerve damage
• Amputations
• Drowning and near-drowning injuries
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Fatal injuries leading to wrongful death claims

Serious injuries often require immediate care at a trauma center like Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, followed by months of treatment. That care usually forms the largest part of a personal injury claim, and our team works to make sure its full impact is accounted for.

What to expect from the personal injury process

Filing a personal injury claim can feel overwhelming, but our attorneys guide you through each step.

• Free consultation. You explain what happened, where the accident occurred, and what injuries you suffered, and we explain your options.
• Investigation. We gather police reports, medical records, photos, video footage, and witness statements. In trucking cases, that can include driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data.
• Medical treatment tracking. As you treat with your doctors, we collect records and bills to show the full impact of your injuries.
• Demand and negotiation. Once we understand your damages, we prepare a demand to the insurance company explaining how the accident happened and what compensation you’re owed.
• Filing suit. If the insurer won’t make a fair offer, we may file a lawsuit — in Brevard County, that means the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court. Filing doesn’t always mean your case goes to trial, but it’s often an important step toward resolution.
• Resolution. Many cases settle before trial. If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we keep preparing the case for court.

Types of compensation in a personal injury case

The value of a case depends on your injuries, your medical needs, your lost income, and how the accident has changed your life. Compensation may include:

• Past and future medical care, from emergency treatment and surgery to physical therapy and medication
• Lost wages and reduced earning ability
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
• Disability or permanent injury
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Funeral and burial costs in wrongful death cases

Insurance companies may try to reduce what they pay by blaming you or downplaying your injuries. A personal injury lawyer can protect your claim and push for a fair result.

How long you have to file a claim in Florida

Florida limits how long you have to sue. For most negligence claims, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file, under Fla. Stat. § 95.11. Wrongful death claims also generally carry a two-year deadline, measured from the date of death. Medical malpractice cases follow different rules and require pre-suit steps before a lawsuit can be filed.

If your claim is against a government entity, say, a crash with a city vehicle or a fall on public property, Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 768.28) adds written pre-suit notice requirements and a waiting period before you can sue. Because these deadlines are strict, it’s best to talk with an attorney as soon as possible.

How fault works in Florida

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you share some blame for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, being 20% at fault means a 20% reduction. But if you’re found more than 50% at fault, you generally can’t recover from the other party. Because fault directly affects what you can recover, careful investigation and a clear presentation of the evidence matter.

Talk to a Melbourne personal injury lawyer

After an accident, a Melbourne personal injury lawyer at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath can listen to what happened, answer your questions, and explain your options. Whether your case involves a car accident, a truck crash, a fall, medical malpractice, or the loss of a loved one, we’re ready to help. Visit our Melbourne office at 1507 Riverview Drive, Suite 2B, contact us online, or call (561) 655-1990 for a free consultation.

Frequently asked questions about Melbourne, FL personal injuries

What should I do after an accident?

Get medical care as soon as possible. If you can, report the crash to the Melbourne Police Department, take photos, get witness information, and keep copies of your medical records and insurance letters. Avoid giving a recorded statement to the insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.

How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay upfront attorney’s fees. Our team is paid from the recovery only if your case is successful.

How do I know if I have a personal injury case?

You may have a case if you were injured because of someone else’s negligence and suffered damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. A Melbourne personal injury attorney can review the facts and explain whether you have a claim.

How long will it take to resolve my case?

It depends. Some claims settle in a few months. Others take longer, especially when injuries are severe, fault is disputed, or the insurer refuses to be fair. Settling too early can leave long-term medical and financial needs uncovered.

Can I recover compensation if I’m partially at fault?

Possibly. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule, your percentage of fault reduces your compensation, and being more than 50% at fault generally bars recovery in a negligence case.

What if the insurance company already offered me a settlement?

Be careful before accepting. Once you sign a release, you usually can’t ask for more later. Our lawyers can review the offer and help you decide whether it truly covers your medical bills, lost income, and future care.