Personal Injury Lawyers Melbourne, Florida – Experienced Legal Representation in Brevard County
Platt, Cole, Russell & Simpson PLLC is a trusted legal team of personal injury lawyers Melbourne residents turn to after life-changing accidents caused by another party’s negligence. We represent individuals hurt in car crashes, slip and falls, workplace incidents, and other severe personal injury cases across Brevard County.
Our Melbourne personal injury law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees. For a free consultation, contact our law firm by calling 321-725-3425 or using our online contact form.
How We Stand Out From Other Personal Injury Law Firms Melbourne Offers
- Trial-Ready Advocates: Our Melbourne personal injury attorneys don’t just negotiate; we prepare every case for trial to ensure it receives its full value.
- Local expertise: Deep knowledge of Brevard County courts and legal procedures.
- Insurance Company Fighters: We stand up to insurers to make sure your personal injury claim receives fair treatment.
- Community Connections and Full Recovery Analysis: We partner with medical, economic, and reconstruction professionals, as well as expert witnesses, to capture all present and future losses.
- Proven Results: Successful settlements and verdicts in local courts.
- Personalized Legal Service: Individual attention and direct access to your knowledgeable personal injury attorney.
- Compassionate Care: Clients describe our team as “knowledgeable, kind, and caring.” We prioritize your needs and outcomes.
- Full-Service Representation: Investigation through trial.
- Case Management: Regular updates and transparent communication.
- Medical Referrals: Trusted healthcare professionals and specialists.
Traffic Accidents Our Melbourne Personal Injury Lawyer Team Handles
We offer experienced legal assistance for motor vehicle accident claims in Melbourne, FL, and across Brevard County.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the most common personal injury cases we handle. Whether the car accident happened due to distracted driving, speeding, or negligence, car crashes can result in severe personal injury cases and significant financial burdens. Our personal injury attorneys in Melbourne are dedicated to fighting for your rights, helping you navigate insurance claims, and pursuing the compensation you deserve through dedicated car accident claims assistance in Melbourne.
Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often result in serious personal injury claims due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Our Melbourne personal injury lawyers are experienced in complex insurance claims involving negligent truck drivers, faulty equipment, and company liability. We seek full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages for individuals needing legal help for Melbourne truck accident claims.
Commercial and Company Vehicle Crashes
Commercial and company vehicle crashes often result in complex liability issues due to the involvement of multiple parties, including drivers, employers, and vehicle owners. Our Melbourne personal injury attorneys possess the expertise to thoroughly investigate truck and car accident cases, helping injured victims recover the settlements or awards they deserve. Contact our law firm to learn how we can help with your commercial vehicle accident claim in Melbourne.
Public Transportation Accidents
Our Melbourne personal injury attorneys handle cases involving accidents on local transit systems. Whether a hazard exists on a bus, at a station, or while boarding, property owners and operators may be liable for unsafe conditions in the following:
- Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT) buses
- ADA paratransit services
- Rideshare hubs (Uber and Lyft)
- Airport shuttles to and from Orlando International Airport
Scooter and Bike Accidents
Scooter and bike accidents are becoming increasingly common, particularly in high-traffic areas and near the beach or downtown. Riders often suffer when struck by distracted drivers, forced into traffic by unsafe road conditions, or hit due to failure to yield. Our Melbourne personal injury attorney team investigates fault, gathers evidence, and pursues full compensation for injured cyclists and scooter riders through skilled scooter and bike accident claims assistance in Melbourne.
Pedestrian Injuries
Pedestrian injury claims in Melbourne often result from drivers failing to yield, speeding through crosswalks, or driving distracted near intersections and parking lots. Our Melbourne injury attorneys provide legal representation for injured pedestrians by holding negligent drivers accountable and seeking full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term needs.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crashes frequently happen because drivers who fail to see the individual, make unsafe lane changes, or turn left into oncoming riders. Our personal injury attorneys assist in motorcycle cases by investigating liability, working with reconstruction professionals, and filing personal injury lawsuits on behalf of motorcycle accident victims. To learn about our expertise in Melbourne motorcycle accident claims, contact our law firm.
Uninsured Motorists Claims
If you’ve been injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, our Melbourne personal injury law firm can help ensure you’re compensated fairly. Uninsured motorist claims offer coverage for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages that your own insurance company may not fully pay. We navigate the challenges that many cases present and are prepared to fight for your rights in court if necessary. Our Melbourne lawyers for insurance claim disputes are critical allies when insurance companies operate in bad faith.
Boating and Water-Related Accidents
Boating and water-related accidents are common throughout Brevard County, especially along the Indian River, Banana River, and coastal waters. These events often happen due to negligent operation, excessive speed, alcohol use, or lack of proper safety equipment. Our personal injury attorneys in Melbourne, FL, represent victims hurt on recreational watercraft, commercial vessels, and in maritime environments, including:
- Recreational boats
- Jet skis and personal watercraft
- Marinas and docks
- Diving and snorkeling
- Charter boats or tour vessels
- Kayaks and paddleboards
- Boat propeller or engine-related harm
Premises Liability Cases Our Melbourne Personal Injury Law Firm Handles
Our personal injury law firm in Melbourne, FL, handles a range of premises liability cases arising from unsafe property conditions. We represent victims harmed due to negligent maintenance, lack of security, and code violations on commercial, residential, and public properties through skilled premises liability claims assistance in Melbourne.
Common Slip and Fall Locations in Melbourne, FL, Area
- Retail stores: Grocery stores, shopping centers, wet floors
- Restaurants: Spills, inadequate lighting, broken fixtures
- Hotels and resorts: Pool areas, walkways, and room defects
- Parking lots: Potholes, inadequate lighting, uneven surfaces
- Office buildings: Elevator malfunctions, stairway hazards
Negligent Security
Negligent security claims arise when a property owner fails to provide reasonable safety measures, leading to criminal acts such as assault, robbery, or shootings. When businesses, landlords, hotels, and other property owners fail to maintain lighting, security staff, cameras, or access controls and someone is injured as a result, they may be held liable.
Common claims our Melbourne personal injury attorneys handle include:
- Assaults in poorly lit parking lots
- Robberies in unsecured apartment complexes
- Shootings at nightclubs or bars
- Attacks in hotels or motels lacking security personnel
- Break-ins at gated communities
- Stabbings or muggings in unmonitored stairwells or elevators
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Our Melbourne personal injury lawyers have decades of expertise in dog bite and animal attack cases, helping victims pursue just compensation. We are dedicated to protecting your rights and securing the justice you deserve.
Swimming Pool Accidents and Drowning Events
Swimming pool accidents and accidental drownings can lead to devastating harm or loss of life. Our experienced Melbourne personal injury attorneys help victims secure justice and fair compensation through professional assistance.
Elevator and Escalator Accidents
Elevator and escalator accidents often happen due to mechanical failures, poor maintenance, or operator negligence. If you have been hurt in such an incident, our experienced personal injury lawyers in Melbourne, Florida, can help you seek fair compensation. We understand the complexities of such personal injury claims and will guide you through every step.
Apartment Complex Accidents
Injuries in apartment complexes can result from hazards such as poorly maintained walkways, inadequate lighting, broken stairs, or negligent security. Our Melbourne personal injury attorney team is experienced in representing these personal injury cases, helping victims pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from unsafe living conditions.
Child Accident Claims
Our Melbourne personal injury attorneys know how distressing child accidents can be. We fight to uphold the legal rights of injured children and secure fair compensation. Whether your child was injured at school, a daycare, or elsewhere, we offer skilled legal assistance every step of the way.
Personal Injury Representation for Workplace Accidents in Melbourne
Workplace accidents can result in serious harm, lost wages, and long-term medical expenses. Whether the incident occurs on a construction site, in a warehouse, or in an office setting, injured workers in Florida may have legal options beyond workers’ compensation. Our Melbourne personal injury attorneys investigate third-party liability, unsafe work conditions, and defective equipment to help workers pursue full compensation.
Common job-related accidents include:
- Falls from ladders, scaffolds, or rooftops
- Equipment failure or machine malfunctions
- Forklift and company vehicle collisions
- Fires and explosions
- Electrocution accidents
- Trench collapses or structural failures
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals or fumes
- Falling objects at construction or industrial sites
- Slip and fall incidents on wet or unsafe surfaces
- Overexertion or repetitive motion injuries
Medical Malpractice in Melbourne
Malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s negligence results in injury or death to a patient. In the Melbourne, FL area, malpractice claims may involve hospitals such as Holmes Regional Medical Center, Melbourne Regional Medical Center, and Palm Bay Hospital. These cases often arise when doctors, nurses, or medical staff fail to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in serious harm.
Common types of malpractice include:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
- Surgical errors or wrong-site surgery
- Medication errors or incorrect dosages
- Birth injuries during labor or delivery
- Anesthesia mistakes
- Failure to monitor vital signs or respond to complications
- Infections from poor hygiene or aftercare
- Emergency room negligence
- Failure to obtain informed consent
- Retained surgical instruments or foreign objects
Our Melbourne personal injury lawyers handle every step of the process, gather expert testimony, and build strong claims to hold negligent medical providers accountable.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Nursing home abuse and neglect are serious issues that affect many vulnerable seniors in the Melbourne area. Our personal injury lawyers in Melbourne are dedicated to protecting the rights of residents who suffer from physical, emotional, or financial abuse, as well as neglect. We work diligently to hold responsible parties accountable and help families obtain the compensation they deserve.
Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can result from medical negligence during labor and delivery, causing serious harm to newborns and their families. Our Melbourne personal injury attorneys are experienced in representing these complex cases, helping victims seek compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, and emotional distress. We work diligently to hold healthcare providers accountable and support parents through every step of the process.
Melbourne Product Liability Cases
Product liability cases involve injuries caused by defective or dangerous products. In Florida, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can be held responsible if a product is unreasonably dangerous. These cases fall under strict liability, negligence, or breach of warranty claims. Our Melbourne personal injury attorney team can recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses if the product’s defect directly caused their injury.
Common product liability cases in the Melbourne, FL area include:
- Defective brakes, airbags, or tires causing car accidents
- Faulty medical implants or devices
- Prescription drugs with dangerous side effects
- Exploding e-cigarettes or lithium-ion batteries
- Unsafe children’s toys or baby products
- Power tools that malfunction or lack safety features
- Contaminated food or drinks
- Household appliances causing fire or electric shock
- Defective lawn mowers or yard equipment
- Products lacking proper instructions or warnings
Wrongful Death Claims
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is a devastating experience that brings emotional and financial hardships. Our Melbourne personal injury lawyers are committed to helping families pursue wrongful death damages to hold responsible parties accountable and secure compensation for their losses. Wrongful death damages can provide money for funeral expenses, loss of future income, pain and suffering endured by the deceased, and the emotional distress suffered by surviving family members. We understand the complexities of wrongful death lawsuits under Florida law and provide experienced legal guidance for Melbourne wrongful death lawsuits through every step of the legal process. If you have experienced the tragic loss of a loved one due to an accident or negligent act, we’re here to support you and fight for the justice your family deserves.
Skilled Legal Assistance for Catastrophic Injuries in Melbourne, FL
Catastrophic injuries are severe and life-altering injuries that often result in long-term or permanent disability, requiring extensive medical care. Our Melbourne personal injury lawyers understand the profound impact these injuries have on victims and their families. Common examples of catastrophic injuries in Melbourne include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) resulting in cognitive and physical impairments
- Spinal cord injuries leading to partial or complete paralysis
- Severe burns resulting in disfigurement and chronic pain
- Amputations or loss of limbs
- Multiple fractures or complex orthopedic injuries
- Internal organ damage requiring ongoing medical intervention
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligent act, our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys in Melbourne, FL, are here to provide compassionate support and fight to ensure you’re compensated fairly.
Brevard County Legal Team With Extensive Knowledge of Florida Personal Injury Laws
Our experienced Melbourne personal injury lawyers are dedicated to providing knowledgeable and compassionate representation for personal injury clients throughout Brevard County. We understand the complexities of Florida personal injury law and are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve after someone else’s negligence.
Florida No-Fault Insurance System
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $10,000 minimum coverage required
- Medical benefits: Covers 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, up to the $10,000 PIP limit
- Serious injury threshold: Required to sue for pain and suffering
- Personal injury lawsuit limitations: You may file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver only if the injuries meet the “serious injury threshold.” This includes permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death. You may also file if your medical bills or lost wages exceed the $10,000 PIP limit.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: This optional insurance protects you if you’re hit by a driver who has no insurance or too little coverage to pay for your injuries. It can help cover medical costs, lost income, and other damages not paid by PIP.
Florida's Modified Comparative Negligence Law
- Modified comparative negligence: Florida applies a modified comparative negligence system when awarding damages in personal injury cases. This means an injured person can recover compensation only if they are 50% or less at fault. If they are more than 50% responsible, they are barred from recovery.
- Fault apportionment: The total amount of compensation is reduced in proportion to the plaintiff’s share of fault. For example, if someone is found 30% at fault, their total award is reduced by 30%.
- Multiple defendants: When multiple parties are responsible, the court assigns each a percentage of fault. Each defendant is then liable only for their share of the damages.
Florida Statute of Limitations
- Personal injury claims: Must be filed within two years of the accident date (if after March 24, 2023).
- Medical malpractice: Two-year deadline from the date the injury was discovered or should have been discovered; no more than four years total.
- Wrongful death: Two years from the date of death to file a claim.
- Product liability: Four years from the date the injury was or should have been discovered or 12 years from purchase for breach of warranty.
- Government claims: You must give notice within 3 years of the injury or 2 years of the death. After 180 days or a denial, you can file a lawsuit. The deadline to sue is 3 years for injury, 2 years for death.
We Seek Maximum Compensation In Melbourne Personal Injury Cases
When pursuing a personal injury claim in Melbourne, it is crucial to understand the factors that influence the maximum compensation you may receive. Compensation typically covers medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the injury. Our dedicated team of Melbourne personal injury attorneys works diligently to gather evidence, establish the extent of your injuries, and prove the party’s negligence to help secure fair compensation. We navigate the legal process on your behalf, fighting insurance companies or negligent parties, and working to recover damages that truly reflect your losses. With our extensive experience in Florida law and personal injury cases, we strive to secure just compensation for every client, helping you focus on healing while we handle the complexities of your case.
Steps to Take After a Melbourne Personal Injury
- Ensure your safety and move to a safe location if possible
- Call 911 to report the accident
- Seek immediate medical care, even if injuries seem minor
- Document the accident scene if possible
- Collect contact information of witnesses and involved parties
- Report the accident to your insurance company promptly
- Avoid discussing fault or making any recorded statements to insurance companies or other parties
- Keep records of all medical treatments, expenses, and related documents
- Consult a skilled Melbourne personal injury attorney from our law firm to understand your rights
- Do not settle without legal guidance
- Keep copies of important documents and note key dates related to your case
- Focus on your recovery and healing while our law firm works to settle or litigate the claim
Contact Our Melbourne Personal Injury Attorneys For a Free Consultation
If you’ve been seriously injured or a loved one died due to someone else’s negligence, the personal injury attorneys at Platt, Cole, Russell & Simpson PLLC are ready to help. We understand the physical, financial, and emotional toll personal injury claims can take, and we’re dedicated to pursuing the compensation you deserve. Call 321-725-3425 or contact our law office online to schedule your free consultation today.