Frequently Asked Questions

A personal injury lawsuit can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete. It begins with your lawyer filing a legal document called a “complaint.” The complaint is served on the person at fault, who has to answer within a certain time (usually 20 days in Florida).
The court creates a schedule of deadlines that both sides must meet. There will be a timeline for all the important steps. These include the discovery of facts, written question lists (called interrogatories), interviews (called depositions), the filing of motions, and a trial date.
Going to trial may seem scary, but you should know that 99% of cases settle out of court. It’s likely that a lawyer will be able to obtain a settlement for you without taking your case to trial. However, they’ll be ready to go to trial if that’s what’s necessary to fight for you.

A contingency fee means your lawyer is compensated by a portion of the personal injury settlement. You won’t have to pay a retainer or hourly fee to hire your lawyer. It also means your attorney is especially motivated to get you the best possible results: They don’t get paid unless you get paid. At Hope Soto Law, we put forward all of the case expenses, including expert fees, litigation costs, and more.

Statutes of limitations are time limits set by law. They limit the time after an incident in which a person can file a lawsuit. In Florida, there is a two-year statute of limitations to file a claim based on negligence. Statutes of limitation can be complicated, and there are sometimes exceptions to them. Never assume that the statute of limitations has run out—that it’s been “too long” since the incident—without talking with an attorney.

Florida law requires drivers to have something called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP coverage can help cover medical expenses, regardless of who caused the auto accident. If you have PIP coverage, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills and lost wages.

In Florida, comparative fault law determines responsibility for an accident and limits compensation accordingly. People injured can recover compensation only if they are less than 51% responsible for what happened. 
For example, let’s say a person was hit by another driver while speeding, running stop signs, and driving while distracted. Because they could be considered at fault, they may not be eligible for compensation. 
Every situation is different, though, so talk with a lawyer before assuming you don’t have a lawsuit.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance provides coverage if you’re injured by someone who didn’t have insurance—or didn’t have enough insurance. If you have this coverage, your own insurance may compensate you for things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Yes. You have the right to recover compensation for your injuries, whether or not you have legal status in the United States. You cannot be deported just because you got medical help after an accident or filed a personal injury lawsuit. 
If you’d like to learn more, schedule a free, confidential consultation with attorney Hope Soto today!