Personal Injury Lawyer Boca Raton, FL

An injury in Boca Raton can happen almost anywhere, from a crash on Glades Road to a fall in a store near Town Center or a dog bite in a neighborhood park. Each type of case follows its own Florida rules, deadlines, and insurance requirements, and a mistake early on can cost an injured person part or all of a claim. A personal injury lawyer in Boca Raton, FL can identify which rules apply, gather the evidence, and pursue full compensation from the people responsible. Jacobson Injury Firm represents injured people throughout Boca Raton and southern Palm Beach County. Contact the firm for a free consultation.

How Personal Injury Claims Work in Florida

A personal injury claim seeks compensation from a person or business whose carelessness caused an injury. Florida has several laws that change how these claims work depending on how the injury happened.

Vehicle crashes and no-fault insurance. After most car crashes, an injured person first uses their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Under Florida Statute 627.736, PIP pays up to $10,000, covering 80% of medical costs and 60% of lost income, if care begins within 14 days. To recover pain and suffering from the at-fault driver, the injury generally must meet the threshold in Florida Statute 627.737, such as a permanent injury or significant scarring.

Slip and falls in businesses. When someone slips on a spill or other substance in a store or restaurant, Florida Statute 768.0755 requires proof that the business knew or should have known about the hazard. That can be shown by evidence that it was there long enough to be noticed, or that the problem happened regularly.

Dog bites. Under Florida Statute 767.04, a dog owner is generally responsible when the dog bites someone in a public place or lawfully on private property, even if the dog never bit anyone before. A prominently displayed “Bad Dog” sign can be a defense, but not when the victim is under 6 or the owner was negligent.

Where Injuries Happen in Boca Raton

Boca Raton combines busy state highways, large shopping centers, beaches, and two universities. Each creates its own risks.

On the roads, city crash data covering 2018 through 2023, reported by The Coastal Star, showed 95 serious-injury or fatal crashes per 100,000 residents in Boca Raton, compared with 62 for Palm Beach County. State and county roads such as Glades Road, Federal Highway, and Yamato Road make up just 14% of the city’s road network but account for 67% of serious crashes. Pedestrians were involved in 20% of crashes and bicyclists in 8%.

Off the road, injuries often happen at places people visit every day:

• Shopping and dining areas such as Town Center and Mizner Park, where spills, uneven walkways, and parking garages cause falls
• Condominiums, apartment complexes, and gated communities with poorly maintained pools, stairs, or lighting
• Beaches and parks along A1A, where visitors share narrow roads with cars and cyclists
• Areas near Florida Atlantic University and Lynn University with heavy foot, bike, and rideshare traffic

Personal Injury Cases Handled in Boca Raton

Jacobson Injury Firm handles a wide range of injury claims in Boca Raton, including:

• Car accidents on I-95, Glades Road, and Federal Highway
• Truck accidents involving delivery vehicles and tractor-trailers
• Hit-and-run accidents where the driver flees the scene
• Drunk driving accidents caused by impaired drivers
• Uber and Lyft accidents involving rideshare drivers and passengers
• Slip and fall accidents in stores, restaurants, and condominiums
• Motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents
• Dog bites and animal attacks
• Wrongful death claims on behalf of families

What Compensation Can an Injured Person Recover?

Compensation in a Florida injury case is meant to cover both financial losses and the human cost of an injury. Depending on the case, an injured person may recover:

• Medical bills, including future surgery, therapy, and care
• Lost wages and reduced ability to earn in the future
• Property damage, such as a vehicle repair
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and disfigurement

In a vehicle case, PIP pays first and the remaining losses are pursued against the at-fault driver. In a fall or dog bite case, the claim usually goes to the property owner’s or homeowner’s liability insurance. Identifying every policy that applies is often the difference between a partial and a full recovery.

Shared Fault and Claims Against the Government

Two Florida rules often surprise injured people.

First, Florida uses modified comparative fault. Under Florida Statute 768.81, a person found more than 50% at fault for their own injuries recovers nothing. A person 50% at fault or less recovers damages reduced by their share.

Insurers know this, which is why they often argue the injured person was distracted, speeding, or not watching their step. This rule does not apply to medical negligence cases.

Second, special rules apply when a government body is responsible, such as a city bus, a poorly maintained sidewalk, or a dangerous road design. Under Florida Statute 768.28, a written claim must be presented to the agency within 3 years, a lawsuit must be filed within 4 years, and recovery is generally capped at $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident. A personal injury lawyer in Boca Raton, FL can determine whether the City of Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, or the state may share responsibility.

What Should You Do After an Injury in Boca Raton?

The steps an injured person takes early can protect both their health and their claim:

• Get medical care right away. For vehicle crashes, PIP requires treatment within 14 days. For serious injuries, the nearest Level I trauma center for southern Palm Beach County is Delray Medical Center.
• Report the incident. Call 911 after a crash, report a fall to the store manager, and report a dog bite to animal control.
• Get the report. Crash reports are available from the Boca Raton Police Services Department. Ask for a copy of any store incident report.
• Preserve evidence. Photograph the scene, the hazard or vehicle, and the injuries. Keep damaged clothing and footwear.
• Identify witnesses and cameras. Many Boca Raton stores, condominiums, and intersections have video that may be erased within days.
• Be careful with insurers. Avoid recorded statements to the other side’s insurer before speaking with a lawyer.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Florida?

Florida’s deadlines depend on the type of case. Under Florida Statute 95.11:

• Most negligence claims, including vehicle crashes, falls, and dog bites, must be filed within 2 years. This deadline was shortened from 4 years for claims arising after March 24, 2023.
• Medical malpractice claims generally must be filed within 2 years, with an outer limit of 4 years from the incident in most cases.
• Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within 2 years.
• Claims against the government follow the notice and filing rules in Florida Statute 768.28.

Missing a deadline can end a claim permanently, regardless of how strong it is.

No Fee Unless We Win

Jacobson Injury Firm handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost, and no attorney fee is owed unless the firm recovers compensation.

The firm represents injured people only, never insurance companies. Clients speak directly with attorney Adam Jacobson, who is licensed in Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Illinois and earned his law degree from FIU College of Law. He prepares each case as if it may go to trial.

The firm’s case results include a $478,000 truck accident recovery, a $300,000 car accident recovery, and a $200,000 trip-and-fall recovery. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have a personal injury case?

A case usually exists when someone else’s carelessness caused an injury that led to medical treatment, lost income, or lasting effects. A free consultation can confirm whether the facts support a claim.

Does Florida’s no-fault law apply to every injury?

No. PIP and the no-fault rules apply to motor vehicle crashes. Falls, dog bites, and most other injuries are handled through the responsible party’s liability insurance.

What if I was partly to blame?

An injured person who is 50% at fault or less can still recover, though the award is reduced by their share of fault. Above 50%, Florida law bars recovery in most cases.

Can I sue the City of Boca Raton?

Yes, in some situations, but Florida Statute 768.28 requires written notice, sets special deadlines, and caps damages. These claims should be reviewed early.

How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?

Jacobson Injury Firm works on a contingency fee basis. Clients pay nothing upfront, and there is no attorney fee unless money is recovered.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Boca Raton, FL

An injured person should be able to focus on recovery, not on insurance adjusters and legal deadlines. A personal injury lawyer in Boca Raton, FL can explain the options and pursue full compensation. Call (561) 567-7163 or contact Jacobson Injury Firm today to schedule a free consultation.