Jessica Burgoyne, leveraging a deep background in research methods and a passion for legal issues, distills complex legal concepts into accessible insights. With over 100 published articles, her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor and other respected publications. Her work, underpinned by rigorous research and a commitment to quality, offers readers trustworthy, actionable information.
Jessica Burgoyne
Jessica Burgoyne, leveraging a deep background in research methods and a passion for legal issues, distills complex legal concepts into accessible insights. With over 100 published articles, her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor and other respected publications. Her work, underpinned by rigorous research and a commitment to quality, offers readers trustworthy, actionable information.
Adam has resided at the intersection of legal and journalism for two decades. An award-winning journalist and legal strategist, he’s covered high-profile trials in Florida.
After law school, Adam and spent two years clerking for a U.S. District Court judge. He researched and wrote legal precedent in published opinions on behalf of the Court.
He has been an editor, columnist and journalist at the Miami Herald, The Dallas Morning News, The Oregonian, Golf Digest, FindLaw.com and other media outlets.
He lived in Colombia and Argentina teaching legal English to attorneys and law students. He is also a Spanish-language subject matter expert.
An avid waterman, he surfs and scuba dives frequently.
Reviewed
Adam Ramirez, J.D.
Adam has resided at the intersection of legal and journalism for two decades. An award-winning journalist and legal strategist, he’s covered high-profile trials in Florida.
After law school, Adam and spent two years clerking for a U.S. District Court judge. He researched and wrote legal precedent in published opinions on behalf of the Court.
He has been an editor, columnist and journalist at the Miami Herald, The Dallas Morning News, The Oregonian, Golf Digest, FindLaw.com and other media outlets.
He lived in Colombia and Argentina teaching legal English to attorneys and law students. He is also a Spanish-language subject matter expert.
An avid waterman, he surfs and scuba dives frequently.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Sun, sand, and fun—what’s not to love about Jacksonville, Florida? This coastal city is a dream come true for many residents. But accidents and injuries can make that dream feel more like a nightmare.
If you’ve suffered an injury, you want to make sure that you have what you need to recover. If you’re struggling to get a fair settlement, a qualified lawyer can help.
Here are the ten best personal injury lawyers in Jacksonville.
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Best Personal Injury Accident Attorneys in Jacksonville
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Florida Personal Injury Laws
Personal injury is a broad field, and there are specific laws and regulations for certain areas, like motor vehicle accidents. However, these are the laws that generally apply to civil cases.
In March 2023, the Florida Legislature passed a sweeping tort reform bill, known as HB 837. This bill made major changes to the personal injury laws in Florida. Some aspects of the bill went into effect immediately, and some only apply to incidents that happened after March 24, 2023. When applicable, both old and new regulations will be discussed.
Statute of Limitations in Jacksonville
Right now, Florida has different statutes of limitations depending on the date an incident happened.
For accidents or incidents that happened before or on March 24, 2023, the statute of limitations is four years, except for medical malpractice (two years from the time of discovery), wrongful death (two years) or actions brought against the government (three years, with specific filing requirements).
For accidents or incidents that happened after March 24, 2023, the statute of limitations is reduced from four years to two years.
Determining Fault in Jacksonville
Another change made by HB 837 is how fault is determined in Florida. Many accidents aren’t 100% the fault of one party. Sometimes the other party is somewhat responsible. Imagine a situation where someone slips on a wet floor in a supermarket while texting. The court may determine that the supermarket is 80% responsible because of the wet floor, but the injured person is 20% responsible because they weren’t paying attention to their surroundings. Since the injured person bears some responsibility, the maximum that they can collect is 80% of the damages.
Florida now uses a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that you can only collect damages if you were 50% or less responsible for the accident. Any party that is determined to be 51% or more responsible cannot recover damages.
Florida Dog Bite Liability
Dog bites in Florida are handled a little differently than other personal injury cases. Dog owners are liable for any injury caused by their dog on public property or to anyone who is legally on the dog owner’s property, even if the dog has never bitten anyone or showed aggression before. This is referred to as strict liability.
Florida Limits on Personal Injury Recovery
There is currently no limit on the amount of compensatory damages (or money paid out for medical care) that can be recovered in Florida, although HB 837 tightens the requirements for proving medical expenses.
Punitive damages (or money paid out as a punishment) are limited to the greater of three times the compensatory damage or $500,000.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
The passage of HB 837 makes having an attorney on your side even more vital. The new law is structured in a way that is beneficial to insurance companies, which can mean that it is detrimental to individuals who have been injured.
A qualified attorney can help you navigate the new landscape of personal injury laws in Florida.
How to Find the Best Personal Injury Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL
Remember, there is no single best attorney for everyone. You need to find the right lawyer for you and your situation.
- Ask for recommendations from friends and family. Has anyone you know recently been in an accident? Who did they use as their attorney?
- Consider any specializations. Look for a lawyer who has tried cases like yours. An auto attorney may not be the best choice for a medical malpractice suit. Make sure your attorney has experience with your type of case.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The right attorney for you will be happy to answer any questions you may have. If an attorney makes you feel like you’re bothering them with your questions, they may not be right for you.
Methodology
To come up with the Best Personal Injury Accident Lawyers in Jacksonville in 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical module considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses & certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education & employment background
- Scholarly lectures & writings
- Awards & honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Florida?
Most personal injury lawyers do not charge up front. Instead, they take a portion of any amount that you recover. If you don’t win your case, you don’t owe your lawyer anything. This is called working on contingency. The contingency fee that attorneys in Florida charge is typically between 30% and 40% of the amount of the recovery.
Can I still bring a suit for an injury that happened three years ago?
If the injury happened before March 24, 2023, you can still bring a lawsuit for up to four years after the injury. If your injury occurred after that date though you only have two years to bring a lawsuit, so it is important to speak to an attorney soon.
Am I required to hire a personal injury attorney in Florida?
You are not required by law to use a personal injury lawyer. However, studies indicate that people with lawyers are more likely to have a positive outcome and are likely to recover more in damages, even after attorney fees are taken into account. Especially with HB 837’s passage, it is probably in your best interest to have an attorney on your side.
