Every year, many Americans are severely injured or killed in trucking, car, and motorcycle accidents on roads in the Gainesville and Ocala Florida area. Sadly, many of these incidents are caused by negligent drivers who fail to exercise reasonable care when driving their vehicles. If you are injured while driving or riding in a vehicle that is hit by a third party, a personal injury lawsuit may entitle you to receive compensation for your emotional suffering and medical bills. If a loved one is killed because of the negligence of another driver, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit and receive compensation for emotional suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of companionship, and other damages.

According to the United States Department of Transportation, about three million Americans are injured in car accidents every year – roughly 133,000 of those injuries are in Gainesville and Ocala and around Florida. Oftentimes, victims’ medical bills are promptly paid by the driver’s insurance policy and no legal action is required. However, some car accidents involve drivers with insufficient or nonexistent auto insurance. Situations like this may require legal involvement from attorneys who are familiar with the legal intricacies of car accidents. The Gainesville law firm of Massey & Duffy, PLLC is dedicated to helping victims of car accidents recover the compensation they deserve so that they can begin the healing process as quickly as possible.

Injuries sustained during car accidents can vary greatly, from readily visible injuries at the time of the crash to subtler but no less serious injuries, such as spine and neck damage. Even if you think your neck or back pain might fade with time, you can’t afford to take chances. Some types of whiplash might continue to cause serious discomfort for years after the accident. You need to protect your legal rights by contacting a lawyer immediately to determine if you have a case.

Unlike other personal injury attorneys, the lawyers of Massey & Duffy, PLLC will not blindly accept a settlement from the other party. We will research every possible means of recovery to get our clients the best compensation available. We have years of experience representing victims of car accidents in the Gainesville and Ocala Florida area. Contact Massey & Duffy, PLLC today to schedule your initial consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.

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Motorcycle Accidents in Gainesville and Ocala, Florida - Contact Our Attorneys at Massey & Duffy, PLLC

Because motorcycle riders are less protected than those in cars, a very high percentage of motorcycle accidents in Florida result in serious injury or death. Many times, victims of motorcycle accidents have a hard time finding fair legal representation due to a widespread preconception that motorcycle operators exhibit unsafe and unpredictable driving skills. The personal injury attorneys of Massey & Duffy, PLLC believe that motorcycle riders are entitled to the respect and rights commonly afforded to other drivers on the road. We represent victims of motorcycle accidents with a level of tenacity and compassion that is unparalleled by most Florida law firms.

The injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents are often debilitating and severe enough to last a lifetime. The cost of treating and rehabilitating victims with such injuries as quadriplegia, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord damage can be overwhelming for victims and their families. Tragically, the mortality rate for motorcycle accidents is very high, both in Georgia and in the rest of the United States.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver, you may be able to initiate a lawsuit that requests compensation for property damage, medical bills, physical therapy, and pain and suffering incurred as a result of the accident. If a family member died as a result of a motorcycle collision, a wrongful death suit may also be applicable.

Motorcycle accidents don’t always require that another vehicle be involved. If your motorcycle malfunctioned or is found to be defective, you may be able to bring a defective product lawsuit against the manufacturer of the motorcycle for failing to provide you with a safe product.

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Trucking Accidents in Gainesville and Ocala, Florida - Contact Our Attorneys at Massey & Duffy, PLLC

Accidents caused by negligent truck drivers tend to cause far more damage than car or motorcycle accidents because of the relative size and mass of trucks. Even at low speeds, accidents involving trucks are likely to cause serious injury, death, and property damage.

Florida and the federal government have strict training requirements for truck driving licenses; unfortunately, this extra training is not always sufficient to prevent accidents. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

* Driver fatigue and distraction
* Speeding
* DUI/DWI
* Brake failure or misuse
* Overloaded trucks or trailers
* Maintenance negligence

Truck drivers are under enormous pressure from their employers to drive as long and as far as possible. Even though there are guidelines limiting the number of hours that a truck driver can operate his or her vehicle every day, many truckers ignore the rules in order to get their cargo to its destination faster. Fatigue is, therefore, the most common cause of truck accidents in the United States. When combined with the size of the vehicle and the need for precise maneuvering, disastrous car accidents are often the result.

Liability in an accident involving a big-rig can be very difficult to assess. The attorneys of Massey & Duffy, PLLC work closely with people who are experts in accident reconstruction, truck engineering, and mechanics to help recreate the specifics of the collision. We are proud to help maintain the rights of individual victims against large trucking companies. You should not have to suffer due to the negligence of others.

The only way to find out if you can establish a claim against a third party is to contact a qualified lawyer. The attorneys of Massey & Duffy, PLLC have extensive knowledge about laws governing motorcycle and car accidents in Gainesville Florida, Ocala Florida and throughout Florida. We can start the process of evaluating your claim during a free consultation. Contact Massey & Duffy, PLLC today to schedule a meeting with one of our lawyers.

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Slip-and-fall Accidents in Gainesville and Ocala, Florida

In Gainesville and Ocala Florida, our premises liability lawyers commonly receive reports of slip-and-fall type accidents. Often, these accidents occur due to the negligent placement of foreign objects or the lack of reasonable upkeep to the property. Hazardous conditions such as wet tile floors, wrinkled carpet, poor lighting, or foreign objects such as boxes are all possible causes of slip-and-fall injuries.

If you believe that your injury was caused by negligence on the part of a property owner in or near Gainesville or Ocala, there are several questions that our premises liability lawyers must consider before determining the validity of your case and its chances of success:

->Was the property owner aware of the unsafe condition?
->Were any steps taken to correct the condition?
->Was the victim legally on the premises?
->Would a reasonable person have been able to avoid the unsafe condition?

To determine the answers to these questions, our attorneys can conduct extensive research that will include photos, measurements, and witness accounts of the property on which you were injured. If you or a loved one has been caused harm by poorly maintained property in Gainesville or Ocala, Florida.

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Premises Liability Attorneys in Gainesville and Ocala, Florida

Premises liability refers to the laws that make property owners liable for injuries sustained on their property. It is the responsibility of every property owner, both public and private, to ensure that the premises are safe for anyone walking through the area. For example, was there inadequate security at a business you patronized (such as a bar, hotel, or other location)?  Inadequate security could result in the business being liable for your injuries, even if a third party assaulted or attacked you. Call our Gainesville and Ocala attorneys now to discuss this issue.

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Animal Attacks and Dog Bites in Gainesville and Ocala, Florida

The great majority of family pets are loving and gentle animals. However, if a pet owner does not exercise a reasonable amount of restraint with his or her pet, the animal may attack and injure someone. In cases of domestic animal attacks such as dog bites, the Gainesville and Ocala premises liability lawyers can help victims to receive compensation for medical bills, injuries, and emotional suffering caused by the attack.

When considering an animal attack case, our attorneys will research every aspect of the case, including whether the owner was aware of the animal’s propensity to bite and whether appropriate precautions were taken to restrain the animal.

If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury due to another person’s pet in the Central Florida area, contact our personal injury attorneys today.

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Defective Products in Gainesville and Ocala, Florida - Contact Our Attorneys at Massey & Duffy, PLLC

Unsafe products and dangerous drugs are responsible for an alarming number of injuries and illnesses every year in Florida and the rest of the country. The defective products attorneys of Massey & Duffy, PLLC believe that manufacturers and distributors have a responsibility to provide safe and effective products. Additionally, we believe that they must describe all risks associated with their products and provide complete instructions regarding product use.

Defective products may cause injury for a number of reasons; the manufacturer may have failed to properly test the product’s safety, included inadequate instructions and warnings, or falsely advertised the product’s capabilities.

In the case of defective drugs, the company manufacturing the drug may not have completed sufficient research to determine any dangerous side effects. Recently, drug companies have been found liable for advertising their drug for use in conditions not approved by the FDA. If a patient is prescribed a drug based on this faulty information, serious illness or even death might occur.

If you have been injured due to the negligence of a product manufacturer or distributor and you live in or near Gainesville or Ocala, Florida, the defective products attorneys of Massey & Duffy, PLLC can help you to make sense of what can be an overwhelmingly confusing experience. We can determine the responsibilities of the manufacturer, as well as whether your injuries could have been avoided if the manufacturer had taken appropriate steps.

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Wrongful Death in Gainesville and Ocala, Florida - Contact Our Attorneys at Massey & Duffy, PLLC

The death of a loved one is often devastating, both financially and emotionally. Even more difficult is when a person or company causes a death through harmful or negligent actions. In cases like this, the victim’s family may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Damages recovered from a wrongful death case may include the value of the life of the deceased, medical and funeral expenses of the deceased, compensation for the loss of income caused by the death, and compensation for loss of companionship.

Some of the most common causes of wrongful death in Florida include motor vehicle accidents, aviation accidents, defective drugs and products, as well as premises liability issues. Our Florida attorneys have years of expertise in these and other causes of wrongful death, and will be able to represent your family with compassion and resolve. To find out whether your case might be successful, visit our office or contact Massey & Duffy, PLLC by email to schedule your consultation.

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Personal Injury Defined

Also called a tort, a personal injury lawsuit can be brought against an individual or company when that party causes physical, emotional, or property damages to another person. The purpose of filing a personal injury case is to recover compensation to pay for medical bills, property repair, emotional damages, or loss of income. In some cases you may be able to seek punitive damages, which consist of a large fine intended to punish the responsible party for its negligent actions.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

There are three types of personal injury cases brought to our Florida lawyers:

-> Negligence – This is what people most often think of when they hear the term “personal injury.” This type of personal injury includes such situations as premises liability, animal attacks, and most instances of medical malpractice, negligent personal injury cases result when a person or company fails to take the appropriate actions to protect people using their property.

-> Strict liability – This term is most often applied to defective products that injure the user even when they are used correctly. Our Florida defective products attorneys maintain that products should be safe to use as directed and that a manufacturer who puts out an unsafe item should be held responsible whether or not they knew about the defect.

-> Intentional wrong – This type of personal injury usually occurs in conjunction with one of the other two types. It occurs when someone is injured due to the deliberate actions of another, such as during a physical attack or fight. If a court finds a party guilty of intentional wrong, it may be possible for the victim to file a civil lawsuit in addition to the criminal lawsuit.

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Litigating Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury statutes in Gainesville and Ocala, Florida, require attorneys to prove several facts during a trial. First, they must show that the individual or party who is being charged has the legal responsibility to prevent injury. In the case of premises liability, this would mean that a restaurant owner is required to keep all pathways clear and dry to avoid slip-and-fall accidents. The second requirement for a personal injury case is that your injury was directly caused by the actions or negligence of the responsible party. Laws vary greatly based on circumstance.

If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies under Gainesville, Ocala or Florida law, contact the personal injury and wrongful death attorneys of Massey & Duffy, PLLC today for a free consultation. We handle a wide array of personal injury lawsuits, including:

->Car accidents
->Motorcycle accidents
->Trucking accidents
->Dog bites and other animal attacks
->Premises liability, including slip-and-fall
->Products liability
->Wrongful death
->Other personal injury cases

We look forward to representing you in your personal injury matter.

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