Personal Injury | Tucker Law

What to know if you’ve been injured in the state of Florida: 5 Important tips
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What to know if you’ve been injured in the state of Florida: 5 Important tips

Personal Injury, Education

What to know if you’ve been injured in the state of Florida: 5 Important tips

Lots of questions start to scatter your brain when an accident happens, and it’s critical to ensure that you are fully protected. Here is what to know if you've been injured in the state of Florida. Questions flood your mind like, "Should you hire a lawyer?" "Do I understand Florida’s laws?", or "What are my next steps?" Having been injured in Florida by a car accident, slip and fall, or any other injuries, these are the 5 important tips Tucker Law believes should be followed no matter "how small" you think the injury was. The truth is, there are a lot of internal injuries that are not physically obvious after an incident that can hurt you in the long run. 1) Call 911 even if it seems “minor”. If there is more than $500 in damages, Florida law requires a crash to be reported to law enforcement. This will ensure that a traffic crash report is made, which is often critical for insurance and any later injury claim (some injuries have delayed effects due to the adrenaline rush). It is always important to leave a paper trail of the incident, and from there, we are more than happy to help you understand your situation and whether your case is worth pursuing or going to waste your time. 2) Beware of strangers If you’ve recently been in an accident and a stranger tries to contact you, BE CAREFUL! They are breaking the law, they will call you, send you a text message, knock on your door, and sometimes even go into your hospital room uninvited. This is illegal and should be reported to the Florida Bar. However, taking advice from strangers can also HURT YOUR CASE. [...]

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Florida?
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How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Florida?

Personal Injury, Education

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Florida?

You have just been involved in an accident or a serious injury has just happened to you, and after all the confusion and chaos have subsided, you're thinking clearly, and the question of "How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Florida?" starts to cross your mind. In Florida, the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit depends on the type of case. For most negligence-based injury cases (car crashes, slip/trips, negligent security, etc.), Florida law now gives you two years to file suit. This change came from Florida’s 2023 tort reform (HB 837), which became effective March 24, 2023. (The Florida Senate) Important: the “clock” usually starts when the cause of action accrues—typically the date of the accident (when the last element of the claim occurs). (Online Sunshine) What changed: 4 years vs. 2 years For negligence actions, the current statute of limitations is two years. (The Florida Senate) Before the law changed, Florida generally allowed four years for negligence actions. That older four-year language is still shown in the pre-reform statute. (The Florida Senate) In plain terms: many crashes on/after March 24, 2023, are treated under the two-year deadline, while earlier incidents may fall under the prior four-year framework (and transition rules can get complicated fast). (The Florida Senate) Exceptions and different rules (this is where people get surprised) Medical malpractice Medical malpractice has its own timeline. Generally, it must be filed within two years from the incident or from when the injury was discovered (or should have been discovered), but there’s also a four-year statute of repose (with special rules for minors and for fraud/concealment that can extend certain situations). (The Florida Senate) Wrongful death Wrongful death actions [...]

The Other Driver Admitted Fault at the Scene, but Now Their Story Changed: What to do now
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The Other Driver Admitted Fault at the Scene, but Now Their Story Changed: What to do now

Car Accident, Education

The Other Driver Admitted Fault at the Scene, but Now Their Story Changed: What to do now

The other driver admitted fault at the scene, then changed their story: What Florida crash victims should do. Coming from a Florida accident attorney. Right after a crash, things can feel strangely clear, the other driver says, “That was my fault,” maybe even apologizes, and it makes you think, "Okay—at least that part is settled," yet, there's a lot more involved in the situation than you realize in that moment. For instance, the insurance companies get involved, car accident claims, police report after accident, recorded statement insurance, comparative negligence in Florida, evidence preservation after a crash, dealing with insurance adjusters, as well as the police always asking for a recorded statement, and what you say matters most. Then the phone calls start, and the other person involved in the accident begins to realize what's at stake for them, as well as what they could lose + have to pay, and now you’re told, “They’re disputing fault,” or “They’re saying you swerved,” or worse, “They don’t remember admitting anything.” If you’re in Florida, this is more common than people realize. And it’s not only frustrating, but it can directly affect how much money the insurance company pays for your injuries, your lost wages, and the damage to your life. At Tucker Law, we’ve helped accident victims across Florida deal with this exact switch-up. Here's the truth about the apology at the scene: Apologies can be helpful, psychologically, but they’re not a legal “lock,” and they won't help you when it comes down to the facts and the recorded statements that were made. Evidence is what wins these battles, no matter how much that apology meant to you in the moment. People tend to talk fast when [...]

Insurance Offered Me a Quick Settlement After a Car Accident: Should I Sign?
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Insurance Offered Me a Quick Settlement After a Car Accident: Should I Sign?

Car Accident

Insurance Offered Me a Quick Settlement After a Car Accident: Should I Sign?

If you’ve been in a car accident in Florida, you’re probably dealing with pain, paperwork, a wrecked vehicle, missing work hours, and a phone that won’t stop ringing. Then the insurance adjuster hits you with what sounds like a lifeline: “We can get you a check today… but you have to sign now.” That's when you start to ask around and Google search, "Insurance offered me a quick settlement after a car accident: should I sign?" As a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer at Tucker Law, I can tell you this: quick cash offers are often designed to close your claim before the true cost of your injuries is clear. Sometimes it’s a fair settlement. Most of the time, it’s a trap—because once you sign the release, your case may be over for good. Leaving you with no time or option for the rest of your injuries to be discovered and paid out to you. Why insurers push “sign today” deals Insurance companies aren’t charities. Remember, they’re businesses, and when they offer money immediately, it’s usually because it protects them, not you. Here’s what they’re trying to avoid: Delayed symptoms that show up days later (neck/back pain, headaches, concussions) Follow-up care like MRIs, physical therapy, injections, or surgery recommendations Lost income that grows as you miss work longer than expected Proof of fault becoming clearer (video footage, witness statements, vehicle data) They know that the earlier they settle, the cheaper it is. Most quick-cash deals come with the release of claims. Here's what “signing today” really means: the release typically says you agree to: The payment is final You won’t ask for more money later You waive future claims—even if new injuries are diagnosed I’ve [...]

What to Do If You’re a Victim of Medical Malpractice in Florida
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What to Do If You’re a Victim of Medical Malpractice in Florida

Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice

What to Do If You’re a Victim of Medical Malpractice in Florida

What to Do If You’re a Victim of Medical Malpractice in Florida: a step by Step-by-Step Guide for the people. Most people don’t wake up thinking, “Today I’m going to call a lawyer about my doctor.” They wake up thinking, “Why am I worse?” or “This can’t be normal,” or “Did somebody miss something?” Medical malpractice cases are emotionally heavy because the setting is supposed to be safe. You trusted a professional. You followed the instructions. And now you’re left with pain, bills, and a knot in your stomach that won’t loosen. If you suspect medical negligence, here’s what to do next—practically, calmly, and in a way that protects both your health and your rights. You can also read our other blog, "Key Steps in Establishing Negligence in Medical Malpractice Cases in Florida." Step 1: Get medical care first (even if you’re furious) If something feels off, your number one job is to get stable and get answers. That may mean: Going to the ER Seeing a different doctor for a second opinion Asking for a specialist referral Getting follow-up imaging or lab work This isn’t just about your case. It’s about preventing a bad situation from getting worse. It also creates a clear medical record showing what happened and when the problem was discovered. Step 2: Start a simple timeline while it’s fresh In malpractice cases, details matter. Not the “perfect memory” kind—just the basic chronology. Open a notes app and write: Dates of visits, procedures, admissions, and discharges Who you saw (doctor/nurse/department if you remember) What you were told (especially warnings, diagnoses, and next steps) When symptoms started or changed Any complications, readmissions, infections, or new diagnoses Think of it like a flight [...]