Slip and fall accidents happen more often than many people realize, and in Florida, they are one of the leading causes of serious injury. From wet grocery store floors to poorly maintained sidewalks and unsafe staircases, these incidents can result in painful injuries, lost wages, and long-term medical needs. Understanding…
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You and your family may have wanted to experience a true winter holiday this season, and left sunny Florida for someplace cold for vacation, like a ski resort. Unfortunately, even if you all credit yourselves as being skilled skiers, you may be unable to avoid hazardous conditions posed at the…
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Your personal injury accident may be something incomparable to any bad experience you have had before. Being "shaken up" by the event may be too small or diminishing a term to describe what you are actually feeling. In reality, you may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Of course,…
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It may make the most sense for you to commute with a coworker to the workplace if you live in the same general area. Or, to carpool from the workplace if you are heading to the same client meeting or work-related event. However, if an accident unfortunately occurs while you…
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Depending on the severity of the injuries you incurred after a personal injury accident, you may have to go to frequent and plentiful doctor's appointments, physical therapy sessions, mental health counseling, etc. These out-of-pocket medical expenses may already be financially taxing for you. But this is not to mention the…
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While our Tampa Bay winters are milder than in many places, the holiday season brings its own unique set of risks. From increased traffic on the Howard Frankland Bridge to festive gatherings at Tampa's Riverwalk, staying aware of common hazards helps ensure your season is filled with joy, not accidents.…
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After an accident that was not your fault, the insurance company for the at-fault party will likely contact you quickly. They may seem friendly and offer a check to settle your claim. It is very important to understand that this first offer is rarely fair. The insurance adjuster’s job is…
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Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are a convenient part of life across Florida. However, accidents involving these vehicles can create a complex legal situation for injured passengers, other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Understanding liability and the unique insurance landscape is crucial if you have been hurt. This guide explains…
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When you seek medical care, you place your trust in both the medical professionals and the tools they use. What happens when that trust is broken? Serious injuries can occur due to a healthcare provider's error, known as medical malpractice, or because of a dangerously flawed medical device or drug,…
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If you’ve been injured in an accident, you might expect the insurance company to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain. But insurance adjusters are trained to protect the company’s bottom line, not your future. Knowing how they work is the first step to protecting your rights. At Merricks…
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Navigating the Waters After a Florida Boating Accident: A Guide to Your Rights Florida’s coastline, rivers, and lakes offer endless opportunities for recreation. Boating, jet-skiing, and other watercraft activities are popular—but accidents happen. If you or a loved one has been injured, it can feel overwhelming. Understanding your rights is…
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Pain and suffering is a commonly claimed non-economic damage in a personal injury claim. It refers to the physical discomfort and emotional distress you experience as a result of your accident and its associated injuries. Nobody other than you can feel the magnitude of your lingering agony, and so it…
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Sadly, the truth of the matter is that you can never guarantee your safety when you step outside your private property and into a public place. Another way to put it, while you can hope that the responsible party does everything in their power to keep the area safe for…
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In the immediate moments following your personal injury accident, you may be fueled by the sheer adrenaline rush through your body. This is a natural stress response that temporarily dulls your physical pain so that you can be of optimal alertness to respond to any further foreseeable dangers. And so,…
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Unfortunately, as the victim of a personal injury accident, you may have to suffer its effects for a long time afterwards. For one, especially if your bodily injuries are considerably serious, you may need months of physical therapy sessions. This may be piled onto your other associated medical expenses, such…
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Workplace injuries can be stressful and life-changing, and knowing your rights after an accident is critical. While many people assume that every work-related injury falls under workers’ compensation, the truth is that Florida law allows for third-party personal injury claims in certain situations. Understanding the differences between these claims and…
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Losing a loved one is devastating, especially when their death is caused by someone else’s negligence. If your family has experienced such a tragedy, it is important to understand your legal rights and options. Working with an experienced Tampa wrongful death lawyer can provide guidance, support, and advocacy during this…
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Pedestrian accidents can be some of the most devastating incidents on Florida roads. If you’ve been injured while walking or crossing the street in Tampa, it is critical to understand your rights and take the right steps to protect yourself. Working with an experienced Tampa pedestrian accident lawyer can make…
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Truck accidents can be some of the most severe and complex types of collisions on Florida roads. Unlike typical car accidents, trucking collisions often involve large vehicles, federal regulations, multiple parties, and extensive damage. If you’ve been injured in a commercial truck accident in Florida, it is essential to work…
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When you’re involved in a car accident in Florida, one of the first things you’ll hear about is your PIP coverage—also known as Personal Injury Protection. While this coverage is required for every driver in Florida, many people aren’t entirely sure what it does, how much it covers, or when…
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Slip, trip, and fall accidents can happen anywhere — a grocery store, sidewalk, parking lot, or even an apartment complex. While some falls result in nothing more than a bruised ego, others can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones, concussions, or long-term mobility issues. When these injuries occur…
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As a pedestrian, you may make your best efforts to stay within the boundaries of a designated sidewalk, and walk across a designated crosswalk only when you are signaled to do so. Despite this, the negligent actions of other motorists on the shared roadways may be beyond your reasonable control.…
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Losing a loved one is one of life’s most devastating experiences, especially when that loss was preventable. When someone’s negligence or recklessness causes another person’s death, Florida law allows surviving family members to seek justice through a wrongful death claim. These cases not only hold the responsible party accountable but…
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Slip and fall accidents happen every day across Tampa Bay, often when you least expect them. A simple spill in a grocery store, an uneven sidewalk, or a poorly lit stairway can leave you with painful injuries and overwhelming expenses. If you’ve been hurt on someone else’s property, you might…
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Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, from a grocery store to a parking lot and often leave victims facing painful injuries and unexpected bills. In Florida, these cases fall under premises liability law, which means property owners can be held responsible if their negligence led to unsafe conditions. However,…
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Florida’s no-fault insurance law 2025 continues to be one of the most discussed topics among drivers and accident victims throughout the state. If you’ve ever wondered what Personal Injury Protection (PIP) means for you after a car accident, you’re not alone. Many Florida drivers don’t fully understand how this law…
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Rear-end crashes can look simple on paper, yet the injuries are often complex, persistent, and hard to prove without a plan. Here are the most common injuries, how doctors document them, and the factors that shape claim value and negotiations. Typical Injuries From Rear-End Crashes Whiplash And Soft Tissue Injury…
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If you are wondering what to do after a car accident, you are not alone. The moments after a crash can feel chaotic, yet the choices you make will shape your health, your finances, and your claim. Use this clear checklist to protect your rights, preserve evidence, and set up…
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On Halloween, you can expect small children to go door-to-door for trick-or-treating. With this, you should prepare your property for visitors or take the proper measures to prevent outsiders from setting foot on your premises. Without further introduction, please continue reading to learn how to keep your premises safe on…
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Continue reading to learn under what circumstances a property owner can be held liable for uneven flooring on their premises and how an experienced Tampa slip and fall lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A., can help with your potential case against them. When is a property owner at fault for…
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After your car accident, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage may financially compensate you for your medical bills, lost wages, and any other related economic damages. However, you may need to pursue a separate legal action against the negligent driver if you wish to recover from your vehicle's damages and…
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You may know all too well that gyms make it rather difficult to cancel the membership you contractually entered into. It is typically a gym's business strategy to maintain steady revenue from its members regardless of how frequently they use the facility. You should also understand, though, that the same…
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Mold is a common presence in the environment. However, it becomes a bigger issue when exposure to it is prolonged and repeated. This is why promptly addressing visible mold growth or investigating the source of a musty odor in your home is critical. Otherwise, you may be predisposed to serious…
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Even though you may have been a licensed driver for years now, this does not mean you can take the task less seriously. That is, whenever you get behind the wheel, you make yourself vulnerable to many external factors beyond your reasonable control. This is to say that operating your…
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You might not have made any attempt to interact with a dog in the moments before they bit you. Unfortunately, this dog might not have been trained or socialized properly; they might have an underlying, untreated medical condition that increases their aggression; or otherwise they might have been startled by…
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After getting treated for your personal injury accident, you may be left with scar tissue growth around the original injury area. You may receive a different yet still painful scar if you get burned during your accident event. Even worse, though, your incurred bodily injuries may be so impactful that…
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You may have gone out and consumed alcoholic beverages. Or, you may have gone out in an area where you are unfamiliar with the public transportation system, or otherwise feel unsafe walking around. In any event, you may think you are making the wisest and safest decision for yourself by…
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On the surface, a store's display of its merchandise may almost be picturesque. But there may be underlying issues with the way this merchandise is configured on the shelves. Specifically, there may be an incident where a piece of merchandise descends from the shelf, lands on an innocent customer, and…
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As a plaintiff in a personal injury claim, you may either accuse the defendant of ordinary negligence or gross negligence. If you choose the latter, you may be held to a higher standard when it comes to satisfying your burden of proof. With that said, please read on to discover…
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When your partner is made the victim of a personal injury accident, they may pursue legal action to recover from their medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, emotional suffering, and more. But even though you were not directly involved in this accident, you may suffer its effects alongside your partner…
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You may feel physically fine after your car accident. You may not even think that you hit your head upon impact. But even so, concussions are one of the most common injuries people walk away with after a car accident. That said, it might not hurt if you simply allow…
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Immediately following your slip and fall on a hotel property, your instinct may be to report it to the front desk. Firstly, this may be to prompt the hotel staff to rectify the hazard that caused your fall before any other guest falls victim to it. But also, it may…
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The role and responsibility of a truck driver extend far beyond getting a shipment from Point A to Point B. That is, before they even start their trip, they must load the trailer properly. Actually, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) orders explicit regulations for how this should be…
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Your emotions may be riding high in the immediate aftermath of your pedestrian accident. But once you sit down and deeply reflect on the event, you may assure yourself that you did nothing less than abide by the enforced pedestrian safety rules and regulations. You may even admit that the…
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Unfortunately, you may not be one of the lucky ones who gets to walk away from your personal injury accident and pretend like it never happened. Rather, the damages it has left you with may affect you every day, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Eventually, this may develop into your loss…
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You may have been able to walk away from the scene of your personal injury accident seemingly unharmed. Your health may have remained normal and stable in the following days as well. However, months later, you may start picking up on signs and symptoms that you never experienced before. After…
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Not only may you have to deal with physical pain and emotional suffering from incurring injuries in an auto accident, but these injuries may also cost you a hefty medical bill(s). Well, the silver lining here is that it is a mandatory requirement for all drivers in the state of…
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Though it may be uncomfortable to speak with the person you just got into an accident with, it is pertinent that you do so. After all, if you leave without giving them your information, they may accuse you of fleeing the scene. This may come with criminal consequences, especially if…
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You may do your part to keep your individual apartment unit clean and safe, and the common areas of the complex (i.e., sidewalks, stairwells, hallways, etc.) may be seemingly secure. This is why you may be left completely blindsided if you find yourself the victim of a slip and fall…
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Sadly, you may incur an injury or get diagnosed with a disability that temporarily prevents you from returning to work. You may rest easier knowing that the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) affords you job-protected time off while you heal. However, you may have to go through this…
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Given that your job has a workers' compensation benefits program, you may assume it is yours to take after being made the victim of a workplace accident. However, you may hesitate to recover these benefits if you actively seek financial compensation in a third-party claim. Well, for this, please follow…
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Naturally, when you step into a vehicle, you may acknowledge the small percentage of chance that you may enter a collision and get injured. However, it may not be as obvious that some risk is still posed to pedestrians on the Florida roads and sidewalks. This is to say that…
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Many people do not know about the event data recorder technology installed within their standard motor vehicles. Otherwise known as black box data, this was originally used on aircraft to help investigators figure out what potentially went wrong in a plane crash. Now, ever since the mid-1990s, investigators, law enforcement,…
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Even though you were not personally made the victim of a fatal personal injury accident, medical malpractice incident, or violent crime yourself, your loved one's death may leave a lasting impression on the rest of your life. Since you may be left to pick up the pieces after this catastrophic…
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Understandably, being made the victim of a car accident event may leave you startled and frightened. If these feelings so unresolved, they may fester and eventually develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For this, please continue reading to learn what to do if you develop PTSD and how an experienced…
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It is unfortunate if a reckless driver makes you the victim of a car accident event. But it is even worse if they drive off before you can identify them and collect their insurance information (i.e., they hit and run). At this point in time, you may feel hopeless, bewildered,…
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One minute, you may be slipping and falling on someone else's property. The next moment, you may be agreeing with the property owner's offer to call emergency medical services to the scene on your behalf. This may be the start of very many medical bills to follow. Well, please continue…
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After being made the victim of an auto accident, it may be frustrating to realize that it would have likely been avoidable if the other driver was not under the influence of alcohol. You should not have to rely on your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance alone to cover the…
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If you were made the victim of a workplace accident caused by your employer's negligence, it is more than likely that you will have to pursue a workers' compensation claim. Importantly, workers' compensation claims may follow a slightly different rule book than personal injury claims. This starts with the requirement…
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As you travel here and there, you may encounter countless traffic signs and traffic signals. You may trust that these signs and signals will warn, guide, and regulate you so you may get to and from your destination points safely. So it may be a complete shock when encountering a…
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Some people are lucky and can walk away from an auto accident event without even a scratch on their body. But most unfortunately, others may be left with debilitating bodily injuries that may negatively alter their quality of life. No matter where your injuries place on this spectrum, we strongly…
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Every driver has a duty of care to operate their vehicles with an abundance of safety. So when they breach this duty of care and instead act negligently behind the wheel, it is almost always the case that an auto accident results. Unfortunately, this is all the more catastrophic if…
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In the state of Florida, owners of private and public properties alike are charged with maintaining their premises in a safe condition. This entails ensuring all their pedestrian walkways are clear from exposed wires or cables, or otherwise adequately warning of or blocking off these areas from passersby until they…
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You may assume that the at-fault party for a rear-end accident is pretty evident. Namely, that the back-end driver who crashed into the front-end driver is totally to blame. However, extenuating circumstances may make this assignment of fault less black and white. What's more, there may even be more than…
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You may have incurred a hefty amount of economic and non-economic damages in the aftermath of your car accident. However, you may feel inclined to isolate yourself and suffer alone knowing the fact that you, sadly, failed to wear a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Please understand that…
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You may not think of your walking up and down the stairs as a dangerous activity. After all, you may take this action countless times per day. But whenever you enter someone else's property, you may run the risk of being exposed to potential dangers. Therefore, a property owner may…
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Unfortunately, incidents happen far too often where car manufacturers act negligently in the manufacturing process and create unsafe and possibly defective car parts. This may happen if they opt for a less safe design alternative to cut costs and save money, if they fail to properly inspect how the part…
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It is expected for you to be frazzled in the immediate moments following your car accident event. While you may just want to flee to your home and calm your nerves in peace and quiet, you should remain still for the time being. This is especially true if you want…
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When pursuing a personal injury claim after being made the victim of an unfortunate accident, you may need to claim the economic and non-economic damages that you incurred and that you require financial compensation for as a result. It is almost always the case that medical expenses are the most…
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It may be hard for you to comprehend how you could have possibly gotten injured and incurred damages while innocently navigating through a seemingly safe parking garage. With this, you may anticipate how difficult it will be to prove that this accident happened to outsiders who did not witness it…
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Out of all auto accidents, pedestrian accidents may arguably have the most devastating aftermath. This is particularly regarding the serious injuries and damages that the involved pedestrians walk away with. Pedestrians do not wear protective gear when navigating Florida roads, so the sheer impact of a standard motor vehicle, motorcycle,…
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Like many other holidays, New Year's Eve is typically celebrated at house parties where alcohol is present or establishments where alcohol is served. With this, unfortunately, there is typically a spike in the number of drunk driving accidents that take place on Florida roads in the late-night hours of New…
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You may be hesitant to go through the demanding process of pursuing a personal injury claim because there is no guarantee of how much you will be compensated after it. However, if your lawyer affirms that you have significant damages and convincing evidence to back them up, a legal case…
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You may not worry or fear sharing the Florida roads with 18-wheeler, commercial trucks. That is until you, unfortunately, encounter one in a negative way, and find yourself hurt with property damages after a collision. Continue reading to learn the types of truck accidents that can happen and how an…
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It may genuinely take a team of supporters to help make your personal injury claim successful. Namely, there is your legal team who will guide you through how your claim proceedings will work. But then there is your team of witnesses who will vouch for you and further prove your…
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According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2022, there were a reported 104,895 hit-and-run car accidents in the state. These accidents subsequently resulted in approximately 1,007 bodily injuries and 266 fatalities. If you have fallen victim to such an accident, you must do everything to resolve it. Without…
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It is believable that you incurred significant bodily injuries from your car accident, especially if it was quite catastrophic. However, your word may not be enough to initiate a personal injury claim against the responsible party. Rather, there are certain procedures you should follow to make your claims plausible. Continue…
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Head, neck, and back injuries are the most common types of injuries that arise in a car accident. These injuries may be so severe to the point that they are diagnosed as permanent disabilities. Specifically, your treating physician may conclude that no other modern medical treatment could improve your injury…
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It may not matter if your car model has gotten great customer reviews or if its parent company is known for implementing notable safety features in their fleets. From time to time, there are defects within the components of a certain car make or model. And if not identified and…
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Immediately following your involvement in a car accident, you may feel embarrassment and shame, not wanting any more people to witness it besides those already present. However, you cannot and should not neglect dialing 911, so that a dispatcher may send a law enforcement accident to the scene. To reemphasize,…
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As the plaintiff of a personal injury claim, you are expected to fulfill your duty to satisfy the burden of proof. With this, you must show that the fact in dispute is more likely than not true. Here, the fact in dispute is that you got injured and suffered other…
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Even if you do not feel hurt in the aftermath of your personal injury accident, you should seek medical attention. Then, even if you feel as though your prescribed medical treatment is too drastic of a measure, you should follow it closely. This is because your doctor likely knows better…
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After Category 3 Hurricane Milton made landfall in Sarasota, Florida on October 9, 2024, some dramatic effects have been noted throughout the greater Tampa area. Namely, the roof came off of St. Petersburg's Tropicana Field, and a crane crashed into the Tampa Bay Times' building. Sadly, there have been at…
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Continue reading to learn the types of evidence that may prove relevant to your claim and how an experienced Tampa personal injury lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can help use this to build on your overarching argument. What claims does my evidence need to support? Certain elements make up…
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In the immediate moments following your personal injury accident, your first question to yourself may be, "How did this happen?" Well, after an honest introspection, you may assure yourself that you carried yourself with care. This may lead you to the hunch that someone else acted negligently, which was thereby…
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You may have never been involved in a car accident before, up until this point. You may have never been involved in any incident that called for legal action, either. With both of these things true, you may not have an inkling as to whether you have a valid car…
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Encountering an intersection is almost unavoidable when you commute on Florida roads. This is whether it be a roundabout, a four-way intersection, a t-intersection, a staggered junction, or otherwise. In any event, you must understand what to do to cross these intersections safely. Such safety may go beyond just obeying…
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Especially if you do not own a car of your own, you may rely on Tampa's public transportation systems every day. While you may have an impressive track record of pleasantly safe commutes on these public transports, this may all, unfortunately, change in a split second. That is, no matter…
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Hopefully, you had a positively memorable Labor Day Weekend. But unfortunately, after holiday weekends such as these, our firm sees many clients who have been made victims of drunk driving accidents. While we wish such a negative event had not happened to you, we will drop everything and be here…
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You may have slipped, tripped, and fallen on someone else's property. However, this simple fact may not be enough to earn you financial compensation. That is, there are certain requirements that you must meet, as a plaintiff, for just the chance of having a successful slip and fall accident claim.…
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You may initially think that the door-to-door service offered by a Lyft driver is a safer transportation option if you do not have your own vehicle. That is, safer than taking public transportation, walking alone, or otherwise. However, you may not take into account the very real possibility that your…
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Read on to discover the approach you should take at a doctor's appointment and how a seasoned Tampa car accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can guide you through the necessary steps. What kind of doctor should I visit after a car accident? In short, the kind of doctor…
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You may have seen and approached your family member's, friend's, or neighbor's dog dozens of times before. You may even go out of your way to get permission from their owner first. But, most unfortunately, it only takes one time, in a split second, for the dog to turn and…
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In the event of a pedestrian accident, you may initially assume that a motor vehicle is an at-fault party, given the disparity in injuries and damages they incurred to that of the pedestrian. You may be even quicker to jump to this conclusion if a pedestrian, sadly, gets killed in…
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Similar to how it is important to wear a seatbelt in a standard motor vehicle, it is important to wear a helmet on a motorcycle. This is a strong recommendation with your safety as a priority. Though you may never want to think about this possibility, you should take every…
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The Florida civil court holds certain expectations regarding how personal injury claim proceedings are supposed to function. And if the court finds that its criteria are not satisfied (i.e., the burden of proof is not met), it may exercise the right to dismiss the legal claim altogether. This is all…
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Unfortunately, neglectful or abusive actions within your loved one's nursing home care facility are more conceivable than you may initially anticipate. Such wrongful actions may be perpetrated by the facility's medical professionals, staff members, fellow residents, or even welcomed visitors on the premises. By serving as your loved one's protector,…
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Whether you enter a car accident or a slip and fall accident, the impact of your collision or fall, respectively, may cause you to hit your head. If serious enough, your head injury may evolve into a brain stem injury. Continue reading to learn whether you are eligible for financial…
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You may be surprised to learn that driving over a bridge comes with potentially great risks. Follow along to find out tips to drive safely while crossing a bridge and how a proficient Tampa auto accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can help in the case of a tragic…
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It is likely for you to incur some bodily injury from your involvement in a personal injury accident. This may undoubtedly lead to medical expenses you did not anticipate having to pay. While you may carry a quality life insurance plan, it may still be insufficient to cover the full…
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