Personal Injury Rights Guide – Tequesta, Florida

Introduction: Why Tequesta Injury Victims Need Accurate Information

Situated along the Loxahatchee River, the Village of Tequesta, Florida, is known for its laid-back coastal lifestyle, proximity to U.S. Highway 1, and easy access to boating on the Intracoastal Waterway. Yet even in this idyllic setting, accidents happen. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) county crash dashboard, Palm Beach County records more than 25,000 traffic collisions each year. Residents and visitors are also exposed to hazards such as slip-and-falls in waterfront restaurants, boating accidents near Jupiter Inlet, and hurricane-related injuries during storm season.

If you or a loved one has been hurt because someone else was careless, understanding your rights under Florida personal injury law is critical. This comprehensive guide—written for Tequesta victims—explains the statutes, deadlines, and procedures that govern compensation claims in Florida. It slightly favors the injury victim, while remaining strictly factual and grounded in authoritative sources, including Florida Statutes and court rules.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Florida

Negligence and the Burden of Proof

Most personal injury cases in Florida arise from negligence. To win, a plaintiff must establish four elements:

• Duty: The defendant owed a duty of reasonable care.

• Breach: The defendant breached that duty by acting—or failing to act—in a reasonable manner.

• Causation: The breach caused the plaintiff’s injuries.

• Damages: The plaintiff sustained losses (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering).

Florida follows the preponderance of the evidence standard. In practical terms, you must show it is more likely than not that the defendant’s conduct caused your injuries.

Comparative Negligence – Fla. Stat. § 768.81

Florida uses a modified comparative negligence system. Under Florida Statutes § 768.81, a plaintiff who is more than 50% at fault cannot recover damages. If you are 50% or less at fault, your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, a $100,000 verdict is reduced to $60,000 if the plaintiff is found 40% negligent.

Statute of Limitations – Fla. Stat. § 95.11

Deadlines are strict. Per Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), you generally have two years from the date of the accident (after the 2023 tort-reform change; previously four years) to file most negligence claims. Medical malpractice and wrongful death have separate, often shorter, time limits. Missing the deadline usually means forfeiting your claim.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Tequesta and Statewide

1. Motor-Vehicle Collisions

High-traffic corridors such as U.S. 1, County Road 707, and the nearby Florida A1A see frequent crashes. Florida’s No-Fault Law (Personal Injury Protection, or PIP) at Fla. Stat. § 627.736 requires every motorist to carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage. Victims must seek initial medical treatment within 14 days to activate PIP benefits.

2. Boating and Watercraft Accidents

The Jupiter Inlet and Loxahatchee River are popular recreational waterways. When operators speed or ignore channel markers, collisions and propeller injuries can occur. The same negligence principles apply on water as on land.

3. Premises Liability (Slip-and-Fall)

Retail stores in Tequesta’s Gallery Square Center and beachfront hotels must keep walkways reasonably safe. Victims must prove the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition under Fla. Stat. § 768.0755.

4. Bicycle and Pedestrian Injuries

Florida consistently ranks among the nation’s deadliest states for cyclists. Local bike routes like the Riverbend Park trails become risky when motorists fail to yield.

5. Hurricane and Storm-Related Injuries

High winds and flooding from Atlantic storms can cause building collapses and electrocution hazards. If a landlord or contractor failed to follow code, they may be liable.

Florida Legal Protections & Injury Laws

No-Fault Insurance and Serious-Injury Threshold

Under Fla. Stat. § 627.736, PIP pays up to 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, regardless of fault, but only up to policy limits. To sue an at-fault driver for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, you must meet the serious-injury threshold—permanent injury, significant scarring, or death.

Sovereign Immunity Caps – Fla. Stat. § 768.28

Claims against a Florida governmental entity are capped at $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident unless the Legislature approves a higher amount.

Punitive Damages – Fla. Stat. § 768.72

Punitive damages are limited to three times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000 in most cases, and you must show intentional misconduct or gross negligence.

Attorney Licensing and Fees

All Florida personal injury lawyers must be active members of the Florida Bar under Rule 1-3.2, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. Contingency fees are regulated by Rule 4-1.5(f). Always verify a lawyer’s status using the Florida Bar Lawyer Directory.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Florida

Seek Immediate Medical Attention Call 911 or visit a nearby facility such as Jupiter Medical Center. Treatment within 14 days is mandatory for PIP benefits. Report the Incident For car crashes, contact the Tequesta Police Department or Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. For boating accidents, notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Document Everything Photograph the scene, obtain witness names, keep damaged property, and save all medical records. Notify Your Insurer Florida policyholders must report claims quickly to preserve coverage. Avoid Recorded Statements Insurance adjusters may request statements that could be used against you. Politely decline until you obtain legal counsel. Track Expenses Keep receipts for medical co-pays, prescriptions, therapy, and mileage to appointments. Consult a Qualified Personal Injury Lawyer An attorney can calculate damages, negotiate with insurers, and file a lawsuit if needed.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

You can manage minor PIP claims alone, but professional representation becomes vital when:

• Liability is disputed or multiple parties share fault.

• Medical bills exceed PIP limits and serious injuries trigger the tort threshold.

• An insurer delays, undervalues, or denies your claim.

• The defendant is a government agency, triggering sovereign-immunity rules.

• Wrongful death or catastrophic injury is involved.

A personal injury lawyer Tequesta Florida can file suit in Palm Beach County’s 15th Judicial Circuit. The Florida Rules of Civil Procedure govern pleadings, discovery, and trial—Rule 1.110 (complaints) and Rule 1.510 (summary judgment) often feature prominently.

Local Resources & Next Steps

15th Judicial Circuit Court – Palm Beach County (filing lawsuits, accessing dockets) FLHSMV Crash Reports Portal (obtain official accident reports)

• Jupiter Medical Center – 1210 S. Old Dixie Hwy, Jupiter (nearest Level II trauma services)

• Village of Tequesta Police Department – 357 Tequesta Dr. (traffic crash and incident reports)

Time is not on your side. Evidence fades, witnesses move, and strict statutes of limitation apply. Acting quickly helps preserve your right to Florida injury compensation.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws may change, and every case is unique. Consult a licensed Florida attorney before making legal decisions.

If you were injured due to someone else's negligence, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and legal consultation.