Q: Why do I need an attorney?

A: If you have been injured as a result of the negligence of another, whether it be a car, motorcycle, truck, or bike accident, or any other type of accident, you are well-advised to seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney. A seasoned trial lawyer knows how much your claim is worth, understands the legal process, improves your odds of recovering maximum compensation, and handles the paperwork, negotiating, courtroom appearances, and the insurance companies so you can be stress-free and focus on healing.

Insurance Research Council (IRC) records indicate people with an attorney on average more than doubled (a 115% increase) the likelihood of a better settlement.

Q: What if I’ve already taken steps independently?

A: More often than not, our new clients have begun the claims process themselves but found it stressful and burdensome, or simply could not afford to pay out of pocket for the medical treatment they needed. Once we are retained by a client, we immediately gather the requisite information and inform the insurance carriers to direct all communication to our office.

Q: The insurance company said I don’t need an attorney—is that true?

A: No. Insurance adjusters are paid—and sometimes receive bonuses—for getting you to accept a small amount of compensation for your injuries. It is important for you to remember that your interests and the interests of the insurance company are not the same. While it is illegal for a non-attorney, such as an insurance adjuster, to provide legal advice, they often do, and it usually is not very sound. You should always seek counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney to get an unbiased legal opinion regarding your case and your rights. Attorney Steve Hoskins and his experienced team provide free, no-obligation case consultations to injured persons and their families—we will even come to your home, hospital room, or another convenient location.

Q: How much will I have to pay the attorney at the conclusion of my case?

A: We only work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that if we do not win, we do not get paid. We also take care of all case-related “costs,” such as hospital charges for duplicating medical records or court filing fees.  We know that injury victims cannot afford to pay an attorney by the hour, so there are no up-front costs or fees with us.

Q: I’ve heard a lot about “no-fault” insurance. How does it apply to me?

A: Florida is a “no-fault” auto insurance state. Simply put, no-fault means that no matter who is at fault, you need to use your own insurance. Under Florida law, every vehicle owner is required to have $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP benefits are paid by your own insurance company and pay for 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages, up to $10,000. This means you have to recover the rest of your out of pocket expenses from the negligent party. That is why it is smart to contact the experienced personal injury Steve Hoskins to ensure you receive maximum compensation.

Q: Do I need uninsured and underinsured (UIM/UM) coverage?

A: Yes. Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Underinsured Motorist Coverage covers you in the event that the person who causes a collision does not have any insurance or does not have enough insurance to compensate for your injuries and damages. It is also important to get as much UIM/UM coverage as possible, as this will help pay for all of your expenses. UIM/UM is very cheap, so a good rule of thumb is to have your UIM/UM limits equal to your bodily injury liability limits.

Q: What damage am I entitled to recover?

A: This will depend largely on the type of case and the damages sustained. Our clients have suffered an injury and require medical treatment. Thus, past and future medical treatment are recoverable. As are all past and future lost wages. Also recoverable are “general damages,” which include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and inconveniences associated with the injury. In some cases, our clients are entitled to “punitive damages;” these damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer when the wrongdoer’s actions are intentional or reckless. In automobile accident cases, our clients are also entitled to recover the damage to their vehicle.

Q: What is “negligence?”

A: Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care to prevent harm to others. A person is negligent if he or she does something that a reasonably careful person would not do in the same situation or fails to do something that a reasonably careful person would do in the same situation. We have successfully represented thousands of individuals who have been injured by the negligence of others in automobile accidents, slip/fall accidents, dog bites, accidents that occur on someone’s property, and medical malpractice. If you have been injured by another’s negligence, contact our office immediately for a free, no-hassle consultation.

Q: Is my case big enough for a lawyer to handle?

A: Steve Hoskins and his team handle small, medium, large, and very large damage cases. Our injury cases range from soft tissue injury auto accident cases to catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. We are equipped to handle all personal injury cases resulting from negligence.

Q: Will the information I share with you be confidential?

A: Yes. The information you share with us is protected by attorney-client privilege and will remain confidential. This protection will apply even when our legal representation terminates or if you do not retain our firm. Since your communications with us are privileged, it is important that you make full disclosure of all pertinent facts with respect to your personal injury claim (such as prior injuries) so that we can fully access your case. This is also important so that the defense does not catch us by surprise in the middle of representation, which could be detrimental to your case.

Q: I was involved in an automobile accident, what should I do?

A: First, seek medical attention if needed. If you are in pain, go to a medical doctor, chiropractor, urgent care, or ER as soon as possible. Your health is extremely important. Be proactive about getting a proper diagnosis and obtaining medical treatment for your injuries. Do not delay! Next, you should open a claim with your auto insurance carrier and the other driver’s insurance carrier. If the other driver’s insurance company calls, which they will, wanting a statement—do not give them one. You are not obligated to talk to them. If you have been injured, first seek the representation of an attorney before providing a statement to the other person’s insurance company. Finally, call Steve Hoskins for a free, no-risk case consultation.

Q: How soon after the accident should I retain an attorney?

A: Immediately! To be safe, you should talk to an attorney as soon as possible, especially if the injuries are severe or a death has resulted. All too often, valuable evidence disappears, witnesses move, memories grow dim, and the practical ability to prove your case may diminish. Steve Hoskins and his team of attorneys works with a team of investigators to gather the evidence necessary to prove the liability of the case. Further, in Florida, you have four years from the date of the incident to file a claim. Generally, the earlier a case investigation is started, the better the outcome.  

Q: Why is it important to have a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer handle my case?

A: Attorney Steve Hoskins is a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, a distinction that fewer than 10% of all attorneys in the State of Florida possess. It is important to have an attorney with this certification because it demonstrates the attorney has had substantial involvement in the area certified, passed a rigorous written examination, participated in an enormous amount of continuing legal education, and has successfully completed the peer review process. Board certification provides you with a lawyer with highly specialized skills and experience. Attorney Steve Hoskins is one of the few attorneys on the Treasure Coast with this certification.

If you’ve been injured due to someone’s negligence, call  866-460-1990 today or visit our contact page for free answers to your questions or to schedule a free consultation at any of our four offices on the Treasure Coast. 

Verdicts and Settlements


$1.2 Million

Auto Accident Settlement

$1.6 Million

Wrongful Death Settlement

$11.1 Million

Settlement for motorcycle accident

Locations


Ft. Pierce Office
302 South Second Street
Ft. Pierce, FL 34950
Phone: (772) 464-4600
Fax: (772) 465-4747
Port St. Lucie Office
1555 NW St. Lucie West Blvd
Suite 203, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
Phone: (772) 344-7770
Fax: (772)344-3838
Okeechobee Office
1910 S Parrott Ave
Okeechobee, FL 34974
Phone: (863) 357-5800
Fax: (863) 763-2237
Vero Beach Office
2101 15th Avenue
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Phone: (772) 794-7774
Fax: (772) 794-7773