Crystal River

Officially incorporated in 1923, Crystal River is a small community of about 3,000 people located in Citrus County, Florida. The town started growing after the Civil War when early settlers discovered wild citrus trees there. Early industries in the area included turpentine, cedar mills, and phosphate. In modern times, Crystal River has grown by annexation since 2005. It is located on the northeast side of Kings Bay, which is home to over 400 manatees in the winter and calls itself the Home of the Manatee. Like other places in Florida, the town can witness serious accidents arising from motor vehicle collisions and other forms of careless conduct. If you have been hurt near Crystal River as a result of someone else's negligence, you should consult the experienced injury attorneys at the Dean Law Firm.

Catastrophic accidents, whether they involve cars, trucks, dangerous property conditions, or botched medical procedures, most commonly occur as a result of carelessness rather than intentional wrongdoing. In Florida, the threshold inquiry that must be answered before bringing a lawsuit on the basis of negligence is whether or not the defendant owed a duty of care. Generally, this is defined as acting with the same level of precaution that an ordinary person would have used in the same circumstances, although specialized contexts like medical malpractice may impose a more specific standard.

If you sue a defendant for your injuries, you will need to show the elements of a negligence claim. This means that you must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant had a duty of care and breached that duty with an action that failed to meet that standard. You also will need to show that the careless conduct resulted in your injuries or other losses, and that you incurred damages that can be compensated. These can extend to lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, the costs of future treatment, and any other expenses related to the accident.

Florida recognizes the doctrine of negligence per se. Under this rule, a victim benefits from an inference of the defendant's negligence if he or she can show that the defendant violated a safety rule, the violation caused the injury, and the victim is in the class of people the law was designed to protect. This doctrine tends to help plaintiffs because it is generally easier to show that a violation of a statute caused an accident than to prove the elements of negligence. Breaking the law prohibiting drunk driving, for example, usually constitutes negligence per se.

Someone who suffers serious harm caused by careless conduct in Crystal River or the surrounding area should consult an experienced accident lawyer at the Dean Law Firm. Insurers for parties responsible for the injuries usually try to find a way in which the victim of an accident was partly responsible. It is important not to discuss your case with them until you have consulted an attorney of your own. The Dean Law Firm is committed to pursuing compensation for individuals recovering from accidents throughout Citrus, Marion, Sumter, Levy, and Lake Counties. Contact us at 352-387-8700 or via our online form to schedule an appointment with a member of our staff. We can evaluate whether you have a claim at no cost to you.