Personal Injury
Results-Oriented Personal Injury Representation
When you’re injured, results matter most. At Travieso McLeod, P.A., we secure the resources you need to recover, restore your quality of life, and ensure you receive the medical treatment you deserve. Located in Ponte Vedra, FL, we’ve developed a reputation for litigating complex cases. If you need a personal injury lawyer, contact us at (904) 204-3013 for a free consultation.
Dedicated Advocacy for the Injured
Our personal injury attorneys represent victims of negligence across Florida. We recognize that a financial award is more than just a number—it’s a critical tool for rebuilding your life after an accident. From the initial investigation through settlement or trial, we are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you.
Our Areas of Expertise
Automobile
Accidents
Legal representation for victims of car crashes caused by negligence or recklessness.
Trucking
Accidents
Assistance for those injured in collisions involving commercial trucks or big rigs.
Motorcycle
Accidents
Advocacy for motorcyclists injured due to unsafe road conditions or other drivers' mistakes.
Bicycle
Accidents
Support for cyclists hurt in accidents involving motor vehicles or unsafe infrastructure.
Bus & Train
Accidents
Legal help for passengers or pedestrians injured in public transit or train-related incidents.
Spinal Cord
Injuries
Representation for individuals facing life-altering spinal injuries caused by accidents.
Traumatic Brain
Injury
Legal aid for victims suffering brain injuries due to negligence or unsafe conditions.
Shoulder & Rotator
Cuff Injuries
Help for those with debilitating shoulder injuries caused by accidents.
Whiplash
Injuries
Guidance for individuals experiencing neck pain or damage from rear-end collisions.
Accidents Caused by
Drunk Drivers
Justice for victims injured by drivers under the influence of alcohol.
Other Types of Cases We Litigate
General Personal Injury
If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, we can help. We handle a wide range of personal injury claims, ensuring responsible parties are held accountable while you focus on your recovery.
Premises Liability
Property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe. When they fail, accidents like slips, trips, and falls can cause serious harm. We fight to secure compensation for injuries sustained on unsafe property.
Negligent Security
Inadequate security can lead to preventable assaults and injuries. We hold property owners and managers responsible when their failure to provide a safe environment results in harm to patrons or residents.
Dog Bites
A dog attack can result in significant physical and emotional trauma. Our attorneys help victims of dog bites pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Sexual Harassment
No one should endure sexual harassment. We provide compassionate and confidential representation for individuals who have faced harassment, helping them seek justice while holding perpetrators accountable.
Our Process: Your Path to Justice
We understand that reaching out to a law firm can feel intimidating, especially when you are dealing with a stressful or painful situation. Our goal is to make the process as straightforward and comfortable for you as possible. We do that through consistent transparency with you and by taking the heavy lifting out of your hands.
Here is what you can expect when you contact Travieso McLeod to discuss your personal situation.
1. The Initial Conversation: Sharing Your Story
During your first free consultation, we will listen carefully as you explain what happened. We’ll ask specific questions to get the full picture, including details about your medical treatment, how your life has been affected, and the healthcare providers involved. This meeting is your opportunity to ask us questions, too, so you can feel confident and comfortable with our team.
Note – in most cases, personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of the incident or malpractice. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible is critical to ensure your rights are protected within Florida’s strict deadlines.
2. The Case Evaluation: Building A Path Forward
After our conversation, our new case review committee will meet and discuss the case. We will consider whether we have a reasonable expectation of being able to prove that someone’s negligence caused you harm and whether the harms are something a jury will adequately compensate if the case were to proceed to trial.
3. The Investigation: Leaving No Stone Unturned
If our case review committee determines that a viable claim may exist, our team will conduct a thorough investigation to see if your case meets Florida’s strict legal standards for recovery. We will gather all necessary records, bills, and other documents. If the records provide further evidence of a legitimate claim, we will then consult with appropriate experts. This process is vital to building a strong foundation for your claim.
4. Settlement Discussions or Filing A Lawsuit
If our investigation shows that you have a strong case, we will begin the pre-suit process. In medical malpractice cases, that means we will initiate the legally required notice period with the defense. In other cases, we may engage in negotiations with the defendant and their insurance company.
In medical malpractice cases, most do not settle during the pre-suit stage, and a lawsuit is required. While many personal injury cases are settled during this phase, a lawsuit may be filed if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not pay upfront and will pay only if there is a positive recovery on your case.
5. The Discovery Process
Once a lawsuit is filed, both sides will exchange information, take depositions, and gather evidence. This is often the most time-consuming part of a case and is where we continue to build our evidence against the at-fault parties. The Court will require the parties to attend mediation. Some cases settle at mediation, but we will only recommend settlement if the recovery provides you adequate compensation. This is very case-specific, so please call us for a free consultation if you would like to discuss further.
6. Trial
If a settlement is not reached during the discovery phase, the case proceeds to trial. The trial itself can last anywhere from one to three weeks or longer, depending on the complexity of the case. Although most cases settle before trial, we will be prepared to try the case. It’s the best way to maximize your recovery because defendants and insurance companies understand the risk they face at trial.
7. Continuous Support: Keeping You Informed
We understand that the legal process can be long and challenging. From your first call to the resolution of your case, our team is committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. We will provide you with regular updates and explain what to expect next, always advocating for the best possible outcome.
Why Choose Us
- Our expertise is backed by a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, ensuring top-tier representation.
- We’re a boutique-style, self-funded law firm that values personal connections—our clients know us, and we know them.
- Honesty and empathy are at the heart of what we do. If there’s no case, we’ll tell you upfront.
- With unmatched settlement and trial preparation, we’re dedicated to maximizing your recovery.
- We’re passionate advocates for civil justice, standing up for everyday victims of negligence.
For more information, see our Who We Are, Glossary, and Video Library pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of personal injury claims does Travieso McLeod handle?
The team at Travieso McLeod in Northeast Florida handles a wide range of personal injury and accident cases. This list is representative but not exhaustive of the types of cases we may be able to assist you with:
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home accidents or abuse
- Bicycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Bus accidents
- Dog bites
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Premise liability
- Negligent security
- Sexual harassment
- Truck accidents
- Public transit accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Train accidents
What's the difference between a claim and a lawsuit?
Many people interchange the words personal injury claim and lawsuit, which can be confusing to a certain extent. All personal injury lawsuits were once claims, but not all personal injury claims become lawsuits.
Claims are legal demands for compensation. This means a demand letter is sent, typically, to an insurance company for payment following an accident. There can be negotiations, an investigation, and more, before a settlement is offered.
Lawsuits, on the other hand, are legal actions. This means the claim is decided in court and involves one party, the plaintiff, suing another party, the defendant, for compensation. Though a settlement can still be negotiated prior to trial, the claim becomes a lawsuit once it enters the court system.
Do I have to go to court for a personal injury claim in Florida?
No, filing a case in court and going through the court process are not required in every personal injury claim. In fact, a large majority of personal injury claims settle prior to filing a case in court or before a trial if a case must be filed.
A trial in a personal injury case is often the last resort for all parties involved because of the increased costs associated with a trial. Unfortunately, insurance companies and negligent parties do not always present fair offers for settlement, so a trial is always a possibility following an accident. That is why Travieso McLeod prepares each claim as if it will proceed to trial.
What types of damages could I receive in Florida for a personal injury claim?
The common types of damages available for recovery in a personal injury claim include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are intended to compensate you for your losses from the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damages.
Non-economic damages are intended to compensate you for the pain and suffering experienced during and after the accident and any loss of your ability to enjoy your life. In some cases, you might also be entitled to punitive damages for especially careless or reckless actions of the responsible parties. The amount and specific types of damages available in a personal injury claim vary significantly based on the case’s circumstances.
Can I still recover compensation in Florida if I contributed to the injury?
Your role in causing an accident could potentially limit or bar your recovery of damages in a personal injury claim, depending on where the accident occurred. Generally, in settlement negotiations or if the case goes to trial, the parties will argue the percentage of fault of all parties. If you are determined to be partly at fault for the accident, any damage award could be limited by your percentage of fault.
In Florida, if you are found more than 50 percent at fault or responsible in any percentage, you may be barred from recovering any damages, no matter how significant your damages were following the accident. This is why hiring a Florida personal injury attorney is imperative.
What happens to my personal injury claim if I have a pre-existing condition?
Pre-existing conditions can play a substantial part in a personal injury case. In general, you are not entitled to compensation for pre-existing injuries that were not affected in the accident. However, you could be entitled to damages if your pre-existing condition was exacerbated or aggravated by the accident.
Proving an exacerbation or aggravation commonly requires determining the severity of the pre-existing condition prior to and following the accident. As such, pre-existing conditions often lead to significant contention from the insurance companies.
I was in an accident in northeast Florida. Do I need a personal injury lawyer?
You are not required to have a personal injury lawyer following an accident; however, a lawyer could explain your legal options and help secure a more favorable result. Often, insurance companies will try to take advantage of unrepresented individuals in the claim process with low settlement offers.
A Florida personal injury lawyer understands the value of a case and when an offer is appropriate for the damage and harm caused in an accident. Additionally, a lawyer could handle the complex court process through its conclusion if a claim does not settle prior to the state deadline for filing a claim.
How much does a personal injury or accident attorney cost in northeast Florida?
How much a personal injury or accident attorney will cost depends on many factors. If the case settles before entering into litigation, then you can save a lot of expenses. If it goes to trial, it can get expensive, especially considering the experts that might need to be involved. The number and types of experts depend on the case itself, the injury, and the defendant(s).
Another important factor determining the costs of a personal injury lawyer is the type of fee structure the attorney offers.
Contingency basis. You only pay if you win, and even then, the fees are usually taken directly out of the settlement or award, as opposed to your own pocket.
Fixed-rate basis. You pay one fee that may or may not be inclusive of certain other fees and expenses.
Hourly basis. You pay on an hourly basis, and this may or may not include certain other fees and expenses.
Regardless of the fee structure, each type has pros and cons. You need to weigh those pros and cons alongside your unique situation. Ultimately, you want to make sure you know exactly what you are getting for what you are paying.
What happens if I file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations expires?
When the insurer does not settle and you want to file a lawsuit, you must do so within the timeframe outlined in the relevant statute of limitations. Therefore, it is imperative that you understand the statute of limitations and not allow the time period to expire.
Meeting with a personal injury lawyer in Florida soon after you suffer the injury, even if only for a consultation, can help you understand your rights and allow you to ask about deadlines. If you do not file on time, you may miss your chance to receive just and fair compensation.
Additional Areas of Service
In addition to catastrophic personal injury cases, we provide litigation for medical malpractice and wrongful death cases.
- Medical Malpractice Cases: When medical malpractice causes serious injury or death, our firm provides expert guidance to handle these complex cases. We work to ensure accountability and secure fair compensation for victims. Through meticulous investigations and collaboration with medical experts, we build strong claims to protect our clients’ futures.
- Wrongful Death Cases: Losing a loved one due to negligence is an unimaginable tragedy. We compassionately guide families through Florida’s complex statutes and the legal process to recover damages for their loss.
Take the First Step Toward Justice
Your choice of a personal injury lawyer is important. At Travieso McLeod, we will never string you along, and we promise to be upfront. If we don’t think you have a case, we’ll let you know so you can evaluate your options. Contact us at (904) 204-3013 or request a free consultation. Located in Ponte Vedra, FL, Robert, Mac, and their teams serve the surrounding areas, including St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and Orange Park.