Clearwater Car Accident Lawyer
Have you been injured in a car accident in Clearwater, FL? If so, then call a Clearwater car accident lawyer from Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers at (727) 493-4418.
Having the right car accident lawyer on your side can help you get the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys will negotiate with an insurance company on your behalf and help you get a fair settlement.
Contact Winters and Yonker, P.A. today for a free case evaluation.
How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Car Accident in Clearwater, FL
Getting into a car accident is never easy. Unfortunately, insurance laws in Florida can make it difficult to get the compensation you need after your crash. Insurance companies only add to the difficulty. You deserve an experienced Clearwater personal injury lawyer to help you fight for the money you deserve.
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers is one of the most prominent personal injury firms in Tampa Bay. We have decades of experience fighting for injury victims in Clearwater. We’ve recovered millions for our clients and have become known as the “Aggressive Attorneys” because of our fierce representation of victims.
When you hire us, we’ll be responsible for:
- Investigating your accident to determine fault and gather evidence
- Identifying every course of action for compensation
- Calculating the value of your damages
- Working with experts in medicine, finance, and accident reconstruction (if necessary)
- Communicating and negotiating with the insurance company
- Taking your case to trial to protect your rights
Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney. We’re standing by to provide the best representation you deserve.
Why Should I Hire a Clearwater Car Crash Lawyer?
To put it simply, hiring a car accident attorney in Clearwater gives you the best chance of obtaining adequate compensation for your injuries. If your accident qualifies you under Florida law to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party, you’ll need to provide sufficient evidence to support your claim.
You’ll also potentially be up against a powerful insurance company with a legal team at its bestowal. Depending on the facts of your case, it might even be difficult to identify the liable party with the assets to compensate you.
Each of these factors will be in your hands to contend with if you do not have a lawyer to help with your case. But if you do, they’ll have the experience and skill set to deal with every potential complication.
In addition, a lawyer can represent you in court or at trial should your case get to that point. Attorneys also have access to resources – like the ability to conduct legal research or to hire experts – that you might not have as a member of the general public.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
It will not cost you a cent upfront to hire Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, to help you in your Clearwater auto accident case. This is because our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
The way this works is that we’ll obtain payment for our legal services as a percentage of the financial settlement or verdict we collect for you. It varies from case to case, but will generally be around 33%. We will also discuss and agree to this percentage with you ahead of time.
There are two primary benefits to this payment system. For one, we will be incentivized to maximize the value of your claim – the more money you win, the more money we get, too. And second, you’ll be able to hire us even if the collision has left you in a prohibitory financial position.
Reach out to our law office in Clearwater today for more information about how the contingency fee will work in your specific situation.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Florida?
After most car accidents in Clearwater, you will have two years to file your lawsuit. This new deadline comes from a March 2023 tort reform law. Before this law, the statute of limitations was four years. If you got into an accident before this law took effect (3/24/23), you will still be subject to the four-year time limit. Otherwise, you’ll have two years.
If you start your lawsuit too late, you will no longer have the ability to recover compensation from a court of law. However, there are exceptions to the standard four-year deadline. As just one of many examples, if the at-fault person flees the state, you might have additional time.
Our attorneys can look into whether you still have time to submit your lawsuit during your free case consultation. Reach out today to schedule yours.
Clearwater, Florida Car Accident Statistics
Dozens of car accidents occur daily in Clearwater, Florida, and the surrounding vicinity. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), thus far in 2023 (as of late September), there have been 10,072 car accidents resulting in 6,228 injuries and 65 fatalities in Pinellas County.
In 2022, there were a total of 15,646 accidents. Of these, there were 9,210 injuries and 121 fatalities.
In 2021, there were a total of 16,464, of which 9,428 resulted in injuries and 158 in fatalities.
How Severe Are Car Accidents in Clearwater?
At least for 2021, it indicates that there is a motor vehicle fatality once every two to three days in the county, on average. They also indicate that injuries are common when it comes to crashes on Pinellas County roads, as the number of injuries amounts to more than half of the total of accidents.
However, on average, about a third of automobile accidents in Pinellas County result in at least one injury or fatality.
Pinellas County Car Accident Statistics
FLHSMV publishes detailed automobile accident stats for each county in the state, including Pinellas County. There have been the following numbers of accidents in the county across the past five years:
- 2023 (as of September): 10,072
- 2022: 15,646
- 2021: 16,464
- 2020: 14,313
- 2019: 17,078
- 2018: 17,875
A possible explanation for the decrease in accidents in recent years is the COVID-19 pandemic.
The data are clear: car accidents are commonplace in Pinellas County. You deserve compensation if you or a loved one were hurt in a crash in Clearwater due to someone else’s negligence.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Clearwater, FL?
When involved in a car accident, you need to take specific steps to protect the integrity of your case. While no one wants a calamity to happen to them, following these proceedings can help preserve your case. You will have the evidence you need for your injury claims and get the compensation you deserve. Speak to your Clearwater Car Accident Attorney about your case.
Get Medical Attention
Immediately, you need to make sure your injuries are addressed. This means that you should seek immediate medical attention after the crash. Do not wait or delay this as many injuries worsen over time. You need medical car even if you think you were not hurt badly. Your medical records are evidence in your case and can help you prove the severity of your injuries from the crash.
Call the Police
Always call the police after a car accident. They will file a police report and establish the cause of the crash. This becomes crucial evidence in your claim as it will be used by insurance companies and your Clearwater, FL, accident attorney to establish the cause of the wreck. This can also help dictate your settlement as it provides an accurate account of what happened during the incident.
Don’t Accept Blame for the Accident
Never apologize or accept blame for a car accident. There may be underlying circumstances that lead to the crash that is not your fault. Let the police certify who caused it. If you make an apology or admit guilt for a car accident, it can be used against you later. This can affect your total settlement award. If the other person blames you or becomes verbally violent, wait in your car until the police arrive.
Exchange Information with the Other Driver
You need to interchange information with the person that hit you. This should include their name, address, phone number, vehicle make and model, driver’s license number and insurance carrier and policy number. Ask for this information and be sure to write it down in a place where you will access it later. You can also use your cell phone to take pictures of these important documents.
Take Photos of the Accident
As you wait for the police to arrive, use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident. Such as the damage to both vehicles as well as any surrounding details that provoked your accident. Do not forget to take pictures of your injuries immediately after the car accident. This will provide valuable evidence into the seriousness of your injuries.
Talk to Witnesses
Speak with anyone who saw the events of the accident and is on the scene or nearby it. They can help prove your account of the accident and can present testimony in your case. Get their contact information and ask them what they saw. You need these witnesses to back up your story and show that another motorist is to blame for your crash.
Call your Insurance Company
Most insurance companies require that you contact them within one day of your car accident. You need to report your crash and give the information you collected from the other motorist. They will help facilitate your settlement and provide you with additional details about filing a car accident claim. You may also want to get in touch with the other driver’s insurance company to ensure they reported the accident to them.
Contact a Clearwater Car Accident Lawyer
You will always want to contact a Clearwater, FL, car accident lawyer about your crash. They can ascertain if you have a case. They will answer your legal questions and help you recover your damages after a crash. Let your attorney fight for you and get you a settlement that helps pay for your injuries.
What Type of Compensation will I Receive in a Car Accident Lawsuit?
Car accidents that cause an injury can be scary for everyone involved. You have expenses to pay as a result, and you may not know where to turn. Working with a Clearwater car accident lawyer near Clearwater can help you recover the losses you sustained after a car crash. In most cases, these are the economic and non-economic damages that your attorney will seek.
Economic Damages
Medical Expenses
Your medical expenses are recoverable as part of your settlement award. These damages include all the medical costs you incurred to treat your injuries from the car accident. They also include any future medical treatment you may need later. Your personal injury firm in Clearwater can help you calculate your total medical expenses.
Lost Wages
During your recovery, you may incur lost wages. These are recoverable as a portion of your compensation for your injuries. This would include the wages you missed out on for your injury recovery as well as any future ones you may lose out on from your injuries. An attorney can help you calculate them.
Property Damages
After a car accident, you most likely have property damage to your vehicle. You need repairs or a vehicle replacement. You may be entitled to recover these damages. Your Clearwater car accident lawyer will fight for property damages for your settlement award.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and Suffering
The events of a car accident can be emotionally disturbing on many levels. You may have pain and suffering damages that need compensation. You do not have to suffer in silence without a settlement to help you get through this trying time. Your attorney in the city of Clearwater will help you obtain a settlement that includes these damages.
Punitive Damages
Sometimes the events of a car accident are particularly dangerous. The other party may have been careless in their actions which caused your injuries. The judge may decide to hand down punitive damages in your case. These damages are awarded above your full settlement and are used to punish a careless driver financially. Your Clearwater car accident lawyer can help you understand if your injury case qualifies for punitive damages.
What are Common Types of Car Accidents in Florida?
There are many ways that you can be involved in a car accident. These are some of the most common causes that you should be on the lookout for on the road. Talk to your attorney in Clearwater, FL, if one of these causes happens to you.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most frequent reasons that many people get involved in motor vehicle accidents. They are going at high speeds, which is not only illegal, but it is dangerous. Speeding can result in a high impact crash that will certainly cause injuries. When you suspect that someone was speeding, you need to communicate this to a Clearwater, FL, attorney.
Weather Conditions
Oftentimes, this plays a role in a car accident. Rain, sleet, snow, and ice can all contribute to adverse road conditions. Motorists need to slow down and take additional precautions while driving. When the weather is to blame for your accident, you need to talk to a car accident attorney in Clearwater, FL, about your case. You may have a case against another driver that was going too fast for conditions.
Tailgating
Tailgating is another way that an accident can happen. Driving too close to the person in front can put them in a dangerous position. There is not enough time to react or to avoid an obstruction in the road. When someone is tailgating you, pull over and let them pass. This is the safest way to prevent an accident. If your collision was provoked by a tailgater, converse to your lawyer in Clearwater, FL, about your rights.
Reckless Driving
Driving recklessly is a sure way to get in a collision that causes severe injury. Automobilists need to adhere to the rules of the road and when they do not an accident can happen. Reckless driving can take many forms, and you need to be on the lookout for anyone that is displaying this behavior. Stay away from them for safety. If an accident does occur, reach out to a car crash attorney in Clearwater, FL, about your case.
Driving Under the Influence
Drivers that drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol are putting you and your family at risk. These dangerous behaviors can certainly cause an accident with injuries. Impaired people have reduced reaction time and can easily hit your vehicle with little to no warning. If you suspect that someone was driving under the influence, report it to the police. Let your DUI accident lawyer know about these circumstances.
Inattentive Driving
Inattentive driving is becoming a serious issue. With an array of electronic devices in vehicles, people is paying more attention to them than the road. Cellphones are a bad distraction that causes many accidents. Texting is quickly becoming a leading cause of accidents as people swerve into oncoming traffic or fail to stop in time. If you were hit by a distracted driver, raise your voice. Your distracted driving attorney can examine their phone records to discover if they were using their phone during the crash.
Disobeying Traffic Laws
The laws of the road are in place for safety reasons. These need adherence. When a driver blatantly disobeys the rules of the road, a collision can happen and cause injuries. Watch for drivers that run lights, stop signs or fail to use their signals. These are all signs of disobeying the rules, and you need extra vigilance around these drivers. If you were in a crash with someone who disobeyed a traffic signal, let a car crash lawyer in Clearwater, FL, know.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Laws
Florida is one of the few states that have “no-fault” car insurance rules. In the state, it is a requirement to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which provides benefits to each person involved in the crash regardless of fault. However, these are limited and might not be enough to cover all of your damages.
By default, you cannot sue the at-fault driver for additional compensation in Clearwater, Florida, like you would be able to in an “at-fault” state. However, if your crash meets the state’s “serious injury” threshold, you may be permitted to file a lawsuit even in the Sunshine State. What constitutes a serious injury is defined by Florida law.
You can obtain substantial compensation via a lawsuit with the help of a seasoned Clearwater attorney.
Contact Our Clearwater Car Accident Attorney Today!
Keep in mind, we have car accident lawyers Clearwater with experience in a wide variety of auto accidents. We have truck accident lawyers, Uber accident lawyers, and even boat accident lawyers. When a crash that was not your fault causes you injury, you need the help of a car accident lawyer in Clearwater, FL.
The attorneys at Winters & Yonker can give you with the legal assistance you are looking for in your case. We will fight for your legal rights throughout your case. Contact us today to set up a FREE consultation.
Clearwater Car Accident Client Review
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Areas We Cover in Clearwater, FL
Alcove, Ashland Heights, Bay Aristocrat Village, Brentwood Estates, Charter Oaks, Chateaux De Ville Ct, Clubhouse Estates, Coachman Ridge, Country Club Estates, Huntington Trace, Huntington Trail, Imperial Courts, Imperial Cove, Imperial Park, Inverness Park, Island Estate, Landmark, Mission Hills, Misty Springs, Morningside-Meadows, Normandy Park Oaks, Northwood West, Oak Bluffs, Oak Forest Of Countryside, Oaks Of Northwood, Countryside Woods, Cypress Bend, Del Oro Groves, Eagle Estates, Eagles Glen, Forest Run, Forest Wood Estates, Greenbriar Club, Grovewood, Harbor Bluffs Waterfront, Harbor Oaks Estates, Harbor Woods Village, Harbour Towne, Historic Bayview, Huntington Lakes, Trails Of Countryside, Viewpoint On The Bay, Weathersfield Ct, Weatherstone, Westchester Lake, Winding Wood, Windsor Park, Woodgate, Woodlake, Woodland Villas, Wyatt Street, On Top Of The World, Pierce, Prelude, Pride, Prospect Towers, Rainbow Farms North, Rainbow Farms South, Rustlewood, Sand Key, Sandal Cove, Seville, Shady Oak Farms, Spring Lake South, Springdale, Sunny Grove, and Sunset Lake Estates.
Local Auto Repair Shops
- Cooper’s Automotive Repair inc – 1603 N Hercules Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33765
- Fredy’s Auto Repair Shop – 600 N Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33755
- Bob’s Auto Repair – 812 Park St, Clearwater, FL 33756
- Nick’s Auto Repair, Inc. – 1371 S Missouri Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756
- Dube’s Auto Repair – 1759 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33755
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website. These were some of the highest-rated auto repair shops on Yelp.
