Were you recently injured in a car accident in Safety Harbor, FL? Did someone else cause the accident? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost income, and other damages you suffered due to the accident. A Safety Harbor car accident lawyer can guide you through the insurance claims process and fight for the recovery you deserve.
For decades, Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers has zealously advocated for clients. We have successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation for accident victims just like you. We are prepared to put our considerable experience, knowledge of Florida personal injury law, and resources to use to fight for the financial recovery you deserve. Contact our law office in Safety Harbor, Florida, today at (727) 493-4418 for a free case review with a Safety Harbor car accident attorney.
How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in Safety Harbor, Florida
The Safety Harbor car accident attorneys with Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers have over 120 years of combined legal experience. We are skilled at preparing car accident claims using robust evidence.
When you hire our Safety Harbor personal injury lawyers, you can trust us to:
- Advise you of your legal rights and options during a free case evaluation
- Investigate the accident and identify all parties at fault
- Gather compelling evidence to prove fault
- Assess your damages, including the long-term impact the accident and your injuries may have on your life
- Handle communications with the insurance companies and other parties on your behalf
- Manage your insurance claims
- Negotiate for fair compensation
Contact us today for your free consultation.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Florida?
According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 397,620 motor vehicle crashes were reported to police in 2022. 3,553 people were killed in these auto accidents, and another 15,996 suffered incapacitating injuries. 236,173 people suffered some other type of injury in these car wrecks.
15,683 of these crashes occurred in Pinellas County. 123 people in Pinellas County were killed, and another 9,220 were injured in these car accidents in 2022.
What Causes Most Car Accidents in Safety Harbor, Florida?
According to data from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, leading causes of car accidents in Florida include:
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Drowsy driving
- Inattention
- Following too closely
- Careless driving
- Reckless driving
- Driving the wrong way
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Failing to keep in the proper lane
- Unsafe passing
An experienced car accident lawyer can review your case and determine what factors contributed to it.
Florida Car Insurance Laws
Florida is a no-fault insurance state for car accidents. After a car accident, injury victims turn to their own auto insurance for coverage, regardless of fault. All drivers are required to maintain a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability coverage to pay for the vehicle repairs necessary after they cause an accident and $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) benefits that pay a portion of their medical expenses and lost wages.
Florida car accident victims are prohibited from filing a lawsuit that seeks payment of pain and suffering damages unless they suffer a serious injury.
Serious injuries are defined as causing any of the following:
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Your personal injury lawyer can review the circumstances regarding your car accident and explain which types of legal claims you can make.
What Is My Safety Harbor Car Accident Claim Worth?
Every car accident case is unique.
Individual factors can affect your financial recovery, including:
- The damages you suffered
- The type and severity of your injuries
- How long it takes you to recover from your injuries
- The identity of the at-fault driver and the number of people responsible for the accident
- Whether the insurance company disputes liability
- The amount of insurance coverage available
- Whether you contributed to the accident
- Whether your case goes to trial or settles
Having an experienced lawyer on your side is critical to protecting your rights after a car accident.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available for My Car Accident Case?
Florida’s no-fault insurance laws make understanding the difference between economic and non-economic damages essential. Economic damages are the financial losses you sustain as a direct result of the accident, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, property damage, and lost wages. Your PIP insurance only pays for 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages up to your policy limits. However, you can seek compensation for the full extent of these damages against the at-fault driver.
You may have also suffered non-economic damages in the accident, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life. You can only pursue a personal injury claim for these losses if you suffered a serious injury as defined by state law.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Car Accident in Florida?
In its tort reform efforts, Florida revised several laws that affect personal injury victims. One of them is the state’s comparative fault statute. Before the change, accident victims who were partially to blame for the accident could pursue compensation as long as someone else shared any degree of fault. Now, injury victims cannot recover compensation if they are found to be greater than 50% at fault for an accident.
If they are less than 51% at fault for the accident, they can seek compensation, but their award is reduced by their degree of fault. For example, if they are found to be 25% at fault for the accident and suffer $100,000 in damages, they can only recover $75,000 since their 25% degree of fault is subtracted from their award.
We Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can result in serious injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Ruptured and herniated discs
- Nerve damage
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Amputations
- Fractured bones
- Burns
- Crushing injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- PTSD and other psychological injuries
Let our legal team fight for your fair recovery after an accident.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Safety Harbor Car Accident Lawyer?
Some victims are afraid to hire a personal injury lawyer because they don’t think they can afford one. However, this is misguided because most Pinellas County personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis. This means that you don’t have to pay anything upfront to retain the services of a qualified lawyer.
An experienced attorney can get to work immediately on your case. They are paid as a percentage of the compensation they recover for you. The fee amount is outlined in your written retainer agreement.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
If you were injured in a car accident, it’s crucial that you take certain steps to protect your health and legal rights, including the following:
- Remain at the scene – Stop at the scene of the accident or as close to it as is safe. The position of the vehicles at the time of the crash can sometimes help illuminate who is responsible for the crash.
- Report the accident – Call 911 to report the accident. A police officer can respond to the scene and complete an official police report. You will need this report to make your insurance claim.
- Seek medical treatment – Seek medical attention immediately so your injuries can be promptly diagnosed and treated.
- Obtain the other driver’s information – At the accident scene, ask the other driver for their name, contact information, and insurance information in case you need to make a claim.
- Document the scene – Take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries.
- Contact your insurance company – Florida has strict time limits for collecting benefits under your PIP insurance policy, so don’t delay.
- Contact a lawyer – Contact a car accident attorney promptly. They can advise you on what to say and do after an accident.
An experienced car accident lawyer can guide you through the next steps of your accident claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Florida?
Another law that Florida lawmakers recently changed was the statute of limitations. Before March 24, 2023, car accident victims had four years to file personal injury lawsuits to preserve their right to financial compensation. After this date, the statute of limitations was reduced to just two years. You can protect your rights by speaking to an experienced lawyer today who can take prompt legal action on your behalf.
Contact Our Safety Harbor Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Were you injured in a car accident in Safety Harbor, FL? You should not have to pay for someone else’s careless mistake. A Safety Harbor car accident lawyer wants to help you seek justice and financial accountability. Contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
