Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyer
Were you injured by another party’s negligence in Clearwater, FL? You need a skilled legal advocate from Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to fight for you and ensure you get the money you deserve. Contact our Clearwater personal injury lawyers at (727) 493-4418 today for help.
We have over 119 years of combined experience helping people secure compensation after suffering life-altering injuries. We’ve won tens of millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
We offer a free initial case evaluation and work on a contingency fee basis – meaning there’s no risk or obligation in reaching out to discuss your case.
Why Choose Winters & Yonker to Handle My Clearwater Injury Claim?
If you’ve been hurt in Clearwater, FL, you’ll want the award-winning attorneys at Winters & Yonker on your side. With over 119 years of combined experience and tens of millions recovered for injury victims, we have the knowledge and skill it takes to win.
Backed by 490+ five-star reviews, our reputation is built on relentless advocacy, personalized attention, and results. Insurance companies know we don’t back down—ever. From your first consultation to your final settlement or verdict, we’ll fight for every dollar you deserve. Get the fearless representation you need from the “aggressive attorneys” who deliver.
Contact our firm in Clearwater to learn more about our legal services.
Visit Our Clearwater, Florida Personal Injury Law Firm for a Free Case Review
600 Bypass Dr Suite 224-D
Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 493-4418
Get Directions
Clearwater Office Info
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
You might have a case if you were hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or misconduct.
Many types of situations can result in a valid claim for damages, such as:
- A drowsy driver rear-ended your SUV, resulting in whiplash.
- A property owner failed to fix or warn you of rotting wood on their deck, and you fell and suffered an unexpected injury.
- A drunk driver hit your loved one as they were crossing the street, leading to their wrongful death.
- A doctor operated on the wrong body part (medical malpractice claim).
Contact our law offices to discuss your potential options with our legal team.
Why Should I Hire a Clearwater Personal Injury Attorney?
Injury lawyers know the law inside and out and how to deal with insurance adjusters, who are professional negotiators striving to pay as little as possible.
Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney means:
- You’ll level the playing field: You likely need an attorney unless you have experience in negotiating and navigating personal injury and insurance laws. A lawyer will put you on equal footing with the insurance company, which fights these types of claims daily.
- You’ll have experts to strengthen your case: A lawyer will have access to leading specialists and experts to bolster your claim if your case involves complicated issues.
- You can take time to rest: Do you have time to dedicate your full attention to your case? It can take months to achieve a settlement, which commonly involves back-and-forth negotiations and paperwork. If you are suffering painful injuries, let an attorney take on this battle for you while you get better.
We highly recommend reaching out for a free case review to determine if you need legal representation.
We Handle All Personal Injury Cases in Clearwater
We help clients with all types of claims, including:
Car Accidents
Florida’s no-fault car insurance laws can be confusing. After an auto accident, you’re supposed to file a claim with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance provider, no matter who caused the collision.
However, what if your insurer refuses to pay you the full amount? What if your auto accident damages exceed your PIP policy limits? Our car accident lawyers can help you identify all avenues for financial compensation so that you can recover from your crash-related injuries.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorists often fail to see motorcyclists, causing hundreds of motorcycle crashes in Pinellas County annually. And unfortunately, motorcyclists have much higher injury and fatality rates than passenger vehicle occupants.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys will stand up for justice while you recuperate.
Truck Accidents
Though state and federal trucking rules heavily regulate truck drivers and their hours of service, collisions happen – and a crash with an 80,000-pound 18-wheeler can be catastrophic.
Our truck accident lawyers will identify everyone who may be liable, including the trucker, trucking company, cargo loader, shippers, and others, to ensure you walk away with fair compensation.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians in Clearwater are prone to severe injuries and fatalities if they’re struck by a vehicle. Many of these incidents are caused by inattentive drivers – meaning they’re preventable.
Contact our pedestrian accident lawyers to review your legal options if you’ve sustained serious injuries or lost a loved one.
Bicycle Accidents
Like pedestrians, bicyclists are vulnerable to suffering serious harm or permanent disability in a collision with an automobile. Distracted driving, failing to share the road, and a lack of dedicated bike lanes contribute to a great number of collisions yearly in Pinellas County.
Discuss your bike crash and injuries with a bicycle accident lawyer; we’ll help you hold the negligent party liable for your damages.
Wrongful Death Claims
An unexpected and avoidable wrongful death is devastating and can have everlasting effects on you and your family. We fully understand that a financial award won’t bring them back. However, you may struggle to make ends meet without their contributions.
Our wrongful death attorneys can help you seek compensation to ease the burden on your family.
Other common practice areas we handle for clients include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Bus accidents
- Boating accidents
- Catastrophic injuries in Clearwater, FL
- Child accidents
- Construction accidents
- Dog bites
- Defective products/product liability
- Medical malpractice
- Premises liability
- Uber accidents
- Lyft accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Trip and fall accidents
- Workplace accidents
- And more
Regardless of the nature of your claim, whether it be a traumatic brain injury, a dog bite, or medical malpractice, we are here for you.
Common Types of Injuries
An accident can cause a wide range of injuries.
At Winters & Yonker, we help clients who have suffered the following injuries:
- Amputation
- Concussion injury
- Head injury
- Back injury
- Neck injury
- Eye injury
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injury
- Soft tissue injury
- Fractures and broken bones
- Burns
- Whiplash injury
Let our accident attorneys help you with your claim while you take the time to get better.
When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
After an accident, you may be dealing with painful injuries that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitative care. You may not be thinking about a claim for compensation.
However, there are statutes of limitations in place that control the time you have to take legal action in Florida. Accordingly, starting the legal process as soon as possible is essential to ensure that your case is strong and you meet the statutory time limit.
If any of the following things are true, we highly recommend that you call an injury attorney as soon as possible:
- You were hurt because of someone else’s actions
- You sustained losses, such as property damage, injuries, and emotional trauma
- You are being blamed for causing the accident
- The insurance company is pressuring you to sign a settlement agreement or accept an offer
- You’re unsure what compensation you can seek or the value of your damages
- Liability is in dispute, or you are unsure who is at fault
- Multiple parties are involved in the case
- Your claim was denied
If you have any doubts, contact a lawyer in Clearwater from our firm for assistance. You deserve to have a friendly, experienced attorney on your side. We offer a free case assessment, so there’s no risk in reaching out for advice.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney in Clearwater?
Most personal injury lawyers in Clearwater work on a contingency fee basis.
Under this arrangement, there are no upfront costs, and you never have to pay out-of-pocket for legal representation. The lawyer will simply deduct their agreed-upon percentage – normally between 33 and 40% – from your awarded settlement or verdict. And if the attorney doesn’t secure a favorable outcome for you, you owe them nothing.
This allows you to retain an attorney even if you cannot afford one. We believe that all injured people deserve to have an experienced legal advocate, and this agreement allows that to happen.
What If I’m Partially At Fault For the Accident?
Luckily, Florida State operates under a modified comparative negligence system. Accident victims can still recover compensation, even if they share some fault. Your financial recovery will be reduced to account for your portion of the blame.
However, you cannot receive compensation if you are 51% or more responsible for the accident.
Insurance companies know this Florida law all too well and use it to undervalue or deny claims every day. Our attorneys push back against allegations of fault to ensure our clients get the money they are entitled to.
What Is Negligence and How Do I Prove It?
Negligence occurs when someone fails to use reasonable care and causes harm to another person. It’s the foundation of most personal injury claims, especially those involving motor vehicle accidents.
It consists of four distinct elements:
- Duty of care: The plaintiff must show that the defendant owed them a duty of care. Everyone has a duty to exercise reasonable caution to avoid harming others. This varies based on the relationship between the parties.
- Breach of duty: The defendant must have breached their duty to the plaintiff. You typically show this by comparing their actions to those of a reasonable person under similar circumstances.
- Causation: The defendant’s conduct must have directly caused the plaintiff’s harm.
- Damages: The plaintiff must have suffered an injury or loss.
To prove that the at-fault party was negligent, you must have evidence, which may include:
- Statements from your healthcare providers regarding your injuries and prognosis
- Medical records
- Pay stubs
- Pictures and video footage of the accident scene and your injuries
- Eyewitness statements regarding the accident
- Expert witness testimony and opinions
- Statements from your family and friends regarding the impact of the accident on your life
- Physical evidence
We’ll help you gather the evidence needed to build a solid case. Call us today to get started. The sooner we start, the stronger your case will be.
The Personal Injury Claim Process
The claim process may differ depending on the type of case and the parties involved.
However, the typical process is as follows:
- Collect evidence and documentation proving your claim. This may include an accident report, medical records, proof of lost income, receipts, and more.
- Send a demand letter to the insurance company. The demand letter sets forth your legal arguments. It also explains the specifics of the accident and your injuries and requests compensation to cover your damages.
- The insurer will investigate your claim. An insurance adjuster will be assigned to your case. They’ll determine whether to pay your demand, deny your claim, or counteroffer a lower amount.
- The negotiation continues, or a settlement is reached. Negotiations may ensue, with your attorney and the insurance company engaging in back-and-forth offers and counteroffers until everyone agrees to a settlement amount.
- You can file a personal injury lawsuit if the insurance provider denies or lowballs your claim. Most Florida lawsuits must be filed within two years of the accident date. You can still settle the claim any time before the court renders a verdict.
An injury lawyer in Clearwater can explain what to expect in your civil case. Schedule a free case evaluation with our team to assess the details of your accident and learn more about personal injury claims in Florida.
Personal Injury FAQs
How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
Every Clearwater injury case is unique, with different victims, defendants, circumstances, and available evidence.
We’ll ask the following questions to get an idea of the value of your case:
- What types of injuries did you suffer, and how do they affect your everyday life?
- Did you seek medical treatment immediately after your accident?
- What have your medical costs been so far, and do you anticipate the need for further treatment? Have you had other out-of-pocket expenses?
- Are you able to work? Is it in a more limited capacity than before the accident?
- How has the accident affected your emotional and mental well-being?
- Who caused the accident? Do you share any fault?
- Do you have an accident report or contact information for eyewitnesses?
Many other factors could affect your case’s value. However, the more severe your injuries – and the more they influence your life – the more your case will be worth.
Our trial attorneys will help you calculate your damages so that we can negotiate for an amount that accurately reflects what you need.
What Compensation Can I Recover If I Was Injured In An Accident?
You may be able to recover the full extent of your damages in a personal injury lawsuit in Clearwater. You can seek economic damages for your financial losses and non-economic damages for your pain and emotional distress.
For example, you can be compensated for:
- Medical expenses for your ER visits, doctor’s bills, medications, and more
- Future medical costs if you require ongoing physical therapy or treatment
- Lost wages from missing work due to your injuries
- Lost earning potential if you cannot work in the same capacity as before
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality of life if your injury prevents you from enjoying the activities you liked pre-accident
It’s difficult to put a price tag on non-economic and future losses, but we will be working to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Accident in Florida?
Florida’s two-year statute of limitations applies to most personal injury lawsuits. That means you must typically file your case within two years of your accident, or you lose the right to compensation.
However, there are some exceptions to the general deadline. Speak with a legal professional as soon as possible to preserve your rights.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help Me?
When you retain the personal injury attorneys at Winters & Yonker, you can expect us to:
- Advise you of your legal rights and provide honest guidance and aggressive representation throughout every step of your case
- Investigate and gather evidence to establish liability
- Consult experts if there are complexities in your case
- Handle the negotiations with opposing parties on your behalf and ensure they don’t take advantage of you
- Aggressively litigate your case in court if we cannot reach a fair settlement for you
Our lawyers handle injury cases every day, and we’re familiar with how to handle stubborn defendants and roadblocks that may come up. Focus on your recovery, and let us do the heavy lifting and ensure you get the best result possible.
Contact Our Experienced Clearwater Personal Injury Attorneys Near You
If you’re suffering injuries after an accident in Clearwater, FL, you are likely under a lot of stress.
The Clearwater personal injury attorneys at Winters & Yonker will use our 119 years of collective experience to fight for you.
We’ve proudly represented injured victims in the Lakeland community and across the state of Florida in all types of injury cases. Our results speak for themselves; we’ve recovered over $36 million for our clients, and we’re ready to help you.
Your time is limited to recover compensation; it is important that you seek legal help immediately. Contact our law office at (727) 493-4418 or fill out our online form today to schedule a free initial consultation.
