Our Clearwater car accident attorneys help car accident victims get maximum compensation for their injuries. A car accident can have lasting changes on your life, depending on the extent of injuries. Even in minor injury cases, the complexities of Florida’s no-fault system are confusing.
Take the time to get the help you deserve with a free consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys, serving the Pinellas County/Tampa Bay areas for over 40 years.
Were you injured in a car accident? Contact Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, now.
Why Choose Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, for Your Car Accident Case in Clearwater?
Some of the reasons to choose our Clearwater personal injury law firm include:
- Free consultations
- Free legal advice
- No fees unless we win
- Our Clearwater personal injury attorneys are among the 2% of Florida attorneys with board-certified, civil trial law expertise
- Over four decades of experience helping victims in Clearwater and the Tampa Bay area
- Access to resources to even the playing field with big insurance companies
- A legal team consisted of six experienced attorneys and 34 support personnel
- Ranked in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Florida
- Multi-million dollar settlements for severe, catastrophic injury and wrongful death car crash cases
Our Track Record of Success — Multi-Million Dollar Recoveries
Our Clearwater car accident lawyers help our clients secure the financial recovery and maximum compensation they deserve. Some of our successful verdicts and settlements for car accident cases are:
|
Amount of Settlement/Verdict |
Case Type |
Injury |
|
$3,000,000 |
Motor Vehicle Accident |
Death |
|
$3,000,000 |
Truck Accident |
Neck Injuries |
|
$3,000,000 |
Auto Accident |
Death |
|
$2,760,000 |
Cement Truck Accident |
Blindness |
|
$2,225,000 |
Auto Accident |
Death |
|
$1,748,000 |
Auto Accident |
Head Injuries |
|
$1,425,000 |
Auto Accident |
Foot/Ankle Injury |
Car Accident Statistics in Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater car accidents are pretty frequent, with around 40 car crashes daily, and deadly accidents occurring about every three to four days. Most of the auto accidents in Clearwater occur at intersections. Car accident statistics for Pinellas County from the FLHSMV for 2024 indicated:
- 14,388 total crashes
- 8,803 injuries
- 110 fatalities
As of November 15, 2025, motor vehicle accident crash data for 2025 so far included:
- 11,602 crashes
- 7,025 injuries
- 77 fatalities
According to the IIHS, Florida ranks third as the most deadly state for auto accident fatalities as of 2023. Florida also ranked number one as the most dangerous state for senior drivers, with 3,779 crashes over the past three years, involving drivers 65 and older, indicating a 3% increase in senior driver accidents since 2021. Given these statistics, obtaining favorable compensation requires experienced legal representation.
Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Clearwater
According to Safe Roads USA, US 19 is ranked as the most dangerous road in Pinellas County for Clearwater car crashes, and the most dangerous road in the state. Out of the top 60 dangerous roads and intersections nationwide, seven are found on US 19. US 19 experiences heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic from locals and tourists daily.
The north-south route is the main corridor for drivers traveling through Pinellas County. Additionally, the road is undergoing major construction and updates, which further contributes to car accidents and daily accident victims.
The top dangerous intersections are:
- US 19 and Gulf-to-Bay Blvd (SR 60)
- US 19 and Drew Street
- SR 60 and Hercules Ave
- SR 60 and S Belcher Rd
- Fort Harrison Ave and Court St
- Fort Harrison Ave and Cleveland St
- Fort Harrison Ave and Chestnut St
- Gulfview Blvd and Hamden Dr
- McMullen Booth Rd and Curlew Rd
- McMullen Booth Rd and Eastland Blvd
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Clearwater
The most common car accidents in Clearwater are often caused by:
- Distracted driving: Texting, eating, drinking, changing radio stations, looking at the GPS.
- Speeding: Driving too fast for conditions or the flow of traffic, usually resulting in serious car accident injuries.
- Reckless and aggressive driving and road rage: Weaving in and out of lanes, cutting cars off, making illegal turns, deliberately slamming on the brakes, and tailgating.
- Drunk driving/driving under the influence: Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Failure to yield the right-of-way: Not yielding to traffic or pedestrians.
- Unfamiliarity with Clearwater roads: Tourists unaware of the local roads and traffic laws or are distracted by their GPS.
- Not sharing the road with bicyclists: Florida laws require motorists to share the road with cyclists and treat them as another vehicle on the road when there is no bike lane.
- Pulling out without looking: Pulling into traffic and causing a car accident due to failing to stop and look in both directions.
- Attempting to beat a yellow light: Misjudging the timing between a yellow light and it turning red.
- Equipment failures, user errors: Not using turn signals, non-working brake lights, brake failures, tire blowouts.
Types of Car Accident Injuries We Handle
Our Clearwater car accident attorney handles all types of car accident injuries, including:
- Minor injuries: Bruises, cuts, scrapes, lacerations, sprains and strains, and whiplash.
- Moderate injuries: Deep lacerations, concussions, fractured and broken bones, broken ribs, herniated discs, shoulder, back, and neck injuries.
- Severe injuries: Internal bleeding, internal organ injuries, back injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, and severely fractured, broken, or crushed bones.
- Impalement injuries: Injuries resulting from being impaled by an object.
- Catastrophic injuries: Loss of limbs, amputations, disfigurement, burns, partial or complete paralysis, and even wrongful death.
The extent of your injuries and their severity will affect the amount of compensation you can seek. Generally, settlements for minor injuries can range between $10K and $50K. Settlements for moderate to severe injuries range from around $25K to $100K. Catastrophic injuries are the most severe and have much higher settlements from $100K to $3 million or more.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System
Florida law utilizes a no-fault insurance system, where accident victims, regardless of fault, are required to file their injury and property damage claims against their own insurance company first. Once you reach your coverage limits or if your injuries pass the state’s serious injury threshold, then you can seek damages from the at-fault party.
If you pass the serious injury threshold, then your accident is based entirely on who was at fault, and the percentage they contributed to the accident.
Common injuries that usually meet this threshold include:
- TBIs
- Partial or full paralysis
- Herniated discs that require surgery
- Severe burns and scarring
- Severe bone injuries requiring surgery or that will cause permanent mobility issues
- Joint injuries that require surgical replacement
Part of the state’s mandatory insurance coverage is a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP covers up to 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages, up to $10,000. However, you can purchase higher amounts of PIP for added protection.
Another key feature of PIP coverage is the requirement to seek medical care within 14 days of the car accident. If you fail to seek treatment for your injuries within this timeframe, your insurance company can deny your claim.
Even in cases where your injuries are not severe or do not pass the injury threshold immediately, it does not mean you cannot still sue the at-fault driver. You have the legal right to file an insurance claim with the responsible party’s insurance company when your losses are more than your coverage limits, as well as to seek reimbursement for the medical expenses and lost wages not covered by PIP.
What Damages Can You Receive in a Clearwater Car Accident Case?
The extent of damages and financial compensation you can pursue for your Clearwater car accident case includes direct and indirect costs, including:
- Economic damages: Any type of actual financial loss experienced as a result of the car crash and your resulting injuries. Economic damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, future medical bills, and loss of benefits.
- Non-economic damages: Intangible losses without an actual dollar amount, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of consortium.
- Punitive damages: When the at-fault party’s actions are considered egregious, malicious, intentional, or excessively reckless, the judge may award punitive damages to the victim. However, they serve as a form of punishment and to deter others from behaving similarly as the defendant.
As long as you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover compensation and see a fair settlement under Florida’s comparative negligence law. However, your total settlement is reduced by the percentage you contributed to the accident.
The Legal Process for Your Car Accident Claim
The legal process for a car accident case involves a detailed step-by-step process, as follows:
- Free consultation and case evaluation: Have a car accident injury attorney review your case to determine your legal options and potential compensation. Even if you are unsure of whether you need a lawyer, it is worth your time to schedule the free consultation.
- Investigation and evidence gathering: If you retain legal representation, your legal team will conduct a detailed investigation and gather the evidence needed to support your injury claim.
- Medical treatment and property damage documentation: Your attorney will obtain the necessary documentation to support the amount of compensation you are seeking.
- Insurance company negotiations: Your lawyer deals directly with your insurance company and the at-fault party’s insurance company to reach a favorable settlement.
- Filing a lawsuit, if necessary: If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will file the necessary paperwork to sue the responsible party and their insurance company in court.
- Trial preparation and representation: Your legal team will help prepare you for trial, depositions, gather any additional evidence, obtain expert witness testimony, and provide representation throughout the court proceeding.
What To Do After a Car Accident in Clearwater
After a car crash in Clearwater, to ensure you protect your legal rights, you should:
- Seek immediate medical treatment, even for minor injuries, which will satisfy the 14-day PIP requirement.
- Call the police and file a police report.
- Document the accident scene by taking pictures and videos of all vehicles involved, the location where the accident occurred, and your injuries.
- Obtain contact details for any witnesses.
- Exchange information with all other drivers involved in the crash.
- Avoid making damaging statements, like admitting fault, when speaking to the police.
- Do not provide recorded statements to your insurance adjuster, as these can be used against you later.
- Contact an experienced car accident attorney for legal assistance and help gather evidence to support your injury claim as soon as possible.
Why You Need an Experienced Clearwater Car Accident Lawyer
One of the primary reasons you need a Clearwater car accident lawyer for your injury claim is to address insurance company tactics used to minimize payouts or even deny your claim, such as:
- Making low-ball offers far below what you are entitled to receive.
- Disputing medical treatment as unnecessary.
- Not accounting for ongoing and future medical care.
- Asking leading questions to attempt to get you to admit fault.
- Delaying the processing of claims in hopes that you will accept their low settlement offer.
With legal representation, insurance companies are more likely to make reasonable settlement offers, usually around four times more than you would receive with self-representation.
Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims
Florida law has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including car accident claims. The statute of limitations begins on the date of the accident. Even though you have two years to file your claim, it is not in your best interest to wait.
Filing as soon as possible ensures your legal rights are protected, evidence is preserved, witnesses can be located, and the extent of your injuries can be properly documented. Delaying your filing also opens up the opportunity for the insurance companies to claim your injuries were not serious, otherwise you would have filed sooner.
The state does have some exceptions and tolling provisions to the two-year time limit in these situations:
- The victim is a minor.
- The victim is mentally incapacitated.
- The defendant left the state or is hiding to avoid the lawsuit.
- The injuries fall under the “discovery rule.”
Working With Insurance Companies After Your Accident
Working with insurance companies on your own without legal representation is not recommended. Insurance carriers are for-profit businesses, which means their interest is to earn a profit, not to pay out settlements. Even though the insurance adjuster may seem to be friendly and have your interest in mind, their goal is to get you to settle for the lowest possible amount.
You will also have to deal with multiple insurance carriers when you can seek damages from the at-fault party. Their insurance provider can be challenging to negotiate with on your own and often denies claims without legal representation. Having an attorney makes the negotiation process much easier to secure favorable compensation.
Wrongful Death Claims in Car Accident Cases
Wrongful death in a car accident can occur at the time of the crash or from complications from the victim’s injuries. There is a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits. Florida allows the decedent’s spouse to file immediately. Surviving children can join the lawsuit with the spouse’s permission, or wait until one year has lapsed and file then, if the surviving spouse has not filed. Parents may also file when the decedent was not married.
Damages can include:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Mental anguish
- Funeral expenses
Client Testimonials – Real Results for Real People
Some of the testimonial text from our car accident victims and our handling of their personal injury cases includes:
- Tyshavia Harvin: Professional, every staff member I’ve encountered was friendly, supportive and helpful.
- Josh Lamb: Kelly was amazing and responsive throughout the entire process. They also fought hard to maximize my payout.
- Tianna Elliott: They were quick in finalizing everything and they got me the max!
- Frank Herrera: Estoy bien satisfecho por la atención que me dio mailele.
- Yan Carlos Grillo: Una buena experiencia y buen servicio.
Clearwater Personal Injury Practice Areas
In addition to car accident cases, our Clearwater personal injury law firm’s practice areas include all types of personal injury cases, including:
- Truck accidents: Commercial truck accidents often result in catastrophic and life-altering injuries.
- Motorcycle accidents: Most people are surprised to learn that other motorists cause the majority of motorcycle accidents in Clearwater, causing catastrophic injuries and deaths.
- Pedestrian accidents: Many pedestrian accidents are from drivers failing to yield the right-of-way.
- Slip-and-fall accidents: Property owners have a duty of care to maintain their properties. When someone slips, falls, and is injured, the owner may be liable.
- Medical malpractice: From surgical errors to misdiagnosis and injuries during childbirth, health care providers can be held liable for injuries.
- Wrongful death: When someone dies due to another’s negligence, the surviving family can seek compensation.
- Nursing home abuse: When a loved one is being mistreated in a Florida nursing home, you can seek damages against the responsible parties.
- Dog bites: Dog owners are required to control their dogs, and when they do not, they are responsible for their dog’s actions.
Other Locations We Serve
Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, proudly serves clients in the following areas:
Contact Our Clearwater Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you have been injured in a car accident that was another driver’s fault, you may have the legal right to seek compensation from them, even under Florida’s no-fault system. The Clearwater car accident attorneys at Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, are available to provide a free case evaluation to help you determine your next steps in filing your injury claim.
Before speaking to the insurance companies, contact us today to request your free consultation and secure maximum compensation. If you have received a settlement offer from the insurance company, we urge you to get a second opinion from our experienced legal team before accepting their offer.
Free Case Evaluation
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FAQs
Some of the top car accident FAQs we receive include the following questions.