Palm Harbor, FL, Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been the victim of a personal injury because of someone else’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer in Palm Harbor can help you recover the compensation you may be entitled to. 

Rooted in trust and compassion, the personal injury attorneys in Palm Harbor, FL, at Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, bring over 40 years of trusted experience that will help strengthen your case, so that you can recover the maximum compensation. 

Serving residents throughout Pinellas County and the surrounding area, our attorneys have worked with countless victims just like you. From personal injury accidents on the dangerous US-19 corridor, to slip-and-fall accidents in commercial and public spaces, to personal injuries that have resulted in catastrophic injury or wrongful death, our team of personal injury lawyers is ready to support you in the way you need as you work to recover justice you deserve. 

We’ve grown to be a team of the best personal injury lawyers in Palm Harbor. Schedule your free case evaluation with our team today.

Why Choose Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, for Your Palm Harbor Personal Injury Case?

At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, our personal injury attorneys have worked with over 10,000 satisfied clients, bringing 40 plus years of expertise to cases we take on. Excellence in quality and thorough legal representation has allowed us to help victims like you recover the maximum compensation available to them after a life altering personal injury.

When you choose Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, for your Palm Harbor personal injury case, you can look forward to the following legal support.

Thorough Legal Representation

Our office is composed of six attorneys who provide board certified expertise and 34 support staff who offer knowledgeable Palm Harbor personal injury legal representation to help you build a strong case. Our attorneys work alongside paralegals, investigators, and field experts to help you prove your claim and hold responsible parties accountable.

We Will Fight for Maximum Compensation

Our attorneys are expert negotiators and know how to push back against low ball offers from insurance companies or other legal parties involved. They’ll aggressively pursue all factors of your case, including all damages to help maximize the compensation you may be entitled to.

Successful Track Record

We’ve successfully represented thousands of past clients and their loved ones, helping them recover the money they’re entitled to after a personal injury caused by someone else’s negligence. 

Our track record speaks for itself. We’ve represented the following clients, helping them recover necessary monetary compensation following their accident: 

• Client D.O. was awarded a $3 million settlement after suffering a neck injury caused by a truck accident.
• Client R.O. was able to recover over $2.7 million following an industrial accident involving a cement truck. 
• Client T.B., was able to recover over $2.2 million dollars with our representation in a medical malpractice personal injury. 

You can learn more about some of the cases we’ve taken on, and how we’ve helped individuals and their loved ones recover necessary compensation following a personal injury when you view our client testimonies.

Trusted Legal Support

Our attorneys are the best in the industry throughout Pinellas County, as demonstrated by our firm’s membership in the Florida State Bar Association, Hillsborough Bar Association, and Clearwater Bar Association.

When you work with an experienced personal injury attorney from our team, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’re being supported by legal representatives who have a thorough understanding of Florida’s personal injury law. 

We take no fee unless we win your case, and we provide a free consultation for personal injury Palm Harbor victims like you to help you determine the strength of your Palm Harbor personal injury claim.

Personal Injury Law in Palm Harbor, Florida 

As with all states, Florida has a framework on how to navigate personal injury cases. If your injury was the result of a car accident, you’ll need to follow Florida’s no fault coverage system. Florida law requires that all drivers must carry personal injury protection also known as PIP coverage, and in the event of an accident, all individuals involved in the accident turn to their PIP coverage first.

PIP Coverage in Florida 

As part of the state’s no fault insurance coverage framework, all drivers are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 of PIP coverage. This is what covers the cost of your initial medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses after a car accident, no matter who was at fault.

Personal Injury Claim and the Serious Injury Threshold

If you suffered an injury that rises to the level of a serious injury, you are allowed to step outside of the no-fault system and file a personal injury claim to recover compensation. 

The threshold for a serious injury is defined as having:

• A significant and permanent injury.
• Significant scarring or disfigurement.
• Permanent loss of an important bodily function.

Personal Injury Statute of Limitations 

There are two key laws you’ll need to be aware of if you’re pursuing a Palm Harbor personal injury lawsuit. The first is the statute of limitations, which was recently reduced from 4 years to 2 years. Essentially, you have two years from the date of your injury to pursue a personal injury claim. 

The second law relates to your ability to pursue a claim even if you are at fault for the accident. Effective March 2023, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard, which allows you to seek a personal injury lawsuit, even if you are partially at fault for the accident. However you must be less than 51% at fault. The compensation you can recover will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Most personal injury claims will be settled outside of court, but if they do go to trial, they’ll be heard in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, which serves both Pinellas and Pasco counties. You can also find these laws filed in this court as well.

Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Palm Harbor

US-19 is recognized as Florida’s most dangerous road. Since 2020, there have been 94 deaths in Pinellas County that have resulted from car accidents on this roadway. It’s important to recognize that there are certain intersections on this road that are more hazardous than others. 

For example, some of the most dangerous intersections include US-19 and Tampa Road, which has seen 642 crashes, and US-19 and Curlew Road, which saw 613 crashes, according to the latest data. 

Recent reporting from Consumer Affairs details that US-19 in Pinellas County ranked as the deadliest road in Florida, with 94 deaths from 2020 to 2022, followed by US-19 in Pasco County with 68 deaths.

Additionally, recent data from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles highlights that Pinellas County saw 14,387 car accidents on county roadways in 2024. There were a recorded 111 fatalities from these car accidents. 

Local and state officials have recognized the prevalence of these personal injury accidents throughout the county and have taken steps to help minimize risk. Currently, there are a number of construction improvements in place that aim to address existing safety concerns, especially among these high accident intersections to prevent personal injury accidents.

While there are plans in place to address these concerns, the threat of injury still exists unfortunately. If you have been injured in a car accident on US-19 or other roadways throughout Pinellas County, work with a Florida personal injury lawyer you can trust when you turn to our team. 

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Palm Harbor

Although the US-19 corridor hosts a number of dangers including high risk intersections that result in severe and catastrophic car accidents, victims of these types of accidents are not the only types of victims our team is able to support here at Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys. 

Let’s take a closer look at the different personal injury cases our firm has helped residents throughout Palm Harbor and the surrounding area work through.

Car Accidents

As discussed, car accidents throughout Palm Harbor and Pinellas County remain one of the leading causes of personal injury claims. Our attorneys know firsthand what it takes to investigate and collect relevant evidence to defend your case and help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve. Our team has helped support clients injured in truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, drunk driving accidents, pedestrian involved accidents, and a variety of other motor vehicle crashes.

Slips and Falls

Slip-and-fall personal injury accidents can happen in public, private, and commercial spaces. Injuries can be severe and range from minor cuts and bruises to life changing head injuries or spinal cord injuries. Reach out to our team if you’ve been the victim of a slip-and-fall accident caused by someone else’s negligence.

Premises Liability

Under Florida’s premises liability law, you may be able to recover compensation if you are injured on someone else’s property, including commercial spaces and private spaces. Under premises liability, property owners have a duty to maintain a safe space for visitors and patrons, and if you get injured, whether it be through a slip and fall or another type of accident, our attorneys can help you hold them accountable.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice cases are a unique type of Florida personal injury because they involve the negligence of a medical provider. Some differences between filing a medical malpractice claim and a personal injury claim include statute of limitations that are up to four years from the date you discovered the injury as opposed to two years for a personal injury. 

Additionally, there is a mandatory pre-suit requirement that requires you to notify the defendant and include verified testimony from another medical expert who can confirm negligence has happened — something you wouldn’t do with a general personal injury claim. 

Lastly, there are caps on the damages you can recover for a medical malpractice claim, though there are no statutory caps involving injuries from most personal injury cases.

Catastrophic and Wrongful Death

The most severe type of personal injury cases result in catastrophic injury and wrongful death. This is when a personal injury is so severe that an individual is left with life-altering injuries like a TBI, spinal cord injuries, permanent paralysis or an injury that requires around the clock lifelong medical care and support. 

In extreme cases, when a death occurs, family members can pursue a wrongful death claim against the negligent party if their loved one has lost their life because of the accident.

Your Rights After a Palm Harbor Accident – What You Need To Know

If you’ve suffered a personal injury in Palm Harbor, it’s important to know what to do immediately after your accident and who to speak with. Taking the right action ensures your legal rights and best interests are protected. 

Here’s what to do after a Palm Harbor accident.

• Your first step should be to seek medical care immediately after your accident. The sooner you seek medical care, the easier it is to prove that the accident is what caused the injuries you’re suffering.
• After seeking medical care, you’ll want to begin gathering evidence supporting your claim. Evidence can include, but is not limited to, photographs or videos of the accident and your injuries, witness statements, police reports, and other documents that paint a picture of what happened.
• As you collect evidence, reach out to a personal injury attorney for expert personal injury legal advice. At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, our attorneys will take over the evidence collection and investigation phase so that your case has a strong foundation to stand on. 
• An experienced attorney will also help you understand your PIP benefits and how this avenue differs from filing a tort claim for serious injury.
• Throughout the claims process, stay on top of deadlines and timelines. An experienced law firm can ensure this happens. 
• Lastly, do not provide a written or recorded statement unless you’ve spoken to an attorney first.

How Our Palm Harbor Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You Recover Maximum Compensation 

Our Palm Harbor personal injury attorneys can help you fight for your legal rights, so that you can recover the maximum compensation in your case. 

You can expect the following from our firm’s representation.

• Our team will thoroughly investigate your case and collect all relevant evidence that can support your claims for damages. This might include existing photo or video evidence, witness statements, police reports, and other documentation explaining what happened at the time of your accident.
• We also work with medical providers and experts, allowing us to bring in expert testimony that will support your claims, further strengthening your overall case.
• Our attorneys are expert negotiators and will work diligently to recover fair compensation. 
• If a settlement cannot be reached, our team is fully prepared to represent you in court and help you reach the maximum compensation in your case. 
• When you work with an experienced personal injury attorney, you can look forward to having a team that will handle all the legal paperwork and deadlines for you. This allows you to focus your energy on healing and recovery.
• Throughout the claims process, you can expect to communicate regularly with our attorneys so that you stay in the loop on how your case is progressing.

Types of Compensation Available in Palm Harbor Personal Injury Cases 

When pursuing a personal injury case, a key element of successfully proving your case is damages. Damages refers to the legal notion that you suffered physical injuries because of the accident. These physical injuries can often be accompanied by non-visible injuries like pain and suffering.

With most personal injury cases, you’ll be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages. However, in some cases, punitive damages might also apply. Let’s take a look at what the difference is between these three types of damages, and what it can mean for your personal injury case.

Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to the tangible losses you’ve endured because of your Palm Harbor personal injury. 

Common losses victims seek compensation for include:

• Medical expenses, including current and future medical bills
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Physical therapy and ongoing medical care
• The cost of property damage

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages refer to the intangible and often incalculable losses brought on by your injury. Because they are difficult to calculate, Florida law offers two different methods that allow you to recover fair compensation. 

Examples of non-economic damages might include the following:

• Physical pain and emotional distress (also referred to as pain and suffering)
• Loss of enjoyment of life and consortium
• Permanent disabilities and disfigurement
• Mental anguish and suffering

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages, which are intended to punish a defendant for their actions, can also be awarded in personal injury cases, though this is rare. Punitive damages are awarded in cases that involve gross negligence or intentional misconduct. 

There are some guidelines on punitive damages. For example, there’s no cap on punitive damages in Florida, and 35% of any punitive damages award must be paid out to the state of Florida’s General Revenue fund. The remaining amount is awarded to the plaintiff.

The Legal Process: What To Expect When Working With Our Palm Harbor Law Firm

For many victims of personal injury cases, the legal process can feel overwhelming or intimidating. This is where the support of a personable Palm Harbor personal injury legal team can be invaluable.

At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, we’re committed to making the process as seamless and supportive as possible. For example, if you’re not sure whether you have a case to begin with, our free Palm Harbor personal injury consultations allow you to meet with one of our attorneys to understand the overall strength of your case.

If we do take on your case, you can look forward to a process that is broken up into phases and communicated with you thoroughly throughout each phase. You’ll work collaboratively with our team to pinpoint relevant evidence that may exist. From there, our law firm will begin building your case, preparing the evidence needed to dispute the lowball claims from insurance companies, or push back from other involved legal parties.

If your case does go to trial, you’ll be involved with trial preparation so that you feel confident going into a Pinellas County courthouse.

Take the first step by scheduling your free Palm Harbor personal injury case evaluation. We won’t take a fee until we win and are ready to answer all your questions.

FAQs

Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys: Your Trusted Palm Harbor Personal Injury Law Firm

With over 40+ years of trusted service, our attorneys are ready to represent you fully if you’ve been injured in an accident because of someone else’s negligence. 

Our law firm has a trusted and reputable history of serving residents through the Tampa Bay area, including Palm Harbor and the surrounding areas. 

Our reputation and commitment in the community is reflected in our professional manner, community involvement, and supportive client advocacy of clients who may otherwise be unsure how to navigate the road ahead after a personal injury accident. 

Trust our law firm and our top personal injury lawyers in Palm Harbor to represent you in the way you need.

Serving All Areas of Palm Harbor

Take Action Now – Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers

Don’t wait to hold responsible parties in your case accountable for the injuries you’ve suffered because of their negligence. Learn more about your legal rights and options when you schedule your free case evaluation with our firm. 

We don’t take a fee until we win your case, we are available to you 24/7, and we will provide you with peace of mind that our Palm Harbor personal injury lawyers can defend you fully as they’ve done with thousands of personal injury victims in the surrounding area.
Don’t wait, contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation and get the personal injury legal help you deserve. You can get in touch by calling us (813) 333-6666 or filling out our free case evaluation request form.

Sources:

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Dashboard.

FLS § 627.7404.

FLS § 768.81. 

FLS § 95.11.

Rodgers, N. (2024).

US-19 in Pinellas County Found to Be One of Florida’s Most Dangerous Roads.