Car Accident Lawyer in Palm Harbor

A car accident lawyer in Palm Harbor can significantly help you when you are injured in a crash. The number of accidents reported in Palm Harbor and other cities in Pinellas County is alarming. If you are involved in one, you may incur considerable losses. Thus, it’s crucial to understand how to seek compensation. 

Our Palm Harbor car accident lawyers can help maximize compensation for injured victims.

Why Choose Our Palm Harbor Car Accident Attorneys?

Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, has been helping injured victims for 40+ years. Our experienced personal injury attorneys understand the complexities of accident claims and Florida’s no-fault insurance system. Accordingly, we know how to navigate them. 

Additionally, our law firm has a local presence in Palm Harbor and knowledge of the area. We understand local regulations, roads, the common causes of accidents, and the court system.

Moreover, our personal injury law firm has recovered millions of dollars over the years, including a $3,000,000 settlement in a motor vehicle accident case that sadly caused a death.

When handling cases, our Palm Harbor car accident lawyers use a client-first approach. We will consider your needs and wishes throughout the process. Your attorney will provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions, and we have a large support staff and the resources to allow us to competently meet the needs of our clients.

We also value community involvement. We are passionate about helping Palm Harbor families fight for what is right and get the support they need.

Palm Harbor Car Accident Statistics

According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), the 2024 car crash data for Pinellas County, where Palm Harbor is located, is as follows:

• 14,388 total crashes
• 104 total fatal crashes
• 6,096 injuries from all crashes
• 805 total bicycle crashes
• 14 bicycle fatalities
• 376 motorcycle crashes
• 26 motorcycle fatalities
• 481 pedestrian crashes
• 31 pedestrian fatalities

The 2023 car accident statistics for Palm Harbor include:

• Three fatal accidents
• Four vehicles involved in fatal accidents
• Four people involved in the fatal accidents
• Three fatalities
• Two pedestrians involved in the fatal accidents

This was an increase from 2020, which reported six vehicles in fatal accidents, resulting in six fatalities.

The most dangerous intersections in Pinellas County are the US 19 & Tampa Road, US 19 and Curlew Road, and the U.S. Route 19 and Ulmerton Road. These intersections record high numbers of auto accidents due to driver negligence, heavy traffic, and complex layouts. 

Florida car accident statistics are proof of how a driver can easily be endangered by a negligent one. Legal representation is crucial when you are injured in a crash.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Palm Harbor

The major causes of car accidents include:

• Distracted driving: A visual, manual, or cognitive distraction prevents a driver from seeing important cues, like traffic signals and other drivers’ actions.
• Speeding: A driver who drives over the posted speed limit or too fast for road/weather conditions endangers other road users.
• Drunk driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs impairs judgment, causes poor coordination, and slows reaction time.
• Drowsy driving: Driving while fatigued significantly impairs judgment and attention.
• Failure to yield: When a driver fails to give the right of way to another driver, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, an accident is likely to occur.

The common factors that contribute to many accidents in Florida are aggressive driving, especially when there is heavy traffic, harsh weather conditions that create hazardous driving conditions, and construction zones. For instance, the US 19 corridor has unique factors that make it dangerous, including high traffic volume, numerous intersections, and various active projects.

Many contributing factors to accidents stem from negligence. If you are injured by someone else’s negligence in Palm Harbor, you can hold the at-fault party liable even though Florida is a no-fault state.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Palm Harbor

Here are the steps to follow:

• Call 911 and seek medical attention: Florida law requires a driver involved in a crash that results in injury, death, or at least  $500 estimated property damage to report it to the police. If an accident does not meet the requirement or a police officer is unable to respond to the scene, a driver can report the accident online. Calling 911 also ensures emergency responders come to the scene. If you can’t move, stay still until medical help arrives. If you don’t receive medical attention at the scene, visit a doctor immediately after leaving.
• Gather evidence and document the scene: If you can safely move, you should gather evidence. Take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicles, surroundings, and your injuries. If you can’t move around, request a witness to help you document the scene.
• Exchange insurance information: This includes name, contact information, driver’s license number, vehicle details, and insurance information.
• Collect witness contact details: Get the names and contact information of the witnesses, and, if possible, ask if they can record brief statements using your phone.
• Contact your insurance company: Notify your insurance company about the accident. Most insurance companies require policyholders to provide prompt notification to be covered.
• Speak with an experienced car accident attorney: Contact an attorney to understand your legal rights and options.

Taking immediate actions after an accident is critical, from seeking immediate medical attention to reporting the accident to your insurer.

Learn more about what to do in a hit and run.

Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System

To register a vehicle in Florida, a driver must show proof of having a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection insurance (PIP), and a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) insurance. This is because the state has a no-fault insurance system.

When you are involved in an accident, your own insurer will cover you. Your PIP will cover 80% of all necessary medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, up to $10,000, regardless of who is at fault. PDL pays for damage to the other driver’s car and other belongings when you are found to be at fault.

Florida also has a 14-day PIP rule. You must seek medical attention within 14 days after the car accident to be covered. You should be adequately informed about PIP requirements to avoid costly mistakes.

If you sustain serious injuries, which means the damages you incur exceed your PIP coverage, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. In such an instance, you will be covered by the driver’s insurance provider using their liability insurance. 

The injuries that meet the “serious injury” thresholds include:

• 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

Florida’s no-fault system is surrounded by various misconceptions. For starters, some people believe it eliminates the chance of being covered by the at-fault party. If your initial expenses go beyond your PIP coverage, you can recover compensation from the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. You can also use your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage or the other driver’s, if available. 

Another misconception is that the $10,000 minimum coverage is sufficient. While $10,000 seems enough, medical bills and lost wages after a car accident can quickly exceed this limit. Thus, it’s not uncommon for injured victims to step outside the no-fault insurance system.

Types of Compensation Available After a Palm Harbor Car Accident

You can recover economic and non-economic damages after a car accident. 

Economic damages are quantifiable financial losses, such as:

• Medical expenses: Past and future medical bills.
• Lost wages: Lost income and lost future earning capacity.
• Property damage: Repairs or replacement of your car and any other personal property damaged in the accident.

Non-economic damages are intangible losses that are harder to quantify, such as:

• Pain and suffering: Physical pain caused by your injury.
• Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and other forms of mental anguish.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: The inability to participate in activities you enjoyed before the injury.
• Loss of consortium: When your relationships are affected due to your injury.

If you can provide clear and convincing evidence that the at-fault driver acted with gross negligence, the court can award punitive damages.

Financial recovery is a sensitive process. Working with a car accident attorney is essential in receiving fair compensation. Our lawyers are skilled in fighting for maximum compensation. We have helped car accident victims recover compensation from $50,000 all the way to $3,000,000. The circumstances surrounding a case affect the compensation value.

How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?

Several factors determine a car accident case’s value. Firstly, the severity of injuries. If you suffer serious injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury, your medical bills will be high, and the chances of future medical needs and disability are high. Therefore, you should be compensated accordingly. 

The total financial losses incurred will also be considered. This will involve calculating medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Furthermore, the extent of pain and suffering matters. If your injury causes chronic pain and mental anguish, this will be taken into account.

In addition, your degree of fault determines the compensation you receive. Other factors that affect a case’s worth are the quality of evidence and insurance policy limits.

The average car accident settlements in Florida range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands. However, each case is unique. And as aforementioned, we have handled personal injury cases in which we recovered millions of dollars. Professional evaluation is critical when filing a personal injury claim. 

Common Car Accident Injuries in Palm Harbor

Car accidents with injuries are serious cases. The most common injuries in Tampa car accidents and in Palm Harbor include:

• Whiplash: A neck injury caused by sudden back-and-forth movement of the head.
• Broken bones: Fractures to the arms, legs, collarbone, ribs, and spine.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): When the brain is jolted by a sudden force, causing it to impact the skull.
• Spinal cord injuries: Damage to any part of the spinal cord.
• Soft tissue damage: Occurs when the impact of an accident stretches, tears, or compresses muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other tissues.

These common injuries sustained in collisions can range from minor to catastrophic. A TBI can range from mild concussions to serious injuries like a brain bleed, a broken bone can be a small crack or a compound fracture, a cut can be minor or a deep laceration, and so forth.

Many injuries often lead to long-term impacts, such as chronic pain, limited mobility, and psychological trauma. You should seek compensation that covers all your needs, including ongoing medical care and costs for home or vehicle modifications, especially if you suffer permanent injuries.

An injury after an accident can be visible or not visible. A doctor should examine you immediately to diagnose and treat your injuries.

How Our Palm Harbor Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

Our car accident lawyers in Palm Harbor provide reliable services, including:

• Free case evaluation and consultation: We offer free consultations to help clients understand their cases and options without financial risk.
• Investigation and evidence gathering: When we offer you legal representation, we will investigate your case thoroughly to gather solid evidence.
• Insurance company negotiations: Our legal team will handle negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf.
• Medical treatment coordination: Our personal injury lawyers can help you access the health care specialists you need. We will also help you with medical documentation and record-keeping.
• Litigation, when necessary: If a fair settlement can’t be reached with the at-fault party’s insurer, we will be ready to take your case to court.

Our team will keep you informed throughout your case. We provide support to our clients to ensure a seamless legal process. Moreover, we charge clients on a contingency fee basis. You will not pay upfront fees.

How To Prove Negligence in Your Car Accident Case

There are four elements of negligence — duty, breach, causation, and damages. You are required to show that the at-fault driver owed you a duty of care, which they breached by acting negligently, causing your injuries that led to the damages you incurred.

All drivers owe a duty of care to other road users. By speeding or driving drunk, a driver breaches that duty of care. If their negligent action causes an accident and you are injured, that’s a breach of duty of care that can be linked to your injuries. The consequences of your injuries and the accident, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damages, and psychological trauma, are damages. 

It’s important to gather evidence after a car accident to prove these elements. These include photos and videos of the accident and your injuries, medical records, the police report, witness testimonies, expert opinions, and traffic surveillance footage, among others.

Your lawyer will obtain the official police report, help you organize your medical records, interview witnesses, and work with other professionals to profoundly understand the accident and its damages. Doing this helps show that the at-fault party is legally required to compensate you.

Florida uses a modified comparative negligence system. You need to be 50% or less at fault to be compensated. Chances are the other side will try to show you contributed to the accident. Therefore, you need solid evidence. If you are found to be at fault for the accident at a percentage less than 50%, your compensation will be reduced by your degree of fault.

How To Deal With Insurance Companies After Your Accident

Insurance companies are known for using tactics to minimize payouts in personal injury claims. A company may offer quick, low settlements, downplay injuries, and delay the claim process to wear down an injured party until they are likely to accept a low offer due to financial pressure.

Legal representation is vital when dealing with insurance providers, including your own insurer, when filing a claim for initial expenses. Be extra careful about what you say. Do not admit fault or speculate when describing the accident.

Ensure you are well-informed before contacting any insurer to protect your eligibility for compensation and insurance premiums.

The Legal Process for Palm Harbor Car Accident Cases

The typical legal process followed in car accident cases when an injured victim steps out of the no-fault insurance system is the following:

• Initial consultation
• Investigation and evidence gathering
• Sending a demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurance company
• Negotiations
• Filing a lawsuit, if necessary

Most car accident cases end after settlements are reached through negotiations. Still, you might be wondering, “How long does a car accident settlement take?” It can take a few months. Building a strong case is vital in avoiding delays. 

If a favorable outcome can’t be reached out of court, a case can go to trial. Personal injury lawsuits are lengthier than settlements, but they are necessary in fighting for what you deserve. Our legal team provides clients with guidance in both processes.

Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Florida

Car accident claims in Florida have a two-year statute of limitations. It’s important to act quickly to protect your legal rights.

However, there are exceptions to this Florida law. The deadline can be paused or extended if the injured party is a minor, if there was a delay in discovery of injuries, if the injured party is mentally incapacitated, or if the defendant can’t be located.

Since a case can take months or years, you will need to preserve the gathered evidence until your case is closed. Avoid repairing your car before a proper inspection, don’t delay in requesting surveillance footage from the government/businesses/residential areas, and ensure you save and back up photos and videos.

Catastrophic Injuries and Wrongful Death Cases

A catastrophic injury is a serious injury that results in permanent functional disability, significant permanent scarring, or disfigurement. Examples include TBIs, spinal cord injuries, severe burns, and amputation.

These permanent injuries have long-term physical, psychological, and financial impacts. Additionally, they have unique challenges, from lifestyle adjustments to lifelong medical care. Hence, they have higher compensation needs. One should seek maximum compensation to avoid paying for future expenses out of pocket.

Specialized expertise is required when an injured victim suffers a catastrophic injury. This includes legal, medical, and financial expertise.

Why Local Palm Harbor Knowledge Matters

Local legal representation is important when you file a car accident claim in Palm Harbor. Our legal team has in-depth local knowledge of courts, judges, and opposing counsel. We also understand local traffic patterns and dangerous areas. Therefore, we know how to build strong cases in the area. Additionally, we offer support to the community and have a good reputation among residents because of the high-quality services we offer.

Client Success Stories and Results

Our verdicts and settlements are proof that we value getting maximum compensation for clients. We recovered $3,000,000 in a truck accident case that resulted in neck injuries, $1,748,000 for an auto accident that caused head injuries, and so on. 

Each case is unique. We will get more information about your case to help you establish the appropriate amount for your financial recovery.

Our client testimonials also demonstrate our commitment to helping injured victims. A client recently stated, “They were quick in finalizing everything and they got me the max!”

FAQs

Serving All Areas of Palm Harbor

Contact Our Palm Harbor Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you have suffered injuries from a car accident, Palm Harbor accident lawyers will help you fight for your rights to receive what you deserve. Call our car accident attorneys or use the contact form. We offer free consultation, and you will not pay fees unless we win your case.