Car accidents are almost always the result of someone being careless or negligent while driving. One person’s recklessness can leave you and your family in a tough position, with expensive medical bills, ongoing pain, and unable to work to make ends meet.
If you were involved in a Tampa auto accident, you should seek necessary medical attention as soon as possible, whether it is at an emergency room, urgent care, walk-in clinic, or other doctors. Even a car crash that appears to be minor can cause significant pain and injuries.
After seeking medical attention, you should contact a Tampa car accident attorney from Zervos & Calta, PLLC to discuss your legal right to compensation. With more than 60 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys have the skills and resources to aggressively fight for the full payment you deserve. Contact us now to schedule your free consultation. We can meet with you at our law offices in Tarpon Springs, Spring Hill, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or anywhere else that is convenient for you.
How Can a Tampa Bay Car Accident Attorney Help You?
Zervos & Calta, PLLC only represents injured individuals and families, never the car insurance companies. We recognize that being injured in an automobile accident can cause a great deal of emotional and physical stress, along with confusion and problems dealing with the car insurance companies.
For example, people often tell us they are confused about who will pay to fix their car, whether they can get a rental car, who will pay for their medical bills, who will pay for the money lost from missing work, etc. Our Tampa car accident attorneys take a lot of that stress off you by answering your questions and handling all the details of your case.
Some of the ways our legal team at Zervos & Calta, PLLC can help you after a car crash include:
- Advise you of your rights and answer your questions in a free consultation.
- Investigating your car accident, which includes contacting witnesses, getting photographs of the scene and the cars, tracking down surveillance videos, reviewing police reports, and sometimes consulting with experts.
- Guiding you on the law for receiving medical care and treatment, and if necessary, providing you with a list of reputable doctors who treat car accident injuries.
- Communicate with the driver’s insurance adjusters on all issues, so you don’t have to. We will be your voice!
- Advise you on how to go about getting your car repaired and getting your deductible and rental car expenses reimbursed from the car accident claim. We also can help with recovering reimbursement for any loss of value your car may have sustained due to damages.
- Monitoring your medical treatment and medical bills and making sure your future treatment needs are thoroughly assessed.
- Preparing a lengthy settlement package, outlining your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages, and negotiating for the maximum settlement you deserve.
- If necessary, file a car accident lawsuit on your behalf and take your case to trial to fight for a fair outcome.
Navigating your car insurance policy and the other person’s car insurance company can be overwhelming, especially when you are struggling to recover from a serious injury. At Zervos & Calta, PLLC, your physical health, and emotional well-being are important to us. Our Tampa car crash attorneys will personally keep in contact with you throughout your case to check on you and provide you with updates.
Please contact us as soon as possible after a wreck to get started on your personal injury claim.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Help Me File a Florida Car Accident Lawsuit in Tampa?
While you don’t always need a lawyer to file a lawsuit, tackling it alone can be very difficult. In most cases, you should retain a lawyer for your case. Hiring a lawyer to help you is crucial for several reasons, including:
- Building a strong case – A skilled lawyer will obtain and sort through all your evidence, such as accident reports, traffic cam and surveillance videos, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions. They can also get accident reconstruction experts to display how the accident occurred and clarify who was at fault. This evidence is necessary to build your case and pursue your claim.
- Legal knowledge – Car accident and personal injury law can be complicated. An experienced personal injury attorney understands these intricacies and can efficiently manage the legal process for you. Adding the difficulties of trying to untangle complicated laws and rules while trying to recover from your accident-related injuries is unnecessary when you hire a skilled car accident lawyer.
- Maximizing compensation – An attorney will assess the full extent of your possible compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future rehabilitation needs. They will also calculate your future wage loss if the accident changes your ability to work and include the value of those losses in the demand sent to the insurance company.
- Negotiating with insurance companies – Insurance companies want to settle claims for the lowest possible amount. A lawyer will handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf, including fighting for fair compensation for your injuries and other losses.
- Trial representation – Having a skilled attorney by your side is invaluable if your case goes to trial. Trials are complicated, with accompanying courtroom procedures to know, as well as understanding the law and how to apply it. Managing all those moving parts is difficult for a non-lawyer to do well at trial.
What Does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance Cover?
At least $10,000 of PIP insurance is mandatory for Florida motor vehicle owners. It provides medical and financial benefits to policyholders regardless of who caused the accident.
Subject to limits, PIP insurance covers the reasonable and necessary medical expenses a car accident causes, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and rehabilitation costs. PIP insurance also offers coverage for lost wages due to injuries sustained in the accident. PIP insurance in Florida typically covers up to 80 percent of medical expenses and 60 percent of lost wages, up to the policy limits.
How Should I Handle the Insurance Adjuster?
If you have been in a car accident and must deal with an insurance adjuster, remember they are not your friend – especially if they work for the other side’s insurance company. Proceed with caution and consider the following:
- Consult an attorney first – Do not let an adjuster hurry you into talking. Before speaking with an insurance adjuster, it’s wise to consult with a personal injury attorney. They can provide valuable guidance, help you protect your rights if you must talk with the adjuster, and handle negotiations.
- Be cautious with statements – When speaking to the insurance adjuster, be careful what you say. Avoid admitting fault or speculating on the accident’s cause. Do not give many details. If you share any, stick to the basic facts and provide only the required information. Don’t volunteer any information.
- Limit recorded statements – Insurance adjusters may request recorded statements. You have the right to decline and consult with an attorney before proceeding. The other side can use anything you say against you, so it’s essential to be cautious. Consult with your attorney, who can advise you on how to avoid inadvertently saying anything that might reduce the value of your claim.
- Document everything – Maintain detailed accident records, including photographs, medical bills, and other relevant documents. Save copies of the receipts for anything you’ve had to repair or replace after the accident. Keep a post-accident journal detailing how you feel daily, the dates and purpose of your medical appointments, and how your injuries have impacted your daily life. These records will be valuable in supporting your claim and negotiating fair compensation.
- Don’t settle too fast – Insurance adjusters may attempt to settle your claim quickly and for a lower amount than you deserve. Do not take the insurance company’s first offer, and avoid accepting settlement offers without consulting an attorney. Don’t sign anything before talking with an attorney first.
Remember, our experienced Tampa accident attorneys can advise you based on the circumstances of your case. Our legal team can help you through the complex claims process and protect your rights when dealing with insurance companies.
What If I’m Partially At-Fault for the Accident?
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard, which prevents a car accident victim from recovering any compensation if they are more than 50 percent at fault. If they still qualify for compensation, their compensation can also be reduced by their amount of fault.
This rule means that it’s essential not to admit fault or apologize at any point. Your statements could be interpreted as you sharing a larger burden of the fault than you actually do. Saying the wrong thing could lead to you losing a significant amount of your compensation – or the right to pursue anything at all.
Tampa’s Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections
In a recent month, here are the top ten Hillsborough County intersections with the most vehicle accidents:
- West Linebaugh Ave. and Gunn Highway – 13 accidents
- Causeway Blvd. and South Gornto Lake Rd. – 12 accidents
- Bloomingdale Ave. and Providence Rd. – 10 accidents
- North Himes Ave. and West Waters Ave. – 9 accidents
- Ehrlich Rd. and North Dale Mabry Highway – 9 accidents
- Sheldon Rd. and West Hillsborough Ave. – 9 accidents
- Fern Hill Dr. and Gibsonton Dr. – 8 accidents
- N Dale Mabry Highway and West Waters Ave. – 8 accidents
- East State Road 60 and North Valrico Rd. – 8 accidents
- Bruce B. Downs Blvd. And USF Pine Dr. – 8 accidents
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Collisions in Tampa
Like in many other areas, motor vehicle collisions in Tampa can occur due to various factors. Some common causes of these accidents include:
- Distracted driving – One of the leading causes of accidents, distracted driving can include texting, talking on the phone, eating, or interacting with passengers.
- Fatigue – Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving, impairing alertness and reaction time.
- Impaired driving – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
- Reckless driving – Aggressive behaviors can lead to collisions, such as tailgating, frequent lane changes without signaling, or running red lights.
- Speeding – Exceeding the posted speed limit reduces the driver’s ability to react to sudden changes in traffic or road conditions, increasing the likelihood of a collision and making accidents more severe.
- Weather conditions – Tampa’s weather, including heavy rain and tropical storms, can contribute to hazardous driving conditions. Reduced visibility, wet roads, and hydroplaning increase the risk of accidents.
Tampa Accident Statistics
Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, reported nearly 30,000 crashes in a recent year, with over 200 fatalities and almost 20,000 injuries. In that time, the entire State of Florida had about 400,000 crashes – so Hillsborough County accounted for over seven percent of all crashes in the state.
What Are Common Injuries in a Car Accident?
The busy streets and highways of Tampa can be the stage for accidents causing a variety of injuries, including:
- Back and spine injuries – The sudden jarring motion of a car accident can injure the back and spine, causing herniated discs, sprains, strains, or even spinal cord injuries.
- Broken bones – The forces in a car accident can fracture or break bones, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. The severity can vary, ranging from simple fractures a doctor can set with a cast to complex or compound breaks requiring surgery.
- Soft tissue injuries – Car accidents can damage muscles, tendons, and ligaments through sprains, strains, and bruises.
- Head injuries – When the head strikes something in a car accident, it can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), ranging from concussions to severe brain damage.
- Whiplash – Perhaps the most common injury resulting from rear-end collisions, whiplash occurs when the head and neck jerk rapidly.
- Facial and dental injuries – Broken glass or torn metal can have disastrous consequences for the tender skin of the face. The resulting disfigurement can take a significant toll on a person’s self-confidence. Dental injuries may require implants to repair the harm when teeth are smashed by contact with a hard surface.
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