Tampa Bay Car Accident Attorney

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 an 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 doctor. Even a car crash that appears to be minor can cause significant pain and injuries.

After seeking medical attention, you should contact a Florida car accident attorney from Zervos & Calta, PLLC to discuss your legal right to compensation. With more than 50 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 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 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 Florida 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:

Advising you of your rights and answering 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.
Communicating with the driver’s insurance adjusters on all issues, so you don’t have to. We will be your voice!
Advising 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, filing a car accident lawsuit on your behalf and taking your case to trial to fight for a fair outcome.

Navigating your insurance policy and the other person’s 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 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.

Schedule your free consultation

Trial Experience Matters

Zervos & Calta, PLLC, not only has decades of experience in personal injury and car accident injury claims, our respected attorneys also have years of courtroom and trial experience against the insurance industry. Our injury lawyers know how insurance companies evaluate these cases and the tactics they use to minimize value. We take a tough stance from the very start, demanding full compensation and refusing to settle for less. Insurers know we are prepared to go to trial, and they take this into consideration when they our handling our clients’ claims.

If you have been injured because another driver or person was negligent or careless, you should contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Tampa Bay as early as possible. Legal issues related to personal injury law, insurance coverage, and injury claims can be overwhelming to handle without proper legal counsel. Our attorneys are here to take care of you.

What Damages Can I Recover for Injuries?

A car accident can wreak havoc on your life. The losses and damages can be immediate and last a lifetime. The losses can be physical, emotional, and financial. Our civil justice system recognizes the wide range of losses an accident can cause and allows for victims to be fairly compensated for the following types of damages.

Under Florida law, plaintiffs can claim compensation under two separate categories:

Compensatory damages (divided into economic and non-economic damages)
Punitive damages

Car Accidents

Economic damages

Economic damages are those expenses and costs that arise directly from the accident and include:

Past and current medical expenses
Future medical expenses
Home health care services and physical therapy
Loss of income and lost wages due to time missed from work
Future lost income due to future inability to work
Cost of services for assistance (house cleaning, lawn care, etc.)

Your Florida car accident lawyer will educate you about what types of damages the law permits and will work closely with you to help you determine your economic losses. Every case is different, and the amount of compensation can vary, depending on the nature of the injuries.

Non-economic damages

Non-economic damages are losses that stem from the car accident and are subjective, rather than objective. They are those losses that can’t be calculated with numbers and that are suffered on a personal level. Non-economic damages include:

Pain and suffering
Disfigurement
Physical impairment
Mental anguish
Loss of consortium

Punitive damages

Punitive damages, which are not nearly as common as economic and non-economic damages, are the types of damages that a court permits when the court feels that “a punishment” type element is part of the case. This “punishment” is in the form of a financial penalty against the at fault party for gross negligence or recklessness that caused the accident.

For instance, drunk driving or driving under the influence (DUI) is the type of case that a court allows for punitive damages. The jury ultimately decides whether punitive damages should be awarded and, if so, how much. Florida limits punitive damages to three times the amount of compensatory damages, or $500,000, whichever amount is greater.

A woman on the phone after a car accident in Tampa Bay.

How Can You Protect Your Rights After a Car Crash?

There are several things you should do immediately after a wreck to protect your health and your right to financial compensation.

Call 911.

The police will assess the situation and contact an ambulance to get there quickly. Give the police a detailed description of how the accident happened, and get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses or people who tried to assist you. Sometimes these witnesses leave the scene of the accident without leaving their information – you don’t want that to happen. Be sure to get the insurance information from the other driver or drivers, as well.
Take photos at the scene.

These days, our cellphones make for excellent videography and photography. So if you can, get a video and photos of the scene and all the cars that are involved. If possible, look for skid marks and take photos of those as well. Also remember to photograph any injuries you have that are visible such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes.
Seek medical attention.

Oftentimes, people don’t feel pain immediately. Their adrenaline is rushing and their stress levels are high dealing with the aftermath of the crash. However, you should see a doctor earlier, rather than later, for a medical evaluation and treatment. Hidden injuries to the spine or ligaments of the shoulders and knees can take time to become disabling. It’s best to get looked at early on so the doctor can treat the injury and monitor your recovery.
Don’t speak to the other driver’s insurance company.

It is always best to contact a law firm that can help conduct an investigation and make sure the insurance company does not take advantage of your lack of knowledge and vulnerability during this difficult time.
Call YOUR own insurance company.

You have to call your insurance company to report the accident and advise of any injuries. Do not allow them to take a recorded statement of you until after you have consulted with an attorney. Make note of the claim number your insurance company gives you to use for your medical care and treatment.
Contact a knowledgeable auto accident lawyer.

Your lawyer can manage all the paperwork and legal legwork in your claim. Your lawyer will also represent you in all communication with the insurance companies, allowing you to focus on your health, rather than the red tape.

Injured in a
Car Accident?

Schedule your free consultation

A lawyer discussing a car accident case with a client in Tamp Bay.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

All insurance companies require that you file a report to them as soon as possible to preserve your rights under your policy. Other than reporting the details of what happened to YOUR insurance company, you should not speak with or give a recorded statement to the driver’s insurance company until after you have consulted with a trusted car crash lawyer.

Don’t be fooled into believing that the insurance company will act in your best interests. Remember, the insurance industry is “big business,” and the insurer’s goal is to save money and collect premiums.

Keep it professional, short, and sweet. Remember, insurance adjusters are not your friend, and no matter how nice they are to you, their allegiance is to their company.

Never sign any documents that say you are “waiving,” “giving up,” or “releasing” any of your rights. You should always consult a personal injury lawyer before signing anything that may affect your rights!

A highway in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Time Limit on Car Accident Claims in Florida

In Florida, accident victims have four years from the date of a car accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. Although four years may seem like a long time, it is crucial that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible about your case. Your attorney will want to preserve evidence and investigate the crash before important details are lost or forgotten. You attorney will also want to handle communication with the insurance companies from the very beginning to ensure you are not taken advantage of.

Our Automobile Accident Lawyer Will Answer Your Questions

At Zervos & Calta, PLLC, our personal injury lawyers are available to talk through the specifics of your case and answer all your questions.
Some of the common questions we answer include:

Who will fix my car?
I can’t afford my deductible – what do I do?
My doctor doesn’t treat car accident injuries – who will help
me get better?
I have no health insurance. Who will pay my medical bills?
What if I miss work?
Am I entitled to payment for my pain and suffering from my injuries?
How much is a lawyer going to charge me?
How should I choose a good attorney in my city?
What if I have future medical bills?
What if I did not get treatment right away but now am having pain?

Whether it’s your first time being in a car accident or not, there is no denying that the aftermath can be overwhelming and stressful. There are so many things you have to worry about, you should not have to handle all of this on your own. Let our lawyers help.

Florida Car Accident

Common Auto Accident Injuries

A car accident can cause injuries and pain that could have an impact on you for weeks, months, and even years to come. Some of the most common types of injuries suffered in car accidents are:

Neck injuries
Head injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Broken ribs
Broken arms, legs, hips, and ankles
Internal bleeding

Herniated disc in the neck or back
Spinal cord injuries
Tears in the knee
Tears in the shoulder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Disfigurement

All of these injuries can have a lifelong impact on you. The treatment for these injuries can be expensive, and the effects can be temporary or permanent. You should not be left with medical bills and other expenses related to a car wreck that was not your fault.

Most Common Types of Car Accidents

At Zervos & Calta, PLLC, our attorneys have experience successfully handling all types of car accident claims. Here are some of the most common types:

Rear-end collision
T-bone accident
Sideswipe
Parking lot crash
Head-on collision

Wrong-way driving accident
DUI accident
Distracted driving accident
Hit-and-run accident
Uber and Lyft accidents

What Should I Ask Before Hiring an Injury Attorney?

Your first meeting at Zervos & Calta, PLLC will actually be with an accident lawyer, not an investigator or a paralegal. We invite you to ask us both questions about your case as well as questions about us and our firm. Here are some sample questions:

How long have you practiced personal injury law?
Does your practice consist solely of representing auto accident victims, or do you handle other types of law, as well?
On average, how many victims do you represent each year?
How many injury lawsuits do you settle each year? How many cases do you take to trial each year?
Have you frequently handled cases similar to mine?
Which law school did you attend, and when did you graduate?
Do you belong to any bar associations or professional organizations? If so, which ones?
Do you have any special experience representing victims of auto accidents who have back injuries, neck injuries, or other injuries that may cause lifelong medical problems?
How many cases have you taken and to trial, and what were the outcomes?
Can you provide me with the names and case numbers of your cases that went to trial?
How do you get paid?

Ask for an opinion

Some questions you might want to ask specific to your case include:

What is your assessment of my case?
What kind of auto accident settlement or judgment can I realistically expect to receive?
What are the strengths of my case? What are the weaknesses?
Will my case have to go to trial?
How long do you expect it would take to resolve my case?

Ask how your case will be handled

Every lawyer has a different style or approach in practicing personal injury law. Here are some questions you can ask to get a feel for our firm’s approach:

How would you describe your philosophy or approach to practicing law?
What is your approach to handling auto accident cases?
Will you ask me to make decisions, or will you to tell me what I should do?
Will you personally handle my case, or will another attorney manage it?
Will you handle negotiations and court appearances?
Will you be my day-to-day contact?
What is the best way to reach you? How quickly do you typically respond?

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer in Florida Now

If you have been hurt in a crash that was not your fault, call us to discuss your legal options. Remember, the consultation is free, and there is no fee to you unless we win the compensation you deserve.

Visit us in one of our four convenient office locations in Spring Hill, Tarpon Springs, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. If you are unable to come to us, we will come to you.

We also work with clients in Trinity, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Westchase, Hudson, Elfers, Holiday, Bayonet Point, New Port Richey, and elsewhere in surrounding areas of Pinellas County, Hernando County, Pasco County, and Hillsborough County.

1266 S. Pinellas Ave.
Tarpon Springs, FL
34689

Phone: 727-937-3171

2451 McMullen Booth Rd. #238
Clearwater, FL
33759

Phone: 727-239-4747

9800 4th Street N. #200
St. Petersburg, FL
33702

Phone: 727-362-6552

473 Mariner Blvd.
Spring Hill, FL
34609

Phone: 352-606-2548

*Disclaimer: We work on a contingency fee schedule, meaning we do not get paid unless we win YOUR case.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. No content on this site may be reused in any fashion without written permission.

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