Car Accident Attorney in New Port Richey

A car accident can leave you with painful injuries, unexpected medical bills, and reduced income from missed time at work, putting you in a difficult position physically and financially. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a car wreck caused by another driver’s careless or reckless behavior, you may have a right to hold the driver financially liable for your accident-related losses.

The process of filing an injury claim and proving to a claim adjuster that you are entitled to compensation can be challenging and stressful if you try to handle it on your own. The insurer may deny your claim. A New Port Richey, FL car accident attorney at Zervos & Calta, PLLC, can help you understand your legal options and establish a solid foundation for your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

How Can a New Port Richey Car Accident Attorney Help Me?

At the law firm of Zervos & Calta, PLLC, our trusted New Port Richey car accident lawyers have more than 60 years of combined experience representing injured people in New Port Richey and the surrounding Tampa Bay area. We understand that even seemingly minor automobile accidents can have long-lasting consequences. We fight aggressively from the start to help our clients pursue the full compensation they need.

Our dedicated team can take the pressure off of you after a New Port Richey car crash by:

• Explaining your legal rights and answering your most pressing questions during a free initial consultation
• Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident to determine who was at fault
• Communicating with the insurance company (or insurance companies) on your behalf
• Helping you get your vehicle repaired and filing claim reimbursements for the cost of those repairs and any reductions in the value of your car
• Negotiating forcefully for fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses
• Representing you in court, if you need to pursue a car accident lawsuit to fight for the compensation you deserve

How Can You Prove Fault in a New Port Richey Car Accident?

Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state. That means a driver initially files insurance claims for medical bills with their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance after a car accident, no matter who was at fault.

If a negligent driver was at fault for an accident that left you with permanent injuries, disfigurement, or extensive scarring, you may also be entitled to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance and seek additional compensation for your medical bills and related losses.

However, you must prove the other driver was at fault before you can obtain compensation from a third-party insurance claim. Furthermore, Florida follows a pure comparative negligence doctrine, which reduces the amount of money available to you if you were partially at fault for the wreck.

It’s so important to work with a knowledgeable New Port Richey personal injury attorney who can help you gather useful evidence, such as:

• Police (or Florida Highway Patrol) accident reports
• Toxicology test results
• Photographs of the crash scene
• Video camera footage of the accident
• Statements from eyewitnesses
• Accident reconstruction reports
• Your medical records and bills
• Proof of your accident-related financial losses
• Vehicle damage and other physical evidence

Compensation Available in a New Port Richey Car Accident

By filing a claim with your no-fault insurance provider, you can typically obtain up to $10,000 in compensation for necessary medical expenses from your Personal Injury Protection Policy (PIP coverage).

If you sustained severe injuries that allow you to step outside of Florida’s no-fault insurance system, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Lost income, if you missed time at work while recovering from your injuries
• Projected future losses, such as expected costs of medical care you will likely require in the future
• Pain, suffering, and losses in quality of life you endure as a result of the accident and your subsequent injuries

Common Injuries Experienced in New Port Richey Car Wrecks

Many car crashes result in serious injuries that leave victims with painful symptoms for weeks, months, or longer.

Common car accident injuries include:

• Facial injuries, scarring, and dental trauma
• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Back injuries, neck injuries, and shoulder injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and partial or total paralysis
• Abdominal injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Dislocated or broken bones
• Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
• Post-traumatic stress disorder and other emotional injuries

Common Causes of Car Accidents in New Port Richey

Many collisions are the result of preventable driver errors.

Among the common causes of New Port Richey car accidents are:

• Distracted driving – Safe driving requires a driver’s full attention. Common driver distractions such as talking on the phone, texting, eating food, and personal grooming divert a drivers’ attention from the task of driving and increase the risk of accidents.
• Driving under the influence – Even a relatively small amount of alcohol can seriously impair driving ability, as can the side effects of many legal prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.
• Drowsy driving – Research suggests driving while significantly fatigued can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Drowsy drivers are more likely to overlook other road users, drift into neighboring lanes, or nod off behind the wheel.
• Speeding — Speeding increases the distance needed to stop safely while reducing the amount of time a driver has to react to avoid a crash
• Reckless driving – Reckless behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and lane weaving place drivers in risky positions without as much time to avoid potential road hazards.
• Driver error – Inexperienced drivers are more likely to commit dangerous errors such as failing to yield the right of way or failing to obey traffic signals.