Palm Harbor Car Accident Attorney

Auto accidents happen every day. When they do, injury victims are often left with extensive injuries and overwhelming medical bills. At Zervos & Calta, we believe that no accident victim should have to face the aftermath of an auto accident without the help of an experienced Palm Harbor car accident attorney. We are proud to serve our community by fighting for the rights of injury victims throughout Florida. If you were injured in a car accident, call our car accident lawyers today at (727) 597 5870 for a free.

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Palm Harbor?

In 2022, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported 397,620 auto accidents throughout Florida, which translates to an average of 1,089 accidents each day. These resulted in 12,747 incapacitating injuries and 3,320 deaths. Pinellas County alone saw 15,683 crashes, 9,220 injuries, and 123 deaths in the same year. Tragically, most of these accidents are entirely preventable.

Common causes of auto accidents in Florida include:

• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving
• Fatigued driving
• Speeding
• Unsafe merging and lane changes
• Failure to yield the right-of-way
• Tailgating
• Mechanical defects and malfunctions
• Inclement Weather
• Poor road conditions and design

What Are Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents in Palm Harbor?

Car accidents can lead to a wide variety of injuries. Their severity will depend on many factors, including the size of the vehicles, their speed at the time of the crash, the impact angle, the position of injury victims in their vehicles, whether they were wearing seatbelts, and whether airbags deployed.

Among other things, injuries caused by a car accident may include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Broken and fractured bones
• Sprains, strains, and bruises
• Cuts and puncture wounds
• Burns and abrasions
• Scarring, disfigurement, and amputations
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death

What Compensation Is Available for a Car Accident Injury Claim in Palm Harbor?

The amount of compensation you could receive for losses in a car accident will depend on the severity of your injuries. In some cases, it can also be influenced by the severity of the at-fault party’s negligence or recklessness. The car accident attorneys at Zervos & Calta can help you recover compensation for:

• Medical care bills related to the crash
• Lost wages while you recover from your injuries
• Reduced future earnings if your injuries lead to long-term disability
• Pain and suffering
• Reduced quality of life
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Lost or damaged property

Is Florida a No-Fault Insurance State?

Yes. Unlike most states, Florida is a “no-fault” insurance state. This means that drivers in the state are responsible for purchasing insurance to cover their own losses in the event of an auto accident, at least at first.

Specifically, Florida law requires that all drivers carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance to cover their own injuries, as well as $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance to cover damage to other drivers’ vehicles. Regardless of who was at fault for the accident, your PIP insurance should cover 80 percent of your “reasonable and necessary” medical expenses up to the policy limit.

However, injuries and losses sustained in many auto accidents quickly eat up the $10,000 limit. When they do, you may file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer, as well as a lawsuit to recover compensation in court. Further, if you purchased Uninsured/Underinsured (UM/UIM) Motorist coverage prior to the accident, you may file a claim with your own insurer in the event the at-fault driver is not covered.

Do I Have a Time Limit for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit?

Yes. The time limit is set by a law known as the statute of limitations. In Florida, the deadline for most personal injury cases is set at two years from the date of the accident. Though this deadline is more generous than in most other states, it is in your best interest to have a car accident attorney review your case as soon as possible after the accident.

Why? First, failure to file your case before the deadline almost always results in it being dismissed. This will destroy your right to seek compensation in court, as well as severely undermine your position when negotiating an out-of-court settlement with the at-fault party. Without the threat of a lawsuit in your arsenal, you will have little choice but to accept the lowest offer allowed by law.

Second, the sooner you speak to a car accident lawyer, the sooner they can begin compiling evidence for your case. Often, critical evidence begins to disappear or deteriorate within hours or days after the accident. Imagine what may happen in two years.

What Should I Do After a Palm Harbor Car Accident?

In the moments following a Palm Harbor car crash, you should first try to remain as calm and collected as you can. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may experience anything from mild annoyance to a nightmarish blur. However, the calmer you remain, the more easily you will be able to make good decisions to protect yourself and your passengers.

Where possible, take the following steps if you are involved in a car accident:

1. Evaluate injuries – Look over your injuries and those of any passengers in your vehicle. If they are severe, proceed immediately to steps two and three.
2. Call 911 – Car accidents should always be reported to the authorities. The police officer dispatched to the scene will prepare an official crash report. This will serve as the first piece of evidence in any insurance claims and lawsuits you file. If necessary, emergency medical services (EMS) will be dispatched to the scene to treat serious injuries.
3. Exchange information – Talk to all drivers involved in the crash. Collect names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, insurer names, and insurance policy numbers. Also, be sure to collect contact information from anyone who may have witnessed the accident.
4. Document the crash – Use your phone to take photos and videos of your injuries, the damage to all vehicles involved in the crash, and anything that can be used to prove fault for the accident. This may include things like evidence of inclement weather, poor road conditions, or intoxicated driving. If the at-fault driver was on the job at the time of the accident, collect evidence of this as well (for example, work uniforms and logos on their vehicle). Finally, do not forget to take a picture of any surveillance equipment that might have captured the accident as it unfolded.
5. Seek medical attention – If you are not taken to a hospital or emergency room from the scene, you should still see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Many injuries — for example, whiplash and concussions — do not become apparent until some time has passed after an accident. A doctor can make sure nothing is overlooked. Further, the treatment and billing record your medical providers create will become crucial evidence in your case. Therefore, do not leave anything out when describing your symptoms, pain, and suffering.
6. Beware of insurance companies – Insurance adjusters are not your friends. They will likely call you soon after the crash and look for as many reasons as they can to deny your claim. Anything you say can be used against you. Therefore, when speaking to an adjuster before obtaining legal representation, do not (1) admit fault, (2) provide a recorded statement, (3) sign a medical release, or (4) accept a settlement offer.
7. Hire a car accident lawyer – The best way to protect your right to compensation for your injuries is to hire an experienced personal injury attorney who can make sure you are well-informed and not taken advantage of. Do not wait.