Tarpon Springs Personal Injury Attorney

Severe injuries caused by the negligent or reckless actions of other individuals can be devastating to the victims and the people who depend on them. Many people injured through no fault of their own in Tarpon Springs find themselves facing high medical bills, the inability to work and provide for themselves and their family, and a lengthy recovery process, or even permanent disability.

The Tarpon Springs personal injury attorneys at Zervos & Calta, PLLC have the skills and resources needed to stand up for your rights, take on the big insurance companies, and win. We focus solely on personal injury cases, so we know what it takes to pursue the full and fair compensation you need. We have earned our reputation as strong client advocates, and we take pride in our successes.

Call our office today to schedule a free consultation and learn about your case. We’re ready to fight for justice and help you seek the compensation that you deserve.

Contents

1 Common Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

We have experiencing handling a wide range of personal injury cases in Tarpon Springs and surrounding areas of Florida. If you’ve been injured in an accident due to the negligence or recklessness of someone else, we can help you, too.

Here are some examples of the most common types of personal injury cases we handle:

Car Accidents

Most car accidents are caused by impaired, negligent, reckless, or distracted drivers. In a single recent year, 100 people were killed and 10,415 people were injured in car crashes in Pinellas County. If you were injured in a car accident in Tarpon Springs, our firm can help you seek the compensation that you deserve.

Truck Accidents

Accidents involving heavy commercial trucks can be devastating to all involved – especially the occupants of smaller vehicles. The large size and weight of the truck can cause considerable damage to anything it hits. Severe injuries and even fatalities are not uncommon. Many Tarpon Springs truck accidents are caused by tired or distracted truck drivers.

Motorcycle Accident

Many motorists don’t take the time or effort to look for a motorcycle while on the road. These negligent car drivers can cause severe injuries to operators of motorcycles. In one recent year, there were 425 motorcycle accidents in Pinellas County, leading to the deaths of 19 people.

Bicycle Accident

Bicycle crashes are similar to motorcycle crashes because many motorists simply don’t look for cyclists. In addition, an astonishing number of bicycle accidents are caused by drivers suddenly opening the door of a parked car directly in front of a cyclist, causing the cyclist to crash or swerve into the road, only to be hit by another vehicle. In one recent year, there were 513 crashes involving bicycles, leading to the deaths of seven cyclists in Pinellas County.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians have the right of way, but many drivers fail to respect pedestrians’ rights or even take an extra moment to look for them. In one recent year, 72 pedestrian accidents led to 38 fatalities in Pinellas County.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slips and falls are a surprisingly common cause of severe injuries. Slip and fall injuries in Tarpon Springs often cost residents tons of money in medical bills and lost wages due to severe injury. The CDC reports that 800,000 people suffer from severe injuries each year due to slips and falls. Property owners are responsible for ensuring their property is free from unreasonably hazardous conditions that may cause falls. Common conditions that can cause falls are wet floors, poor lighting, broken handrails, obstacles in hallways, and uneven surfaces underfoot.

Brain injuries

Traumatic brain injuries can occur in many kinds of accidents. These injuries usually cause permanent disability and sometimes personality changes. Many victims of brain injuries are unable to go back to work after the injury. In addition to lost future wages, they have expensive medical bills and often require assistance and medical care for the rest of their life.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis. These injuries are devastating because some victims can no longer walk and may require additional care at home. They may be able to work, but many victims of spinal cord injuries cannot resume working in the same job they had before the injury. Most victims of spinal cord injury will suffer from reduced incomes, the need to pay for personal assistance, and ongoing medical bills.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death is a legal term that means someone died because someone else was negligent or reckless. Companies and employers can also be responsible for wrongful deaths. In wrongful death cases, it is vital to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. The party who caused the death may be endangering other people through their ongoing negligent actions. In addition, the family of the person killed is entitled to compensation for the death of their loved one. A free consult with a Tarpon Springs wrongful death lawyer can help you determine whether or not you have a case.

What Compensation is Available in a Personal Injury Claim?

Compensation in a personal injury claim may cover the following categories:

Medical bills

Loss of wages

Loss of property

Pain and suffering

Mental anguish

If a fatality occurs, the family could be entitled to compensation for expenses and losses, such as:

Funeral expenses

Emotional distress and suffering

Loss of financial support from the deceased

How Our Tarpon Springs Personal Injury Attorney Can Help with Your Case

Most often, compensation paid out in personal injury cases comes from insurance companies. It is common for insurance adjusters to offer a settlement that’s much smaller than the victim needs. Confused and distressed victims of personal injuries often think it is best to just accept the settlement and “get it over with.”

However, these settlements may not even cover the victim’s medical bills. You need to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who will prove your case and seek the compensation that you actually deserve.

What is the Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Claims?

In Florida, the law says that personal injury claims (not including wrongful death claims) need to be settled or a lawsuit must be filed within four years of the date of the accident. Failure to settle or file a lawsuit in a case before the deadline will eliminate your opportunity to seek compensation unless a very narrow exception applies. Wrongful death claims are limited to a two-year statute of limitations.

What Steps Should You Take to Protect Your Rights After an Accident?

Immediately after an accident, it is essential to take the following steps:

Call 911.

Talk to the police. Answer their questions truthfully, but do not speculate about facts you don’t know. Their report of the accident could provide crucial evidence for your case.

Collect names and phone numbers for everyone present at the scene.

Take photographs of the accident scene from different angles. Photograph the surrounding area. Photograph all damages as well as the accident scene.

Seek medical care as soon as you feel symptoms of an injury, even if you don’t think at first that you are injured. It can take time for some injuries to show symptoms.

Notify your own insurance company. Do not provide a recorded statement before speaking with an attorney.

Do not contact anyone else’s insurance company or speak to their representatives.

Contact an attorney to learn about your rights and options for compensation.

Talk to a Tarpon Springs Personal Injury Attorney Now

If you have been hurt in an accident caused by negligence in Tarpon Springs, our attorneys will be there to help you get the justice you deserve. Our consultations are free, and we will help you understand your rights and legal options.

Monday	9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday	9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday	9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday	9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday	9:00 am - 3:00 pm