Pinellas Park Car Accident Attorneys
Injured Pinellas Park drivers filing car accident claims can benefit from the experience of a Florida personal injury attorney.
Summary
- Pinellas Park residents injured in car accidents can seek fair compensation through experienced personal injury attorneys like those at Jones Law Group.
- Florida’s car accident statistics highlight the severity of crashes. In 2024 alone, 293,381 car accidents occurred, resulting in over 2,000 fatalities and 189,250 injuries.
- Common causes of car accidents include distracted driving, speeding, and reckless behavior, with types like rear-end, side-impact, and head-on collisions frequently seen in Pinellas Park.
- Car accident victims can claim damages for medical costs, lost wages, emotional distress, and other losses caused by the accident.
- Florida’s no-fault insurance covers initial medical costs for Pinellas Park car accident victims. However, for extensive damages, injured accident victims may pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance.
If you or your loved one has suffered injuries and losses due to an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, Jones Law Group Pinellas Park Car accident attorneys are here to help you get fair compensation.
As car accident attorneys, we are aware that people across the country spend more time than ever before on the road, and it is our job to help accident victims deal with the legal fallout of a crash.
Americans are in cars for a whopping 70 billions hours per year traveling to work, running errands, and going out for leisure. While most of these trips end safely, increased time on the road does mean there are more opportunities for car accidents.
Call us at (727) 571-1333 or submit this online contact form to schedule a free case evaluation with a seasoned FL auto accident attorney at Jones Law Group today.
Car Accident Statistics
Over the course of a year, six million car accidents happen nationwide. Many of these collisions resulted in devastating injuries. Approximately 38,800 people in the United States lost their lives in car accidents in 2019, according to the National Safety Council.
Fortunately, most accidents are not fatal. On the other hand, Driver Knowledge estimates that 2 million drivers become permanently injured on an annual basis.
According to information published on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles websites, there have been a total of 293,381 car accidents in Florida in 2024. As a result, 2, 265 Floridians have lost their lives this year, and another 189,250 have suffered injuries.
Causes of Pinellas Park Car Accidents
Any distraction that takes your eyes, ears, and mind away from the road can lead to a crash.
Listening to loud music, applying makeup, and eating on the go are a few forms of distracted driving that lead to car accidents. Cell phone use is one that many of us give in to. An estimated 80% of cell phone owners use their phones while driving.
While 8FDOT data on speeding shows 85% of drivers typically travel at a safe speed, the other 15% make the roads more dangerous for everyone when they don’t observe the posted limits. Speeders don’t give themselves enough reaction time to come to stops and adjust to changes in the road.
When accidents happen at higher speeds, the impact is far more devastating. In addition to speeding, other forms of reckless driving, like running red lights and changing lanes erratically, often lead to accidents.
Types of Car Accidents in Pinellas Park, FL
Like many urban areas, Pinellas Park, FL, witnesses a variety of car accidents due to its bustling roads.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most frequent accidents in Pinellas Park. These crashes occur when a driver follows another vehicle too closely, failing to stop in time when the leading car brakes suddenly.
To avoid such incidents, it is crucial to maintain a safe following distance and stay alert to traffic changes.
Side-Impact Crashes
Side-impact crashes or T-bone accidents typically happen at intersections when one driver runs a red light or fails to yield. Due to the limited protection on the sides of vehicles, these crashes can cause severe injuries.
Drivers should always obey traffic signals and be cautious at intersections, even when they have the right of way.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are less common but can be fatal. These accidents usually result from one vehicle straying into oncoming traffic, often due to distracted or impaired driving.
Staying focused on the road, avoiding distractions like mobile phones, and never driving under the influence are essential practices to prevent head-on collisions.
Single-Vehicle Accidents
Single-vehicle accidents involve only one car and often occur due to loss of control, speeding, or adverse weather conditions.
Drivers can reduce the risk by adhering to speed limits, adjusting driving in response to weather conditions, and ensuring their vehicle is well-maintained.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents happen when two cars traveling in the same direction make contact, often during lane changes.
These can be avoided by checking blind spots carefully, using turn signals, and ensuring there is ample space before changing lanes.
How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work?
A viable lawsuit establishes liability based on negligence and proves that the car accident led to damages. Your Pinellas Park car accident lawyer will ask you to provide all documentation related to your accident.
Records like an accident report, photos, and witness statements are useful in establishing the other party’s fault. Your lawyer will also use the medical bills and other expenses you accumulate to demonstrate the extent of your injuries and suffering.
Once the value of your claim is determined, your Pinellas Park personal injury attorney will attempt to negotiate with the insurance company. If the insurance company doesn’t agree to a fair number, you and your lawyer can decide whether to accept the insurance company’s offer or to escalate to a lawsuit.
Filing a Pinellas Park Car Accident Claim
If you decide to move forward, your lawyer can file on your behalf. The other party will have 20 days to respond. Both parties get a chance to share relevant documentation with each other as well as respond to each other interrogatories, written questions used to gather more information.
Having an experienced car accident lawyer in Pinellas Park who knows what to ask will help you toward a successful outcome.
Before going to trial, both sides have an opportunity to settle during a mediation process overseen by a neutral third party, often a lawyer with no stake in the lawsuit. If mediation doesn’t end in an agreement, the case can go to trial where the outcome will be decided by a jury.
Common Injuries from a Car Accident
During an accident, your body is thrust more forcefully and suddenly than in movements you make yourself. It puts a strain on your muscles, tendons, and ligaments, often leading to whiplash. While the pain of whiplash can resolve itself quickly in many cases, up to 50% of whiplash victims still experience neck pain a year after.
It’s evident that drivers and passengers alike can suffer head injuries if their heads collide with a projectile or a surface. However, it’s also possible to sustain a head injury without coming into contact with another object.
Accident victims who develop traumatic brain injuries suffer from a variety of chronic conditions like headaches, mood swings, memory loss, and other forms of cognitive decline.
In a car accident, the immense amount of force your body absorbs is often more than your bones can tolerate. Any one of them can become broken or fractured. Broken ribs are common in T-bone accidents that impact occupants’ sides as well as in accidents.
Skull and knee fractures happen often when the body meets the dashboard. Regardless of which bone is broken, accident victims may need a significant amount of time to recover, and they’re often unable to work or take care of themselves fully during that period.
Getting Compensation for a Car Accident Injury
After an accident, you first turn to your own insurance company to get compensation through your no-fault coverage. It’s important to receive medical treatment within 14 days of your accident to be eligible to collect through your policy under Florida insurance law.
However, your coverage may not be enough to take care of all of your needs. If another driver is at fault, you can pursue compensation from that party’s insurance company.
Types of Damages You Can Claim in a Car Accident
In the aftermath of a Pinellas Park car accident, victims often face a multitude of challenges, including financial burdens from various losses.
Understanding the types of car accident damages you can claim in a Pinellas Park personal injury case can help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
- Medical Expenses: Covers all costs related to medical treatment, including hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for the income lost due to the inability to work as a result of injuries from the accident.
- Pain and Suffering: This accounts for the physical and emotional pain you experienced following the auto accident.
- Property Damage: Reimbursement for repairs or replacement of your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the collision.
- Loss of Consortium: In some cases, compensation may be awarded for the impact of the accident on your relationship with your spouse.
- Permanent Disability: Covers the costs associated with long-term or permanent physical disabilities resulting from the car accident.
- Emotional Distress: Damages for the psychological impact of the accident, which may include anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
By claiming these damages, you can better manage the financial impact and focus on recovery.
Should I Contact a Pinellas Park Car Accident Attorney?
Insurance companies will attempt to get you to settle for less than you deserve. They may also even guide you into using language that could make you appear to be responsible for an accident.
Experienced car accident attorneys are familiar with all of the types of compensation available to you, and they can handle communications with insurance companies to make sure you’re protected.
Talk to Experienced Pinellas Park Auto Accident Lawyer at Jones Law Group Today
The legal team at Jones Law Group is committed to securing the highest possible amount for our clients. We will carefully review the facts of your case to ensure that all avenues are explored.
Our team handles car accident cases in Pinellas Park and the surrounding areas, including Kenneth City and Lealman personal injury accidents. For a free consultation, contact us online or by phone at (727) 571-1333.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do I have to file a car accident personal injury claim in Pinellas Park, FL?
In Pinellas Park, FL, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.
This statute of limitations ensures you have sufficient time to gather evidence and seek legal assistance. However, you should talk to a car accident attorney near you as soon as possible.
Is Florida a no-fault state?
Yes, Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system. This means that after a car accident, your own insurance policy typically covers your medical expenses and losses, regardless of who caused the accident.
That notwithstanding, you can still claim from the at-fault party if your losses exceed your policy’s limit.
How much does a Pinellas Park car accident attorney cost?
The cost of hiring a Pinellas Park car accident attorney at Jones Law Group will depend on whether we win your case. This is because we work on a contingency fee basis. This means the attorney only gets paid if you win your case, typically taking a percentage of the settlement or award.
