There are more than 395,000 car accidents in Florida every year, according to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. If you and your loved one are fortunate, you may walk away unscathed. However, for many of those injured in car accidents, this is not the case. Life-altering injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or significant head injuries can mean a lifetime of care costs and medical expenses. It can also mean a drastic change in lifestyle and an inability to work.
Even so-called minor injuries can have a significant effect on you or your loved one’s life. Fractured bones, herniated discs, and soft tissue injuries can lead to time off work and pain and suffering in the short-term.
Whiplash is common after a car accident. As presented by the Mayo Clinic, whiplash can cause neck and head pain along with painful spasms in the upper body. This condition can mean months of pain clinic appointments, physiotherapist treatment, and psychological support as you recover.
Any of these scenarios mean lost income, additional medical bills, and non-economic costs like pain and suffering.
Once you and your loved one begin on the road to recovery, you may start to think about accountability and holding the relevant party responsible, which is where a lawyer can assist you. If you or a loved one has suffered in any way because of a car accident, a car accident lawyer in Clearwater from Distasio Law Firm can act as your guide throughout the legal process. To find out more, call us at (813) 259-0022 today.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Clearwater, call (813) 259-0022
What to Do After a Car Accident in Clearwater
After the initial shock of a car accident, there are some steps you should take. The Insurance Information Institute provides some information on what to do at the scene of an accident, including:
Calling Emergency Help
If you are able, prioritize getting medical help and calling the police. In addition, if you can, make sure you have parked your vehicle safely, and that you are out of the way of other cars as you wait for medical and police assistance to arrive.
Gathering Details
Get the other driver’s details, any photographic or video evidence, and the contact details of any witnesses. When you file an insurance or legal claim, this will all help to strengthen your case.
Contacting Your Insurance Company and a Lawyer
Although it may not be your first concern, contacting your insurance company and a lawyer is something else you may want to consider.
To receive compensation for your losses after a car accident, you will need to start a claim with the at fault parties insurance company. If the at fault party does not have enough insurance and you purchased uninsured motorist coverage, you may also be able to make a claim against your own insurance company.
This can be a daunting process for most people because insurance companies may take advantage of their inexperience in dealing with this type of claim. As a result, going through the process without a lawyer usually results in lower compensation. A lawyer, in turn, can help protect your rights and represent you when negotiating with your and the other driver’s insurance company.
Clearwater Car Accidents Lawyer Near Me (813) 259-0022
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
A lawyer can help make sure you get the right medical care, negotiate a fair settlement, make sure all of your medical bills are paid, help you recover for lost wages, and put some money in your pocket to compensate you for your losses. If the insurance companies fail to do the right thing, the right lawyer can also file a lawsuit and hold the wrongdoer accountable for causing your injuries.
As such, a legal claim will follow several stages. First, the lawyer will gather evidence.
During this discovery period, a lawyer will also assist you by:
- Investigating the circumstances of the accident
- Gathering facts
- Taking photographs and any other visual evidence
- Talking to witnesses and compiling statements
- Collecting any evidence you have of financial costs (medical and rehabilitation bills, damages to your car, etc.)
- Requesting medical and police records
- Seeking expert opinion
Once you have completed your medical treatment, a lawyer will organize your case and present it to the insurance company for settlement. This period between making a claim and settling your case can be a worrying time. During this time, there are likely to be questions that you or your loved one may have. If you do have queries at any point, we are here for you. A Distasio Law Firm lawyer will always be available to address your concerns.
Most cases settle without having to file a lawsuit or going to trial. But sometimes the only way to hold the wrongdoer accountable is to sue the at fault party. At Distasio Law Firm we have the willingness, ability, and financial resources to go all the way to trial on behalf of our clients. If you have any questions regarding the trial process, a car accident lawyer at the firm can take you through the finer points of the claim. For further information, call Distasio Law Firm at (813) 259-0022 and ask to speak to a member of the team.
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A Car Accident Lawyer in Clearwater from Distasio Law Firm
A good lawyer will take the time to explain the legal process to you, along with any negatives and positives that may occur as you pursue your right to compensation.
A lawyer will also take time to understand your case so that they can personalize the experience, and they will dedicate their time and resources toward getting justice for you or your loved one’s injuries.
However, we recommend you contact a car accident lawyer in Clearwater from Distasio Law Firm as soon as you or your loved one are able following a car accident. We recommend this because of Florida’s statute of limitations, which limits your time to take legal action to only four years.
Although there is a four-year time limit, the sooner we have your details, the quicker we can assess your case and conduct any necessary investigations. To find out more, call Distasio Law Firm at (813) 259-0022 today.
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