Were you recently involved in a car accident in Clearwater, FL? The experienced Clearwater car accident lawyers at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can help you maximize your recovery. Contact our office at (727) 787-2500 for a free consultation.
You may have the right to take legal action against those responsible for your injuries and suffering. By filing an insurance claim and/or lawsuit, you could obtain maximum compensation. Find out how we can help you secure the best possible outcome.
How Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Clearwater, FL
Having a Clearwater personal injury lawyer from Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers on your side can make all the difference in the world. Insurance companies – yours or a third-party provider – will fight tooth and nail to deny or minimize your claim.
At Roman Austin, we’re known for being tough and passionate advocates for motor vehicle accident victims like you. We’ve successfully recovered more than $200 million in settlements and jury verdicts. When hiring us, you can benefit from a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and two former defense lawyers.
When you enlist our services in Clearwater, FL, for help, expect us to:
- Provide transparent legal service throughout the process
- Coordinate with accident experts and specialists to ensure that your accident is subject to a detailed and exhaustive investigation and to better understand the dollar amount your case is worth
- Handle the administrative aspects of your potential personal injury claim from start to finish – including making sure that all important procedural deadlines are met
- Minimize the impact of any claims that you are responsible for your auto accident and injuries
- Negotiate on your behalf, working to secure a settlement with terms that are favorable to you and prepare for litigation if necessary
Contact our law firm in Clearwater to discuss your rights and options. Your first consultation is completely free of charge.
Why Should I Hire a Clearwater Car Accident Lawyer?
Hiring a car accident lawyer can benefit you for many reasons. These benefits include, but are not limited to, the following:
- You’ll level the playing field. Any auto accident case will put you up against an insurance company. These corporations exist to make a profit, not to pay the full value of your car accident claim. Dealing with them after an accident can be challenging. Attorneys know the tactics the insurance company uses to deny or reduce their liability and can fight back on your behalf.
- Access to resources. Car accident lawyers have the resources and ability to conduct legal research, engage in internal investigations, and consult experts – all in service of strengthening your claim. Without these assets, you might receive less compensation than what you are owed.
- Protect you from allegations of blame. Due to a recent change in state law, you will be barred from recovering the compensation you deserve from the other driver if it is found that the accident was mostly your fault. Your compensation can also be reduced even if you are only partially responsible. An attorney can protect your interests and minimize the amount of liability assigned to you.
- Take the time you need to rest. An accident can take a toll on you and your family mentally, physically, and emotionally. If you retain an attorney, they can take care of every component of your car accident claim for compensation while you focus on your health.
Contact our legal team to learn more about why a car accident attorney may be the best course of action in your case.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Under this structure, you can hire a lawyer without paying a cent upfront. From there, you only pay legal fees if your attorney obtains compensation for you.
The attorney will receive a previously agreed-upon percentage of that compensation as payment. Most often, this percentage is around 33%, but it can vary depending on the case.
This payment method aligns your attorney’s interests with yours; the more money that they get for you, the more they are paid as well. In addition, you can get a lawyer on a contingency fee basis even if the accident has left you in a vulnerable financial position.
How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on various factors and is assessed through a detailed process. Since each car accident involves unique facts, circumstances, and outcomes, no two cases will be worth the same amount. It is impossible to determine an exact value without thoroughly evaluating the details, especially since victims may experience different damages even after similar types of collisions. Generally, cases involving the most serious car accident injuries or those with long-term impacts on your life tend to have higher value.
According to the National Safety Council, the average out-of-pocket costs and financial losses of an auto accident range between $12,200 (no injury observed) to $1,659,000 (death of the victim). Those are just the monetary costs.
The amount you receive will be based on many factors, including:
- The extent and severity of the injury
- Whether you are forced to miss work, resulting in lost wages – temporarily or permanently
- If you require assistance to complete everyday tasks, like bathing or driving
- How the accident and harm have affected you emotionally and psychologically
- The cost of replacing and repairing property damaged in the incident.
Contact us to find out about the value of your case.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Clearwater Auto Accident Claim?
Car accident victims can seek compensatory damages, which fall into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages aim to help you recover financial stability by covering tangible losses. Examples include:
- Present medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Medical treatment
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost income and wages
- Permanent disability
- Reduced earning capacity
- Cost of car repairs
- Property damage
- Funeral and burial costs, if an accident is fatal
Non-economic damages compensate for emotional and psychological trauma that cannot be easily quantified in monetary terms. Examples include:
- Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Emotional distress, such as PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Pain and suffering
There are times when punitive damages might be applicable. While these are awarded in a very limited number of cases, our team will carefully consider the details of your case and determine if they might also be an option for you.
Common Causes of Clearwater Car Accidents
The most common causes of car accidents result from driver errors and negligence.
Some causes include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting, eating, using the GPS, etc.
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Aggressive driving and road rage, like tailgating
- Drowsy driving
- Dangerous lane changes
- Running red lights and disregarding traffic signs
- Ignoring other traffic laws
Some accidents also occur for other reasons, such as defective auto parts (e.g., faulty brakes) or road defects (e.g., potholes or inadequate signage). It’s crucial to determine the exact cause(s) to identify all parties who may share responsibility for your auto accident.
We Handle All Types of Car Accident Claims
When you’re injured in a motor vehicle collision, you deserve to be represented by an experienced Florida car accident lawyer with extensive experience handling cases like yours. At Roman Austin, our Clearwater car accident attorneys have 60+ years of combined experience and knowledge that comes from representing injured clients.
This includes clients who were injured as a result of:
- Airbag injuries
- Head-on crashes
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Side-impact collisions
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Red and yellow light collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Truck accidents in Clearwater
- Left-turn crashes
- Parking lot accidents
- Child car seat injuries
- And more
Our Clearwater personal injury attorneys work on contingency, so there’s no fee unless we win your case. Contact us to learn more.
How Do I Get Compensation After a Car Accident in Clearwater, FL?
After a crash in Florida, you might have a few ways to recover compensation. You may be able to submit a PIP insurance claim with your insurer as well as file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System:
Florida has a “no-fault” car insurance system. Drivers in the state must have insurance coverage. The Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage provides benefits regardless of who caused the collision. By default, PIP covers up to 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages after an accident, up to $10,000.
So, your primary option for financial recovery after an auto accident is to file a claim with your PIP insurer. However, there are exceptions that could allow you to get additional compensation.
If you got involved in a crash with an uninsured driver, you may file a claim against your own insurance company to recover compensation.
Serious Injury Threshold Exception:
If you suffered a “serious injury” as defined by state law, you can pursue a claim against the responsible party for full damages, including your pain and suffering. Examples include permanent disabilities, impairments, and disfigurements.
This rule recognizes that the cost of catastrophic injuries will exceed (PIP) insurance policy limits. It allows those with significant injuries a path to recover financial compensation for the full extent of their losses.
Personal Injury Lawsuit:
There may be other situations where you can bring a lawsuit against someone else for auto accident injuries. For example, if a third party shares responsibility, they may be on the hook for part of your losses.
Examples include:
- A government agency responsible for poor road conditions
- An at-fault driver’s employer (if the crash happened while they were on the clock)
- A manufacturer (such as if a defective airbag didn’t deploy, worsening your injuries)
Because of all the potential financial options after a collision in Clearwater, it’s essential to hire an attorney. They can pinpoint all avenues for compensation to ensure that you receive everything you need to cover your losses.
How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Your right to file a civil action after an accident in Clearwater is not without limitation. Florida state law imposes a strict two-year clock on most personal injury lawsuits. Your right to seek compensation from negligent parties typically expires two years from the date of your car crash.
The Florida statute of limitations used to give claimants four years to file a lawsuit. However, the law was revised so that you must now follow the two-year deadline.
There are some exceptions – but they’re few and far between. While two years might seem like a lot of time, there’s considerable value in getting started on your legal case right away.
By contacting an attorney promptly after an accident, you’ll not only effectively guarantee that you meet applicable deadlines, but you’ll also give your lawyer the opportunity to investigate and gather relevant evidence.
This can make a huge difference in the success of your claim and in how much you’re ultimately awarded for your serious injuries.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Auto accidents can cause a wide array of injuries to drivers, passengers, and bystanders. Examples include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Back and neck injuries, including whiplash
- Concussion or head trauma
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage
- Chest injury
- Brain injury
- Degloving
- Lost limbs
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Injuries to the eyes or face
If you lost a loved one in an accident, our lawyers can guide you through the legal process of your wrongful death claim during this difficult time.
We know that you might not be able to come to us to discuss your personal injury case, but our team can arrange to visit you at home or at the hospital. We can also explain possible compensation for pre-existing conditions aggravated by the accident.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
A car crash can be overwhelming. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are involved in an automobile accident. These easy steps can help to keep you safe and support any future actions for damages you decide to pursue.
- Remain at the scene but move to a safe location
- Immediately call the police and report the accident
- Obtain the names and badge numbers of the responding officers
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene if possible
- Exchange information with witnesses to the accident
- Answer basic questions and exchange insurance and contact information, but avoid admitting liability or apologizing
- Seek medical attention as quickly as you can
- Obtain a copy of the accident report when it is available
- Resist the urge to accept an insurance company’s early settlement offer – it’s probably for way less than your case is really worth
- Do not discuss anything on social media or online
- Keep copies of receipts and other relevant documents
- Seek legal advice
- It’s a good idea to consider retaining legal representation
- Direct all conversations to an experienced personal injury attorney
Contact Roman Austin if you are involved in an accident. We are always available – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Partly to Blame for My Car Accident?
Yes – assuming that your fault doesn’t exceed 50%. Florida law operates under a modified comparative negligence system. This means that fault is allocated to everyone who plays a part in causing an accident – directly or indirectly.
Your damages will be reduced to the degree to which you are responsible. However, if you share 51% or more responsibility for the collision, you’re prevented from receiving any compensation.
Example: You suffer $100,000 in damages as a result of an accident. You’re allocated 30% of the blame because you were speeding at the time of the crash. Your financial settlement or award will be capped at $70,000 – your total damages less 30%. However, if you were allocated 51% of the responsibility, you’d receive nothing.
Insurance companies love to use this law to their advantage. In fact, they love to use it as a way to scare injury victims into accepting way less than they deserve or walking away with nothing. If you don’t stand up for yourself – or have an experienced car accident lawyer stand up for you – you might leave money on the table.
Our Clearwater car accident attorneys are known for being fierce advocates for people like you. We’ll stand up to insurers and work to neutralize their manipulative strategies. Our team will collect evidence to disprove the claims that you share fault or work to minimize your role. Contact our legal team for a free initial consultation.
How Do I Choose the Right Car Accident Lawyer?
After a car crash, it’s essential to select the right attorney that best suits your needs.
Look for the following:
- Experience handling your type of case: We have been representing clients in all kinds of car accident claims for a combined five decades.
- Good communication skills: Look for someone who listens to you and seems engaged. Ask how they communicate with clients and how often you can expect updates.
- Someone local to the area: You want an attorney who knows the local judges and procedures. They will also be familiar with Clearwater’s roadways to serve you better.
- Trustworthiness: You need to trust your lawyer so that you feel comfortable being truthful and straightforward with them. Look at reviews to see how former clients describe their experiences.
- Follow these tips when you meet with an attorney to assess whether they’re the right fit for you.
Should I Accept a Clearwater Accident Settlement?
You might receive a settlement offer in the early stages of the insurance process. You may be eager to accept it because you need the funds right away to cover medical costs. Don’t be fooled. Insurers are notorious for providing lowball offers that are far less than the claimant deserves.
If you accept a settlement, you generally cannot seek further compensation. Once you sign the agreement, it’s a release of liability. That means you cannot pursue further action, even if you discover additional damages in the future. It’s best to consult an attorney before signing anything to ensure that it’s fair.
Clearwater, Florida Car Accident Statistics
Clearwater’s popularity as a main tourist destination and its growing population contribute to heavy traffic congestion – meaning accidents are increasingly common every year.
Car Accidents in Pinellas County
Preliminary data from February 2025 show that there have been a total of 1,428 crashes so far in Pinellas County, of which 818 resulted in injuries and 8 fatalities.
In 2024, there were a total of 14,378 motor vehicle accidents. This number is much lower than Hillsborough County’s 26,242 accidents but around twice the number of Pasco County’s 7,057 collisions.
Pinellas County accidents in 2024 resulted in 108 deaths and nearly 8,810 injuries. Of the 14,300+ accidents in the county, 805 involved bicycle crashes, and 481 involved pedestrians. They caused 42 deaths.
We had a high rate of drunk driving accidents in 2024 as well. There were 296 alcohol-involved wrecks that year. They resulted in 7 fatal injuries and 156 additional non-fatal injuries. Another 23 of them involved drivers under the influence of drugs. Local police departments responded to around 66% of the crashes in 2024, while the Florida Highway Patrol and Sheriff’s Department responded to just about all of the remaining 33%. Visit our statistics page to learn more.
How Severe Are Car Accidents in Clearwater?
The numbers are fairly consistent. In most recent years, there have been around 100-150 fatalities and 8,000-10,000 injuries suffered in Pinellas County accidents. So, on an average day in Clearwater and surrounding beach towns, between 28 and 29 people get hurt in auto accidents. There’s a fatal crash in the area about once every three days.
Clearwater’s Most Dangerous Roadways and Intersections
All roads and intersections have the potential to be dangerous. However, some areas are more prone to crashes than others. That could be due to heavy traffic, high-speed limits, or insufficient signage.
Some of the most dangerous roadways and intersections in Clearwater include:
- Old Coachman Road
- US-19
- FL-60/Gulf to Bay Boulevard
- US-19 and Gulf to Bay Boulevard
- Gulfview Boulevard and Hamden Drive
- Court Street and Fort Harrison Avenue
- I-275 and Ulmerton Road
- FL-60/Gulf to Bay Boulevard and Hercules Avenue
- FL-60/Gulf to Bay Boulevard and Belcher Road
- Cleveland Street and Fort Harrison Avenue
- Chestnut Street and Fort Harrison Avenue
- Starkey Road and Park Boulevard
Regardless of where your traffic crash happened, we’re here to assist.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Clearwater Car Accident Attorneys At (727) 787-2500
At Roman Austin, we get results for our clients. If you’ve been hurt in a motor vehicle accident, make our personal injury law firm your first call. Our car accident lawyers will hold at-fault parties fully accountable for your harm, pain, and suffering.
Your first consultation with our team is free, so contact our Clearwater car accident lawyers at (727) 787-2500 to arrange a time to speak about your case. Our firm is conveniently located near you. Find our office in Clearwater at 1811 N Belcher Rd. suite i-1, Clearwater, FL 33765, United States. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 27.986689253101265, -82.7453167329304.
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Visit Our Law Office in Clearwater, FL
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers
1811 N Belcher Rd. suite i-1, Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
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