Largo Car Accident Lawyer

Were you or a loved one recently hurt in a car accident in Largo, FL? If someone else caused the crash, you may be entitled to recover damages.

An experienced Largo car accident lawyer at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to win the full amount you’re entitled to receive.

If you’re interested in taking the first step, call our law offices today at (727) 787-2500. We offer a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to reach out and set up a time to talk about what happened.

How Can An Experienced Largo Personal Injury Lawyer Help if I Was Hurt in a Car Accident?

How Can An Experienced Largo Personal Injury Lawyer Help if I Was Hurt in a Car Accident?

Any car accident can be overwhelming. Dealing with the insurance company to handle property damage claims alone can be frustrating.

If the crash was serious, very little will be more important than recovering fair compensation.

Your future financial security and medical care depend on it.

Unfortunately, insurance companies are rarely straightforward with car accident victims. They’re out to make a profit–meaning that they’ll happily collect your premiums, but often make it difficult when it comes time for them to pay.

It’s never easy to get someone to admit they’re to blame for a crash. To recover compensation from a third-party’s insurance company, you’ll have to prove that someone else was negligent. Fortunately, you don’t have to find that proof alone. Getting an experienced Largo personal injury attorney involved greatly increases the odds that you’ll get all the compensation you need.

When you hire Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers to protect your interests, you’ll be hiring a lawyer who will:

  • Launch a comprehensive investigation to prove who and what caused your accident
  • Provide the sound legal advice you need 
  • Help you understand the legal system and what to expect as your case proceeds
  • Handle the administrative and procedural requirements 
  • Hire experts and specialists to determine what your personal injury claim is worth
  • Fight back against insurance companies that try to blame accident victims for causing their own injuries
  • Negotiate to get the maximum compensation award possible in your case

At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, our personal injury attorneys have already recovered more than $100 million in compensation for clients across Central Florida. Our Board Certified trial attorneys have a reputation for success in the courtroom. We’re ready to put that experience to work for you.

If you were hurt in a motor vehicle accident, don’t let the negligent parties off the hook. Call a lawyer who’s passionate about protecting the rights of accident victims. Your case review is free, so reach out today to learn more.

Florida Car Accident Statistics

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported over 400,000 crashes that occurred in the sunshine state during 2019 alone. 254,820 people were injured in those accidents–and 3,189 more people lost their lives.

During that same year, 17,078 crashes were reported in Pinellas County alone. That’s more than 46 car wrecks every single day. 7,156 of those crashes involved injuries. Compare those figures to 2013, when only 16,069 Pinellas County motor vehicle accidents were reported–that’s an increase of over 1,000 crashes per year.

As a whole, Florida has a reputation for dangerous roadways. In 2020, Florida was ranked as the third most dangerous state for driving in the nation with 3,133 fatalities. According to the data, it’s only more dangerous to drive in Texas and California.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Largo, FL

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Largo, FL

Statistically speaking, there are between one and two car accidents every hour in Pinellas County.

With so many accidents and injuries reported across the state of Florida, it’s important to take a look at why these accidents are happening. 

We handle all types of car accident cases in Largo, including those caused by:

  • Driver distraction
  • Drunk driving
  • Speeding
  • Tailgating
  • Driver fatigue
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Running a red or yellow light
  • Unsafe passing
  • Road rage
  • Vehicle defects
  • Road defects
  • Poor weather conditions

Car accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Multiple factors can contribute to the same crash. Some of the leading causes of auto accidents in Largo include distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding and tailgating. 

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving accidents are extremely common in the sunshine state. More than 50,000 Florida car wrecks were caused by distracted driving during 2017 alone. Although texting while driving is now illegal under Florida state law, driver distraction continues to play a huge role in car accidents across the state.

Distracted drivers simply don’t have enough time to react to conditions on the roads–making it much more likely that they’ll cause an accident.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving accidents are a serious issue everywhere. It’s illegal and extremely dangerous to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. In a single year, 8,476 people were killed in accidents involving a drunk driver in Florida.

Even when drunk drivers are arrested and charged with a DUI, accident victims have the right to hold them financially accountable in a civil action for damages.

Speeding

High speeds make it difficult to stop quickly enough to prevent an accident. Drivers have all sorts of reasons for speeding. Whether the at-fault driver in your crash was racing to get through a yellow light or rushing to get someplace, make no mistake–speeding is a form of driver negligence.

Tailgating

Tailgating and speeding often go hand in hand. These types of aggressive driving behaviors make it much more likely that a crash will happen. When a driver tailgates, it can be difficult to stop and prevent a rear-end crash.

It can be difficult to determine precisely what caused your accident. Our lawyers have been handling cases like yours for years. We know how to pinpoint the cause of your crash and hold all responsible parties liable.

We Represent Clients in All Types of Car Accident Cases

If you were hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, you deserve to have an experienced attorney in your corner. 

Our Largo car accident lawyers at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers represent clients who have been hurt in all types of motor vehicle accidents, including:

If you were hurt in a crash, you don’t have to tackle the legal process alone. Our experienced attorneys in Largo can stand up for your rights every step of the way. All you have to do is call Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers to arrange your free case review.

Understanding Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law

Understanding Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law

Florida is a no-fault insurance state. That means every driver on the roads is required to purchase car insurance. Because everyone is presumed to have insurance, accident victims first file a claim with their own car insurance company if they’re hurt in a crash–even if someone else was to blame.

Unfortunately, your insurance might not provide enough compensation to cover your losses. Florida only requires drivers to carry $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.

Your medical expenses could easily exceed your policy limits. Fortunately, if your injuries were serious, you might have the right to damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

The state of Florida’s “serious injury” threshold only allows car accident victims to sue for damages if their injuries involve:

  • Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
  • Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, other than scarring or disfigurement
  • Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
  • Death

Even when filing a claim with your own insurance company, getting fair compensation isn’t always easy. Your insurance company won’t be happy about paying out the full amount you deserve. They might even challenge your right to compensation at all.

Hiring an experienced car accident attorney is the best way to make sure you get the fair compensation you need. If you’re hurt and want to learn more about your rights, you can call Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today.

Who Can Be Held Liable For My Car Accident Injuries?

Florida is a pure comparative negligence state. That means you can hold anyone whose actions even partly caused the accident responsible. 

As long as your injuries are sufficiently serious, you might be able to file a lawsuit for damages from a negligent:

  • Driver of a passenger vehicle
  • Bus driver
  • Truck driver
  • Delivery driver
  • Pedestrian
  • Bicyclist
  • Motorcyclist 
  • At-fault driver’s employer
  • Manufacturer of a defective vehicle component
  • Government authority responsible for maintaining the roads

If you were hurt while driving for work, you might even be entitled to claim workers’ compensation benefits. 

Car accident lawsuits are often complicated. If you want to learn more about protecting your rights, give us a call today. We’ll sit down and listen to your story. That way, we can determine the best way to move forward with your injury claim.

Can Florida Shared Responsibility Laws Limit My Right to Financial Compensation?

Shared responsibility can limit the amount of compensation you recover – or prevent you from receiving anything for your injuries. If the insurance company can prove that you were partly to blame, your settlement or verdict can be reduced or eliminated.

The modified comparative fault rule in Florida lets you sue others for damages even if you share in the fault. However, if your allocated blame exceeds 50%, you’re barred from receiving any monetary award.

Big insurance companies often try to use the shared fault rules to reduce the amount they have to pay. They’ll try to convince you to settle for less because of your own actions. It’s important to have a lawyer by your side to make sure you reach a result that’s fair.

The comparative negligence rules in Florida can be illustrated by an example. Say you were awarded $100,000 in damages after a car wreck caused by someone else. The evidence also shows that you were speeding at the time of the crash. If the fact that you were speeding was 30% of the reason why the accident happened, your settlement will be limited to $70,000. In other words, it’ll be reduced by 30%.

However, if speeding was 51% of the reason why the collision occurred, you’ll be entitled to nothing.

These cases are rarely cut and dry. Our attorneys at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers are known for aggressively fighting to get the most compensation available for our injured clients. If the insurance company is playing the shared fault card, give us a call today to see how our legal representation can help.

We’ll Fight For Fair Compensation For All of Your Car Accident Injuries

Don’t let the insurance company intimidate you by claiming that your injuries aren’t serious enough to justify legal action. Even a seemingly “minor” injury can turn your life upside down. Medical bills become expensive quickly–and health insurance rarely covers everything.

Our car accident lawyers at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers will fight to get every dollar you deserve. We regularly represent clients who have sustained: 

It can be hard to get back on your feet again after an accident. You don’t have to wait until you’ve fully recovered to start the legal process. Our lawyers would be happy to come to you or arrange a virtual consultation at your convenience.

Ready to learn more? Don’t hesitate to call for your free consultation.

What is the Deadline For Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Largo, Florida?

Every state limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit if you’re hurt because of someone else’s actions. In Florida, you usually have two years to file a lawsuit after a car accident.

The deadline was historically four years. However, Florida law was revised on March 24, 2023. So, if your Largo car crash happened after that date, you must file your lawsuit within two years.

If you lost a close family member in the crash, you have two years from their date of death to take legal action. 

How Much Compensation Do Car Accident Victims in Largo Typically Receive?

How Much Compensation Do Car Accident Victims in Largo Typically Receive?

Your overall compensation award will be influenced by a number of factors. Your out-of-pocket costs for medical bills and your lost wages will depend on how serious your injuries are. Courts also consider the pain and inconvenience that an injury causes–as well as whether your injuries are permanent.

Our lawyers at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers have the resources to hire respected experts in medicine, psychology, finance, and other helpful specialties.

We’ll use that expert testimony to demand the full compensation you deserve from all responsible parties.

In general, car accident victims are often entitled to compensation for: 

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Future medical costs
  • Lost future earning opportunities
  • Physical therapy, rehabilitative care, and nursing care
  • Medications and medical devices
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Diminished quality of life

If you lost a loved one in the crash, we can fight to recover damages for wrongful death. Under Florida law, you might be entitled to be compensated for the loss of your loved one’s company, financial support, and parental guidance. You’ll also be entitled to compensation for medical bills and funeral costs.

Some car accident victims are entitled to punitive damages. If the responsible party’s acts were intentional or shocking, the court might be inclined to award damages to punish those acts. For example, drunk driving accident victims in Florida are often entitled to recover punitive damages.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident to Protect My Right to Fair Compensation?

Your first step after any car accident should be to seek medical care quickly. In Florida, you only have 14 days to see a doctor after the crash–or you risk losing your right to personal injury protection coverage. It’s also important to make sure others who were seriously hurt in the crash get the care they need.

You should also:

  • Contact the police and file a formal accident report
  • Obtain the insurance information and contact information of anyone else involved in the car crash
  • Use your phone to take videos of the accident scene to preserve any evidence that might have been missed
  • Obtain the contact information of any eyewitnesses to the car accident
  • Avoid providing statements to an insurance adjuster 
  • Avoid signing any documents provided by the insurance company or other parties to the accident 
  • Contact an experienced personal injury attorney

It never hurts to get legal advice if you were hurt in an accident. Most reputable attorneys offer a free consultation so that you can learn more about your options. To schedule your free initial consultation, call our law firm to learn more about our practice areas.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Largo Car Accident Lawyer Today

No amount of money can replace your good health. However, it can help you move forward with your life after a car crash. If you or a loved one were hurt, call an experienced Largo car accident lawyer at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers today. You could be entitled to substantial compensation.

Your first consultation is always free. We also work on a contingency basis–meaning you’ll only have to pay our attorneys’ fees if we recover compensation for you.