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New Port Richey Car Accident Lawyer

Q: I’m Being Blamed For My Car Accident in New Port Richey - How Will That Impact My Case?

Florida has adopted a pure comparative negligence system of fault. This sounds complicated, but it really just means that: -Anyone who contributes to an accident is apportioned some of the financial responsibility for the consequences, and -Sharing blame for an accident will affect how much money you can ultimately recover when your case is resolved.

You may be entitled to compensation if you have recently been injured in a car accident in New Port Richey, FL. The experienced New Port Richey car accident lawyers at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can help you maximize your financial recovery. Contact us today at (727) 815-8442. Your first consultation is free.

At-fault parties may be liable for the cost of your medical care, lost wages, and the suffering you’ve endured.

Our legal team has 50+ years of combined experience and has successfully recovered more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts for injury victims just like you.

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Our New Port Richey Car Accident Lawyers Are Here to Fight For You After a Crash

Our Board Certified Civil Litigation Specialists Are Here to Fight For You After a New Port Richey Crash

While you may have the right to pursue compensation after a motor vehicle accident in New Port Richey, getting money in your hands is not always as easy as it should be. Insurance companies will fight you every step of the way – they might even try to blame you for getting hurt.

Hiring an attorney can level the playing field. Getting the New Port Richey personal injury lawyers from Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers in your corner can tip the scales in your favor.

Founding attorneys Mark S. Roman is a Board Certified civil trial specialist – something only 1.2% of attorneys in the state of Florida can say. This means that Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers has extensive experience handling complex personal injury cases inside and outside of the courtroom, and a demonstrated ability to secure favorable outcomes for our clients.

Our reputation precedes us, which means that insurance companies will take notice when they see that we’re on the other side of the negotiating table.

That can be a huge asset to you – and encourage a swift and substantial settlement – from the start.

When you hire our law firm after a car accident in New Port Richey, expect us to:

Treat you with respect and give your case the time and attention it deserves
Coordinate and oversee an in-depth investigation into your car accident to gather evidence, determine causation, and establish liability
Work closely with accident experts and injury specialists throughout the process, especially as we work to calculate what your case is worth
Neutralize efforts to shift blame to you
Negotiate with insurance providers and negligent parties on your behalf
Litigate your case before a jury, if necessary

Since 1996, Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers has been standing up and fighting alongside car accident victims in and around New Port Richey, Florida. We’re here to help you, too. Give us a call or connect with us online to get started today.

Car Accident Lawyer | Client Testimonial | Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers

Car Accidents in New Port Richey – Overview and Statistics

New Port Richey, a suburban city northwest of Tampa, has been growing in popularity in recent years. It’s seen significant growth in its population – more than 16,400 people currently call the city home, up from 14,000 in 1990. And, in 2019, New Port Richey and surrounding towns in Pasco County welcomed more than 1 million visitors.

Needless to say, New Port Richey has some heavily traveled roads. Not surprisingly, traffic accidents are fairly common.

While New Port Richey is not as big as Tampa or Clearwater, it still has its fair share of accidents. When you consider the rest of Pasco County, the car accident statistics paint a grim picture.

In 2022, Pasco County has experienced 7,677 motor vehicle accidents. These accidents caused 97 fatalities and over 7,455 injuries. Among these fatalities, there have been seven bicyclists, thirteen motorcyclists, and twenty-seven pedestrians.

A staggering 23% of crashes in 2022 have been hit and runs. These hit and run collisions have killed ten people and injured another 734.

The Florida Highway Patrol responded to 84% of the crashes in Pasco County in 2022.

There are an average of 22 or 23 car accidents in Pasco County every day. A significant percentage of these collisions result in injury or death.

Most crashes in New Port Richey and Pasco County also cause considerable damage to vehicles and property.

Pasco County Car Accidents Statistics [January 2023 Update]

Despite the fact that the nation came to a grinding halt in 2020 because of the Coronavirus pandemic, it appears that during 2022 the rate of crashes in Pasco County increased.

Car accident statistics for 2022 show:

7,677 collisions
91 fatal wrecks resulting in 97 deaths, and
7,455 people were injured from all crashes.

2022 also saw 189 bicycle crashes (7 fatal), 261 motorcycle wrecks (13 fatal), and 200 pedestrian accidents (27 fatal) across New Port Richey and Pasco County.

According to preliminary data for 2023, there have been 27 traffic accidents so far (as of 01/18/2023).

We Represent Clients in All Car Accident Injury Cases in New Port Richey

Your choice of attorney matters when you decide to file an injury claim and pursue compensation after an accident.

At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, our New Port Richey car accident attorneys have decades of combined experience representing injury victims like you.

No case is too complex or too challenging for our attorneys. Call us for assistance if you’ve been affected by any of the following types of car accidents in New Port Richey:

Head-on collision or frontal collision
Rear-end crash
Side-impact or T-bone collision
Rollover collision
Single vehicle accident
Multiple vehicle accident
Truck accident
Intersection accident
Red and yellow light accident
Accident involving a bicyclist, pedestrian, or motorcyclist
Hit and run accident
Accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist
Highway accident
Fatal car accident

Our New Port Richey car accident attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and options. Give our law office a call to schedule a time to discuss the details of your case at no charge. If you decide to move forward with an insurance claim or lawsuit, know that our firm works on contingency.

This means that you pay nothing up front for our legal services. We only get paid if we win your case – meaning that we negotiate a settlement or win a verdict for you at trial. So, there’s no risk in discussing your rights or asking for our help – give us a call to get started now.

Causes of Car Accidents in New Port Richey, FL

Motor vehicle accidents involving cars, trucks, and other motorists in New Port Richey occur every day. These collisions can unfold for a multitude of reasons. Leading causes include any or all of the following:

Distracted driving
Speeding
Drunk driving
Driving under the influence of a controlled substance
Fatigued driving
Driving at night
Road defects
Aggressive driving, including tailgating and attempting to beat a red light at an intersection
Failure to yield the right of way
Inexperienced drivers
Vehicle defect, including faulty brakes or defective airbags
Negligent vehicle maintenance

Causes of Car Accidents in New Port Richey, FL

Determining why your accident happened is critical if you want to recover compensation and maximize your financial award. Our car accident lawyers in New Port Richey, Florida will dig deep to identify all potential factors and, in turn, establish what exactly happened.

With this information, we can move forward with an insurance claim and/or file suit against liable parties.

Avenues For Recovering Compensation After a Car Accident in New Port Richey

There may be several ways for you to obtain a monetary award after you’ve suffered an injury in a crash in New Port Richey. Here’s a quick overview of the options that might be available to you.

Claim for Insurance Benefits

Florida has no-fault insurance rules. All drivers are required to purchase an auto insurance policy before they hit the road – including personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This coverage is the primary source of compensation after a crash – regardless of who is at fault. In other words, you have to submit a claim with your own insurance provider after an accident first.

When you submit an insurance claim, your insurer is liable up to the limits of your particular auto insurance policy. What happens if your injuries are severe and your costs exceed what your insurer will pay? In that case, you may want to consider filing a claim with a third-party insurer or taking action directly against a negligent party.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Sustaining severe or catastrophic injuries in a New Port Richey car accident can be costly. When your costs exceed insurance policy limits, you can turn your attention to those who are responsible for your injuries and suffering. This could include:

Drivers of other passenger vehicles on the road
Bicyclists
Pedestrians
Motorcycle riders
Truck drivers
Trucking companies
Bus drivers
Mass transit companies
Electric scooter or moped riders
Uber and Lyft drivers
Employers of responsible parties
Companies responsible for designing or selling a defective vehicle or vehicle components
Government agencies or entities responsible for road design and maintenance

Under Florida law, you can file a civil personal injury lawsuit and demand compensation from anyone who contributed to your accident.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Were you injured in a car accident while driving for your employer? If so, you may qualify for benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. These no-fault benefits are typically available regardless of why the accident happened or who’s to blame.

In exchange for workers’ compensation benefits – which offer limited monetary awards for your medical costs and disability – you waive the right to sue your employer.

However, you can still potentially take action against other parties – including other motorists who contributed to the crash.

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers will work hard to hold all at-fault parties fully accountable for your car accident injuries and resulting costs. Give our attorneys a call to learn more about potential strategies for your case today.

I’m Being Blamed For My Car Accident in New Port Richey – How Will That Impact My Case?

Florida has adopted a modified comparative negligence system of fault with a 51% bar to financial recovery. This sounds complicated, but it really just means that:

Anyone who contributes to an accident is apportioned some of the financial responsibility for the consequences;
Sharing blame for an accident will affect how much money you can ultimately recover when your case is resolved; and
If your level of blame exceeds 50%, you cannot recover any compensation.

I’m Being Blamed For My Car Accident - How Will That Impact My Case?

For example, let’s say you’re assigned 10% of the blame after a car accident in New Port Richey because you were going slightly over the speed limit at the time of the wreck.

Between medical bills and the cost of repairing your car, you suffer $10,000 in damages. Under Florida’s modified comparative fault rule, you’ll be able to recover a maximum of $9,000.

However, if you were assigned 51% of the blame for the New Port Richey crash, you’d recover nothing.

Insurance companies love to use this rule to their advantage during the claims process.

Adjusters will attempt to shift as much – if not all – of the blame to you as they can. If you don’t fight back, well-deserved money can disappear before your eyes.

Our car accident attorneys in New Port Richey will stand up and defend you at every turn. We’ll work to neutralize these efforts and limit how much – if any – blame is ultimately assigned to you. The less fault assigned to you, the higher your payout.

How Much is My New Port Richey Car Accident Case Worth?

The value of your case will ultimately depend on a number of factors, such as:

The extent and severity of your injury
Whether you experience a disability (temporary or permanent)
How your injury impairs your ability to work and/or earn an income to support yourself and your family
How you’ve been affected emotionally and psychologically by the accident and the resulting harm
How your injury has affected your ability to participate in and enjoy your life

Generally, the more catastrophic the injuries, the more a case is worth.

In Florida, car accident injury victims are typically able to recover both economic and non-economic damages. This can include money for:

Present medical bills, including hospitalization, surgery, medication, and more
Future medical expenses, including rehabilitation, therapy, and the cost of medical equipment
Nursing care and support
Lost income and wages
Disability – temporary and/or permanent
Reduced earning capacity
Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
Pain and suffering
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Depression, anxiety, and other emotional distress
Loss of consortium
Disfigurement and scarring
Funeral and burial expenses, if a car accident is fatal

In limited situations, punitive damages might also be applicable.

At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll invest the time and resources that are necessary to determine what your case is worth. We’ll work closely with leading accident and injury specialists to ensure that we really understand the extent of your trauma and how your life has been and will be affected.

We’ll Fight to Maximize Your Recovery For All Crash-Related Injuries

Any injury resulting from a car accident in New Port Richey can turn your world upside down and have consequences for years to come. Our legal team will fight tirelessly to help you recover every last dollar you need and deserve for all of your injuries, including:

Whiplash
Concussion
Broken bones
Soft tissue damage
Eye injury
Back injury
Neck and shoulder injury
Spine injury
Traumatic brain injury
Knee and leg injury
Degloving
Lost limbs
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Burns
Chest injury
Wrongful death
And more

Don’t hesitate to reach out to our qualified and compassionate attorneys for assistance after a crash. We understand that your world has fallen apart. We’re here to help you put the pieces back together. Give our law office in New Port Richey a call to schedule your free consultation to learn more today.

Statute of Limitations For Car Accident Lawsuits in New Port Richey, FL

Following a car accident in New Port Richey or Pasco County, FL, you’ll have a limited period of time in which you can assert your legal rights. The state of Florida imposes a strict two-year time limit on most personal injury cases. That time frame used to be four years, but the Florida statute of limitations was updated on March 24, 2023. If your New Port Richey collision happened after that date, you have two years to pursue a lawsuit.

While there are some situations that might give you extra time to act, that’s the exception, rather than the rule.

Miss the applicable deadline and you’ll be barred from recovering any compensation at all.

Don’t let the compensation you deserve slip away because of a procedural technicality. Call Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers immediately after you get hurt and let our team handle your case from start to finish. We’ll fight to not only recover compensation on your behalf, but to secure a life-changing settlement or award in the process.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in New Port Richey, Florida?

The minutes, hours, and days after an unexpected car accident can be hectic and stressful. However, it’s important to know that the things you do and the decisions you make are critically important – for your health and financial future.

Keep these things in mind if you’re involved in a crash:

Remain as calm as you can
Stay close to the scene of the accident, but move to a location where you’ll be safe until the first responders arrive
Check to see if anyone else involved in the crash needs immediate medical attention
Exchange insurance information with other parties
Call the police and report the accident
Cooperate with officers as they complete a preliminary investigation and write up a police report, but don’t apologize or admit fault
Refuse to provide a written or recorded statement for an insurance provider
Ignore early efforts by adjusters to get you to accept a lowball settlement offer and sign away your right to pursue additional compensation
Direct all questions and conversations to your personal injury attorney

Finally, make sure that you call Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers. Collectively, our attorneys have more than 50 years of experience handling complex car accident matters like yours. We’ve successfully obtained more than $100 million in compensatory awards for accident victims and their families, and we’re here to fight to get similar results for you.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Car Accident Law Firm in New Port Richey

You deserve to have the opportunity to focus on getting better after an unexpected car accident in New Port Richey, FL. Don’t try to juggle your recovery with a complex and contested legal claim. Let the experienced New Port Richey car accident lawyers at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers pursue compensation on your behalf. We offer a free initial case evaluation, so don’t delay in scheduling yours today.