If you sustained injuries in a car crash someone else caused, do not hesitate to contact the St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers of Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers. We might be able to represent you in your case against the at-fault driver. We could file an insurance claim and seek a settlement on your behalf.
Car accidents can have far-reaching consequences. Some people only suffer minor harm, while others require medical care to recover from severe injuries. Paying all the associated expenses can be financially burdensome and can often push accident victims into debt. You should not have to pay for your treatment and other bills when someone else is at fault for the crash.
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers knows the process you must go through to pursue compensation from the negligent driver. We can investigate the crash and file a claim on your behalf. You won’t have to deal with any legal aspects of your case when you hire us. We will take care of everything for you. You can depend on our legal team to protect your rights and fight by your side until the end.
Learn more about your legal options by calling (727) 605-1100 for your free consultation with one of our dedicated car accident lawyers in St. Petersburg, FL.
Common Types of Car Accidents
Car accidents occur for multiple reasons. Various circumstances can contribute to the way two vehicles crash into each other and what happens afterward. The most common types of car accidents include:
- Head-on collisions – When a vehicle crashes head-on into another, especially at high speeds, debilitating injuries can occur. Head-on accidents can be fatal for the occupants of the two cars. According to the National Safety Council, this type of accident only accounted for 41 percent of all motor vehicle deaths in 2020. However, head-on collisions represented 72 percent of all incidents and 77 percent of injuries.
- Hit and run accidents – It is illegal for a driver to leave the scene of an accident without fulfilling their statutory duties as outlined in Florida statute § 316.062. Any motorist involved in a crash must provide the other driver with their information and try to assist anyone who sustained an injury.
- Rollover accidents – A range of scenarios can cause a vehicle to roll. When a car experiences a sudden change in momentum or direction, the contributing forces can lift the tires off the ground, tip the car onto its side, or cause it to roll over entirely.
- Rear-end collisions – A rear-end accident is often the result of a driver following someone else’s vehicle too closely. When there isn’t enough distance between two cars, it’s more challenging to stop quickly enough to avoid colliding with the back of the car ahead.
- T-bone accidents – A T-bone accident happens when a driver hits the side of another vehicle with the front of their car. This type of crash commonly happens at intersections when a motorist doesn’t yield the right of way.
- Single-car accidents – Accidents involving only one car often occur when someone’s careless actions cause a driver to swerve out of the way. The quick reaction to avoid a crash causes the driver to run off the road or collide with a telephone pole instead.
- Multi-vehicle accidents – Collisions involving three or more vehicles are dangerous. Pileups can crush cars between each other and trap the occupants inside.
If you sustained an injury in any of these types of car accidents or in a different kind of crash, contact Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers immediately. One of our car accident lawyers in St. Petersburg, FL, can meet with you to discuss what happened and determine whether we can represent you.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Multiple forms of negligent driver behavior can lead to a car accident, such as:
- Failing to yield – Yielding the right of way to others when necessary is vital to avoid collisions. Whether a pedestrian is about to cross the street, or a vehicle enters an intersection, drivers should slow down or stop.
- Distracted driving – Distractions prevent motorists from paying attention to their surroundings. Any type of distraction can lead to a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,142 people died in distracted driving accidents in 2020.
- Tailgating – Driving too close to a car ahead doesn’t allow enough time or space to come to a complete stop. If the driver in front suddenly slams on their brakes, the motorist behind them likely won’t have enough time to brake or swerve out of the way.
- Driving under the influence – Drugs and alcohol significantly interfere with a driver’s mental and physical faculties. It’s more challenging to react quickly to hazards, follow traffic signs, and know how to handle an emergency when you’re under the influence.
- Speeding – Driving above the speed limit isn’t the only type of speeding. Driving too fast for dangerous weather or road conditions is also dangerous. Motorists face difficulties controlling their vehicles while traveling at high speeds.
- Fatigued driving – Some studies have shown that driving while tired is as dangerous as drunk driving. According to the National Sleep Foundation, drowsy driving causes over 6,400 fatalities every year.
- Adverse weather – Rain, strong winds, fog, and other poor weather conditions limit a driver’s abilities. Seeing the road ahead might be difficult in heavy rain or fog. Strong winds can push a vehicle around on the road. Drivers should adjust their speeds and focus on the task at hand when encountering dangerous weather.
No matter what caused the crash, reaching out to Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers is vital so we can start working on your case.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
Various injuries can result from a car crash. Injuries often require some sort of medical attention to diagnose and treat, whether the injuries are minor or severe.
The most common types of injuries in car accidents include:
- Whiplash
- Internal bleeding
- Paralysis
- Disability
- Permanent scarring
- Chronic pain
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bone
- Psychological trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Pelvic and hip injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
Car crashes can be scary for anyone to experience. The emotional and financial implications are significant whether you need hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, or physical therapy. Many people can’t immediately return to their everyday routine. Sometimes, it takes months or even years to recover from a severe car accident.
Compensation for Injuries in a Car Accident
In Florida, car accident victims must follow the no-fault car insurance rule. That means they must seek compensation for their medical bills and other expenses by filing a claim with their own auto insurance company first. They can only file a claim with the negligent driver’s liability insurer if they meet specific requirements.
State law requires every driver in Florida to purchase personal injury insurance (PIP). The minimum required PIP coverage is $10,000. This covers 80 percent of reasonable and necessary medical treatment up to the limit listed in the policy. It also compensates for up to 60 percent of the policyholder’s lost income.
Many drivers choose to buy only $10,000 in PIP insurance. Unfortunately, that typically isn’t enough to cover all lost wages and medical bills that result from a car crash. Pursuing other means of compensation might be necessary to supplement the remaining costs.
You could file a liability claim with the other driver’s auto insurance carrier if your injury meets the serious injury threshold. That means your injury consists of:
- A permanent injury, except scarring or disfigurement
- Permanent and significant loss of an important bodily function
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Liability settlements can cover more than just medical care and lost income. The compensation you receive in a liability claim might compensate you for losses, such as:
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
If you file a lawsuit against the negligent motorist, you might also recover punitive damages. This type of compensation punishes the defendant for their actions. You must provide clear and convincing evidence of the other driver’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct for the jury to make an award of this type to you.
Statute of Limitations in a Car Accident Case
Florida’s statute of limitations imposes a timeframe for filing a lawsuit after a car crash. You must initiate your lawsuit within four years from the date of the accident if you want to pursue compensation for your losses. Once the statutory timeframe passes, you could lose your right to seek money from the at-fault party through the court system.
If your loved one died in a car accident someone else caused, you could sue the at-fault driver. However, the statute of limitations for wrongful death only allows a two-year timeframe to file suit. That means you have two years from the date of your family member’s death to initiate your lawsuit for compensation.
Contact Us
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers has fought for car accident victims in Florida since 2007. We will provide the personalized attention and legal services you need to get through this devastating time in your life. You can count on our St. Petersburg car accident lawyers to be your advocate and aggressively seek the maximum possible compensation.
If you suffered injuries in a car accident due to another person’s negligent actions, call Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers at (727) 605-1100 today. We can meet you for a free consultation to review the details and advise you about what we can do to help. Let us represent you in your claim or lawsuit and fight for the justice you deserve.
