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Pinellas Park Car Accident Attorneys

 

People across the country spend more time than ever before on the road. Americans are in cars for a whopping 70 billions hours per year traveling to work, running errands, and going out for leisure. While most of these trips end safely, increased time on the road does mean there are more opportunities for car accidents.

Car Accident Statistics

Over the course of a year, six million car accidents happen nationwide. Approximately 38,800 people in the United States lost their lives in car accidents in 2019. Fortunately, most accidents are not fatal. On the other hand, an estimated 2 million drivers become permanently injured on an annual basis.

Causes of Car Accidents

Any distraction that takes your eyes, ears, and mind away from the road can lead to a crash. Listening to loud music, applying makeup, and eating on the go are a few forms of distracted driving that lead to car accidents. Cell phone use is one that many of us give in to. An estimated 80% of cell phone owners use their phones while driving.

While 85% of drivers typically travel at a safe speed, the other 15% make the roads more dangerous for everyone when they don’t observe the posted limits. Speeders don’t give themselves enough reaction time to come to stops and adjust to changes in the road. When accidents happen at higher speeds, the impact is far more devastating. In addition to speeding, other forms of reckless driving, like running red lights and changing lanes erratically, often lead to accidents.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work?

A viable lawsuit establishes liability and proves that the car accident led to damages. Your lawyer will ask you to provide all documentation related to your accident. Records like an accident report, photos, and witness statements are useful in establishing the other party’s fault. Your lawyer will also use the medical bills and other expenses you accumulate to demonstrate the extent of your injuries and suffering.

Once the value of your claim is determined, your attorney will attempt to negotiate with the insurance company. If the insurance company doesn’t agree to a fair number, you and your lawyer can decide whether to accept the insurance company’s offer or to escalate to a lawsuit. If you decide to move forward, your lawyer can file on your behalf. The other party will have 20 days to respond.

Both parties get a chance to share relevant documentation with each other as well as respond to each other interrogatories, written questions used to gather more information. Having an experienced lawyer who knows what to ask will help you toward a successful outcome.

Before going to trial, both sides have an opportunity to settle during a mediation process overseen by a neutral third party, often a lawyer with no stake in the lawsuit. If mediation doesn’t end in an agreement, the case can go to trial where the outcome will be decided by a jury.

Common Injuries from a Car Accident

During an accident, your body is thrust more forcefully and suddenly than in movements you make yourself. It puts a strain on your muscles, tendons, and ligaments, often leading to whiplash. While the pain of whiplash can resolve itself quickly in many cases, up to 50% of people still experience neck pain a year after.

It’s evident that drivers and passengers alike can suffer head injuries if their heads collide with a projectile or a surface. However, it’s also possible to sustain a head injury without coming into contact with another object. Accident victims who develop traumatic brain injuries suffer from a variety of chronic conditions like headaches, mood swings, memory loss, and other forms of cognitive decline.

In a car accident, the immense amount of force your body absorbs is often more than your bones can tolerate. Any one of them can become broken or fractured. Broken ribs are common in T-bone accidents that impact occupants’ sides as well as in accidents, while skull and knee fractures happen often when the body meets the dashboard. Regardless of which bone is affected, accident victims may need a significant amount of time to recover, and they’re often unable to work or take care of themselves fully during that period.

Getting Compensation for a Car Accident Injury

After an accident, you first turn to your own insurance company to get compensation through your no-fault coverage. It’s important to receive medical treatment within 14 days of your accident to be eligible to collect through your policy. However, your coverage may not be enough to take care of all of your needs. If another driver is at fault, you can pursue compensation from that party’s insurance company.

Should I Contact a Pinellas Park Car Accident Attorney?

Insurance companies will attempt to get you to settle for less than you deserve. They may also even guide you into using language that could make you appear to be responsible for an accident. Experienced car accident attorneys are familiar with all of the types of compensation available to you, and they can handle communications with insurance companies to make sure you’re protected.

The legal team at Jones Law Group is committed to securing the highest possible amount for our clients. We will carefully review the facts of your case to ensure that all avenues are explored. For a free consultation, contact us online or by phone at 727-571-1333.