Car Accidents

Car ACCIDENTs

Nobody expects to be in a car accident but, unfortunately, accidents do happen. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one out of every three drivers will be involved in an injury accident during their lifetime. Worse yet, as a motorist, you can expect to be involved in an accident once every ten years.

How Common Are Car Accidents in Hillsborough County, FL?

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), between 2018 and 2023, there were total yearly crashes in Hillsborough County as follows:

2018: 29,037 (7.19% of the state’s total reported collisions)
2019: 29,155 (7.25% of the state’s total reported collisions)
2020: 24,168 (7.08% of the state’s total reported collisions)
2021: 28,020 (6.98% of the state’s total reported collisions)
2022: 28,290 (7.28% of the state’s total reported collisions)
2023: 27,465 (6.97% of the state’s total reported collisions)

Of these accidents, injuries and fatalities were reported as follows:

2018: 13,188 reported injury related collisions; 169 fatalities
2019: 13,118 reported injury related collisions; 207 fatalities
2020: 10,803 reported injury related collisions; 198 fatalities
2021: 12,157 reported injury related collisions; 254 fatalities
2022: 12,145 reported injury related collisions; 215 fatalities
2023: 12,089 reported injury related collisions; 214 fatalities

What Causes Car Accidents in Apollo Beach, FL?

There are many reasons that a car accident can happen, but all involve some form of negligence on the part of one or more of the drivers. Whether it be speeding or simply failing to pay attention, the negligence of a driver can result in serious and life changing injuries. Some of the more common causes of car accidents include:

Speeding: Driving at a speed in excess of the stated speed limit or too fast for road conditions is one of the most common causes of car accidents and is easily one of the most preventable. Driving at high speeds can also lead to more serious and life- threatening injuries.
Driver Fatigue: Driving while drowsy has been statistically proven to cause as many if not more fatal accidents than drunk driving every single year. Drowsiness can impair many important functions needed to safely drive a vehicle, such as coordination, reaction time, and focus.
Drunk Driving: Alcohol can severely impair all cognitive functions including a person’s reaction time and judgment. Like speeding, driving while impaired/drunk is the most preventable causes of accidents.
Unsafe Lane Changes: Failing to check a vehicle’s blind spots before initiating a lane change can lead to sideswipe accidents and can often result in a rollover crash. Simply checking the vehicle’s mirrors is insufficient. Physically turning and looking for other vehicles can greatly reduce these types of crashes.
Wrong-Way Driving: Entering a roadway or highway in the wrong direction can lead to a head-on crash, which can often be fatal. It is important to look at all signs before entering a road or highway, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. This is especially true at night, when it can be more difficult to see.

Understanding the common causes of a car accident can help you prevent an accident in the future. For those who have been involved in an Apollo Beach car accident, Jim the Lawyer, Accident & Injury Attorney, can help you navigate the claims process and to get the most compensation for your injury.

What Damages Are Recoverable in an Apollo Beach Car Accident?

There are three types of damages that may be recoverable after a car accident. They are economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. Economic damages that may be recovered include the following:

Past medical bills
Past lost wages
Future medical costs
Loss of future earning capacity

Non-economic damages that may recovered include:

Past pain and suffering
Future pain and suffering

Punitive damages are meant to punish an individual or corporation that is guilty of gross negligence or intentional conduct. Punitive damages are in addition to an award of economic and non-economic damages. These damages are generally limited to an amount that is the greater of three times the amount of compensatory damages or the sum of $500,000.

Why Should I Hire Jim The Lawyer, Accident & Injury Attorney, After a Car Accident in Apollo Beach, FL?

When you submit a claim to an insurance company, you will be dealing with a professional insurance adjuster. An insurance adjuster is a person who handles car accident claims on a daily basis. That’s why it is so important that you hire a car accident lawyer who focuses solely on helping and fighting for accident victims. Choosing the right lawyer to handle your case is probably the most important decision you will make after an Apollo Beach car accident. With 25 years of experience, Jim The Lawyer, Accident & Injury Attorney is here to fight to help you recover maximum compensation for your injury. Jim The Lawyer, Accident & Injury Attorney has:

Skilled Legal Knowledge: With 25 years of actual courtroom experience, Jim The Lawyer has all the tools necessary to fight the insurance companies for every penny you deserve.
Experience Dealing with Insurance Companies: Having spent the first 10 years of his legal career representing and advising insurance companies, Jim The Lawyer knows all the tricks that an insurance company will try use to pay you less than you deserve.
A Proven Track Record: Jim The Lawyer has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for his clients throughout the state of Florida.
No Upfront Fees: When you hire Jim The Lawyer, you pay nothing upfront and you only pay if you recover. In addition, all costs associated with the pursuit of your case will be advanced by Jim The Lawyer, and you will not have to pay those costs back unless you recover.

By choosing Jim The Lawyer, Accident & Injury Attorney, you partner with an attorney committed to fighting to achieve the best possible outcome for your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions for Florida Car Accidents

How long do I have to file my personal injury case after a Florida car accident?

A claim should be submitted as soon as possible after an accident. You then have
two years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver or owner of the vehicle.
Should I give a recorded statement?

After a car accident, there is a good chance that you will be asked by an insurance company to give a recorded statement. Whether you should give a recorded statement depends on whose insurance company is asking for it. If the request comes from your insurance company, you have a contractual obligation to give the statement, and failing to do so may jeopardize your right to coverage under your policy. However, we recommend having an attorney with you when giving any statement. If anybody else’s insurance company requests a recorded statement, you have no obligation to give one, and we highly recommend against doing so.
Is there a time limit to seek medical treatment after a Florida car accident?

If you have been injured in a Florida car accident, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the crash. By doing so, you will prevent any argument by the insurance company about an initial gap in treatment. In addition, it’s also important to know that you must seek treatment from a medical doctor or chiropractor within 14 days of the date of your accident to qualify for PIP coverage.
What if I don’t have health insurance?

If you don’t have health insurance you can still get the treatment you need, as there are doctors who are willing to treat accident victims and defer receipt of payment until your case is over. This is called a Letter of Protection.
What if I can’t afford a lawyer?

The good news is that most, if not all, accident lawyers work under what is called a contingency fee agreement. This means that the attorney’s fee is contingent on your recovery. If you do not recover money in your case, then you do not have to pay your lawyer. This includes any money that has been spent in prosecuting your case on your behalf.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Apollo Beach, FL, you do not have to navigate the claim and legal process alone. Jim the Lawyer, Accident & Injury Attorney has 25 years of legal experience to help provide the guidance and support you need. Jim the Lawyer is available 24/7 to assist you with your case. Contact us today for a free case review and consultation.