Car Accident Lawyer
Established Car Accident Lawyer in Clearwater with Proven Results Throughout Florida.
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Florida Car Accident Lawyer Providing Help for Injured Victims
Car accidents are still one of the most common reasons people call us. Unfortunately, they remain one of the leading causes of death in the United States. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 2021 traffic crash report, there were 401,537 crashes which included 3,450 fatalities and 163,957 injuries.
If you are on our website, chances are you or someone you know was hurt in a crash and you need help. Even if you don’t drive, you can be a victim of an auto accident. Jim Dodson, an experienced car accident lawyer has settled hundreds of auto injury cases. He has helped drivers of cars, SUVs, motorcycles, and even pedestrians have received the compensation they deserved.
Common Causes of Florida Car Accidents
Each car accident case is different and, let’s face it, they can change your life. Here are some of the most common types of collisions we handle:
- Distracted Driving
This is one of the leading causes of car accidents across the nation and Florida is no exception. Texting, talking on a cellphone, adjusting the radio, eating and drinking, putting on make-up, talking to passengers, or assisting children in the back seat are types of distracted driving and lead to some of the most serious accidents we see. Any behavior that takes the driver’s attention off the road is dangerous. And, when drivers injure someone else because of some type of distraction, it is negligence. - Speeding
Let’s be honest, most people admit they speed occasionally. But, most people don’t end up causing an accident that injures or takes the life of someone else while speeding. NHTSA reported that speeding was the second leading cause of fatal collisions in Florida. Drivers who recklessly exceed the speed limit and cause accidents must be held accountable for the harm they cause. - Driving Under the Influence
There is nothing accidental about drunk driving. The person who drinks and drives is doing so intentionally which makes it entirely preventable. Jim is the former Chairman of the Pinellas County MADD Advisory board which is working to eliminate and prevent driving under the influence and impaired driving. DUI was the number one cause of fatal car crashes in Florida in 2013. - Impaired Driving
A growing threat to driving safety is the sharp increase of drivers who are impaired by drugs and prescription medications. In fact, law enforcement now reports more stops are made for impaired driving than for DUI. These stops are commonly made during the middle of the day. And, many drivers who are pulled over are on pills prescribed by their doctor or a combination of them. These drivers are no less dangerous than someone who has been drinking and they cause accidents every day. - Auto accidents can also be the result of careless driving, rubber-necking, driver fatigue, unsafe roadways and construction, defective car parts, and bad weather. Over the years, we have met with many victims of crashes who said they never thought it would happen to them.
Get the Legal Help You Need
The legal team at Jim Dodson Law has decades of experience handling Florida car accident cases. Just tell us what happened. Call to schedule a free consultation at 888-207-0905 or click below to complete our short form and we’ll call you back
Common Types of Car Accidents
Car crashes happen for a number of reasons. Florida roads include a variety of drivers, from very experienced to teens who are driving for the first time as well as an increasing population of elderly drivers.
Below are Some of the Most Common Types of Vehicle Accidents We See in Our Law Practice
- Rear-End Collisions
The most common type of car accident is a rear-end collision. NHTSA reports almost 30% of all car accidents are rear-impact crashes. When a rear-end collision occurs, it is almost always caused by the driver behind the impacted car. Typically, because the driver is tailgating, speeding, distracted, or just not paying attention. - Uber & Lyft (Ridesharing) Accidents
With more and more people using ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft, it’s become increasingly common for the drivers of these vehicles to be involved in a crash. These crashes raise liability and insurance concerns for everyone involved, whether they are a passenger in the ridesharing vehicle, a driver for one of the services, or injured when a negligent ridesharing driver causes a crash. Ridesharing services carry certain coverages to protect those injured while using their app, or by their drivers. Due to the potential complexities involved in such situations, if you are involved in such an accident, it’s important to consult with a Florida car accident attorney that has experience with these cases. - Hit-and-Run Auto Accidents
All car accidents are devastating, but when a driver leaves the scene of a collision they caused, it’s an unthinkable act. It happens more than you might know. Twenty-five percent of all crashes are hit-and-runs and more than half of these are pedestrian accidents. Hit-and-run drivers must be held accountable for their irresponsible acts. We always advise clients of the importance of carrying UM insurance (uninsured/underinsured coverage). This is the coverage that will protect you if you are hit by a driver who leaves the scene. - T-Bone Accidents
Car wrecks at an intersection are often referred to as T-bone accidents or broadside collisions because the side of one vehicle is hit by the front end of another vehicle. This type of accident usually results in serious injuries and even death because the cars involved are typically traveling at high speeds. The common cause of T-bone collisions is a failure to yield to oncoming traffic. - Sideswipe Vehicle Collisions
A sideswipe collision is when two vehicles are driving next to one another in the same direction and one swerves into the other’s lane. This type of crash often results in catastrophic injuries and can even be fatal because airbags don’t protect the drivers or passengers from the sideways blow. The most common reason for a sideswipe accident is that a driver changes lanes without turning to check the mirror’s blind spot. Other reasons could be driver distraction, loss of control on wet pavement, traveling too close to cars parked on the side of the road, or aggressive driving such as speeding and weaving in and out of cars on a busy interstate.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents leave drivers and passengers with very serious injuries that require lots of medical attention and recovery time. Unfortunately, some injuries are so debilitating that lives are changed forever. Below is a list of some types we have seen in our injury law firm.
- Neck & Back Injuries
The acceleration/deceleration in an automobile accident can cause the drivers and passengers to be jolted or thrown back and forth. Whiplash is the most common injury suffered in vehicle accidents but can be one of the least serious. However, severe cases can damage the vertebrae, ligaments or discs, and even the spinal cord in the neck and the back. Something this serious could result in the loss of function of the limbs or even paralysis.
- Closed Head & Brain Injuries
Closed head and traumatic brain injuries are very common injuries caused by a serious car accident. They often occur when the head makes contact with some part of the vehicle even including the airbag. The National Institute of Health reports about half of all traumatic brain injuries are a result of car collisions, motorcycle crashes, and bicycle accidents.
- Fractures
Many times people who are injured in a car crash suffer broken bones and fractures. Most of the time these types of injuries require surgery and if there are multiple fractures the injured victim may have to have a series of reconstructive surgeries. Fractures can occur almost anywhere after a vehicle collision but some of the most common areas are the back, skull, arms and legs, wrists and ankles, the ribs, and the pelvis. - Psychological & Emotional Injuries
Unless you have been in a serious car wreck, you may not realize the psychological and emotional injuries they can cause. It has been reported that about 30% of car accident victims suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is the most common psychological injury people suffer after an automobile accident. Other common psychological or emotional injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include acute anxiety disorder, depression, and driving phobias.
While this is not a comprehensive list of all accident injuries, these are some of the most common that have been reported by victims. Other common injuries caused by car wrecks include cuts and lacerations, burns, loss of a limb, damage to internal organs, and facial injuries.
What Our Clients Say About the Personal Service Our Law Firm Provides
When you’re looking for a lawyer to represent you, one of the best ways to learn about the attorney you are considering hiring is to listen to what their former clients have to say.
"They are really true to what people have said. I really did receive top notch service from this law firm. I would highly encourage anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation to call Jim Dodson"
Get the Medical Care You Need Following A Car Accident
If you feel even the slightest bit of pain after a car accident, seek medical attention right away. If you don’t feel like you need to ride in the ambulance, then be sure to have a friend or family member who was not in the accident drive you to the hospital for a full examination. You may not feel like you are injured immediately following a crash, but a day or even a week later you could start to have some pain. The sooner you receive the treatment you need, the better chance you will have at a full recovery.
Be sure to tell the medical staff about all the pain you are having so they can treat you accordingly. Also, being as detailed and accurate as possible will help your case. Some victims of accidents put off medical treatment. They are more concerned with calling a car accident attorney because they are wondering about what the value of their case is. But, what is more important to your case is seeking medical attention right away.
Dealing with the Insurance Adjuster After a Car Accident
If you or a family member has been involved in a car accident, there are some things you will need to remember when dealing with the other driver’s insurance company. You don’t want to make a mistake that could hurt your case. If you suffered serious injuries, hiring an experienced Florida car accident attorney to represent you will help you avoid harming your claim.
- Should I Give a Recorded Statement?
It could be that you are in this situation for the first time, and unfortunately, the other driver’s insurance adjuster knows that. They know how to take every advantage and have developed strategies to get you to say something that can harm your case. If the driver at fault has contacted their insurance company, you can be sure that an adjuster is going to reach out to you very soon. In fact, they want to do this as quickly as possible so they can get a recorded statement from you. What most people don’t know is that you don’t have to give that recorded statement. It’s in your best interest not to do so until you know the seriousness of your injuries and you have contacted an experienced car accident lawyer.
- Should I Sign a Medical Release Form?
This can be a tricky question to answer because there are some forms that you must sign and others that you need to be wary of signing.
Under Florida’s No-Fault insurance, your own insurance will cover up to the first $10,000 of your medical bills. In this situation, they may ask you to sign a medical authorization form to make sure they get the proper records from your doctors. You should sign this form.
When the other driver’s insurance adjuster contacts you and asks you to sign a medical release form you should be careful in doing so. You don’t have to give them access to your private medical records. The problem with signing such a form is it could give them access to any medical records that you have ever had, even those that have nothing to do with your injuries from the accident. If you have a claim your lawyer will know which records to hand over and which forms you should sign. It’s in your very best interest to not sign the medical release forms from the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident.
How to Choose the Right Car Accident Lawyer for Your Case
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, but after you have received the proper medical treatment for your injuries. Finding the right lawyer is important and there are things you should keep in mind when choosing one.
Here are a Few Tips on Choosing a Good Car Accident Lawyer
- Experience in Handling Car Accident Cases in Florida
There are a lot of lawyers out there and some of them specialize in a certain practice area. It’s a good idea to hire a lawyer with a lot of experience but more importantly, you want a lawyer with a history of taking cases similar to yours. It takes years of experience in handling car accident cases successfully. You want a lawyer who has this experience and understands how to negotiate and deal with the insurance companies. - Knowledge of the Law
There is a lot you can tell about a lawyer by asking for their educational achievements, certifications, awards, and membership associations they belong to. Look for a car accident attorney who is AV Preeminent on Martindale, the most respected nationwide peer review lawyer rating services; also find out if the lawyer has a 10.0 Superior rating on AVVO, another nationwide rating service. - Legal Fees
You should only choose a lawyer who uses a contingency fee. This means that you won’t pay the lawyer unless your case successfully settles. There should be no up-front costs for their legal services. - Honesty & Integrity
Ask the attorney to send you their verdicts and settlements. An honest car accident lawyer will let you see their past results and previous settlements to give you an idea of what to expect. It’s also very important to feel comfortable around your lawyer. When you first contacted them did you feel they were being genuine and listened to what you had to say?
If you have immediate questions and want to speak to a Florida car accident lawyer, call our office at 888-207-0905 to schedule a time to discuss your accident case. There is never a fee for a consultation.