Palm Harbor Car Accident Lawyer

Auto accidents devastate lives and leave victims grappling with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens.

No one should have to face aggressive insurance adjusters, opposing counsel, and at-fault parties alone after a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. If you sustained injuries in a car accident that someone else caused, a Palm Harbor car accident lawyer at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, is here to help you seek the monetary compensation you deserve to pay for your injuries after your crash.

We understand the difficulty involved in the process of filing an insurance claim or litigating a car crash lawsuit, and we can help you fight for the maximum compensation allowed under the law. Our firm can represent you against insurers and at-fault parties to seek recovery for your losses.

Our Palm Harbor Car Accident Lawyers Successfully Settle and Litigate Auto Wreck Claims

At Dolman Law Group, our lawyers for car accident victims work to help our clients reach a positive resolution after a car wreck that will help them recover from their injuries and other losses.

Some of our past results for our clients include:

• $5 million for a victim of a rear-end collision with serious burn injuries.
• $3.85 million for a semi-truck accident victim with traumatic brain injuries and spinal injuries.
• $3.2 million settlement for a victim of a truck accident with traumatic brain injuries.

Potential Car Accident Dangers in Palm Harbor

Each time you get behind the wheel of your car, you face the risk of an accident. Commutes in Palm Harbor—and the surrounding areas of Clearwater, Tampa, and St. Petersburg—involve an everyday risk of sustaining injuries in a car accident. Home to over 60,000 residents, this small but busy Florida west coast community sees many visitors and traffic in and out of the area throughout the year.

On the outskirts of one of the biggest metropolitan areas in Florida, many visitors come to this area to experience some of the many natural landscapes and attractions that the Florida Gulf Coast has to offer.

Areas of interest in and around Palm Harbor include:

• Honeymoon Island State Park
• Lake Tarpon
• Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art
• Anclote Key Preserve State Park
• Tarpon Springs
• Crystal Beach

Unfortunately, with beautiful beaches and other landmarks comes higher traffic and increases in the risk of a car accident in and around Palm Harbor, particularly during busier seasons, such as the summer and winter months. In just one year, the Palm Harbor area reports over 14,000 motor vehicle crashes, of which over 100 will result in a fatality and over 8,000 injuries.

The Most Common Causes of Palm Harbor Car Accidents

Many factors can contribute to a traffic accident, and several external forces at play during an accident can exacerbate the severity of an accident as well as the injuries to the occupants of vehicles. However, ultimately, one primary factor exists in each motor vehicle collision. Driver negligence is the primary cause of many car accidents.

The negligence of one or more parties may result in a car accident, and serve as the direct cause of injuries and damages to the victims of a negligent driver’s actions.

• Driver distraction - Cell phones, entertainment systems, other activities, and passengers can create distractions for drivers while on the road. In the blink of an eye, a driver can lose focus, lose control of a vehicle, and collide with another nearby vehicle, object, or pedestrian.
• Drivers under the influence - Impairment due to alcohol or drugs proves especially problematic in the late evening hours and areas in proximity to bars and other late-night locales that serve alcohol and serve as popular party destinations. Over 800 people lose their lives each year in Florida in alcohol-related traffic collisions.
• Aggressive or careless drivers - Drivers that make aggressive or careless maneuvers on the roads put others in the vicinity at risk of an accident. Certain actions, such as weaving in and out of heavy traffic congestion, overtaking vehicles, and making lane changes without proper signaling, can all lead to a car accident.
• Inclement weather - In Florida, rainy days frequently occur and often unexpectedly. Weather can change in a matter of minutes from sunny to thunderstorms, which can catch drivers off guard. Wet weather requires drivers to slow down and adapt to stay safe. Drivers that fail to meet the needs of bad weather on the roads can cause an accident with others, which may result in serious to fatal injuries.
• High speed - Speeding causes many car accidents. When a driver travels at excessive speeds, the driver may struggle to react quickly enough or come to a stop if an obstacle or congestion suddenly appears in the road ahead.
• Failure to follow traffic signals - Traffic signals serve as more than just mere suggestions, and when a driver fails to follow the rules of the road, the likelihood of a car accident goes up. Running red lights, stop signs, and failing to yield to others as signs indicate can wreak havoc at intersections and throughout city streets.

How Palm Harbor Car Crash Attorneys Prove Negligence in a Motor Vehicle Accident

Personal injury laws in each state allow for certain victims of negligence to recover compensation from the wrongdoers that cause harm. Car accidents fall under the umbrella of personal injury law, and when you suffer injuries in an accident due to another driver or party’s negligence. you may qualify to pursue compensation under the law.

A plaintiff must show that the elements of negligence apply to the defendant in a case to establish that a party bears liability for your damages. To prove negligence, you must show that the party you think bears liability for the accident meets each of the elements under the law.

The elements to establish negligence in a car accident include:

• Another driver or party owes you a duty of care - Essentially, most drivers that get behind the wheel of a vehicle understand that they must do so in consideration of the safety of other drivers, passengers, and travelers along the roadways. In addition to the driver of a vehicle, other parties may owe you a duty of care as well, such as a company or employer that has a relationship with the at-fault driver.
• The other party breached the duty of care to you, whether through action and/or inaction - A breach or violation of the duty of care can take place whether through an at-fault party’s reckless actions or the at-fault party’s failure to act.
• You sustained an injury in the accident - Under the law of recovery for negligence, you must show that you suffered some form of harm. A physical injury, damage, or other loss will meet this element.
• The injury or loss stems from the at-fault party’s breach - The injury, loss, or damage that you suffer must connect to the violation of the duty of care by the other driver or party. You must establish a link between the actions of the other party and the damage that you’ve suffered.

Injuries That Can Result From a Car Accident

Any car accident can end in injuries to an involved party. The amount of property damage on a vehicle does not always indicate the seriousness of the injuries to a victim. Whether a rear-end collision or a rollover crash, the violent impact and force in car accidents can prove life-threatening to a victim. When you become the victim of the negligence of another driver, you may feel caught off guard and unaware of the collision in the preceding moment. The inability to react can leave you vulnerable and unable to brace for the impact of another vehicle.

When your body sustains injuries in a car accident, the violent jolts and pulls from multiple directions can result in many types of different injuries and severity. Beyond the initial collision with another vehicle, many factors can contribute to more severe injuries, such as a rollover, the loss of control of your vehicle, nearby walls or objects, as well as a possible secondary impact.

In many instances, you may not fully realize the gravity of your car accident injuries immediately after a motor vehicle accident. Visible injuries don’t constitute the only threat to your health after an accident. Many serious car accident injuries can develop slowly and worsen over time. After a car accident, victims must remain cautious and seek medical attention after any indication of one or more injuries.

Common car accident injuries can include:

• Head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries
• Neck and back injuries, including spinal cord injury
• Broken bones or fractures
• Joint dislocations
• Injuries to tendons, ligaments, or muscles
• Burns
• Lacerations
• Internal bleeding or trauma to organs
• Loss of a limb or amputation

The Role of No-Fault Insurance in a Palm Harbor Auto Accident

Florida follows the legal doctrine of no-fault insurance. This does not mean that fault has no role in a car accident, but it indicates that a victim of a car crash has multiple options for recovery after an accident occurs. If you sustain injuries in a car accident due to the negligence of another party, you may file a claim with the at-fault party's insurance, your own insurer with personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, or both, depending on the circumstances. A car accident lawyer can provide further guidance as to the best option for your situation.

When the other party’s negligence appears clear, you may want to file a claim with the other insurer. However, if the other party has no insurance or low policy limits, you should probably also file a claim with your own insurance company.

Communicate with a Palm Harbor car accident attorney before you file a claim for your damages and injuries. Whether you file a claim with your insurer or the at-fault party’s insurance company, the insurance companies care more about their bottom lines than your best interests.

Common Insurance Company Tactics to Avoid

While Florida requires drivers to carry PIP insurance coverage, the protection is very limited. For instance, if your injuries cost more than $10,000, you will have to seek compensation from the at-fault driver's insurer.

Insurance companies, of course, know this. It's why after a car accident in Palm Harbor, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will likely try to contact you soon after the accident. Their goal is to get you to settle your case before you understand the full extent of your damages. They do this to minimize their financial responsibility to you and protect their profits.

Here are some of the tactics insurance companies typically use to directly settle with car accident survivors:

• Quick Settlement Offers: Insurance adjusters may offer quick settlements before you fully understand the extent of your injuries, hoping you'll accept a lower amount than you deserve.
• Requesting Unnecessary Information: Some insurers request unnecessary personal or medical information unrelated to your accident, potentially using it to dispute your claim.  
• Recorded Statements: They may ask you to provide a recorded statement, which they may use to undermine your claim, possibly even taking your words out of context.
• Delaying Tactics: Insurance companies sometimes delay and prolong the claim process, hoping you may accept a low offer out of frustration.
• Disputing Medical Treatment: Insurers often dispute medical treatments, questioning the necessity of certain procedures or claiming overtreatment of injuries.
• Misrepresenting Policy Details: Insurance representatives may misrepresent policy details, convincing you that you're entitled to less compensation than you actually deserve.
• Social Media Monitoring: Insurance companies frequently monitor your social media activity, using your posts to argue that your injuries are less severe than you claim.

Protect Yourself and Safeguard Your Interests:

1. Avoid discussing your car accident or negotiating with the insurance company.
2. Avoid giving recorded statements to the insurance company.
3. Contact an experienced Palm Harbor car accident lawyer to handle all communications with the insurance company.
4. Avoid posting anything about your accident or injuries on social media. Insurance companies can use anything you do or put in the public domain to weaken or deny your claim.
5. Follow your doctor's treatment recommendations promptly. Insurance companies see missed treatments and follow-up appointments as a sign that you’re physically well.
6. Consult a Palm Harbor car accident lawyer as soon as possible

Our Palm Harbor car accident attorneys are familiar with these insurance company strategies and can help you avoid potential pitfalls in your car accident claim. Our experienced attorneys can handle communications with insurers, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

7 Critical Steps to Take After a Palm Harbor Car Accident

The dust has settled and the debris has been removed from the scene, but the trauma of the car accident and the hardships it has brought to your life remain. As Palm Harbor car accident lawyers, we at Dolman Law Group understand the challenges you face. Taking the right steps after a car crash can protect your rights and potentially safeguard your future. Here's what you need to do:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Your health is paramount after a Palm Harbor car accident. Even if you feel fine, visit a doctor promptly. Many car crash injuries, such as whiplash or internal trauma, may not show immediate symptoms. Be sure to keep all follow-up appointments, too. Skipping them is like handing the insurance company ammunition to weaken your personal injury claim.

Why this step is so important:

• Detects hidden injuries before they worsen
• Creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident
• Strengthens your potential car accident claim

2. Document Everything Related to Your Car Crash

Preserve all evidence from your Palm Harbor car accident:

• Take photos of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident scene
• Keep all medical records and bills
• Save receipts for any accident-related out-of-pocket expenses
• Maintain a daily journal detailing pain levels and how injuries affect your life

3. Report Your Palm Harbor Car Accident

File an official report:

• Contact Palm Harbor police to file a report if not done at the scene
• Inform your insurance company about the accident
• Stick to facts and avoid admitting fault

4. Limit Discussions About Your Car Crash

Protect your car accident claim:

• Only discuss the accident with your doctor and lawyer
• Avoid posting about the accident on social media
• Don't give statements to the other driver's insurance without legal counsel

5. Track All Lost Wages from Your Car Accident

If your car crash injuries force you to miss work:

• Document all lost wages or income
• Include missed days, reduced hours, lost benefits, lost bonuses, and lost opportunities

6. Don't Rush to Settle Your Car Accident Claim

Be patient with your car accident settlement:

• Quick settlements rarely cover all damages
• Wait until you understand the full impact of your injuries
• Consult with a Palm Harbor car accident lawyer before accepting offers

7. Consult a Palm Harbor Car Accident Attorney

Protect your rights with legal representation:

• A skilled car accident lawyer can handle insurance communications
• We fight for the full compensation you deserve
• Dolman Law Group offers free consultations to discuss your case

Remember, the steps you take after a Palm Harbor car accident can significantly affect your ability to recover fair compensation. By following these measures and seeking experienced legal representation, you position yourself for the best possible outcome in this challenging situation.

Our Palm Harbor Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover Damages

After a car accident, you may have severe damage to your vehicle and serious injuries from which you need to recover. You may face mounting medical bills, be out of work, and feel unsure what impact your injuries will have on your future. You may qualify to pursue compensation for your losses, both economic and non-economic. Courts award damages in a car accident lawsuit to compensate victims for the financial expenses and losses that they incur, as well as the impact an injury has had or will have on their lives.

Car accident damages can include:

• Medical costs - You can include bills for the medical expenses of your care now and in the future as part of your claim or lawsuit. Serious injuries can have costly medical expenses, and if an injury results in a permanent disability, you may require lifelong care and services.
• Lost income - Whether you only have to miss work for a few days or you cannot ever return to work due to your injuries, an insurance claim or lawsuit allows you to seek compensation for these income losses. You may also qualify to seek future losses of income if your injuries prevent you from returning to your field of work.
• Vehicle and property damages - If the accident causes property damage to your vehicle or even completely totals it, an insurance claim or lawsuit will allow you to seek compensation for this damage, as well as any other personal property with you at the time of the accident.
• Pain and suffering - The physical pain and the emotional and mental anguish from a car accident can go far beyond the moments of impact. Those with serious injuries may feel pain and suffer from distress long after an accident passes. You can seek compensation for these intangible losses.

Contact a Palm Harbor Car Accident Lawyer at Dolman Law Group Today

If you sustain injuries in an auto accident, a Palm Harbor car accident lawyer at Dolman Law Group is available 24/7 to discuss the compensation you may recover. During your free consultation, one of our compassionate car crash attorneys can discuss the details of your accident, answer questions about your legal options, and help you decide whether you want to work with our dedicated legal team to resolve your case.

With offices across both Florida coasts, you can easily reach Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, at (727) 677-5558, or you can write to us using our online contact page.

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Palm Harbor Office Location
2385 Tampa Road, Suite 4
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 677-5558

Client Testimonial

“AMAZING and understanding attorneys! Did great on my case and I highly recommend Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA for anyone that has been injured in an accident!"
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Koralis R.
Jan 2020
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