Car Accident Attorney in New Port Richey
Drivers in New Port Richey enjoy relatively safe roads. With the city regularly conducting repairs on everything from the roads themselves to pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, New Port Richey drivers may feel confident about their odds of safely reaching their destination. However, not all drivers adhere to the rules of the road and sometimes cause serious accidents. Car accidents can lead to serious physical injuries, immense emotional distress, and serious financial consequences for victims. A New Port Richey car accident lawyer can go a long way in helping you make the use of the benefits available to you.
If you suffered injuries in a car accident in New Port Richey due to another driver’s negligence, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries. The experienced attorneys at Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Law Firm, Accident Injury Attorneys can help. Contact us today to learn more about your right to pursue compensation after a car accident.
What to Do After a Car Accident in New Port Richey
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in New Port Richey, you’ll want to take the right steps to protect your health and your legal rights. Here’s a quick overview of what you should do in the days following the accident:
1. Seek Medical Treatment
Even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously injured, it’s crucial to get a thorough medical evaluation as soon as possible. Some injuries, like whiplash or concussions, may not show symptoms immediately. Prompt medical care is essential for your health and strengthens your claim by documenting your injuries.
2. Report the Accident
If you haven’t already done so, report the accident to the police and your insurance company. Provide a clear, factual account of what happened, but avoid admitting fault or speculating about the cause of the accident.
3. Gather Evidence
If you’re able, collect as much evidence as possible, including photos of the damage, contact information for witnesses, and the other driver’s insurance details. If you’re unable to gather evidence due to your injuries, consider asking a trusted friend or family member to help.
4. Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
Reach out to an experienced New Port Richey car accident attorney as soon as possible. They can guide you through the legal process, help you understand your rights, and communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. The sooner you involve a car accident attorney, the better they can protect your interests and start building your case.
At Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Law Firm, Accident Injury Attorneys, we understand that the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with injuries and mounting expenses. That’s why we’re here to help.
Our dedicated team of New Port Richey car accident attorneys is ready to provide the legal representation you need during this challenging time. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Law Firm, Accident Injury Attorneys: Legal Services for New Port Richey Car Accident Victims
At Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Law Firm, Accident Injury Attorneys, we understand just how quickly a serious car accident in New Port Richey can turn your life upside down. You may find yourself facing immense medical expenses, struggling to pay your regular bills, and dealing with new physical limitations that may last for the rest of your life.
Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys will work hard to maximize the compensation you can recover after your car accident as much as possible.
Your New Port Richey Personal Injury Claim is Personal to Us.
To the victim of a serious car accident, filing a claim is not just a standard transaction. It is very specific and personal. Mistakes can often be detrimental to the overall success of your claim if done incorrectly on your own or with a car accident lawyer who is not competent in car accident cases.
You may have sustained severe injuries and face immense limitations as a result of your car accident. The suffering you have faced does not look exactly like the suffering anyone else has dealt with in the aftermath of a serious car accident.
Never accept a one-size-fits-all response to your car accident claim. At Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Law Firm, Accident Injury Attorneys, we offer personalized service to all of our clients, aiding them in their pursuit of compensation following a serious New Port Richey car accident.
Delving into the Details of Your Motor Vehicle Accident
Car accidents can occur for a variety of reasons and under a wide range of circumstances. To move forward with your car accident claim, you need an expert breakdown of all the factors that contributed to your car accident. Did the driver commit an act of negligence that caused your injuries?
Did additional factors, such as driver inebriation or a mechanical failure, add to the severity of the accident? At Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Law Firm, Accident Injury Attorneys, we conduct a full investigation into all of our clients’ accidents to identify all parties that may share liability for the accident. Often, we can identify more than one party that shares liability, which can increase the compensation our client ultimately recovers.
Fighting the Insurance Company on Your Behalf
Dealing with insurance companies can be one of the biggest headaches associated with serious car accident claims. Insurance companies often fail to provide car accident victims with an accurate assessment of the compensation they deserve. Frequently, car insurance companies start by issuing a low settlement offer to the victim of the car accident. That settlement offer may not even cover your initial medical bills, much less your long-term financial needs.
Unfortunately, all too many car accident victims feel pressured into accepting this initial offer. At Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Law Firm, Accident Injury Attorneys, we fight aggressively on behalf of our clients, increasing the odds that they will recover the compensation they really deserve for their injuries.
New Port Richey: Why Car Accidents Occur
From dangerous intersections like the ones along Highway 19 to areas with high pedestrian traffic, New Port Richey has its fair share of roadway challenges that raise the odds of a serious accident. While most drivers exercise due caution on the road to protect themselves, their passengers, and the other drivers around them, some fail to drive with due care.
Weather conditions can raise accident risk.
Each year, New Port Richey sees an average of 51 inches of rainfall. While the city does see more sunny days than the US average, that means that when it rains, it’s often heavy. Residents become familiar with torrential downpours, particularly around hurricane season. Heavy rainfall can make it much more difficult to avoid potential accidents since it makes the roads slick and causes vehicles to hydroplane. Heavy rainfall can also decrease visibility substantially, making it difficult for New Port Richey drivers to see and avoid hazards around them.
Distracted drivers can cause serious hazards for everyone around them.
Distracted driving, according to the NHTSA, includes any activity that takes the driver’s hands, eyes, or attention off the road. Most drivers know the risks associated with driving while distracted, including increased accident risk. Unfortunately, many drivers nevertheless continue to drive while distracted, particularly when it comes to cell phone use. Distracted drivers may lose track of what is happening on the road around them, raising the odds that they will cause a serious collision.
Aggressive drivers increase both the risk of an accident and the severity of accidents.
New Port Richey, just 35 miles away from Tampa, has many drivers that commute to Tampa to work each day. These commuters work in a big city while enjoying the small-town feel that comes with living in New Port Richey, but they can also cause problems on the roads.
Drivers who spend a long time on the road each day are more likely to engage in aggressive driving. Aggressive driving can include weaving in and out of traffic, ignoring the rules of the road, tailgating, and, in times of immense frustration, even threatening other drivers on the road.
Tourist traffic increases the risk of accidents.
New Port Richey is a great vacation destination. In New Port Richey, visitors can enjoy the beach, the terrific shopping, and nature. Tourists can also pose a unique danger on the roads. Tourists do not know local streets as well as residents, which means that they may have a harder time navigating safely.
They are more likely to frequently check their GPS device or a navigation app, which is a distraction. They may also engage in unusually reckless behaviors while on vacation, including drinking and driving. These behaviors can all add up to a considerably higher probability that a tourist will cause an accident.
Speeding raises the risk of many types of accidents.
Speeding drivers often have a hard time avoiding collisions, because the faster someone drives, the less time they have to react to a potential accident scenario. Also, speeding increases the severity of many types of car accidents, since it increases the force at which the accident occurs. Unfortunately, many drivers in New Port Richey break the speed limit to get to their destination faster, whether because they feel eager to enjoy their time on vacation or because they want to get to work faster.
Ignoring traffic signals is a major problem on the roads.
Traffic signals throughout New Port Richey, from red lights to roadway signs, let drivers know where they need to go and what they need to do on the roads. They designate which lane of traffic has the right of way and who must yield in specific situations. Traffic signals, when obeyed, keep traffic flowing smoothly.
Unfortunately, when drivers choose to ignore traffic signals, it significantly increases the risk of many types of accidents. Some New Port Richey drivers choose to ignore traffic signals: running red lights or stop signs, for example, to reach their destinations faster. Unfortunately, this behavior can make their location difficult to predict or cause them to miss the presence of other vehicles already in the intersection, raising the risk of an accident.
Car Accident Injuries in New Port Richey
In the aftermath of a serious New Port Richey car accident, many victims find themselves suffering from severe injuries that may impact the rest of their lives.
Common car accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury, which can interfere with a victim’s memory, ability to focus, and emotional regulation.
- Back and neck injuries, which can cause pain when the victim sits, stands, or moves in certain ways. In the case of spinal cord injuries, the victim may also suffer from partial or full paralysis.
- Amputation of a limb, which may require substantial physical and occupational therapy.
- Broken bones, including, in some cases, multiple broken bones, which can interfere with a victim’s ability to work, engage in self-care, or take care of normal personal responsibilities.
- Severe lacerations, which can require plastic surgery or create a permanent change in a person’s appearance.
Often, car accident injuries result in ongoing challenges for the victim. Victims of serious injuries may have to take time off work while they recover. In some severe cases, car accident injuries can even permanently prevent the victim from taking care of their former work responsibilities.
Severe injuries can also make it difficult for a victim to engage in their preferred leisure activities, which may lead to immense emotional distress. Even if they are not permanent, accident injuries often result in high medical bills, a long road to recovery, and considerable restrictions while the victim recovers.
Who Bears Liability in a New Port Richey Auto Accident?
The auto accident attorneys at Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Injury Firm understand that our clients want to recover as much compensation as possible for their injuries. We start by taking a look at all parties that may share liability for an accident. Identifying multiple liable parties may increase the compensation the victim ultimately recovers for their injuries.
The police report from the scene of the accident may clearly describe which driver caused the accident. However, other factors may also contribute to the accident. Additional parties may bear liability for your accident and, therefore, for your injuries. We describe some commonly liable third parties below.
The Driver’s Employer
If a driver was on the clock when they caused your car accident, such as a delivery driver or a big truck driver, the driver’s employer may share liability for the accident. Employers sometimes have policies that lead to unsafe habits on the road, increasing accident risk. If the employer’s workplace policies or procedures caused your accident, you may collect compensation from the driver’s employer.
Laws Affecting Car Accidents in New Port Richey, Florida
Navigating the legal landscape after a car accident can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to recover. Florida’s unique car accident laws play a major role in determining the outcome of your case, and understanding these laws is crucial. Here are three key legal concepts you need to know about car accidents in New Port Richey.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System and Serious Injury Threshold
Florida is a no-fault state, which means that your own insurance policy’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is typically the first source of compensation, regardless of who caused the accident. This system is designed to ensure that injured drivers receive some level of compensation promptly after an accident.
However, PIP benefits have their limitations. They generally cover up to $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages, and they don’t address non-economic damages like pain and suffering. To pursue additional compensation beyond what PIP covers, you must meet Florida’s “serious injury threshold.” This threshold includes injuries that result in significant and permanent loss of bodily function, permanent injury, disfigurement, or death.
If your injuries meet this threshold, you can step outside the no-fault system and file a claim directly against the at-fault driver’s insurance. A New Port Richey car accident lawyer at our firm can determine whether your injuries meet this standard and guide you through the next steps.
Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims
The statute of limitations dictates the time frame during which you can file a lawsuit after a car accident. In Florida, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose the right to seek compensation, no matter how severe your injuries are or how strong your case may be.
It’s crucial to act quickly after an accident. While two years might seem like plenty of time, building a strong case often requires gathering evidence, speaking with medical professionals, consulting crash experts, and dealing with the insurance companies. The sooner you start, the better your chances of achieving a favorable outcome.
At Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer, we take swift and proactive steps to protect your claim and work within the state-mandated deadlines. Don’t lose your chance at recovery—reach out to us as soon as possible.
Florida’s Comparative Negligence Rule
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which can impact how much compensation you’re entitled to after an accident. Under this rule, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault in the accident. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for the accident, your compensation would be reduced by 20%. However, if you are more than 50% at fault, you will be barred from recovering any compensation.
While this rule allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault, it also gives insurance companies an incentive to argue that you were more responsible for the accident than you really were. This tactic can significantly reduce your settlement or award.
An experienced New Port Richey car accident lawyer can counter these arguments and ensure that your level of fault is assessed fairly. At Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer, our accident injury lawyers know how to gather evidence, negotiate effectively, and present a compelling case that highlights the true extent of the other party’s negligence.
How Much Compensation Can You Recover Following a New Port Richey Auto Accident?
After a New Port Richey auto accident, the compensation you recover will depend on the insurance policy that covers the liable party as well as the expenses you faced as a direct result of the car accident. At Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Law Firm, Accident Injury Attorneys, our New Port Richey Car Accident Lawyer cannot guarantee that you will recover compensation for your injuries. But can guarantee that you will have all the knowledge of the facts and law available to you to make the best use of any benefits you may have.
However, most successful car accident claims in New Port Richey include compensation for:
- Medical costs related to the accident.
- Any lost wages that resulted from your inability to work because of your injuries.
- Pain and suffering because of your injuries.
A personal injury attorney can help break down the costs you faced due to your accident and give you more information about what to expect from your specific personal injury claim.
How Much Does a Car Accident Attorney Cost?
At Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer, we believe that everyone deserves access to skilled legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis. This means:
- You pay no upfront fees.
- You pay nothing out of pocket during the course of your case.
- We only get paid if we win your case.
Our payment comes from a percentage of your settlement or verdict, and we’ll discuss this with you clearly at the start of our representation so there are no surprises. This way, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the financial risk and legal battle.
Our goal is to take the stress and uncertainty out of the process so you can get the justice you deserve without worrying about how to afford an attorney.
Contact Our New Port Richey Car Accident Lawyer Today
Did you suffer serious injuries in a New Port Richey car accident? A New Port Richey personal injury lawyer from Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Law Firm, Accident Injury Attorneys can help you learn more about your right to seek compensation. Contact Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Law Firm, Accident Injury Attorneys today at (727) 849-5353 for your free consultation.