Both tourists and locals enjoy traveling through Apollo Beach, Florida, to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and weather. However, this increases traffic and the chances of an accident.
Car accidents in Apollo Beach, Florida, can lead to financial hardship, serious injuries, and a total disruption of everyday life. If you are involved in a car crash, you may need help and financial compensation to get back on your feet.
The experienced attorneys of Florin|Roebig have been striving to ensure their clients are taken care of for nearly forty years.
2023 Car Accident Statistics for Hillsborough County
The following are accident statistics for Hillsborough County, Florida, where Apollo Beach is located.
- In 2023, there were a total of 394,366 car accidents.
- 3,191 of these reported accidents were fatal.
- 251,917 injuries resulted from being in a car accident in 2023.
- There were 104,871 hit-and-run accidents in 2023.
Apollo Beach Worst Roadways
Apollo Beach is a tight community with a number of residents and nearby destination locations. Anyone driving in Apollo Beach should be aware of these four high-risk Hillsborough roads.
- U.S. 41: This busy two-lane road is heavily traveled and its poor design, decreased visibility, and heavy traffic are just a few of the factors to a large number of accidents.
- Big Bend Road: This is a winding, rural road near Appollo, and it’s narrow and lacks shoulders or a median, for motorists and cyclists.
- Mira Bay Boulevard: With many left-hand turns, people cutting across lanes, and heavy traffic, this road in Appollo Beach has a high number of motor vehicle accidents per year.
- U.S. Route 41 and Progress Blvd: This stretch of roadway is located near MacDill Air Force Base and is heavily traveled by commuters. With rapid lane changes and drivers hurrying to get to work, this can be a dangerous road, especially during rush hour.
What To Know About Apollo Beach Car Accident Claims
When an injured car accident victim seeks compensation for their injuries or any damaged property, such as a wrecked vehicle, this is known as a car accident claim. The car accident claim is filed to collect damages for the auto accident.
Damages that can be collected after an accident can be economic or noneconomic in nature. Damages can include lost wages due to missing work, medical bills you have collected as a result of the accident, and pain and suffering as a result of being in a car crash.
These claims are often called personal injury claims or personal injury cases. Generally, personal injury claims can be settled outside of the court through the negotiation process with the assistance of a personal injury attorney.
However, there are times when either one or both parties cannot agree on a settlement amount. In these cases, the claim must go to court to be settled as a car accident lawsuit or personal injury lawsuit.
Car accident claims seem straightforward, but the following are important areas where people often have misinformation.
Common misconceptions regarding car accident claims:
- If you have insurance, you do not need an attorney
- You cannot file a claim if you only had minor injuries
- The at-fault driver’s insurance will cover everything
- You can file a claim whenever you want
- You will not be able to afford a car accident attorney
- You have to accept whatever settlement offer you receive
- You have to file a lawsuit to get compensation for an accident
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
If you or a loved one has been affected by a car accident, it is important to initiate the claims process as soon as possible. By filing your claim quickly, you can help ensure that you receive compensation for your medical bills and other related expenses in a timely manner.
When you are ready to start a claim, the following are the basic steps you should take:
- Compile evidence for your claim: You need to gather the photographs and videos you took of the accident while at the scene.
- Review your insurance policy: Take a moment to look over your insurance policy information and make sure you understand what it covers.
- Contact a Florin|Roebig accident attorney: While not every accident is considered serious, it is always beneficial to have someone on your side who is very familiar with your state’s car accident laws.
- Get a copy of the police report: The police report will help your insurance company determine who was at fault for the wreck and how much compensation should be given for damages.
- Contact your insurance agent: After you have completed the previous steps, it is time to call your insurance agent. Your agent will then begin your claim and send you the necessary paperwork.
An insurance adjuster will likely be sent to investigate the accident and report to your insurance provider. Your insurance company will consider the adjuster’s information when deciding compensation amounts.
Attorney Chad K. Florin of Florin|Roebig cautions,
“Insurance companies are known to do whatever they can to avoid paying people what they are rightfully owed. Seeking legal advice from an experienced insurance attorney is always your best bet.”
Apollo Beach Laws For Car Accident Cases
Numerous laws govern how car accident cases are handled. Still, the two most significant ones are the statute of limitations for car accident claims and the laws determining fault in a car accident.
The statute of limitations is the amount of time you have to bring your claim against the at-fault party. In Florida, the statute of limitations for car accident claims is four years. You must file your claim on time to avoid having your claim denied.
Fault is another consideration that can affect the outcome of your personal injury claim. Florida is a no-fault state, meaning all registered Florida motorists must have personal injury protection insurance (PIP) to cover the cost of injuries and property damage, no matter who caused the accident.
Fault In Car Accidents
Several factors can determine fault, but in most cases, the party at fault is the negligent one. When a driver does something that directly causes an accident, it is legally known as negligence.
Some factors that can affect fault in car accidents include the following:
- If the driver was negligent
- Whether or not alcohol and other substances were involved
- The conditions of the road
- The weather conditions on the day of the accident
- Whether or not a vehicle malfunction occurred
If a driver fails to yield to oncoming traffic when attempting to make a left turn, the driver may be considered at fault due to their inability to obey traffic laws; however, if a pedestrian fails to cross at a crosswalk and causes an accident.
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Liability In Car Accident Cases
While a person could be considered at fault for your accident, they may not be determined to be liable (legally responsible) for the cost of damages.
Sometimes, a driver can cause an accident due to an unavoidable circumstance. A common example is faulty brakes: if a driver is unable to stop their vehicle because the brakes malfunction, they are at fault for the accident, but they may not be considered liable for it.
In this case, the company that created and made the brakes could be considered liable for the accident. Companies that create vehicle parts are held to a high standard because if their parts malfunction, serious injuries and even death can occur.
The Florin|Roebig car accident attorneys are experienced in making sure the right people are held liable for your accident.
Consideration Of Negligence, Degree Of Fault
Another important part of personal injury claims is determining negligence, which can be difficult to understand if you are not educated in law. In personal injury cases, the term negligence refers to any conduct or behavior that caused injuries, damage to property, or other related consequences.
Being distracted while driving, for instance, is one example of negligence if it directly results in an auto accident.
“Distracted driving has become a serious concern and one of the leading forms of negligence on American roads.”
Florida is a modified comparative negligence state, which means that if you are in an accident, both party’s insurance companies will examine each driver’s conduct and determine the degree of negligence before assigning compensation.
These are the most common types of negligence in personal injury claims:
- Gross negligence: This occurs when there is a serious disregard for the safety of others or traffic laws, which then results in an accident. In most cases, gross negligence must have occurred to file a claim for car accident injuries.
- Comparative negligence: Considers a party’s level of blame for the accident compared to the blame of others involved. Each party is assigned a percentage of fault, and damages awarded are adjusted accordingly. This is the most common type of negligence system used by most states.
- Contributory negligence: You can’t file a car accident claim to seek compensation if you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident in this type of negligence system.
In most cases, fault is rarely given to just one person involved in an accident. Courts often assign varying degrees or portions of fault based on several different factors.
Here is what’s important to understand about fault in car accidents:
- You can still recover damages in no-fault states. You may still be able to receive compensation for your injuries if your injuries exceed your personal injury protection (PIP) policy, even in no-fault states.
- Your level of fault may reduce your settlement. If you live in a state that uses a comparative fault system, you can file a claim against the negligent party, but your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation. So, if you are assigned a 30% fault, you will receive a settlement amount of less than 30%.
- Fault may bar you from claiming damages in some states. In a contributory negligence state, you cannot file a claim if you are found to be at fault in any way.
The lawyers of Florin|Roebig are available to answer any questions you may have about the legal process or the claims process. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Many far-reaching consequences can come as a result of a serious car accident. Some of the ways an accident can impact your life include:
- Job loss
- Lost income potential
- Loss of transportation
- Loss of independence
- Pain and suffering costs
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of companionship
- Conversions to your living space or transportation to adapt to severe or permanent injuries
At Florin|Roebig law firm, our lawyers have won millions in case awards for our clients due to injuries, helping them to rebuild their lives after the accidents.
What To Do After A Car Accident in Apollo Beach
Understanding what to do in the aftermath of a car accident can help bring order into a chaotic situation and can help build your future personal injury claim.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, follow these steps:
1. Seek Medical Care
Call 911 immediately if there are any serious injuries so an ambulance can be sent. A medical professional should properly assess minor injuries to prevent more severe consequences and ensure appropriate medical treatment.
Make sure you keep track of all of the medical bills you accrue because of the accident; this will be helpful when building your car accident case.
2. Collect Contact Information
If you are not injured and can, you must exchange contact information with every driver involved in the accident.
Information you should gather includes:
- Names
- Phone numbers
- License plate numbers
- Driver’s insurance information
- Driver’s license numbers
3. Call The Police
In the state of Florida, when there is an accident with any property damage or injuries, you must contact the police. Having a police officer on-scene may also be helpful as a mediator between you and other motorists who may be very upset and stressed.
4. Get Photos Or Videos
You should record the accident scene as soon as you are safe and away from dangerous traffic or debris. An important detail to include in your video recording is the time and the date.
If you can, you should take pictures and videos of your injuries, damage to your car, the positions of the vehicles, and the license plates of all other cars.
5. Report The Accident To Your Insurance Company
After receiving medical attention and reporting the accident to the police, you should call your insurance provider and begin the car accident claim process.
Another important benefit of hiring a personal injury attorney to handle your car accident claim is their knowledge of what you should do.
6. Contact A Florin|Roebig Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring an attorney can benefit you by advising you of what to say on an insurance claim, helping you file your claim, evaluating all the damages, and confirming you are filing for the maximum amount attainable.
At Florin|Roebig, we are not afraid to negotiate with insurance companies. We have nearly forty years of experience in car accident law.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
Hiring a car accident attorney can help ensure a greater chance of reaching an appropriate settlement offer. Our law offices offer free consultations to discuss your case and explain your legal options.
The following are advantages that you would gain by hiring a Florin|Roebig car accident attorney:
Car Accident Case Experience
When a law firm has been established for a long time, it will have experience in a wider variety of scenarios, making its knowledge invaluable.
The car accident attorneys at Florin|Roebig have more than four decades of experience handling car accident injury claims and hundreds of satisfied clients to date.
A Strong Personal Injury Claim
Hiring an attorney with a strong history of successfully representing car accident claims can greatly increase your chances of getting a satisfactory settlement.
The attorneys of Florin|Roebig have nearly forty years of experience representing personal injury claims and are willing to walk you through the claims process.
Negotiating A Fair Settlement
Many people have encountered insurance companies that refuse to act in good faith, making hiring a personal injury attorney critical to your claim.
When you hire a Florin|Roebig attorney, you can shift the responsibility of negotiating with your insurance provider to a legal professional who has experience in advocating for injured parties on their behalf.
Practical Advice for After a Car Accident
The following are a few practical steps to take when navigating a car accident:
- Get medical attention as soon as possible: Those who have been seriously injured will likely be sent by ambulance to a nearby emergency room. If you have mild injuries or have not been injured, you will likely be checked out on the scene with instructions to make a follow-up appointment with your general practitioner.
- Collect evidence immediately: As soon as you are physically able, you should begin taking pictures and videos of the accident, the cars involved, any injuries, and other relevant information. One idea is to record witnesses telling what happened for future use.
- Contact your insurance company: When you call your insurance agent, it is important to ensure you have the documents you need close by. These documents can include your policy information, medical reports, medical invoices, estimates from an auto repair place, and the other driver’s contact information. This will help the process go smoother.
- Protect your legal rights: It is critical that you do not take any blame for the accident, as this could affect your settlement. This is one reason why contacting a personal injury attorney can be very beneficial: They can advise you on what to say.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Florida?
In most cases, attorneys in Florida work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not have to pay their attorney’s fees unless they win your car accident case.
Should I hire an attorney after a car accident in Florida?
It is only a benefit for your case if you consider hiring an attorney to help assist you in building and filing your personal injury claim.
How much can someone sue for a car accident in Florida?
In many states, the maximum amount you can sue someone for damages related to an accident is limited. However, in Florida, you can legally seek compensation that adequately covers the full cost of your damages.
What is the new law in Florida for car accidents?
The new Florida accident law states that victims can only recover damages if they are found to be less than 50% responsible. That means if the other party is found to be 45% responsible, then you can recover $0.
List Of Top-Rated Car Accident Lawyers Serving Apollo Beach
When you’ve been injured, it’s critically important to get legal representation from a personal injury attorney that has a track record of success in the courtroom.
Attorneys at Florin|Roebig law firm are among the most respected car accident attorneys in the United States. For every year since the inception of the honor in 2010, Florin|Roebig has been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by “US News and World Report” and “Best Lawyers in America.”
With over 30 years of experience and $1 billion in settlements, our nationally recognized law firm helps car accident victims recover damages for their injuries.
Some of our highly esteemed car accident lawyers include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- John J. Hart
- Shaun M. Cummings
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Find Help Filing A Car Accident Claim
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident in Apollo Beach, you need a trustworthy law firm with decades of experience. Florin|Roebig’s law offices have been servicing communities around Florida since 1985 and have gained a national presence in recent decades.
As an award-winning law firm helping car accident victims in Apollo Beach, we can help you file a claim to help you through your recovery. Contact us today for a confidential free consultation to begin your car accident case.
