The charming family-friendly area of East Lake, Florida is known for being quiet, but it receives its share of car accidents. In 2023 alone, 14,818 crashes occurred in Pinellas County, which includes East Lake, sadly leading to 9,192 injuries and 111 deaths.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, your life may have been greatly affected by an inability to work, altered family relationships, medical bills, and more.
If your injury was caused by someone else, filing a car accident claim in East Lake is the first step to getting compensation and reclaiming your life. Follow this guide to learn more about East Lake accident claims, relevant laws, and how car accident lawyers like those at Florin|Roebig can help you.
What To Know About East Lake Car Accident Claims
If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident in East Lake, you may be able to receive compensation by filing a car accident claim. However, navigating the claims process can be complicated due to the unique laws and regulations in the area.
Insurance Requirements
Any accidents that happen in East Lake fall under Florida’s no-fault law. Under the no-fault law, everyone with a registered vehicle in Florida must have personal injury and liability insurance.
Experienced trial attorney Chad K. Florin explains,
“If an accident occurs in Florida, each driver covers their medical bills with their own insurance by default. Car accident victims must have serious injuries that meet certain requirements in order to file a claim against an at-fault driver. A lawyer can help confirm if you qualify.”
Statute of Limitations
The Statute of Limitations in Florida is two years. This means that from the time of your East Lake accident, you usually have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in court.
Comparative Negligence Standards
Courts in Florida practice modified comparative negligence—a legal term that means both parties in an accident can be held partly responsible for the crash.
A court will assign percentages of fault (for example, you might be 15% at fault) and if you’re awarded compensation (say, $100,000), they’ll reduce it by your percentage of fault (so you’d receive $85,000). If you’re ruled more than 50% responsible for a crash, you aren’t eligible to get compensation.
What Causes Car Accidents in East Lake?
East Lake is known for its excellent schools, charming suburbs, and the impressive Lake Tarpon more than bumper-to-bumper traffic, but it’s not immune to the dangers of traffic accidents. Certain characteristics increase crashes in this area.
Common East Lake-specific car accident risks include:
- Car reliance: There are very few public transportation options in the quiet suburbs of East Lake, so residents rely heavily on cars, increasing the chances of a crash.
- Commuter traffic: Many residents of East Lake travel to and from Tampa for work, causing a glut of traffic in the mornings and evenings, which increases the risk of accidents.
- Dangerous Intersections: While East Lake doesn’t suffer from the most dangerous intersections in Pinellas County, residents should be extra vigilant around the intersections of East Lake Road and Keystone Road, East Lake Road and Tampa Road, and East Lake Road and Ridgeline Boulevard.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Whether you’re submitting a claim with your own insurance company or another driver’s insurer, you’ll generally go through similar steps after an East Lake accident.
- Document injuries and damages: If it’s safe to do so, document as much of the accident at the scene as you can. Pictures of the accident, your car damage, and your injuries can serve as vital evidence. The same goes for medical records, witness contact information, etc.
- File a police report: If anyone was hurt in the accident or there was more than $500 in property damage, you must contact the police. They will file a crash report, which you can receive from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office as a party to the accident.
- Notify insurance companies: Contact your car insurance company about the crash as soon as possible to make sure you’re not violating policy terms or missing out on vital compensation.
- Gather evidence: Put all evidence related to your accident in one place for easy reference. You’ll need it if you choose to file a claim.
- Seek legal advice: Reach out to a car accident attorney via a free case review. An experienced lawyer can shed light on your legal options and help you decide your next steps.
East Lake, Florida Laws For Car Accident Cases
East Lake follows the laws of the state of Florida and Palm Beach County, both of which can factor into your car accident case.
Fault Determination Rules
Determining who was at fault for an East Lake car accident usually depends on proving one party failed to take proper care to avoid the accident. In other words, proving negligence through actions like impaired driving, distracted driving, breaking the local speed limit, etc.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
If you have a vehicle registered in Florida, you’re required to have the following car insurance coverage:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP covers 80% (up to $10,000) of all “necessary and reasonable” medical expenses for an injury covered under the plan.
- Personal Damage Liability (PDL): PDL covers $10,000 of another driver’s vehicle or property damage in an accident if you’re at fault.
Chad K. Florin warns,
“It’s also critical to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Under Florida’s 14-day accident law, insurance companies require you to see a medical professional within 14 days. If you don’t, you might lose out on critical Personal Injury Protection compensation.”
The No-fault System
East Lake car accidents fall under Florida’s “no-fault” law. No-fault requires each party in a car accident to seek PIP compensation from their own insurance company for any injuries (a first-party insurance claim). To file a third-party insurance claim against another driver’s insurance company, your injuries have to meet certain thresholds.
Third-party car accident claims require injuries that cause at least one of the following:
- Severe and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury
- Severe and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Legal Remedies Available To Accident Victims
East Lake car accident victims may be able to seek compensation from more than one place to help pay for the losses they suffered in an accident.
- First-party personal injury claims: Your own PIP coverage can be used to cover immediate injury-related expenses like medical treatment, but if your injuries are severe, it might not cover everything and will not compensate you for other losses you may have suffered.
- Third-party personal injury claims: If someone else caused an accident in East Lake that seriously harmed you, you might be eligible to seek further compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- Personal injury lawsuits: Filing a third-party claim kickstarts the process of negotiations to reach a settlement—an agreement to compensate you for the harm you suffered in an accident. If you can’t reach an agreement, you’ll likely need to file a lawsuit with the Pinellas County court, which can pressure the insurance company to settle for a reasonable amount. If you can’t reach a settlement, you’ll have to go to trial, where a judge or jury will decide how much compensation, if any, you should be awarded.
Navigating negotiations for a car accident personal injury claim can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially if the insurance company pushes back on giving you reasonable compensation.
However, having a skilled lawyer to fight on your behalf, such as the seasoned attorneys at Florin|Roebig, can significantly decrease your stress while increasing your chances of winning a strong settlement.
Fault In Car Accidents
In East Lake, the “at-fault” driver is the person who caused the accident.
Insurers and courts may use the following to decide who’s at fault:
- Negligence: Did this person fail to exercise reasonable care or caution?
- Traffic violations: Was this person running a red light, speeding, or breaking any other rules of the road?
- Reckless driving: Did this person seem to break traffic laws they were perfectly aware of, drive aggressively, or do anything else to suggest a willful disregard for others’ safety?
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Liability In Car Accident Cases
If someone is liable in a car accident case, they’re legally responsible for compensating the injured party for their losses.
Car accident cases in East Lake may use the following to help determine liability:
- Negligence: If one party is ruled to be negligent and at least 51% responsible for an accident, they’re usually held liable.
- Strict liability: Sometimes a car accident is caused when a vehicle malfunctions or a driver is injured in a crash when part of the car like the airbag or seatbelt doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to. In these cases, an entity like a manufacturer may be held strictly liable—responsible for harm regardless of their intent or negligence.
- Vicarious liability: Vicarious liability happens when one party is responsible for another party’s actions. For example, if an employee causes an accident while on the job, their employer may be vicariously liable for the harm done.
Consideration of Negligence and Degree of Fault
Since more than one party can be ruled at fault in an East Lake accident, you might receive less compensation than expected from a settlement or verdict. For example, if you’re determined to be 25% at fault for an accident, you can only collect 75% of your total compensation.
As of March 24, 2023, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard, which means that if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault in a crash, you can’t recover any damages in court.
This law also affects your compensation in a car accident claim because insurers base your settlement on what they think you could recover in court.
If you’re worried the other party will try to pin some or all of the fault for an accident on you, it can help tremendously to get the backing of an experienced East Lake car accident attorney.
The lawyers at Florin|Roebig have a proud history of winning record-breaking compensation amounts for their clients, averaging more than $1 Million. Reach out today for a free case evaluation.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
When you get in a car accident, you can suffer in far more ways than physically. Auto accidents can wreak havoc on your finances, your family relations, and your life as a whole.
Some common struggles after a car accident include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of intimacy with a spouse or partner
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Death of a loved one
Recovering from the aftermath of a car accident can be one of the hardest things you ever do, but there are public and private resources in East Lake and the surrounding areas to support accident victims.
Car accident resources in East Lake may include:
- Emergency services
- Medical care providers
- Insurance companies
- Therapy and support groups for accident survivors
- Victim advocacy services
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit community safety organizations
- Car accident personal injury attorneys
Never hesitate to get the help you need after an auto accident, including reaching out to attorneys who have dedicated their lives to understanding how to help crash victims receive the compensation they deserve.
What To Do After A Car Accident in East Lake
The moments directly after a car accident can be frustrating, chaotic, and, often, traumatic, but following a few best practices can help you get through it in the best physical and financial shape possible.
After a car accident in East Lake:
- Check for injuries and seek medical attention: First and foremost, make sure you and your family are safe. Get out of oncoming traffic if you can and get treated for any injuries, even if you think they’re minor.
- Contact law enforcement: In East Lake, you’re required to report a car accident if someone is hurt or there’s significant damage. Make sure to request the police report after it’s filed; it may be key evidence in your case.
- Document the scene: Pictures of the crash, damage to your car, and any injuries can be critical evidence in a case, so take pictures at the scene if possible.
- Gather information: Get witness contact information and note the locations of any cameras that may have recorded the accident.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
You can file a car accident claim in East Lake without a lawyer. But when facing such a big event in your life where so much is at stake, getting legal advice from someone who understands Florida law and court processes may influence the outcome significantly.
The experienced, dedicated, and successful legal team of car accident attorneys at Florin|Roebig personal injury law firm can help you understand the value of your car accident claim in East Lake and the steps you need to take to get appropriately compensated for your losses.
Florin|Roebig car accident lawyers offer many services, including:
- Case evaluation
- Legal representation
- Negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation support
Our personal injury lawyers are here to discuss your case during a free case review and guide you toward your best options for seeking compensation after an accident.
Practical Advice for After a Car Accident
When it comes to dealing with a car accident, nothing is easy or simple, but you can take steps to lessen the burden of recovering and getting compensation.
Here are a few practical tips for navigating the aftermath of a car accident:
- Dealing with insurance companies: Insurance companies have no incentive to offer you as much compensation as you should get. It can be complicated to know how much that is, but an experienced car accident attorney can give you a realistic range and negotiate with insurers to get you that amount.
- Protecting your legal rights: It’s best to discuss the accident as little as possible with the other party involved because if you say anything that suggests you were at fault (even something like apologizing), it could cost you some or even all of your compensation.
- Managing medical expenses: To make sure you recover as fully as you can, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. PIP insurance is often quickly available for treatment after the accident or to cover lost wages. Then you can seek more compensation via a third-party claim. If you hire an attorney, they will often negotiate to get your medical bills lowered as well.
- Preserving evidence: Take pictures of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident at the scene if you can do so safely. Keep all accident-related evidence somewhere safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does an Attorney Charge for a Car Accident In East Lake, Florida?
Most East Lake car accident attorneys charge a contingency fee of around 33% instead of charging hourly. That means they take about a third of your settlement or verdict compensation and don’t charge at all if you don’t receive compensation.
How Much Money Do You Get From a Car Accident Settlement in East Lake?
The amount can vary drastically in Florida depending on your individual case. Florida has no damage cap, which means if you go to court, a jury or judge can award you as much compensation as they think your damages are worth. Contact an attorney to get an idea of how much compensation you’re likely to receive.
Should I Hire An Attorney After A Car Accident In East Lake?
It’s usually a good idea to hire a car accident attorney if there was significant damage to your property or you received serious injuries—especially if facts about the accident are being disputed or someone’s negligence caused your injuries. A lawyer can negotiate significantly more compensation than you likely could alone and help you hold the irresponsible driver accountable.
List Of Top-Rated Car Accident Lawyers Serving East Lake
If you were hurt in a car accident caused by someone else, don’t let yourself be cheated out of the compensation you are owed. Hiring an attorney can help you walk away with significantly more than you could from trying to figure out the complexities of Florida and Pinellas County laws yourself.
Some of our car accident attorneys who can help file your claim in East Lake are:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Other practice areas the law offices of Florin|Roebig specialize in which are available to the East Lake area include:
- Dog bites
- Medical malpractice
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Truck accidents
- Wrongful death
If you are interested in seeking legal advice from our legal team, you can contact our offices to schedule an appointment.
- Our website, florinroebig.com, has an option for requesting more information.
- You can call our phone number 24/7
- For more information regarding our services and free consultations, you can email us at [email protected]
- Or you can reach us at an office near you below.
Palm Harbor Office
Primary & Administrative Office
777 Alderman Road
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Florin|Roebig’s award-winning attorneys are here to answer your questions and help you make the right decision for your case. Schedule a case evaluation today.
Find Help Filing A Car Accident Claim
Seeking compensation after a car accident by filing a claim is often central to getting your life back on track. Car accident attorneys specialize in helping victims navigate the maze of personal injury laws and policies while negotiating with third parties to make sure you get the compensation you truly deserve.
With over 30 years of experience and a history of winning record-breaking verdicts for clients who have suffered losses in a car accident, the trial lawyers at Florin|Roebig are prepared to get to work for you. Please call for a confidential and free consultation.
