The suburban area of Wesley Chapel, Florida is popular among young professionals and families in the Tampa Bay area. However, its car dependence and commuter traffic increase the risk of accidents. In 2023, Pasco County, where Wesley Chapel is located, reported 7,269 crashes, which caused 6,819 injuries and 91 deaths.
Car accidents can leave people injured, unable to work, and devastated by growing expenses. Car accident claims can compensate people who struggle at work and home following a car accident. For people who become permanently injured or disabled, these claims are even more important for managing expenses while they learn to live their lives in a new way.
Keep reading to learn more about filing a car accident claim in Wesley Chapel and how a good car accident attorney can help.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Typically, filing an auto accident claim in Wesley Chapel involves the following steps.
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- Document injuries and damages by taking pictures of any car damage and the accident as a whole. Hold on to medical documents for accident-related injuries as well.
- File a police report by contacting the cops after your accident. They will gather information and file a report, which you can obtain a copy of later through the Pasco Sheriff’s Office’s Records Department.
- Notify your insurance company that you were involved in a crash immediately to comply with their policy and get forms for filing a claim.
- Gather evidence, including accident photos, your police report, and medical documents. You’ll need these to back up your claim.
- Seek legal advice from a car accident attorney. You can usually get a free case review, which will help you understand your legal options and decide whether you should hire a lawyer.
- File your claim, along with all supporting evidence. If you hire a lawyer, they will help you prepare your claim and may file on your behalf.
Triple board-certified trial attorney Tommy D. Roebig advises, “The more compensation you’re seeking, the more pushback you can expect from the insurance company and, therefore, the more important it is to hire a car accident lawyer who knows the intricacies of car accident injury laws to negotiate on your behalf.”
The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring a Wesley Chapel car accident lawyer can be essential to the outcome of your case, especially if your accident was severe or complicated in any way (e.g., a company was involved).
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can help you:
- Navigate complex legal issues
- Maximize compensation
- Help negotiate medical bills
- Protect your legal rights
Car insurance companies are incentivized to offer as little compensation as they can get away with, and car accident victims often end up taking far less than they should because they don’t know how much their case is worse, are intimidated by the negotiation process, or don’t want to deal with the stress of battling an insurance company, especially after surviving a terrible accident.
Car accident attorneys have the expertise and incentive to fight on your behalf and get you the compensation you deserve. Not all lawyers are created equal, but Florin|Roebig stands above the crowd, having won an average of more than $1 million in compensation per case. If you want to explore your legal options with seasoned experts, reach out any time for a free case evaluation.
State Laws For Car Accident Cases
Wesley Chapel follows Florida and Pasco County laws, as well as local ordinances, all of which can play an essential role in your car accident case.
Traffic Laws
Traffic laws are often at the heart of a car accident case because they’re very effective at showing negligence—the failure to take proper care when doing something like driving. Evidence like traffic cameras and witness testimonies may show that one driver was at fault because they broke a law like speeding or driving while distracted and, therefore, is responsible for the accident victim’s injuries.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
All Florida-registered vehicles must have the following car insurance coverage under the state’s no-fault law:
- 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.
The No-fault System
In Florida, the at-fault party describes whoever’s legally responsible for causing the accident. Florida’s no-fault system extends beyond the requirement for certain insurance coverage. It also states that anyone who gets into a motor vehicle accident must turn to their own insurance to pay for injury-related expenses, regardless of who was at fault.
That said, there are cases where someone can file a claim against the at-fault driver or their insurer—usually to get compensated for property damage or serious injuries.
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
Wesley Chapel car accident victims can seek compensation in a few ways.
- First-party personal injury claims: These are claims filed with your own insurance agency. They’re usually fast and straightforward but cover limited situations and a limited amount of expenses.
- Third-party personal injury claims: These claims are filed against another party—generally the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They can provide a lot more compensation for a wider variety of losses (like pain and suffering), but they can be harder to win and take longer to pay out.
- Personal injury lawsuits: If you can’t agree on a fair compensation amount with the insurance company, you may need to file a lawsuit with the Pasco County court. This will usually end in a settlement out of court, but lawsuits can progress to a trial, where your compensation will be decided on by a jury or judge.
Liability In Car Accident Cases
Liability describes who’s legally responsible for compensating someone harmed in an accident.
Car accident cases in Wesley Chapel may use the following to help determine liability:
- Negligence: Generally, someone found overwhelmingly negligent in a car accident case will be liable.
- Strict liability: Someone who’s strictly liable is responsible for compensation even if they weren’t negligent and didn’t intend harm. This may occur in a car accident case where a manufacturer’s car part didn’t work as intended and either caused the accident or made the resulting injuries worse.
- Vicarious liability: Someone who’s vicariously liable is responsible for compensation because of the actions of someone else. In a car accident case, this may occur when an on-the-job employee causes an accident that injures someone and their employer is liable.
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Understanding Consideration Of Negligence And Degree Of Fault
Since March 24, 2023, Florida courts have adopted a modified comparative negligence standard, which means:
- Multiple parties can share fault in a car accident case.
- Your total compensation decreases with your degree of fault.
- If you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t collect compensation.
Attorney Tommy Roebig explains, “Under modified comparative negligence, let’s say you were ruled to be 15% at fault because one of your headlights was out while driving in dim light. If your total damages were $100,000, you would be awarded $85,000.”
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
After a car accident occurs, many people find themselves managing pain which makes reporting to work difficult. Some injuries, like concussions and whiplash, even affect the ability to concentrate, making it even more challenging to earn money and function in day-to-day life. All of this and more can have negative effects on your emotional well-being as well.
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
Car accident resources in Wesley Chapel may include:
- Emergency services
- Pasco Sheriff’s Office
- Medical care providers
- Insurance companies
- Therapy and support groups for accident survivors
- Victim advocacy services
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit community safety organizations
- Car accident attorneys
If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else, you deserve compensation and help being made whole again. Florin|Roebig has a proud 30+ year history of serving those who’ve been unjustly injured and winning them the compensation they’re truly owed. Aid your path to recovery by visiting us at our main office or contacting us through our website for a free case evaluation.
What To Do After A Car Accident
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, you may need to get yourself or your loved ones medical care immediately. However, if you’re able to, taking a few steps may make the claims process easier and more successful later.
After a car accident in Wesley Chapel:
- Check for injuries and if you’re injured, seek medical attention immediately.
- Contact law enforcement to report the crash and get officials to file an accident report.
- Gather information that may be difficult to get later, such as witness contact details.
Document the accident scene by taking video and pictures.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
Florin|Roebig has a proud track record of helping those harmed in car accidents throughout Florida and beyond. We have been selected as one of the Best Law Firms in America by US News & World Report since the honor began in 2010.
Florin Roebig car accident lawyers offer many services, including:
- Case evaluation
- Legal representation
- Negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation support
If you have recently been in a car accident, Florin|Roebig car accident attorneys can help you file a claim and recover the money to make your injury more manageable.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an attorney charge for a car accident in Wesley Chapel, Florida?
Most car accident attorneys charge between 25% and 40% for their services. If you don’t win your case, they won’t charge.
Should I get a lawyer after a car accident in Wesley Chapel?
Hiring a lawyer is a good idea if you were badly injured or your car accident case is complicated or unusual, but it can also be helpful even if your case is fairly straightforward. Regardless, it’s a good idea to speak to a car accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash and review your legal options.
How long does a car accident lawsuit take in Wesley Chapel?
Many settlements take a month or two from the start to the time you receive your check, but they can take several months or even years, especially for more serious accidents.
How to Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
Hire a car accident attorney with an experienced and dedicated legal team to give you the best opportunity for a successful claim outcome. At Florin|Roebig, we serve communities throughout Florida. Our car accident attorneys have combined decades of experience helping car accident victims and have won over $1 billion in awards for our clients.
Our car accident lawyers serving clients in Wesley Chapel include:
- Wil Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chase P. Florin, B.C.S.
- Luca G. Esposito
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, Florida 34683
After an accident in Wesley Chapel, filing a car accident claim may be the single most important thing you can do to get back on your feet.
Do you need help filing an auto accident claim in Wesley Chapel? Florin|Roebig helps victims of car crashes get the compensation they deserve. Visit us at our Palm Harbor office, which includes a model courtroom and an on-site trial exhibits production center, or contact us from the comfort of your home for a free consultation and to learn more about filing your claim.
