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Lawyers for Car Crashes Caused by Negligent Drivers in St. Petersburg, Florida
When car accidents take place on major highways, busy local roads, or residential neighborhoods in St. Petersburg, victims may be left with serious injuries, bills for multiple forms of medical treatment, financial difficulties due to lost income, and other ongoing problems. Dealing with legal and financial concerns can be overwhelming for car accident victims, especially when they are focusing on healing from their injuries and putting their lives back together.
The law firm of Mickey Keenan, P.A. has built a reputation for providing dedicated representation to car accident victims. Our award-winning attorneys have helped injury victims obtain millions of dollars in compensation for motor vehicle collisions and other types of personal injuries. We will fight to maximize the compensation our clients can receive, ensuring that they will have the financial resources they need.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System
Understanding how car accident claims are handled in Florida can be essential for a person who has been injured in a collision. All drivers in the state are required to maintain personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as part of their auto insurance policies. This coverage will typically provide up to $10,000 in benefits for medical expenses and lost wages, and it will not be dependent on whether a person or another party was responsible for causing an accident.
Under this system, a person’s own insurance company will pay for their initial medical treatment and a portion of their lost income after an accident. PIP coverage will generally pay 80 percent of reasonable medical expenses and 60 percent of lost wages up to the policy limits.
While PIP coverage can provide some compensation, the $10,000 limit is often not enough to cover the full costs of serious injuries that may affect car accident victims. Medical bills will often exceed PIP coverage, especially when injuries require surgery, extended hospitalization, physical therapy, or long-term care. Additionally, PIP coverage does not provide compensation for pain and suffering, permanent disabilities, or the full extent of a person’s lost income.
Additional Compensation for Injury Victims
Accident victims can pursue claims against at-fault drivers when cases meet the threshold for serious injuries. When a car accident results in injuries that have caused a significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death, a person can file a claim against the negligent driver. These claims may allow victims to recover full compensation for all of their damages, including economic losses such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The attorneys at Mickey Keenan, P.A. will carefully evaluate each case to determine the types of claims that may be filed. We work with medical professionals who can document the severity of a person’s injuries, building a strong foundation for a claim.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in St. Petersburg
Car accidents may occur for many reasons, but in most cases, they are caused by driver negligence. Our lawyers can help people who have been injured in accidents involving factors such as:
- Distracted Driving: Distractions that affect drivers wheel have become one of the leading causes of car accidents. When drivers take their attention away from the road to send text messages, use smartphone apps, adjust navigation systems, eat and drink, apply makeup, or engage in other activities, they may be unable to react to changing traffic conditions. Even a few seconds of inattention can result in a devastating collision.
- Drunk Driving: People who drive while they are impaired by alcohol or drugs may face criminal charges for driving under the influence, and they may be held liable for causing accidents and injuries. Intoxicated drivers will often experience impaired judgment, reduced reaction times, and poor motor skills, making them more likely to lose control and collide with other vehicles.
- Drowsy Driving: Fatigue can be just as dangerous for drivers as alcohol intoxication. Drivers who are tired or drowsy may have slower reaction times, and they may even fall asleep at the wheel.
- Reckless Driving: Accidents may be caused by drivers who engage in aggressive or reckless behavior. Issues such as excessive speeding, aggressive lane changes, tailgating, running red lights or stop signs, or engaging in street racing can put others at risk.
Types of Injuries in Car Accidents
The force of a car collision can cause numerous types of injuries, ranging from minor scrapes or bruises to catastrophic bodily harm. Our law firm has represented clients who have experienced traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis, broken bones, internal organ damage, soft tissue injuries such as whiplash, burns, lacerations requiring stitches or causing permanent scarring, and psychological trauma.
Even accidents that seem minor can result in serious injuries. In some cases, the full extent of a person’s injuries may not be obvious right away, and symptoms may appear in the hours, days, and weeks after a collision. Immediate medical attention is crucial to make sure a person’s health concerns will be addressed correctly, and it can also provide documentation of the effects of an accident and the forms of treatment that will be required.
Building a Strong Car Accident Claim
Successfully recovering compensation for car accident injuries will often require a thorough investigation and compelling evidence. The legal team at Mickey Keenan, P.A. takes a comprehensive approach to building cases for our clients. We can obtain police reports, gather witness statements from people who saw the accident, medical records that document a victim’s injuries, photographs of the accident scene, and other forms of evidence.
In complex cases, we can work with accident reconstruction specialists who can analyze physical evidence, vehicle damage patterns, and other factors to determine how an accident occurred and who was responsible. We will provide a clear picture of what happened, document the full extent of a person’s damages, and counter arguments from insurance companies that may attempt to minimize liability.
Reach Out to Our St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyers
When a negligent driver has caused a collision that led to serious injuries, you will need to make sure you are represented by an attorney who will fight to recover the full compensation you need. At Mickey Keenan, P.A., we will fight to protect your rights, and we will work to resolve your case successfully, providing you with the compensation that will help you move forward with your life.
Contact our St. Petersburg, FL car crash attorneys at 813-412-8226 to arrange a free consultation. We will review the circumstances of your accident, explain your rights and legal options, and provide honest guidance about the best path forward for your case. Our willingness to fight for justice has helped us recover millions of dollars for injury victims, and we are ready to put our skills and resources to work for you.