Dade City Car Accident Injuries
If you were injured in a car accident in Dade City, you might be overwhelmed by uncertainty about your future. Who will pay for your medical bills? What if your insurance policy doesn’t cover everything? Can you hold the at-fault driver accountable?
At The Disability Law Firm, we can address all of your pressing concerns in a free initial consultation. When you discuss the details of your car accident with our attentive team, we can lay out your legal options and help you determine the best way to pursue the compensation you need.
Contact us today to learn more in a free case review.
How a Dade City Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Working with an experienced attorney after a Dade City car accident is a worthwhile investment because a lawyer can:
- Provide valuable insight, answers, and advice at no charge in a free initial consultation
- Agree to take your case on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing up front, and your lawyer doesn’t get paid unless you do
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident to uncover valuable evidence and determine who was at fault
- Communicate with insurance companies, at-fault parties, and other attorneys on your behalf
- Negotiate forcefully during settlement talks to maximize your compensation
- Take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to provide the compensation you are owed
Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Dade City
Depending on the speed and angle of impact, a Dade City car accident can result in serious or catastrophic injuries. Some common car accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – TBIs often result from violent blows, jolts, or penetrating injuries to the head. Less severe TBIs may result in concussions and temporary symptoms, while moderate to severe TBI can have life-altering effects.
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI) – After an SCI, an accident victim may experience long-term or permanent changes in body function and sensation below the site of the injury.
- Partial or total paralysis – Paraplegia, or paralysis of the lower body, is common after SCI in the mid to lower spine. Quadriplegia, or paralysis from the neck down, can occur after SCI in the upper spine.
- Neck injuries – Whiplash and other neck injuries are commonly caused by rear-end car accidents. Even a low-speed rear-end accident can result in severe neck injuries.
- Back injuries – The soft tissues and bone structures in the back are highly vulnerable in a car accident. Slipped or herniated discs are common car accident injuries.
- Fractured or dislocated bones – The extreme forces of a vehicle collision can easily break, shatter, or dislocate bones. In car accidents, bones in the lower legs, arms, wrists, ribcage, hips, and skull are commonly fractured or dislocated.
- Soft tissue strains and sprains – When the body is unnaturally stretched, crushed, or pinned in an accident, soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons can sustain sprains, strains, or tears.
- Burn injuries – Car accident victims can sustain burns from hot fluids, escaping steam, or caustic chemicals. “Road rash” is a common type of friction burn caused by contact with rough surfaces.
- Traumatic or surgical amputation – When a limb is violently crushed or severely damaged in an accident, the limb may be cut off, destroyed, or require surgical amputation to remove.
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement – Many car accident injuries can lead to extensive scarring on the face and body, and in some cases, permanent disfigurement.
Filing an Injury Claim After a Car Accident in Dade City
Florida is a “no-fault” car insurance state, which means you are expected to rely on your own insurance policy for compensation for minor injuries after an accident, no matter who was at fault. Every Florida driver must carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which pays for their own medical expenses after an accident.
To initiate an injury claim after a Dade City car accident, contact your insurance provider to let them know what happened. If you hire a car accident attorney, they can communicate with the insurance company and file a claim on your behalf.
Florida’s no-fault system has some exceptions that allow you to file personal injury claims against at-fault parties. It’s possible to pursue a lawsuit against the person who caused your accident if your resulting injuries are considered “serious.” Under state law, a “serious injury” involves:
- Substantial disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Significant or permanent limitation of use of any body part, function, or system
- Total disability for at least 90 days
If you suffered a serious injury in a Dade City car accident, you have the right to file a car insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. A knowledgeable attorney can help you determine whether you have grounds for a claim and pursue all possible options for compensation.
Compensation for Car Accident Injuries in Dade City
Depending on the extent of your car accident injuries and the type of claim you file, you could be entitled to compensation for the following:
- The costs of medical care you received for your accident-related injuries
- Projected costs of medical care you will likely need to treat your accident-related injuries in the future
- The value of any reductions in your take-home pay from missed time at work
- The projected value of losses in your future earning potential if your injuries render you incapable of resuming your previous job or career path
- The subjective cost of the pain and suffering you endure due to your injuries
- Out-of-pocket costs for incidental expenses related to your medical care, such as the costs of transportation to or from doctor’s appointments
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Car Accident Injuries?
If you suffer serious injuries in a car accident, you may have the right to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against an at-fault party. Any of the following parties may be held liable for your car accident injuries:
- The other driver – Another driver or road user may be at fault if they violated traffic laws or otherwise behaved negligently in a way that contributed to the accident.
- An automotive manufacturer – If the failure of a defective car part contributed to the wreck, the part’s manufacturer may be liable if they were negligent in the design, manufacturing, assembly, labeling, or distribution of the product.
- A government agency – If a car accident is caused by a lack of proper signage, poor road design, or inadequate road maintenance, the government agency responsible for the road may be partially liable.
Contact a Dade City Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you sustained injuries in a Dade City car accident, don’t wait to speak to a knowledgeable attorney. At The Disability Law Firm, we can help you evaluate every aspect of your case to pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries.
Contact us today to get started with your no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
