If you were recently involved in a car accident in St. Petersburg, Florida, you might wonder whether you need to hire a lawyer.
Being injured in a collision that is someone else’s fault can be frustrating. However, an experienced St. Petersburg car accident lawyer from Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys can analyze your situation and explain how we can help.
Learn more when you call our personal injury law firm at (727) 933-0015 for a free case review.
How Can a St. Petersburg Car Accident Attorney Help Me?
You might wonder why you should hire a lawyer or why you shouldn’t handle your claim alone.
A skilled St. Petersburg car accident lawyer can do the following to help with your claim:
- Investigate your accident – An experienced lawyer can find witnesses, analyze photos and videos of the accident scene, and determine how the accident occurred.
- Document your damages – You may not understand the long-term impact your injuries can have on your life, but a skilled car accident lawyer can. A lawyer can calculate your damages, which may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain, suffering, and more.
- Take legal action on your behalf – A lawyer can ensure that you take legal action in time to protect your rights. Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for most car accident claims, so you must file a lawsuit within this timeframe to preserve your right to pursue compensation.
- Maximize your recovery – An experienced lawyer can maintain medical records and other documents that establish your losses, help document the full extent of your damages, consult expert witnesses to maximize your financial recovery, and prove the limitations your injury imposes on your daily life.
- Negotiate – Because our attorneys have over 25 years of combined experience and have recovered millions of dollars for our deserving clients, we can negotiate from a position of power. Our comprehensive demand packages showcase why you are entitled to the compensation we document.
Call Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys today for a free case review to learn more about our legal services in St. Petersburg, FL.
Signs That You May Need Help From a Car Accident Attorney in St. Petersburg, FL
You have the right to hire an auto accident lawyer at any point if you would like assistance with your legal claim. However, some signs that you may need an auto accident attorney include:
You Suffered a Serious Injury
Florida is a no-fault state for car insurance claims, so injury victims turn to their own insurance provider for coverage following an accident, regardless of fault. However, your personal injury protection (PIP) only provides a limited amount of coverage and only pays a percentage of your medical expenses and lost wages.
If you suffered certain types of injuries, you can file a claim against the at-fault party for the full extent of your damages.
Under Florida law, these injuries include any that cause:
- A significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Permanent injury
If you suffered any of these injuries, reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer for help.
You Feel That You Are Not Being Treated Fairly
Accident victims may initially think the insurance company and adjuster assigned to the case will help them. However, it’s important to keep in mind that insurance companies are for-profit companies. They stay in business by raking in more money in premiums than the amount of money they pay out in claims. They also hire and train insurance adjusters to minimize claims as much as possible to protect the company’s profitability.
As such, insurers may use deceptive or underhanded tactics to try to minimize payouts to claimants, such as:
- Telling them a recorded statement is necessary to process the claim
- Recording accident victims when they are under medical care and not fully cognizant of what they are saying
- Convincing accident victims they do not need a lawyer
- Intentionally delaying claims so that victims will be desperate and accept a low settlement
Having a lawyer on your side can help you level the playing field and give you the peace of mind of knowing that your claim is being handled by a legal professional.
Your Claim Was Denied
If your insurance claim is denied, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue compensation for the harm you suffered. You will definitely need a lawyer for this process because litigation can be complicated, and you must follow very specific rules and procedures.
Call an Experienced St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyer To Schedule a Free Consultation
So, when do you need to hire a car accident lawyer? Any time that you feel you need one. The experienced car accident lawyers at Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys are here to help protect your rights at every phase of your case. We can handle your claim so you can focus on your recovery. Contact us online or call us today at (727) 933-0015 to get started with a free, no-obligation case review.
