Unfortunately, car accidents are a common occurrence in the Tampa Bay area. Lane change crashes can be especially frustrating and can have serious consequences.
If you or a loved one were recently involved in a lane change crash in Clearwater, FL, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries.
You can count on Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers to help you navigate the personal injury claim process following a lane change crash. Contact our office in Clearwater, Florida, online or call (727) 796-8282 to speak with a member of our team.
How Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Lane Change Accident in Clearwater
Founded in 1955, Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes was the first law firm in the Tampa Bay area to practice exclusively personal injury law. Our attorneys have over 300 years of combined experience helping personal injury victims and have earned the following recognitions (just to name a few):
- The firm has earned an AV rating, the highest possible rating from the largest legal rating service, Martindale-Hubbell;
- Three attorneys at the firm have been Board Certified by the Florida Bar Association;
- Three attorneys appeared in the Super Lawyers list; and
- Three attorneys appeared in the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list.
When you hire Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers, you can count on us to put our skills and expertise to work for you by:
- Investigating the accident and identifying the at-fault parties;
- Assessing the full extent of your damages;
- Reviewing your options and developing a strategy for your case;
- Gathering evidence to support your claims;
- Interviewing expert witnesses to bolster your case;
- Contacting the insurance company to negotiate a settlement on your behalf; and
- Taking your case to court, if necessary.
Contact our office today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Clearwater car accident lawyer.
How Common Are Lane Change Crashes in Florida?
According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2020, accidents caused by a driver failing to keep in the proper lane resulted in 2,276 non-incapacitating injuries, 856 incapacitating injuries, 4,196 possible injuries, and 256 fatal injuries.
There were an additional 23,709 accidents where there were no injuries. In the same year, there were 55 fatal accidents caused by improper passing and over 1,000 accidents that caused or possibly caused injuries.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims in Clearwater?
If another person was at fault in your lane change crash, then they may be liable for the damages you suffered as a result of the accident. Damages in personal injury cases fall into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages relate to the financial costs of the accident or injury and include:
- Medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of earning capacity;
- Future medical costs;
- Future rehabilitation; and
- Property damage.
Economic damages are fairly straightforward to calculate and can often be supported by documentation, such as receipts, invoices, and treatment plans.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, as you might assume, do not relate directly to financial costs following an accident. These damages relate to the emotional suffering or other intangible impacts of an accident or injury. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental anguish;
- Loss of the capacity of enjoyment of life;
- Loss of consortium;
- Loss of companionship;
- Disfigurement; or
- Disability.
Non-economic damages can be more difficult to quantify. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to help assess your non-economic damages.
How Much Does it Cost To Hire a Clearwater Lane Change Crash Lawyer?
With the medical bills and vehicle repair costs that may accompany a car accident, the last thing you want to do after a lane change crash is pay an attorney. Fortunately, most personal injury lawyers are paid under a contingency fee arrangement.
This means that the lawyer takes a percentage–typically 33% to 40%–of the ultimate recovery in your case, and you don’t have to pay any attorney’s fees upfront. Further, you only pay the lawyer attorney’s fees if they obtain compensation for you.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Lane Change Crash in Florida?
In 2023, Florida enacted new legislation that may change whether you can recover compensation following a car accident if you were partially at fault. Florida is now a modified comparative negligence state, which means that a personal injury plaintiff cannot recover compensation if they were more than 50% at fault.
While you can still recover compensation if you were 50% or less at fault in the accident, your ultimate recovery in the case would be reduced by the amount you were at fault. For example, if you suffered $10,000 in damages in a lane change crash but were 10% at fault, then you would be able to recover $9,000.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Lane Change Crash Injuries
Lane change crashes may result in many different types of injuries, including:
- Broken bones;
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Chest and abdominal injuries;
- Airbag and seatbelt injuries; and
- Neck and back injuries.
Some injuries may take days or even weeks to become apparent. Seek medical attention as soon as possible after your accident, and be sure to follow up if new symptoms arise.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Lane Change Crash in FL?
In Florida, a car accident victim has two years after an accident occurs to file a lawsuit. This deadline is known as a statute of limitations. If your case is not filed before the deadline passes, then you will likely not be able to file a lawsuit.
Note that there are exceptions to the statute of limitations in some cases. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help ensure that your case is brought to justice on time.
Contact Our Clearwater Car Wreck Attorneys for a Free Consultation
At Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how important it is for car accident victims to keep moving forward in their lives and in their personal injury cases.
If you were injured in a lane change crash in Clearwater, FL, we’re here to help you do just that. Contact our office online or call (727) 796-8282 for a free review of your case.
Our attorneys handle all car accident cases including:
