Palm Harbor Personal Injury Lawyer

Townscape in Florida From car accidents and dog bites to defective products and medical malpractice, personal injury is a diverse area of the law. Though accidents are unavoidable, the personal injury attorneys at Zervos & Calta, PLLC firmly believe that you should never be left picking up the pieces for accidents that are not your fault.

With over 45 years of combined legal experience helping those injured in our community seek the compensation they deserve, we are ready to handle your case. If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s actions, let us put our experience to work for you. Call Zervos & Calta for a free consultation with a Palm Harbor personal injury lawyer today.

What Types of Palm Harbor Personal Injury Cases Do We Handle?

When most people think of personal injury cases, they often think of auto accidents. This is undoubtedly a common case type. However, situations with the potential to cause accidents and personal injury are as innumerable as they are diverse. The following list includes just some of the most recurring case types:

  • Car accidents
  • Truck accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Boat accidents
  • Burn injuries
  • Dog bites
  • Drowning accidents
  • Medical malpractice cases
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Premises liability
  • Product liability
  • Slip-and-fall accidents
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Workplace injury
  • Wrongful death

At the end of the day, each accident is unique and should be handled on a case-by-case basis. Our Palm Harbor personal injury lawyers have handled hundreds of cases and are ready to handle yours.

How Common Are Accidents in Palm Harbor?

One way or another, accidents happen. From auto collisions to medical malpractice, accidents and injuries happen every day, both in Palm Harbor and throughout Florida. The following statistics only begin to illustrate how common accidents are in everyday life:

  • Automotive Accidents – According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Pinellas County counted 14,313 traffic collisions in 2020 alone. Of these crashes, 339 involved drunk drivers, 36 involved drivers under the influence of drugs, and 20 involved drivers impaired both by alcohol and drugs.

In total, these collisions resulted in 108 deaths and 8,412 injuries. Motorcycle accidents accounted for 18 deaths and 374 injuries. Bicycle accidents accounted for 8 deaths and 494 injuries. Pedestrian accidents accounted for 30 deaths and 361 injuries.

  • Slip-and-Fall Accidents – Falls are a significant safety concern in Palm Harbor, particularly among older residents and visitors. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death among people aged 65 and older. The CDC further reports that 3 million patients in this age group are treated for fall injuries in emergency departments each year and that over 800,000 are hospitalized due to falls. The most common injuries leading to hospitalization are head trauma and hip fractures.
  • Medical Error & Malpractice – Medical mishaps are a common cause of injury and death. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, medical errors result in 250,000 deaths per year, making it the third leading cause of death in the United States. Even something as simple as prescribing medication can lead to dramatic consequences when done carelessly. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), medication error causes one death per day and results in about 1.3 million annual injuries in the United States alone.

Do I Have an Injury Claim If I Am Injured in an Accident?

If you have been injured due to someone else’s actions, you are likely entitled to compensation. Negligence is by far the most common cause of action underlying insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. This cause of action is based on the idea that we all owe each other a duty to use “reasonable care” to avoid hurting others through our actions. When someone is negligent, it simply means they did not satisfy that duty. To recover compensation for your injuries resulting from someone else’s negligence, you will need evidence to back up your claim. Important evidence may include:

  • Police accident reports
  • Photographs and videos of the scene
  • Witness testimony
  • Expert reconstructions of the accident
  • Medical records of your injuries

What Compensation Is Available for a Palm Harbor Injury Claim?

Individuals injured due to another person’s actions are entitled to fair compensation. Among other things, injured parties may be financially compensated for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages from missed work
  • Lost future earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Damaged or lost personal property

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Palm Harbor Personal Injury Claim?

Personal injury cases are governed by statutes of limitations, laws setting a deadline after which you may no longer file a lawsuit in court seeking compensation. For most personal injury cases, Florida previously had a particularly generous deadline of four years after the date of the accident, but recent legislative action has changed that to two years. However, medical malpractice cases are a notable exception. These cases must be filed within two years from the date of the accident or the date the injury was discovered. The governing statute adds, “in no event shall the action be commenced later than four years from the date of the incident or occurrence.” No matter your case type, you should talk to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after being injured. Personal injury cases take time to investigate and strategize. Further, the less time you wait, the less risk there is that important evidence will be lost or altered. Call Zervos & Calta for a free consultation today.

What Should I Do Immediately after a Palm Harbor Accident?

The immediate aftermath of an accident can be highly stressful and disorienting. That said, there are some basic steps you can take to protect your right to compensation. When injured in an accident that is not your fault, consider taking the following steps:

  • Report the Accident– If you were involved in an auto accident, notify the police as soon as possible. If you were injured in an accident on someone else’s property, make a written report to the property owner. Early notice to relevant authorities and parties that an accident occurred can serve as important evidence in your case.
  • Document the Accident– Create photographs and videos of the accident scene. Document anything in the area that might have contributed to the crash. For example, in an auto accident, this may include evidence of inclement weather or intoxicated driving. In all cases, also be sure to visually document your injuries.
  • Seek Medical Attention and Save Records– Seek medical treatment as needed. In a serious accident, you may need immediate medical attention. Other situations may be less urgent. If in doubt, seek attention. In all cases, save your medical treatment records and receipts as they will become key evidence in your case.
  • Be Cautious with Insurance Companies– Avoid giving more information than necessary to insurance companies. Do not admit fault or accept settlement offers before speaking to a personal injury attorney.

Contact a Palm Harbor Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you were injured by someone else’s actions, you are likely entitled to compensation. As you focus on recovering from your injuries, let the personal injury attorneys at Zervos & Calta, PLLC focus on securing the compensation you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation with a Palm Harbor personal injury lawyer today.