Tampa Bay Legal Blog

Punitive damages are available in a Florida car accident case, but they are awarded in very specific circumstances. Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to cover the victim’s actual losses, punitive damages are meant to punish particularly reckless or egregious behavior by the defendant and deter similar conduct. Florida law allows…

Intersections are common hotspots for accidents. According to Florida right-of-way laws, drivers approaching an intersection must yield to any vehicle already in the intersection and pedestrians crossing the street. You should only proceed once the road is clear, ensuring everyone’s safety.  In Florida, right-of-way laws dictate who has the legal…

In a Florida personal injury case, a “third party” could be someone involved in an accident who didn’t directly cause it. A person can file a “third-party claim” against an at-fault party’s insurance company or another liable party after an accident. (A “first-party claim” is a claim someone files with…

There are legal requirements you must meet to sue someone in Florida. Lawyers call these requirements “standing.” The three elements of standing to sue in Florida are “injury in fact,” “causation,” and “redressability.” But what do these terms mean when you strip away the convoluted legalese? At Zervos & Calta,…

Breach of duty of care refers to someone’s failure to meet the applicable standard of care under the circumstances surrounding the accident and your injuries. Someone who breaches a duty of care may be liable for an accident victim’s injuries and losses. In a personal injury claim, you can recover…

While Florida is a beautiful state, its reputation for car accidents is far from pretty. Surveys show that Florida consistently ranks as one of the worst states for traffic crashes. One study based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ranked three Florida cities among the top…

The best time to contact an attorney after an accident in Florida is immediately after the crash. You don’t want to risk receiving a low settlement or having your claim denied, and a Florida car accident lawyer can help you recover maximum compensation for your losses.   Contents1 What Are…

Left-turn accidents are extremely common in Florida. When drivers turn left, state law requires them to yield to oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, not all drivers follow this rule. If a driver turns left and hits another vehicle, the left-turning driver is often – though not always – at fault.  Left-turn collisions can…

A driver who changes lanes without checking first to be sure the adjacent lane is clear can cause a car accident that results in serious injuries. Improper lane changes lead to many collisions and side-swipe accidents. The Insurance Information Institute reports 6.6 percent of all fatal crashes in 2019 involved…

Did you recently get hurt in a Florida motor vehicle accident? Are you wondering if a pre-existing condition might affect your ability to recover compensation for your injuries? The short answer is yes. A pre-existing condition could make your claim more challenging, but demanding a fair recovery is still possible….