Seat belts are some of the most important safety equipment in cars. Along with airbags, they can prevent you from suffering catastrophic injuries, including head trauma, but they can also cause their own injuries. If you have sustained wounds in a car accident because of them, hiring a Clearwater seat belt injury lawyer can help you recover losses.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, our Florida car accident lawyers can guide you through the claims process. You don’t have to go through the aftermath of a collision on your own — experienced representation is available to assist you, contact us today at (727) 493-4418.
How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After An Accident In Clearwater, FL
Car accidents can leave you with a range of injuries that could require hospital stays, rehabilitative care, and other treatments that impact your finances and everyday life. If you were seriously injured in an accident that occurred because of another party’s negligence or misconduct, you may be able to file a lawsuit and receive compensation.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, our team of Clearwater, Florida, car accident attorneys offers a number of services to help you through this difficult moment in your life. We can:
- Assess the accident that resulted in your injuries
- Gather evidence to establish liability
- Communicate and negotiate with insurance companies
- Take the case to court if insurers don’t offer a fair settlement
We founded our firm in 2001 and have over 115 years of combined legal experience in both insurance and personal injury. This has helped us recover millions of dollars in settlement and jury awards for our clients. With dedicated attorneys, getting the help you need is within reach. Contact us if you’ve been in a Florida car accident and sustained injuries.
What Type Of Injuries Can A Seatbelt Cause?
Despite the importance of seat belts, they can cause injuries in a serious car accident. Such wounds occur because the force of the impact is transferred from the seat belt to the person wearing it.
A common issue is bruised or broken ribs. The latter injury is particularly complex and results in serious pain and a long recovery process. Broken ribs can also put you in danger of punctured lungs since the edge of a fractured rib could stab into critical organs.
Seat belts can also cause shoulder injuries, including strains or sprains in all manner of ligaments. You may even experience torn rotator cuffs, which are very painful and might lead to mobility issues that prevent you from working.
Seat belt syndrome is a serious injury that involves harm to the spinal cord and abdominal organs. Not only can you feel serious pain, but you could end up with long-term back issues that require rehabilitative care for months or even years. It’s not uncommon for seat belt syndrome to cause kidney or spleen damage as well.
Can You Sue After A Car Accident In Florida?
Florida is a no-fault state when dealing with traffic accidents. This means that in the majority of crashes, you’d file a claim with your personal injury protection insurance. This policy covers medical expenses and lost wages, but it only does so up to your policy limit and without offering the chance to recover for pain and suffering.
If you sustain a serious injury, your personal injury protection coverage won’t be enough to compensate you for everything you’ve lost. In those instances, Florida allows you to step outside of no-fault laws and pursue a lawsuit against the parties responsible for the collision. You can do this even if you were partly to blame for the accident.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to demonstrate that the other party was negligent in their conduct. This means you must show the following elements of negligence:
- The other party owed you a duty of care
- They breached that duty
- The breach led to injuries for which you can be compensated
Because it’s not always simple to prove that negligence occurred, one of the most important steps you can take is to hire experienced car accident attorneys to help you. Having their guidance can mean being able to focus on healing without worrying about the legal aspect of your lawsuit.
Contact Our Clearwater, FL, Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Suffering any injuries in a car accident can be devastating. You could be in pain while also dealing with the financial worries of receiving medical care and missing work. If you sustained serious injuries in a Florida car accident, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the liable parties — but you shouldn’t pursue this option on your own.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, our Clearwater car accident lawyers can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our team to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
