Your Clearwater Beach Auto Accident Lawyer

If you need a Clearwater Beach auto accident lawyer to get you the settlement you need after your auto accident, David A. Papa is the right lawyer for you.

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Supporting You Through Difficult Times

When you’re at the scene of an accident, it’s common to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. But when you work with Papa Injury Law, you’ll always have someone to help you through uncertain times.

Your Next Steps After a Car Accident

There’s no way to predict when you’ll be in a car accident, but you can prepare yourself so that when you are in a situation you know the next steps to take. If you find yourself in an accident, you can do the following to protect yourself and set yourself up for the best settlement.

Your next steps after a car accident are important ones. Taking the right actions can help set you up for the best defense and maximize your settlement. After your accident, you should do the following:

Seek Medical Attention

If you or someone else on the scene is injured, seeking medical attention should be your first step after an accident. Even if it’s only a small injury, you’ll want to document your treatment so you can be compensated for it later.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Your car insurance company will provide coverage for your car and injuries, so you’ll need to report your accident.

Take Photos and Videos

Document the interior and exterior of both cars, road conditions, location, weather, and any injuries if you’re able to. You can use these photos and videos later as evidence when negotiating your insurance claim.

Report The Accident

You will need to call the police if the accident was severe, if you don’t know who is at fault, or if anyone was injured. When they arrive on the scene, be sure to ask for their names, badge numbers, and the case number on the report.

Tow Away Your Car

If your car is damaged, you should call a tow truck to take it to an auto repair shop. Be sure to record the driver’s information and the towing cost.

Contact A Lawyer

Before you call your insurance company or even the police, you’ll want to call your Clearwater Beach auto accident lawyer. They can guide your next steps and advise you on what to say to your insurance company, the police, and the other driver.

For more information about what to do and what not to do after your car accident, check out our Car Accident Tips. We’ll make sure you’re set up for the best outcome.

Learn More Tips After Your Auto Accident

Advocating for Your Settlement

One of the first steps after an accident is to report your accident to your insurance company so you can get your settlement. We recommend you talk to a lawyer before you do this because your insurance company only has its profit as a priority. They may take advantage of your situation to save themselves money, but your Clearwater Beach auto accident lawyer David A. Papa can protect you.

Fighting a Rejected Claim

One tactic your insurance company might try for your case is to reject your claim even if it’s completely justified. If they do this, your lawyer can file a complaint that they’re acting in bad faith. If they are found guilty of this, they may have to pay you punitive damages.

Negotiating for More

It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to quickly offer you a settlement after your car accident. This amount is usually lower than you need, but the insurance company is hoping that you are desperate enough to accept. However, your lawyer will know to reject this offer and negotiate for more.

Protecting Your Rates

In Florida, insurance companies are not allowed to raise your rates just because you are in a car accident, but that does not apply if you are at fault. Your lawyer can protect your rates by establishing who’s at fault in your accident.

WHERE WE PRACTICE

Pinellas County | Pasco County | Hillsborough County | North Hillsborough

Pinellas County

Pasco County

Hillsborough County

North Hillsborough

Getting You the Amount You Need

Along with protecting you from your insurance company, your Clearwater Beach auto accident lawyer can also make sure you get the most out of your settlement. Here is how you can benefit from having David A. Papa fight for you.

Covering Future Costs

After your car accident, you may be concerned with the bills you have to pay now, but your lawyer is thinking about the bills you’ll also have to pay in the future. Those expenses could include therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic care, mobility aids, and more. Your lawyer will include these costs when negotiating your claim.

Prove Your Claim

When you file for an insurance claim, you must prove that the amount you’re asking for is justified. To do this you have to meet a certain burden of proof. That includes:

Duty of Care: The at-fault driver had a duty to prevent accidents and injuries.
Duty Violation:The at-fault driver didn’t fulfill their responsibility, which caused injuries and damages.
Cause and Effect: Their negligence was the direct cause of your injury and damages.
You Suffered Damages: Because of the at-fault driver’s actions and the resulting accident, you have suffered from lost wages, medical expenses, damage to your car, etc.

As a Clearwater Beach auto accident lawyer, David A. Papa has worked on hundreds of auto accident cases. He is familiar with the criteria that insurance companies ask for and can provide the evidence you need to get the insurance you deserve.

Preventing Mistakes

When negotiating a car insurance claim, your insurance company will use whatever evidence they can to lower your settlement. This can include statements you’ve said to them, the police, or the other driver. However, your lawyer will be there to advise you on what to say and what not to say so you can get the most out of your claim.

The Clearwater Beach Auto Accident Lawyer for You

With over 20 years of experience in the Clearwater Beach area, David A. Papa can help you get the justice you deserve. He will even take your case to court if that means the best outcome for your case. At Papa Injury Law, we are dedicated to our clients. We provide the best defense by ensuring you have full access to David A. Papa 24/7 by phone or appointment. We also don’t charge until you win, so you don’t have to worry about affording the legal care you need.

Get a Free Consultation

You deserve a lawyer that will fight for you. To get started on your case, contact us at Papa Injury Law to schedule your free consultation.

get a free consultation

You’ve gotten to know us a little better – now tell us about how we can help you. If you’ve sustained an injury or been in an accident, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation with us to learn about your options.

Areas We Serve