Project Description

Tampa Bay Car Accident Lawyer

Summary
Offices
727-849-5353

At The Law Offices of Lucas & Magazine we use our experience in handling accident cases to investigate every possible contributing cause of an accident to ensure that you will receive full compensation for your injuries.

Free Case Evaluation

Free Auto Accident Consultation

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Auto Accident

Auto accidents leave victims injured and questioning what to do next. Injured victims are often confused with what to do, who to call, or where to find help after an auto accident. The auto accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Lucas & Magazine are here for you every step of the way following your auto accident.

Auto Accidents leave victims in a difficult situation, they are in pain and often without a vehicle or the ability to work following the accident. With increasing medical expenses and potentially lost income, you may quickly find yourself in a scary situation in regards to both your health and your finances. Treatment plans may include many medical providers who specialize in auto accidents, expensive procedures or even surgery for your injuries. A patient’s priority should be on their recovery following an auto accident.

Lucas & Magazine provides the best Attorney’s around to fight and provide justice for any situation our clients are battling. We look into every detail to establish the best solution and fight for what our clients deserve.

Investigating Auto Accidents

Evaluating all the facts involved in the cause of a motor vehicle accident requires skill and experience. Our office will meticulously investigate your accident and injuries so that you can concentrate on recovering. Establishing fault for an accident may seem like a simple process, especially if you were in a rear-end accident. The insurance companies commonly try to “share” the fault of an accident between the drivers. Our experienced auto accident attorneys carefully investigate every case to effectively prove negligence and fault. This process includes:

Requesting and viewing police reports

Reviewing and discussing your medical records

Obtaining witness statements

Examining the accident site and damage

We carefully review and apply our investigated data from your accident to best represent your auto accident and pursue the maximum recovery amount for your injuries.

Common Types of Auto Accidents:

  • Rear-end car accident

  • Parking lot accidents

  • Head-on auto accidents

  • Side-impact and t0bone auto accidents

  • Multiple-vehicle auto accidents

  • Hit and run auto accidents

  • Rideshare or Uber and Lyft auto accidents

Process of an Auto Accident Claim

Investigate the accident and define your sustained injuries.

File a claim and put the involved parties on notice of the accident and interest in obtaining a recovery.

Filing a claim for sustained personal injuries shares notice to the at-fault party’s insurance. The injured party will treat until they reach their Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). The Personal Injury Lawyer will gather the client’s medical records and bills and present a demand package to the insurance company.

Negotiate if possible, to reach a compromised settlement

Once the insurance company establishes fault for the accident and reviews the Personal Injury Attorney’s demand package, they will present an initial offer for the client. Insurance companies and the attorney will often negotiate to try and reach a reasonable settlement.

Filing a lawsuit with the court if negotiations outside of court are unsuccessful

Negotiating a settlement does not always resolve outstanding medical expenses. A Personal Injury Attorney can best advise if you should pursue litigation for your injury claim.

Litigating the case

Litigation is initiated by filing a formal complaint to the court and serving the at-fault party who will then follow by filing an answer. Discovery will then proceed (formal investigation of the facts of the lawsuit) between the Plaintiff and the Defendant. Discovery can commonly include interrogatories, request to produce, request for admissions, and depositions. Once Discovery is concluded, the parties will be able to mediate the case. This is usually one of the last chances to come to
an agreeable settlement prior to taking the case to a trial.

If no settlement can be reached, the auto accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Lucas & Magazine will counsel you on whether you should proceed with trial, weighing the risks and rewards. At trial, we provide the evidence to a court and a jury to prove that your injuries and damages were caused by the negligent driving of another person and that you are entitled to compensation for those injuries.

What to do after an Auto Accident?

The steps you take following an accident can be critical.

Stop & remain calm

Even if the accident appears to be minor, you have to stop. Check on the other parties to see if they are ok. Request assistance through 911 if needed.

Gather information

After an accident occurs you will need to obtain an accident report. Include the party’s names and contact information, as well as a photo of their identification and insurance information. If there are any witnesses, request their information as well.

Take photos

When possible, photos help visualize the accident, damage, and injuries. Take photos of the scene, any items/vehicles included within the accident. Request photos of driver licenses and insurance cards. Take photos of any injuries sustained.

Seek medical treatment

We Fight For You

Insurance companies target injured victims from auto accidents. Let The Law Offices of Lucas & Magazine fight for you. Insurance carriers will scrutinize how an accident occurred, as well as attempt to diminish your injuries. After reporting the accident to open a claim, the insurance company will likely request a recorded statement to discuss the details of your accident and injuries. Insurance companies may attempt to use a recorded statement against you. Sometimes adjusters will try trip you up so that you may appear “upset confused, medicated, lacking sleep, or in severe pain unable to concentrate.” With the aid of an auto accident attorney you know you are protected from any inadequate questions or poor practices.

Our skilled Auto Accident Attorneys at The Law Offices of Lucas & Magazine are there for you every step of the way after your accident. Our team can help coordinate the medical care and transportation you need while you try to restore your regular life. We will fight for the best financial recovery possible for your case.

Injured?

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car or truck accident, please contact our offices.

call 727.849.5353
Free Case Evaluation

Experienced Attorneys

The Law Offices of Lucas & Magazine legal team is comprised of several attorneys who are Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyers and National Board of Trial Advocacy Civil Trial Lawyers. This Double Board Certification is a distinction of experience in specialized skills, knowledge, and proficiency within the field of personal injury. A Board Certified Specialist can make a huge difference when you need to retain a Personal Injury Attorney.

Florida Board Certification is a volunteer program recognition of “specialist” or “expert” based upon the attorney’s experience requiring:

  • The practice of law for at least five years;

  • Substantial involvement in the specialty of civil trial law — 50% or more — during the three years immediately preceding application;

  • Handling of at least 15 contested civil cases, including cases before juries as lead counsel and as the trier of fact on some or all of the issues;

  • 50 hours of approved civil trial law certification continuing legal education in the three years immediately preceding application;

  • Peer review; and,

  • A written examination.

FAQ

What may appear as a minor accident can often cause serious injuries. You have nothing to lose by seeking legal representation following an accident. It is better to speak with an attorney immediately after an accident to help you navigate the insurance process- Insurance companies are not your friend and will often begin building a case against you as soon as a claim has been filed. Discussing your accident and injury with an attorney allows a professional to review your case and offer free advice. If you are hurt, an attorney can help you take the proper steps to treat your injuries as well as help your case. It is also an opportunity to memorialize what injuries, if any, were caused by the small accident so that an insurance company for a future accident can’t blame future injuries on any current minor accident. Remember, at The Law Offices of Lucas & Magazine, your consultation is always free.

All accidents and injuries are different. You should never feel you need to have a “minimum” of information. Our skilled legal team will be able to work with whatever information you have to guide you through the investigation process. If an insurance company begins asking you questions you don’t know how to answer, The Law Offices of Lucas & Magazine can help.

It is essential to seek medical attention following an injury even if you don’t think your accident was bad. Small signs like headaches, tingling, numbness, jaw pain, other “mild” discomforts can lead to the diagnosis of an injury you may have never known about until you had waived your right to care. Experienced injury medical professionals know the small signs that are often overlooked. Seeking immediate medical attention often leads to a greater overall recovery.

You may be surprised, but not all medical providers offer care to persons injured in car accidents. This is likely due to the nature of their practices or billing procedures. Following an auto accident, PIP is your primary initial medical coverage over all other forms of insurance. Typically, you will need an MRI, a referral to an orthopedic specialist, or maybe even a neurologist. Our firm will be there for you if you have any questions regarding the providers in your community who can treat your auto accident injuries.

There is not always a direct correlation to the property damage and the severity of the injuries sustained from an accident. No two individuals are alike nor are two injuries are alike. There are numerous factors that can affect the damage as well as injuries caused by an accident. Discussing how the accident happened as well as what pain you have helps the attorney start the investigation process. We can help you navigate the insurance process as well as treat and heal your injuries.

While our legal team can never guarantee the outcome of a lawsuit, we can assure you our team of aggressive attorneys will work tirelessly on your behalf. As our client, we will provide you with advice and assist you in any decision-making you are faced with. Further, we are dedicated to keeping you updated throughout every phase of your case. Though we cannot accept every case, we never charge for consultations regarding your claim. In all the personal injury cases we accept, however, the Law Offices of Lucas & Magazine will provide you with the skilled advocates you need and provide you with top-notch representation.

Common Auto Accident Damages:

  • Medical expenses and future medical expenses

  • Loss of income

  • Property Damage

  • Pain and suffering (including emotional distress, loss of relationships, and life enjoyment)