Auto Accident, Lawyer, Tampa


Tampa Office 2620 W. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33609 Phone: (813) 254-2572 Fax: (813) 253-0067 Toll Free: 1-877-406-0011 Firm@alrp-law.com St. Petersburg Office 9800 4th St. North Suite 308 St. Petersburg, FL 33742 Phone: (727) 576-7879 Fax: (727) 577-6429 Toll Free: 1-877-224-1328 Firm Newsletter Subscribe \| Manage	Florida Car Accidents Unfortunately, car accidents are an all too frequent occurrence here in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida. Distracted, angry, and even drunk drivers can be the cause of devastating injuries or even death. When a person is injured in an auto accident, the medical treatment and physical therapy following the accident may last for days, weeks, months, years, or even the rest of an accident victim’s life. Expensive medical bills, lost wages due to inability to resume work and pain and suffering are all issues that should be taken into consideration when pursuing a personal injury claim. If you or your loved one was injured in an accident, contact our lawyers today. They can determine if you are entitled to substantial compensation following a serious motor vehicle collision.	CAR ACCIDENT CHECKLIST STAY CALM It is imperative you stay calm. Do not exacerbate the situation by getting into an altercation with the other driver. Don’t get out of your vehicle and confront the other person in an angry or hostile manner. If your vehicle can be driven, quickly and carefully move it off to the side of the road or to an area that is safe. EXCHANGE INFORMATION Once you are in a safe place, exchange information with the other driver. You can download a driver’s exchange of information form by clicking the link below. IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO PRINT TWO COPIES OF THIS FORM AND KEEP THEM WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS IN YOUR VEHICLE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. Necessary information from the other driver includes insurance information, name, address, phone number, including work information, especially if the other party is on duty for their employer at the time of the incident. Ask to see and verify an insurance card and driver’s license. Copy the full name, address and driver’s license number. Check to see whether their license has lapsed or expired. Look to see that the insurance is for that person in that particular vehicle and that the accident is within the current policy period. You may also wish to write down contact information for any witnesses who may be able to corroborate your version of events. SPONTANEOUS COMMENTS DO NOT MAKE ANY SPONTANEOUS ADMISSIONS, STATEMENTS, OR COMMENTS OF REGRET LIKE "I'M SORRY" AND DO NOT RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING WHETHER YOU ARE HURT. EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING HURT AT THE SCENE, YOU MAY EXPERIENCE SERIOUS SYMPTOMS LATER. IT IS BEST NOT TO SPEAK EXCEPT TO GET AND GIVE THE BASIC INFORMATION. ONCE THAT IS DONE, GO SIT IN YOUR VEHICLE AND WAIT FOR THE POLICE OFFICER ASSUMING IT IS SAFELY PARKED AWAY FROM TRAFFIC DOCUMENT DAMAGE If there is visible property damage or you are injured, you must co ntact law enforcement. Under no circumstances should you ever consider any offers to pay for damage without getting the police or insurance company involved. If there is damage, you should take photographs of both vehicles. A good practice is to keep a disposable camera in the glove box. With the widespread inclusion of cameras in cell phones now, use your cell phone to take photos of the cars, the other person, their drivers license and insurance card. POLICE REPORT Once the police officer arrives, tell him or her w hat happened in a brief manner. If you were struck from the rear, just say that: I was stopped. I was hit from behind. Let the officer ask you questions and do your best to answer them. Be careful when asked about times, distance, and speeds. Use words that estimate. Try not to use numbers. If you are wrong about the numbers, this can come back to haunt you later if you have to bring a claim. Before the officer leaves, make sure you get a small card with the investigating officer’s name, your case number and the direct dial phone number to call to get the police report when it is ready. If you forget to get the card, at least make a mental note who the police officer was working for, e.g. Florida Highway Patrol, Tampa Police Department. Our staff can follow up to discover all of the pertinent data. SEEK TREATMENT You will be asked by the officer if you are hurt and require medical assistance. If you feel any pain, let the officer get a paramed ic to take you to the hospital. Do not refuse treatment if you think that you might be injured. When you are speaking to a paramedic or police officer, do not be a hero. Tell them where and how much it hurts. If you don’t tell them about the symptoms, they won’t know where to look and they may not be able to assist you. Also, if you hit any part of your body inside the vehicle, TELL THEM which part and where you hit the part inside the vehicle. Follow all of the doctors instructions at the hospital and afterwards. CALL US NOW! Once you are home, you have many decisions to make, like whether you need a lawyer, what type of doctor should you go to, whether you should contact your insurance company, how do you get a copy of the police report, who will fix your car or get you a rental car, and who will compensate you for damages? Click on the highlighted links for answers to these questions or go back to the home page. CALL US NOW in Tampa at (813) 254-2572 or TOLL FREE 1-877-406-0011 and in St. Petersburg at (727) 576-7879 or TOLL FREE 1-877-224-1328. You may also fill out the FREE Case Evaluation form here if you have any questions regarding what to do in the wake of an accident.

	Florida Motorcycle Accidents Motorcycle accidents often result in debilitating injury or death due to the lack of protection for the rider as compared to other vehicles. When a motorcycle is involved in an accident with a car or truck, the motorcyclist is at an obvious and grave disadvantage. Car drivers and truck drivers often fail to see a motorcycle or yield the right-of-way and may cut the rider off. If drivers are aggressive or drunk, the results can be severe. A helmet may offer scant protection in a truly serious accident. Permanent injury and disability can occur, costing the victim and the victim’s family thousands of dollars in medical bills. The physical and motional toll of vehicular accidents can be overwhelming, which is why the legal team at Austin, Ley, Roe & Patsko is here to help.

Truck Accidents Semi-trucks are everywhere on our roads and can be a major threat to smaller vehicles. Trucks have large blind spots, and when a car or motorcycle is driving in these blind spots, the risk of an accident is greater. Trucks may be a source of aggravation to drivers; their speed is sometimes slower or too slow for the lane in which they are driving; they may make frequent stops; trucks may have cargo that is not secured and therefore spills out onto the roadway and becomes a hazard. In addition, a truck’s center of gravity is high, making it prone to tipping. This type of accident can cause massive damage to any car that happens to be in the vicinity. The truck drivers – and the truck companies – must be held accountable for auto accidents that they cause on the road due to their negligence. If you or someone you love has been in an accident that involved a large truck or semi tractor-trailer, contact our firm today. The Lawyers at Austin, Ley, Roe & Patsko will fight aggressively for your just compensation.

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

Tampa Office
2620 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: (813) 254-2572
Fax: (813) 253-0067
Toll Free: 1-877-406-0011

St. Petersburg Office
9800 4th St. North
Suite 308
St. Petersburg, FL 33742
Phone: (727) 576-7879
Fax: (727) 577-6429
Toll Free: 1-877-224-1328

Firm Newsletter
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Florida Car Accidents

Unfortunately, car accidents are an all too frequent occurrence here in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida. Distracted, angry, and even drunk drivers can be the cause of devastating injuries or even death. When a person is injured in an auto accident, the medical treatment and physical therapy following the accident may last for days, weeks, months, years, or even the rest of an accident victim’s life. Expensive medical bills, lost wages due to inability to resume work and pain and suffering are all issues that should be taken into consideration when pursuing a personal injury claim. If you or your loved one was injured in an accident, contact our lawyers today. They can determine if you are entitled to substantial compensation following a serious motor vehicle collision.

CAR ACCIDENT CHECKLIST

STAY CALM

It is imperative you stay calm. Do not exacerbate the situation by getting into an altercation with the other driver.
Don’t get out of your vehicle and confront the other person in an angry or hostile manner. If your vehicle can be driven, quickly and carefully move it off to the side of the road or to an area that is safe.

EXCHANGE INFORMATION

Once you are in a safe place, exchange information with the other driver. You can download a driver’s exchange of information form by
clicking the link below. IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO PRINT TWO COPIES OF THIS FORM AND KEEP THEM WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS IN YOUR VEHICLE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. Necessary information from the other driver includes insurance information, name, address, phone number, including work information, especially if the other party is on duty for their employer at the time of the incident. Ask to see and verify an insurance card and driver’s license. Copy the full name, address and driver’s license number. Check to see whether their license has lapsed or expired. Look to see that the insurance is for that person in that particular vehicle and that the accident is within the current policy period. You may also wish to write down contact information for any witnesses who may be able to corroborate your version of events.

SPONTANEOUS COMMENTS

DO NOT MAKE ANY SPONTANEOUS ADMISSIONS, STATEMENTS, OR COMMENTS OF REGRET LIKE "I'M SORRY" AND DO NOT RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING WHETHER YOU ARE HURT. EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING HURT AT THE SCENE, YOU MAY EXPERIENCE SERIOUS SYMPTOMS LATER. IT IS BEST NOT TO SPEAK EXCEPT TO GET AND GIVE THE BASIC INFORMATION. ONCE THAT IS DONE, GO SIT IN YOUR VEHICLE AND WAIT FOR THE POLICE OFFICER ASSUMING IT IS SAFELY PARKED AWAY FROM TRAFFIC

DOCUMENT DAMAGE

If there is visible property damage or you are injured, you must co
ntact law enforcement. Under no circumstances should you ever consider any offers to pay for damage without getting the police or insurance company involved. If there is damage, you should take photographs of both vehicles. A good practice is to keep a disposable camera in the glove box. With the widespread inclusion of cameras in cell phones now, use your cell phone to take photos of the cars, the other person, their drivers license and insurance card.

POLICE REPORT

Once the police officer arrives, tell him or her w
hat happened in a brief manner. If you were struck from the rear, just say that: I was stopped. I was hit from behind. Let the officer ask you questions and do your best to answer them. Be careful when asked about times, distance, and speeds. Use words that estimate. Try not to use numbers. If you are wrong about the numbers, this can come back to haunt you later if you have to bring a claim. Before the officer leaves, make sure you get a small card with the investigating officer’s name, your case number and the direct dial phone number to call to get the police report when it is ready. If you forget to get the card, at least make a mental note who the police officer was working for, e.g. Florida Highway Patrol, Tampa Police Department. Our staff can follow up to discover all of the pertinent data.

SEEK TREATMENT

You will be asked by the officer if you are hurt and require medical assistance. If you feel any pain, let the officer get a paramed
ic to take you to the hospital. Do not refuse treatment if you think that you might be injured. When you are speaking to a paramedic or police officer, do not be a hero. Tell them where and how much it hurts. If you don’t tell them about the symptoms, they won’t know where to look and they may not be able to assist you. Also, if you hit any part of your body inside the vehicle, TELL THEM which part and where you hit the part inside the vehicle. Follow all of the doctors instructions at the hospital and afterwards.

CALL US NOW!

Once you are home, you have many decisions to make, like whether you need a lawyer, what type of doctor should you go to, whether you should contact your insurance company, how do you get a copy of the police report, who will fix your car or get
you a rental car, and who will compensate you for damages? Click on the highlighted links for answers to these questions or go back to the home page.

CALL US NOW in Tampa at (813) 254-2572 or TOLL FREE 1-877-406-0011 and in St. Petersburg at (727) 576-7879 or TOLL FREE 1-877-224-1328. You may also fill out the FREE Case Evaluation form here if you have any questions regarding what to do in the wake of an accident.

Florida Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents often result in debilitating injury or death due to the lack of protection for the rider as compared to other vehicles. When a motorcycle is involved in an accident with a car or truck, the motorcyclist is at an obvious and grave disadvantage. Car drivers and truck drivers often fail to see a motorcycle or yield the right-of-way and may cut the rider off. If drivers are aggressive or drunk, the results can be severe. A helmet may offer scant protection in a truly serious accident. Permanent injury and disability can occur, costing the victim and the victim’s family thousands of dollars in medical bills. The physical and motional toll of vehicular accidents can be overwhelming, which is why the legal team at Austin, Ley, Roe & Patsko is here to help.

Truck Accidents

Semi-trucks are everywhere on our roads and can be a major threat to smaller vehicles. Trucks have large blind spots, and when a car or motorcycle is driving in these blind spots, the risk of an accident is greater. Trucks may be a source of aggravation to drivers; their speed is sometimes slower or too slow for the lane in which they are driving; they may make frequent stops; trucks may have cargo that is not secured and therefore spills out onto the roadway and becomes a hazard. In addition, a truck’s center of gravity is high, making it prone to tipping. This type of accident can cause massive damage to any car that happens to be in the vicinity. The truck drivers – and the truck companies – must be held accountable for auto accidents that they cause on the road due to their negligence. If you or someone you love has been in an accident that involved a large truck or semi tractor-trailer, contact our firm today. The Lawyers at Austin, Ley, Roe & Patsko will fight aggressively for your just compensation.

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

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