Accident and Injury Lawyer: Fight & Win 2025

When You Need an Accident and Injury Lawyer After a Serious Incident

An accident and injury lawyer represents individuals who have been harmed due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. These attorneys handle cases like car crashes, truck collisions, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall incidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, and wrongful death claims. They help you steer the legal process, deal with insurance companies, and recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

What an accident and injury lawyer does for you:

• Investigates your accident to determine fault and identify all liable parties
• Handles all communication with insurance adjusters so you don’t have to
• Calculates the full value of your claim, including future medical costs and lost earning capacity
• Negotiates settlements or takes your case to trial if necessary
• Works on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless you win

Let’s face it – no one plans to hire a personal injury lawyer. Most people hope they never have to. But when you or a loved one are involved in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the aftermath can be overwhelming.

You’re dealing with physical pain and recovery. Medical bills are piling up. You might be unable to work, and the lost income is creating financial stress. Meanwhile, insurance companies are calling, asking for statements, and offering settlements that seem far too low.

This is exactly when you need expert legal guidance.

The legal process after a serious injury is complicated. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, not to help you. They may try to get you to admit partial fault, downplay your injuries, or accept a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your damages. Without an experienced advocate on your side, you risk losing compensation you’re legally entitled to receive.

After my wife, Joni, was killed by a drunk driver early in our marriage, I dedicated my career to fighting for injury victims and their families. As the founding partner of Carey Leisure Carney and a board-certified civil trial accident and injury lawyer since 1988, I’ve guided roughly 40,000 injury matters across Florida and secured multi-million-dollar results for clients facing the same pain and uncertainty you may be experiencing now. My goal is simple: to handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.

Why You Need an Expert Accident and Injury Lawyer

After an accident, you’re dealing with physical pain, medical appointments, and financial stress. The last thing you need is to become a legal expert overnight. That’s why you need an accident and injury lawyer on your side.

Here’s how an attorney helps:

• Navigating Legal Complexity: Personal injury law has intricate rules and strict deadlines. Missing one can mean losing your right to compensation. We handle all the legal complexities for you.
• Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters work to save their company money by paying you as little as possible. They may use your words against you or offer a quick, lowball settlement. We handle all communications, shield you from these tactics, and fight back against unfair offers.
• Maximizing Your Compensation: We calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering—damages you might not realize you can recover.
• Leveling the Playing Field: An insurance company has a team of lawyers. Hiring us gives you board-certified attorneys with over 100 years of combined experience in your corner.
• Providing Peace of Mind: We take the legal burden off your shoulders, allowing you to focus your energy on healing.

For a deeper look at why legal representation matters, visit our detailed guide on why you need a personal injury lawyer.

Here’s what you’re up against when you go it alone versus having an experienced attorney by your side:

What Types of Cases Do They Handle?

An accident and injury lawyer helps people hurt by someone else’s carelessness. At Carey Leisure Carney, we have experience across a wide range of cases.

• Car accidents: We represent people injured in all types of auto accidents, including those involving distracted or drunk drivers. Our Car Accident Attorney team investigates crashes to build strong cases.
• Truck accidents: These cases are complex, often involving multiple liable parties and commercial trucking regulations. Our Truck Accident Attorney specialists understand these complexities.
• Motorcycle accidents: Riders are vulnerable to serious injuries. Our Motorcycle Accident Attorney team advocates for riders whose rights have been violated.
• Premises liability cases: If you were injured on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions like poor lighting or inadequate security, our Premises Liability Attorney team can help.
• Slip and fall accidents: A type of premises liability, these falls can cause devastating injuries. They often result from wet floors, uneven pavement, or debris.
• Dog bite incidents: Florida law holds dog owners responsible for injuries. Our Dog Bite Attorney team helps victims recover compensation for physical and emotional trauma.
• Wrongful death claims: Losing a loved one is heartbreaking. Our compassionate Wrongful Death Lawyer team can help you pursue a claim for funeral costs, lost support, and emotional loss.
• Catastrophic injuries: Cases involving Traumatic Brain Injury or Spinal Cord Injury require special expertise to calculate lifetime medical care and other long-term needs.

The Personal Injury Claim Process: From Accident to Resolution

The path to compensation after an injury can feel confusing. With an experienced accident and injury lawyer, you don’t have to steer it alone.

Here’s a typical overview of the process:

1. Initial Consultation: We meet at no cost to you to discuss your case and review your legal options.
2. Investigation: We dig into the details of your accident, gathering evidence like police reports, medical records, and witness statements to build a strong foundation for your case.
3. Filing the Claim: We formally notify the at-fault party and their insurer that you are seeking compensation, handling all legal paperwork.
4. Negotiation: Most personal injury cases settle at this stage. We present the evidence and negotiate aggressively with the insurance company for a fair settlement.
5. Litigation: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our board-certified trial attorneys are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.

What to Do Immediately After an Accident to Protect Your Rights

The moments after an accident are critical. What you do can significantly impact your claim.

• Prioritize Safety and Call 911: Get to a safe location and call for medical and police assistance. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, so get checked by a professional.
• Report the Accident: A police report provides an official, objective account of the incident.
• Document Everything: Use your phone to take photos and videos of vehicle damage, your injuries, skid marks, and the overall scene.
• Gather Witness Information: Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the accident. Their unbiased accounts are valuable.
• Exchange Information: Collect names, contact details, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information from the other driver.
• Avoid Admitting Fault: Do not apologize or speculate about what happened. Even a simple “I’m sorry” can be used against you.
• Contact an Attorney: Before giving detailed statements to any insurance company, contact an accident and injury lawyer. We can guide you and protect your rights from the start.

For more guidance, see our resource on what to do after a car accident.

How Do Lawyers Determine the Value of a Personal Injury Claim?

Calculating a claim’s value is a methodical process. We assess two categories of damages to determine what you truly deserve.

Economic damages are tangible losses proven with receipts and bills:

• Medical Expenses: All costs from emergency care to future treatment and therapy.
• Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: Income lost during recovery and any reduction in your future earning ability.
• Property Damage & Out-of-Pocket Costs: Repair/replacement of your vehicle and other expenses like travel for medical care.

Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses:

• Pain and Suffering: For the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve endured.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: For the inability to participate in hobbies and activities you once loved.
• Loss of Consortium: In some cases, for the impact on a spousal relationship.

We use our experience and sometimes a multiplier method to calculate a fair value for these non-economic damages, ensuring every aspect of your loss is accounted for.

Understanding Compensation, Special Cases, and Critical Deadlines

Navigating a personal injury claim involves understanding specific insurance rules, forms of compensation, and critical legal deadlines.

In Florida, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is the first to cover up to $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault. However, this is often insufficient for serious injuries. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage becomes crucial. As your accident and injury lawyer, we explore every avenue for compensation.

Delaying legal action is risky. Evidence disappears, witness memories fade, and legal deadlines expire, which can permanently bar you from recovering damages.

What Compensation Can Be Sought in a Lawsuit?

We seek comprehensive compensation to cover all your losses. This includes economic damages like current and future medical costs, lost income and earning capacity, and rehabilitation expenses. It also includes non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In cases of extreme negligence, such as from a drunk driver, Florida courts may also award punitive damages. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct, and they can significantly increase a claim’s value.

What Are the Time Limits (Statutes of Limitations)?

This is one of the most critical aspects of your case. In Florida, you have a limited time to file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to seek compensation forever.

• Personal Injury: For most negligence cases like car accidents and slip and falls, the deadline is four years from the date of the incident.
• Medical Malpractice: The deadline is shorter, typically two years from when you finded or should have finded the injury.
• Wrongful Death: Grieving families have only two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit.

The “findy rule” can sometimes extend these deadlines, but relying on it is risky. Acting quickly is vital to preserve evidence and build the strongest possible case. As your accident and injury lawyer, we ensure all deadlines are met. For more details, see our guide on what to do after a car accident in Florida.

How Do Lawyers Handle Severe Injury Cases?

Catastrophic injuries, like a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage, require a different approach. We project needs and costs over a client’s entire lifetime.

• Life Care Plans: We work with medical and economic experts to create detailed plans outlining all future needs, from ongoing medical care and assistive devices to home modifications and personal care.
• Expert Witnesses: We assemble a team of specialists (neurologists, life care planners, etc.) to provide credible testimony on the injury’s severity, permanence, and financial impact.
• Calculating Long-Term Needs: We calculate the full extent of lost future income and the astronomical costs of lifetime care.

Our firm has dedicated teams for Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury cases, bringing specialized knowledge to secure the compensation victims need. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke details the challenges these victims face.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring an Accident and Injury Lawyer

After an accident, you have questions. Here are straightforward answers to the most common ones we hear.

How do contingency fees work and what does ‘no win, no fee’ mean for clients?

Most personal injury lawyers, including our firm, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees. Our fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you.

The “no win, no fee” promise is simple: if we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing for our legal services. This provides risk-free legal representation, allowing you to access expert help without financial strain. We typically advance case expenses (like filing fees or expert witness costs) and are reimbursed from the settlement after our fee is calculated. This arrangement aligns our interests with yours—we are motivated to secure the maximum compensation for you.

What is the typical timeline for resolving a personal injury claim?

The timeline varies. A straightforward case might resolve in a few months, while a complex case involving severe injuries or a disputed fault could take a year or more, especially if it goes to trial.

The biggest factor is often the length of your medical treatment. We advise against settling until you reach “Maximum Medical Improvement” to ensure all future medical needs are included in your claim. The insurance company’s willingness to negotiate fairly also impacts the timeline. While about 95% of cases settle before trial, we are always prepared to litigate if necessary to achieve a just outcome. As your accident and injury lawyer, we move your case forward as efficiently as possible, keeping you informed every step of the way.

How do I choose the right accident and injury lawyer for my case?

Choosing the right lawyer is a critical decision. Here’s what to look for:

• Board Certification: This is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar, signifying proven expertise. Only about 2% of Florida lawyers are board-certified. Our attorneys are Board-Certified in Civil Trial Law.
• Experience and Track Record: You need a lawyer who knows insurance company tactics and has a history of success. Our firm has over 100 years of combined experience and has handled thousands of injury claims. Check a firm’s case results and client testimonials.
• Personalized Service: Some large firms pass cases to junior staff. At Carey Leisure Carney, you get direct attorney access. An experienced lawyer personally handles your case and is available to answer your questions.
• Free Initial Consultation: A reputable lawyer will offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. This is your chance to see if the attorney is a good fit for you.

We encourage you to meet with a few lawyers. You need to feel confident in their expertise and comfortable with their approach. For more guidance, read our resource on how to choose a lawyer.

Get the Expert Legal Help You Deserve

No one plans to need an accident and injury lawyer, but when an accident happens, the right legal partner makes all the difference. The key takeaway is simple: you don’t have to face this alone.

Your focus should be on recovery. Let us handle the complex legal system and fight the insurance companies working to minimize your claim. We level the playing field and take the burden of paperwork and negotiations off your shoulders.

Time is critical. Florida’s statutes of limitations are strict—four years for most personal injury claims and just two for wrongful death. Acting quickly allows us to preserve evidence and build the strongest case for you.

At Carey Leisure Carney, we offer:

• Board-Certified Expertise: A distinction held by only the top 2% of Florida lawyers.
• Decades of Experience: Over 100 years combined, with a deep understanding of insurance tactics.
• Personalized Service: Direct access to your attorney, because you are a person, not a case number.

If you or a loved one was injured in Clearwater, Largo, New Port Richey, Spring Hill, St Petersburg, Trinity, or Wesley Chapel, Florida, due to someone else’s negligence, we are here to help.

Contact our Clearwater, FL personal injury lawyers for a free consultation today. There is no cost and no obligation. Let us handle the legal fight while you focus on rebuilding your life.