Tampa Car Accident Lawyer

Data provided by WFLA.com

Big Bend Road

• Tampa’s Big Bend Road is well-known for its winding turns and dense traffic, making car accidents a regular event.
• According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office crash map, 3/10 of the most dangerous intersections in Tampa are located here.
• The intersection of Big Bend Road and US-301 connects two of the county’s busiest roads. With nearby shopping malls, and St. Joseph’s Hospital these lanes quickly fill up with inpatient drivers.
• Summerfield Crossing Boulevard meets Big Bend Road just east of US-301. The road runs between shopping malls and residences in the Villas on the Green subdivision.
• Summerfield Boulevard just east of US-301 connects Big Bend Road to the Summerfield Crossing Golf Club and is notorious for dangerous accidents.

US-301

• US-301 is a major highway running across Florida for over 230 miles.
• Passing through Tampa Bay, it includes 4/10 of Hillsborough County’s most dangerous roads.
• Running parallel to I-75 and US-41, it features three lanes to go north-south.
• According to the Sheriff’s Department crash map, Gibsonton Drive/Boyotte drive has seen over 350 crashes in the past year.
• With nearby restaurants, retail stores and gas stations, the high traffic density results in frequent car accidents and pedestrian injuries.
• The intersection near Sun City Center is also considered very dangerous, with older drivers vulnerable to the dense traffic.
• FL-674 and Sun City Center Boulevard connect US-301 to
• Bill Tucker Road’s T-shaped intersection with US-301 is notoriously dangerous due to the lack of stop signs to control oncoming traffic.
• Despite the 50mph speed limit, drivers take advantage of the six-lane highway before suffering the consequences.

Can I Get Compensation for My Car Accident Injuries in Tampa?

Anyone injured in a car accident that wasn’t 100% their own fault in Tampa may be entitled to compensation. This can be achieved by filing a ‘personal injury claim‘ with your insurance company.

Florida is a ‘no-fault’ state, which means the victim must file a claim with their own insurance company.

Your claim will then be analyzed by an insurance agent and they’ll give you a settlement offer. In most cases, the first offers will be far lower than what they should be.

Florida’s ‘Comparative Fault’ Law

Tampa and the rest of Florida use a ‘comparative fault’ law to determine car accident liability. This law assigns a percentage of fault to each party involved in the accident.

For example, Dave was injured in a car accident involving a drunk driver. But Dave was slightly speeding too. Dave was assigned 30% of the fault for speeding, with the other driver assigned 70% of the fault.

Dave had $10,000 in losses which were reduced by 30%, so he took home a $7,000 settlement.

How to File a Car Accident Claim in Tampa?

To claim compensation for a car accident in Tampa, you’ll need to file a personal injury claim with your insurance provider.

We highly recommend that you contact your insurance company as soon as possible to inform them about the accident. Do not admit fault. Do not accept any offers yet.

You should always speak to a Tampa car accident lawyer first to establish the true value of your case.

Can I Sue People For a Car Accident in Tampa?

Ordinarily, you will only file a personal injury claim against your insurance provider. But, in some cases, you can go outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

This is seen in cases where the victim suffered:

• Scarring or disfigurement
• A loss of bodily function
• Permanent injury

Please note that in any personal case, you will not take criminal action against the negligent party. This is not about punishing them or putting them behind bars. It’s about getting you the compensation you deserve.

What is the 14-Day Accident Law in Florida?

Florida’s 14-day accident law requires that injury victims receive medical care within 14 days of their car crash to receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.

PIP is a type of car insurance that all Florida drivers should have to provide insurance coverage. Therefore, we advise all our clients to visit a hospital even if they don’t believe they’re seriously injured.

How to Prove Negligence in a Car Accident?

When making a car accident insurance claim, you will need to prove that another party was at-fault for your damages. This is called ‘negligence’.

To prove negligence, you’ll need to establish:

• Someone owed you a duty of care
• They breached that duty of care
• The breach directly resulted in your injuries.

To establish this, our Tampa car accident lawyers will collect evidence and create an irrefutable argument. Utilizing accident specialists, financial experts and medical experts, we will prove that the negligent party was at-fault, and not you.

If you were partly at fault, you may still be able to gain a settlement thanks to Florida’s ‘pure comparative fault’ law.

Evidence Needed to Prove Negligence

The burden is upon the claimant to prove negligence. The police and insurer won’t do the work for you. Our Tampa auto accident attorneys may use the following evidence to prove negligence:

• Police reports (such as proof the other driver was drunk driving or distracted driving)
• Eyewitness statements
• Photos or videos of the accident scene
• CCTV footage or dashcam footage
• Expert testimonies (such as accident specialists)
• Speed camera data

Common Liable Parties for Car Accidents in Tampa

Our Tampa car accident lawyer team has assisted victims of accidents involving:

• Bicyclists
• Bus drivers
• Cab companies
• Employers of negligent parties
• Government agencies
• Lyft and Uber drivers
• Motorcyclists
• Other drivers
• Passengers in your car
• Pedestrians
• Taxi companies
• Taxi drivers
• Transit companies
• Truck drivers
• Trucking companies

There can be more than one negligent party, with many car crash injuries worsened by multiple factors. The NSC reports that just 41% of motorcycle injuries are caused by accidents involving only one vehicle.

Other Drivers

The most common cause of car accidents in Tampa is other road users. In 2022, 244 injuries were caused by drunk drivers and 509 were caused by speeding.

Using CCTV footage, police reports and eye-witness statements, we can prove that the fault driver wasn’t you and that the breach of care was made by another driver.

Manufacturers

It’s not rare to see manufacturers at-fault for car accidents in Florida. Sometimes part defects or failures can trigger awful road incidents. In the past, we’ve seen tire blow-outs, brake failures and seatbelt malfunctions result in life-changing injuries. Even if the victim was speeding or drunk, an injury caused by a part failure can potentially result in compensation.

Government Agencies

Government agencies have a duty of care to protect road users. If your auto accident injuries were caused by a bad road condition, a faulty traffic signal or a damaged road barrier then a government agency may have been the negligent party.

Types of Car Accident Injuries We Have Won Settlements For:

Head and Neck Injuries

Car accidents put severe forces on the head and neck, potentially causing fractures, bruising and whiplash. These injuries can vary in severity, but all should be taken seriously. Head and neck injuries may also not be obvious initially, but symptoms may arise over the coming days.

Whiplash is often underestimated in its long-lasting damage and chronic pain. We advise all victims to visit a doctor after a car accident in case of undetected head and neck injuries.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries occur when the vertebrae are fractured or twisted. Nerve damage occurs, which can result in temporary or permanent disability or loss of sensation.

Victims of these injuries likely have long-lasting damages of high value and deserve considerable compensation.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) can occur when the head receives a forceful impact or jolt. These are sadly quite common in car accidents and require ongoing medical attention.

TBIs can affect how the person moves, communicates, understands and acts throughout their life. TBI victims will require immediate and ongoing medical attention.

Any symptoms of TBIs should be taken extremely seriously and they may appear in the days and weeks following the accident. Untreated swelling (secondary brain injuries) can be even more concerning.

Burns and Scarring

Around 2,000 people are hospitalized with burn injuries in the U.S. every year, from highway accidents. Burn injuries can be extremely painful and result in long-term psychological suffering and restricted movement.

Victims of burns deserve significant compensation to pay for their medical expenses, loss of income and suffering.

Fractures, Tears and Sprains

If you’ve suffered any muscle, ligament or bone injury from a car accident that wasn’t your fault in Tampa, you are likely entitled to significant compensation for your damages.

These injuries often see victims take long periods off work, resulting in a devastating effect on their finances as they also pay for medical expenses and equipment.

Other Car Accident Injuries

Our experienced personal injury lawyers have helped Tampa residents win cases for injuries including:

• Amputation
• Back, shoulder, and neck injury
• Brain Injury
• Burn Injury
• Catastrophic injury
• Chest injury
• Crushing injury
• Degloving
• Eye injury
• Fractures and broken bones
• Head injury, including concussion
• Paralysis
• Scarring & Disfigurement
• Soft tissue damage
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Whiplash

What Should I Do If a Loved One Has Died in a Car Accident?

If you have lost a loved one in a car accident in Tampa, we are deeply sorry for your loss. Your family may be entitled to compensation for your suffering and loss of income. This can be recovered via a Wrongful Death claim.

Our compassionate Tampa car accident lawyers welcome you to receive a free consultation.

How Much Is My Tampa Car Accident Claim Worth?

Please contact our Tampa car accident lawyers to determine how much your auto accident injury claim may be worth.

Do not rely on what your insurance company tells you. They may be withholding information and offering a lowball sum to lure you in.

Our legal team will evaluate your case, calculating the true costs of your damages. Using our legal expertise and evidence, we’ll make sure your insurance company pays what it should.

What Damages Can My Tampa Car Accident Lawyer Recover?

Determining what damages you’ve suffered is a key task in a personal injury case. This may require intensive investigative work and the assistance of financial specialists, which we have available.

Without professional help, your insurance provider will likely overlook damages that aren’t initially obvious but later cause great distress.

Common Damages for Car Accidents in Tampa

Economic Damages:

These damages are those that can be determined by their monetary worth.

• Medical Expenses: Any expense you’ve been forced to cover since the accident, or will be expected to cover in the future can potentially be recovered. This includes ambulance fees, specialist appointments and medication.
• Rehabilitation Costs: Rehabilitation is an ongoing process, so future costs should be carefully calculated.
• Treatment Costs: Surgery, therapy and medication can quickly hit high figures, especially when the long-term duration is factored for.
• Lost Wages: Time off work, whether to recover or visit a doctor all add to a loss of wages. You may have also lost your job, or been forced to take a lower position.
• Loss of Future Earnings: Many accident victims lose the opportunity to get promoted or work the hours they had previously expected.
• In-Home Care Expenses: Serious injuries can require in-home care services, which can have a devastating impact on a family’s finances if not fairly compensated.
• Medical Equipment Costs: Disabilities and discomforts may require specialist equipment that isn’t covered under your insurance.
• Transportation Expenses: Any transportation costs associated with the result of your accident should also be recovered. For example, a taxi that you took to a weekly specialist visit.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages are for suffering and losses in life that don’t have a price tag attached to them.

• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: The term given to the loss of ability to enjoy experiences and activities, such as sports, arts, social life and other hobbies.
• Loss of Consortium: The loss of support and benefits that your family has experienced as a result of car accident injuries.
• Depression: Depression and other mental health disorders can have a significant impact on the victim’s life, inhibiting relationships, employment and day-to-day life.
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: PTSD is a common mental health condition for car accident victims, with symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life and sleeping difficulties.
• Pain and Suffering: Ongoing injuries, such as muscle pains, back pains and headaches as a result of your accident should not be overlooked. They can have a big impact on your life.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Visual changes to a person can have a big hit on someone’s life, such as on their confidence, self-belief and general happiness.
• Long-Term Disability: Disabilities and permanent impairment can be life-altering effects. It can affect the individual’s ability to work, experience life or even perform basic tasks. Although these damages have economic worth, the loss of enjoyment in life should also be factored into calculations.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Tampa

There are over 1,045 crashes per day on Florida roads, with various causes. Our experienced Tampa auto accident lawyers have seen it all, with the following common causes:

Distracted Driving

6.7% of non-fatal injuries in Tampa are caused by distracted driving. In the 2020s, there are sadly various distractions for drivers to deal with. Every driver should take care to not let these interfere with their driving. Distractions include cell phones, radio controls, sat-navs and center consoles.

Drug or Alcohol Use

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a heavily punished crime in Florida and for good reason. Hundreds of Floridians die on our roads every year. When drunk, reaction time and vision is slowed, resulting in often catastrophic accidents.

Speeding

With around 211 deaths each year, speeding drivers are responsible for a large number of road deaths in Tampa and Florida.

Whether the driver is late for work or thinks they’re Lewis Hamilton, dangerous speeds often result in life-altering injuries. Speeding is particularly common in causing rear-end collisions.

Reckless Driving

Reckless or aggressive driving covers behavior such as crossing lanes too fast, ignoring road signals or intentionally putting other road users at risk. These crashes amount to a large number of serious auto accident injuries in Tampa.

Fatigue and Sleeping

Every year around 18 deaths, 275 incapacitating injuries and 941 other injuries are caused by drivers falling asleep behind the wheel. Despite that, driving while tired is not nearly warned about enough and results in devastating accidents every year.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Injury Claim in Tampa?

Florida Car Accident Statute of Limitations

Florida Statute 95.11(3)(a) allows car accident victims to make a personal injury claim within four years of the date of the accident.

This statute of limitations is strict, so if you miss the deadline you cannot file a future claim. If that deadline is nearing, don’t delay any longer; call our Tampa personal injury lawyers today for a fast response.

It is advised that you make a personal injury claim as soon as possible to take advantage of critical evidence and police reports before they get lost.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Tampa?

If you’ve had a car accident in Tampa, the steps you take next are crucial for both your health and your personal injury claim. Here’s what our Tampa car accident lawyers suggest you should do:

1. Stay at The Accident Scene

It is illegal to leave the scene of a car accident that has caused damage or injury.

2. Call The Police and Emergency Services

Police should arrive quickly to conduct an investigation and compile a police report. The report will be critical in your personal injury claim. Our Tampa car accident attorneys will acquire the report to support your claim.

2. Stay Safe and Receive Medical Attention

Move to a safe location and receive medical attention if necessary. Your health should be a priority. Any evidence of treatment and diagnosis can also be critical in your claim. Medical care must be received within 14 days of the accident to receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in Florida.

3. Do Not Admit Fault

The reality of the crash may be different from what you initially think it is. Do not admit fault to either the police or an insurance agent. Now isn’t the time to analyze who was the fault driver. That will come at a later point by reviewing evidence and speaking to accident reconstruction experts.

4. Take Pictures and Retain Evidence

If you are in a condition to do so, take photos. If you haven’t, ask anyone who was at the crash scene if they took some. These can be used to support your claim. We advise that you retain all evidence, from insurance agent quotes to doctor’s notes.

5. Notify Your Insurance Company

Let your insurer know that you’ve had an auto accident as soon as possible. Inform them that you’ll be reporting back to them with the help of a Tampa personal injury lawyer soon.

5. Do Not Accept a Low-Ball Offer

Insurance companies often offer low-ball settlements to crash victims to take advantage of their desperation. These offers are never enough and will leave you in financial peril.

Always determine the true value of your claim by speaking to a Tampa car accident attorney.

6. Visit a Doctor

Some pains and injuries may arise over time. For example, whiplash and brain injuries can appear days or even weeks later. We advise you to visit a doctor as soon as possible if symptoms arise. This is critical to your health and for backing your claim up with evidence.

7. Consult a Tampa Car Accident Attorney

Our Tampa car accident attorneys will manage all communications on your behalf, collecting and preserving evidence, communicating with insurers and negotiating the maximum possible settlement.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer?

The best car Tampa car accident lawyers will work on a contingency fee basis, which means they won’t receive payment until the case is resolved. If you’re asked to pay upfront there’s no guarantee that you’re going to get a successful outcome

Top Related Auto Shops in Tampa

Google rates the following as the best Auto Shops in Tampa (we do not endorse these or profit from their listing):

• A & D Automotive Center: 1127 E Twiggs St, Tampa, FL 33602, United States
• Lightning Auto Repair and Tires: 4601 W Gandy Blvd Unit B, Tampa, FL 33611, United States
• AutoWorks of Tampa: 5507 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604, United States
• Christian Brothers Automotive New Tampa: 20303 Trout Creek Dr, Tampa, FL 33647, United States
• Greg Bailey Automotive: 3712 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33603, United States

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Tampa, FL

Free Consultations

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Tampa, Florida, then we welcome you to contact our Tampa car accident lawyers for a free consultation.

Sean McQuaid and Jonathon Douglas are award-winning Personal Injury Lawyers with vast experience, a proven track record, a strong reputation and impressive resources. We believe we provide the strongest chance of winning the maximum possible settlement to rebuild your life.