Car Accident Lawyers in Tampa, FL
Were you or a loved one in a Tampa car accident? Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) provides 2024 statistics for car accidents in the Tampa Bay Area, revealing that there have been 15,939 car accidents, causing 10,658 injuries and 98 fatalities.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety’s statistics are even more troubling when you consider how many people continue to move to the state, making Florida car accidents a greater likelihood. Car accidents take only seconds to happen, yet they can quickly flip your life upside down. Car accident victims are often left with massive medical bills, and coupled with lost income from being unable to work, it adds to the financial stress.
You should not be stuck with these expenses when a car accident occurs as the result of someone else’s negligence. Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers is a team of Tampa car accident attorneys committed to winning personal injury cases for car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other types of motor vehicle accidents. We help you navigate the legal process to get you the compensation and justice you deserve for your car accident injuries. Contact our Tampa auto accident lawyers today to discuss your legal options in a free consultation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Hillsborough County
Most car accidents are caused by driver errors made on the road. With the help of a Tampa car accident lawyer, you can recover compensation for the physical injuries that another driver has caused you to suffer. Here is a look at the causes behind car accidents in Tampa.
Distracted Driving
The majority of car accidents represented by our Tampa car accident attorneys are caused by distracted drivers. Visual, manual, and cognitive distractions are defined as anything that can take the driver’s attention away from the task of driving. They may be texting, eating, changing the music on the stereo, looking at GPS for directions, talking to their passengers, or simply daydreaming while behind the wheel.
It only takes a few seconds of distraction to cause a car crash. With the help of a Tampa car accident lawyer from our personal injury law firm, you will have an advocate who can investigate the evidence and prove a distracted driver is the reason for your injuries.
Failure to Obey Traffic Laws
Another common cause of an automobile accident is when drivers do not follow the rules of the road. Some may run red lights or fail to stop at a stop sign. Others may cut across traffic or block intersections. When another driver breaks the law and causes an accident, our Tampa car accident lawyers can fight for justice in your case.
Drunk Driving
Despite the state’s best efforts to curb drunk driving, many car accidents are caused by drivers who negligently get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Drunk driving is more likely to cause a fatal crash since these intoxicated drivers have a slowed reaction time and depleted ability to make responsible decisions. If you or a loved one was in an auto accident with a drunk driver, discuss your case with a Tampa car accident lawyer.
Reckless Driving
Auto accidents are commonly caused by drivers who go over the speed limit, race on the highway, weave in and out of traffic, or tailgate other drivers. You can trust our Tampa car accident lawyers to hold these reckless drivers accountable for your losses in your car accident lawsuit.
Weather Conditions
In a Tampa auto accident, weather may be a factor that contributed to the crash. The Tampa Bay area is notorious for rainy weather and severe thunderstorms. While the weather can’t be controlled, every driver must adjust their driving to fit the weather conditions on the road. Failing to do so means they could be responsible for your damages in your car accident case.
Road Hazards
If the local or state government doesn’t take care of the roads and it contributes to your accident, call a Tampa car accident attorney. These entities can be difficult to challenge in a car accident. Our car accident attorneys won’t back down from the fight for your financial compensation.
No matter what caused your car accident, contact a Tampa car accident lawyer from Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers. We will demand the compensation you deserve and help you move forward from this traumatic ordeal.
Types of Injuries That Can Occur in a Tampa Car Accident
Car accident injuries are often painful and leave lasting mental impacts as well. Here is a look at the common physical injuries that occur in an accident.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be mild, moderate, or severe. TBIs are caused by the brain violently banging into the skull. You may have a mild concussion, or it could lead to serious injuries that impact cognitive abilities and personality. In severe cases, car accident victims may become comatose or even die from a traumatic brain injury.
Spinal Cord Injuries
An automobile accident can also cause a spinal cord injury, which can have a tragic outcome. Depending on the point of impact and the severity, this type of injury may cause partial or full paralysis, either temporarily or permanently. If you or a loved one was paralyzed after your car accident, speak to a Tampa car accident lawyer to help you fight for justice.
Broken Bones
When vehicles collide in a car accident, broken bones are a likely result. You may experience fractures in your arms, legs, feet, and wrists. The force of your car crash can also mean you suffer broken ribs, which pose an even greater danger to your internal organs.
Internal Bleeding
After a car accident, always get prompt medical care. Internal bleeding is an injury that often goes unnoticed in the first few hours or even days after a car crash. Left untreated, internal bleeding can become life-threatening, making this one of the worst injuries to have in a car accident.
There are many other injuries you may incur that may be minor such as small cuts, bruises, and lacerations. Others may be more severe, such as amputations and burns. Your life may never be the same again all because of the other driver and their careless behavior behind the wheel. Make sure you protect your best interests by contacting a Tampa car accident attorney from our firm to discuss your car accident case.
What to Do If You’re in a Tampa Car Accident
When you’re in an auto accident, it’s important to know the right steps to take to ensure that all liable parties will be held responsible for your damages. Make sure you follow these steps, starting at the accident scene.
Call the Police
Florida law requires you to report a car accident to the police if there is $500 or more in property damage, there are injuries, or there are fatalities. When the police arrive, they will complete a report that details their findings on the accident scene. This police report will be a part of the evidence you submit in your car accident lawsuit.
Seek Medical Treatment
When you call the police, let them know if anyone is injured. They will send emergency medical services out to the scene. One of the biggest mistakes that victims make after auto accidents is skipping medical treatment. Many do so out of fear of the high cost of medical bills and other medical expenses. However, you should always get the care you need. Some injuries can worsen into life-threatening conditions without treatment, making it more likely the impacts will be permanent.
Gather Evidence
A car accident can turn into a huge game of finger-pointing without evidence. While the police may take photos and videos, you should do so as well. Talk to the other drivers on the scene and make sure you exchange insurance information with them. You’ll also want to exchange contact information with any witnesses who can provide their perspective on the car accident.
If your injuries prevent you from taking this step, it’s critical that you seek representation from a Tampa car accident attorney. A car accident lawyer is committed to getting enough evidence to build a strong case. Our car accident attorneys have access to resources that victims do not have on their own, such as traffic and surveillance camera footage, black box data, and expert witnesses who can further add to your case strategy.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Even if you did not cause the accident, you will need to notify your insurance company that it happened in a reasonable amount of time. It’s ideal to have your car accident lawyer communicate with your insurer to avoid the common pitfalls that arise in car accident cases.
Do Not Discuss Your Auto Accident
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to post about your Tampa auto accident online. If you need to file a car accident lawsuit, your social media accounts and posts may weaken your case. Instead, talk to your car accident attorney to avoid issues with your compensation.
Hire an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
In a minor accident, you may be able to handle your insurance claim on your own. However, a major auto accident can present unique challenges that only a car accident attorney may be equipped to handle. When car crashes lead to injuries that cause you physical pain and emotional upset, it’s best to focus on following the doctor’s orders to heal and recover. If you were recently in a motor vehicle accident, contact an experienced attorney from our team to help you get the compensation you deserve from the at fault driver.
Why It’s Important to Hire a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring a Tampa auto accident lawyer is a necessity when you are faced with a mountain of medical bills from your injuries and have suffered damages. Florida is a no-fault state, which means your personal injury protection (PIP) covers you regardless of fault.
When your insurance claim for injuries is met and your PIP insurance cover has been utilized, you may be stuck paying out of pocket for an accident you didn’t cause. The other driver and any other parties involved should be held responsible for the painful injuries you’ve endured. It can be difficult to recover damages on your own, which is why legal representation is advised in these situations. Contact us today to discuss your case with an accident attorney who will give you the compassionate and personalized representation you deserve while aggressively advocating for your legal rights.
Common Insurance Company Issues That Can Affect Your Insurance Claim
While you are required to go through your own insurance company to file a claim for your crash as per the no-fault system, it isn’t an easy process. Insurance companies notoriously use an array of tactics to reduce your payout or deny your claim.
It’s frustrating when you pay your insurance company your premiums only to find that they don’t have your back after an accident. The insurance adjuster representing your insurer may sound sympathetic, but they have been trained to ask leading questions that can ultimately result in lowering your settlement or denying your claim.
Additionally, in 2023, Florida switched from pure comparative negligence to modified comparative negligence. Previously, you could be up to 99% at fault and still recover compensation. Now, the new rule means that you must be 50% or less at fault for the accident. Your insurance company and the insurer for the other driver will be analyzing the evidence to see who is to blame.
You can expect your insurance company to lowball you with the initial settlement offer. It’s their sincere hope that you will just be happy to receive money. When you sign the release for this check, it means you cannot seek more money for the accident. Now that you know about these challenges that can arise, contact an attorney to ensure that someone is looking out for your best interests. Rest assured, the insurers will have their own team of lawyers representing them.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations in a Tampa Car Accident
The statute of limitations is the time limit you have to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit is different from the amount of time you have to contact your insurer to notify them of your collision.
Florida law previously allowed for four years from the date of accidents with motor vehicles. However, the state updated these statutes in 2023, shortening them to two years. Once the dust settles after your motor vehicle accident, you may be left with very little time to take legal action against the at-fault parties.
Don’t let yourself get stuck paying for the negligent driving of others. Contact our law firm today to talk to an accident attorney about getting the help you need.
How Much Compensation Can You Get in a Car Accident Lawsuit?
At Amanda Demand Injury Lawyers, one of the most common questions we are asked is about the amount of compensation victims can recover from lawsuits involving these types of accidents. The answer is a complicated one that will vary from case to case based on the unique factors in your circumstances.
One of the biggest factors involved in the amount of compensation you may receive will be the type and severity of your injuries. For example, if your injuries left you with a permanent disability that prevented you from working in any capacity, you would likely be awarded more compensation than if you broke a leg and it was expected to heal completely.
When you meet with an accident attorney from our team, we will calculate your economic and non-economic damages to help you seek the maximum in compensation. Here is a look at some of the damages you may be able to collect:
Medical Expenses
After being injured in a crash, you can seek all reasonable medical expenses in your case. This would typically include all hospital costs, prescription medications, assistive medical devices, your ambulance ride, surgeries, or physical therapy. You may also be awarded compensation for your future medical bills if you can show you’ll require ongoing medical care.
Lost Wages
If the injuries sustained have prevented you from going to work and earning an income, you can seek lost wages. You may recover lost wages for a short-term absence from your duties, or you can seek loss of future income if you are no longer able to work in your previous capacity.
Property Damage
The driver responsible for the crash may also owe you for repairs to your damaged vehicle. This can also apply to any items of value that were in the car with you at the time that may have been destroyed by the accident.
Other Non-Economic Damages
Accidents cause more than injuries and additional expenses. They can impact your mental health, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions. You may experience mental anguish from the pain of your injuries or have a fear of getting into a car. The injuries you’ve suffered may also impose new physical limitations that prevent you from doing the things you once loved.
While non-economic damages are more challenging to quantify, you still deserve to claim them for your pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. Talk to our attorneys today to learn more about how we can assist you in demanding the best for your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Tampa Car Accident Attorneys
Your day may have started like any other before you were in your car accident. Now that it has happened, get the protection you need for your legal rights. When another driver is negligent and causes you harm, you have the right to seek the compensation you deserve to cover the expenses they have made you incur.
Our personal injury lawyers distinguish themselves from other attorneys by understanding the challenges you face after an accident. The pain, emotional upset, and mountain of bills only add to the stress of trying to find a resolution. With over 10 years of experience and over 1,000 cases won, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional legal representation to all of our clients, guiding them through the entire process with our full support and securing millions in settlements.
Since we know that you’re already worried about your expenses, we offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no cost to you unless we win. From the moment you visit our office for a free consultation, we listen intently to your concerns and needs. By personalizing our strategies to every client, we can fight aggressively in settlement negotiations and courtrooms to represent your best interests.
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident in Tampa due to someone else’s negligent behavior, you have the right to seek legal compensation. You don’t have to do it alone—turn to our team for the extensive legal experience you need to win the compensation you deserve.
Abogados para Latinos - At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, we understand the importance of having legal representation that speaks your language and understands your culture. That’s why we have a dedicated team of native Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff who are ready to assist you. We are proud to serve Miami's vibrant Hispanic community, offering compassionate and culturally sensitive legal services in both English and Spanish. Whether you're more comfortable speaking Spanish or simply want a Spanish-fluent lawyer who understands the unique challenges faced by Latinos, our team is here to provide you with the support and expertise you need to navigate the legal system with confidence.
