Throughout Florida in 2022, there were 397,620 traffic accidents. These occurred for many reasons and involved a variety of scenarios, each one presenting its own challenges. When considering common car accident scenarios, causes and determining fault are intermingled. You can’t establish a liable party without first getting a good idea of what led to the crash in Tampa, FL.
At Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers, we have been helping people throughout the state receive the legal support they need as they go through the claims process. Contact our car accident lawyer, and you can get the assistance you deserve. We offer a free consultation at (813) 800-0810.
How Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After An Accident In Tampa, FL
In a city as large as Tampa, car accidents are very common. That doesn’t mean, however, that they’re not serious. Even relatively mild collisions can leave you struggling with injuries, property damage, and emotional trauma — not to mention mounting medical bills.
To recover the losses you suffered, you can file a personal injury claim with your insurer or with that of the other party, depending on the severity of your injuries. You shouldn’t attempt to go through this on your own, however. Instead, you should choose experienced Tampa personal injury attorneys.
At Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers, we can help you prepare your claim by:
- Offering a free consultation
- Assessing the claim
- Investigating the accident
- Gathering evidence
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Taking the case to court, as needed
Wielding our 15 years of experience, we have helped clients recover tens of millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards. Whether you’ve sustained mild or catastrophic injuries, having legal representation can make a significant difference in any claim you file. Contact our law office in Tampa, Florida to get started.
Overview Of Florida Accident Laws
You may be wondering whether you have to determine who is liable for the losses you’ve sustained. After all, isn’t Florida a no-fault state?
Although Florida does require that you file claims against your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, the minimum policy coverage of $10,000 may not be enough if you have suffered serious injuries, such as broken bones and traumatic brain injuries.
If that’s the case, you can pursue a claim against the other party if they hold the majority of the fault. That is when establishing liability becomes essential.
Determining Fault In Common Car Accident Scenarios
Let’s take a close look at some of the most frequent car accident scenarios to see what could cause them and who may be liable.
Rear-End Crashes
Rear-end crashes tend to be the most frequent type of accidents throughout Florida. They occur when one vehicle hits another one from behind. They often happen when the second driver doesn’t leave enough space between their car and the one ahead of them.
In most instances, the rear vehicle will be at fault because they are the ones who have to control the gap between the two cars. If the rear driver is distracted, speeding, or driving recklessly, they can be held liable.
There may be exceptions, however. If the front car cuts off the rear driver, then the former is liable because they didn’t allow enough space while passing. If there were multiple parties involved in the collision, a car behind the second vehicle might have rammed them forward into the front vehicle. The middle car’s driver wouldn’t be liable for that accident.
Left-Turn Crashes
If a driver making a left turn doesn’t yield to oncoming traffic, as is required by Florida law, they could cause a collision. Most of the time, the driver making the turn will be liable for the accident. Exceptions would be if oncoming vehicles ran red lights or stop signs or if a vehicle in front of the car turning left abruptly stopped.
Broadside Crashes
Broadside collisions are some of the deadliest types of accidents because they involve one vehicle hitting the side of another. The sides don’t offer the same level of protection as the rear and front of the car.
Broadside collisions often occur because of a failure to yield to the vehicle with the right of way. Distracted driving can also cause these accidents. To determine fault, it will be necessary to establish who had the right of way and how all parties involved were behaving behind the wheel.
Contact Our Tampa Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
After being in a Florida car accident, you should contact a personal injury attorney to learn more about the options you have to receive compensation. If you sustained serious injuries that go beyond your PIP, you’ll also need a lawyer to help you demonstrate that the other party is liable.
The team of Tampa car accident attorneys at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers can assist you throughout the claims process. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.