Florida is a large and lively state, full of vibrant cities and towns, and Tampa is no exception. Located in Hillsborough County on the state’s Gulf Coast, the city is a Florida icon, and it is home to a population of 408,510.
However, that number, combined with the slew of tourists the city welcomes, translates into a lot of cars on area roadways at any given time. And that, in turn, means accidents are an inevitability. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Tampa, FL, one of the legal options you have is to file a claim to seek compensation to cover your losses.
Our Tampa car accident lawyer at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers is here to guide you through the entire claims process. Read on to learn about Tampa car accident statistics and what you should do right after such an incident.
Contact our Florida law firm at (813) 430-3338 for a free initial consultation if you need legal assistance.
How Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After an Auto Accident in Tampa, FL
A car crash can leave you facing mounting medical bills, a damaged car, lost wages, and psychological trauma. To have a chance at recuperating fair compensation, you need to retain the services of reputable Tampa personal injury lawyers.
The team at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers has over 15 years of experience helping the people of Tampa get the compensation they deserve after being in accidents caused by someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct.
We are confident that we can provide the guidance you need as you begin your claim, offering an array of services that includes the following:
- Assessing your claim
- Investigating the accident
- Gathering evidence to prove you deserve compensation
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Advocating for you in court, if necessary
Contact our team of car accident lawyers in Tampa, Florida, today to schedule a free consultation.
Understanding Tampa Car Accidents
In 2023, a total of 27,468 traffic crashes occurred in Hillsborough County. Of these, 216 were fatal, and 12,085 resulted in injuries. Understanding why these crashes took place involves several factors.
Impaired driving, for instance, led to 25 accidents and 21 fatalities in the city. Alongside that, distracted driving is a similarly common cause. In fact, Tampa has actually been reported as having the 14th-highest distracted driving fatality rate in the country.
There is also speeding, which not only refers to driving over the posted speed limit but also to driving faster than road conditions allow. A majority (75%) of all traffic-related fatalities in Tampa occur on streets with posted speed limits higher than 40 MPH. As speed increases, the likelihood of being in an accident increases, as does the severity of potential injuries.
Reckless driving causes accidents, too. It includes behaviors that completely disregard the safety of other motorists, such as tailgating, running red lights and stop signs, and rapidly changing lanes.
Steps To Take After a Car Accident in Tampa, FL
Taking the necessary steps right after an accident can help protect you and your rights while also ensuring you preserve evidence for your claim.
First and foremost, before you do anything else, you need to take stock of any injuries you may have. It’s instinctual for people to want to get out of the vehicle immediately after the accident, but if you have serious injuries, you could be putting yourself in further danger.
If you’re in severe pain or you know you hit your head in the accident, you want to stay still and call for emergency services. And once EMTs arrive on the scene, allow them to assess you, even if you think you have minor injuries.
An abundance of adrenaline is likely pumping through your system, dulling any pain you might otherwise feel at that moment. You may also not be able to tell whether you have a concussion, but medical professionals will be able to spot signs of a brain injury right away.
Beyond receiving medical assistance, you also need to call the police and report the accident. When you speak with an officer, let them know what happened with as much detail as you can remember.
From there, the next thing you should do is begin gathering information and evidence regarding the accident. Exchange information with the other party, making sure to refrain from mentioning fault as you do so.
If there were witnesses to the accident, it’s helpful to get their contact information, too, since you may need their testimony when you file a claim. Take lots of pictures and videos of the cars involved, the road, and your injuries. The more evidence you have, the better.
Lastly, give your insurance company a call. Just make sure to keep the conversation brief so you can make your next call to the team at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers. You can also contact us first for guidance. If you decide to hire us, we can communicate with insurers on your behalf.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Tampa Car Accident Law Firm
With experienced representation on your side after an accident, you have the chance to show that you deserve to recover compensation for your losses. Our Florida team at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers provides compassionate and tenacious representation throughout the entire claims process.
Call us to speak with a Tampa car accident lawyer about your case.