In Tampa, Florida, even a minor fender-bender can leave you shaken and overwhelmed. It can be difficult to remember the steps to take after a frightening collision, but what you do after a car accident can affect your health, safety, and legal rights.
Here are the critical steps to take after a crash. If you’re unsure what to do next, or you were hurt in the accident, Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you. Call (813) 800-0810 or contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Tampa car accident attorney to get answers to your questions and put our experience to work.
Why Choose Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers to Help After a Car Accident in Tampa, FL?
After a crash, you may be left with more questions than answers, and trying to handle everything alone can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers comes in. With over 15 years of experience and millions recovered, we know how to build strong cases that hold negligent drivers accountable.
We’ll take care of the insurance companies, the paperwork, and the pressure so you can take care of yourself. We have won more than 1,000 cases with experience at the negotiating table and in the courtroom—we aren’t afraid to take your case to trial when it’s necessary to recover what you are owed.
We understand what’s at stake after a serious accident, and we’re here to maximize your recovery, not settle for less. Call our law office to schedule a free case evaluation with a Tampa car accident lawyer. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you navigate the path to rebuilding your life.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Tampa, FL
After a crash, you may feel clueless, frightened, or overwhelmed. Even if you aren’t seriously hurt, the trauma of a sudden collision may leave you shaking.
Do your best to remain calm. Prioritize safety and avoid any rushed movements that may put you at risk. Follow these steps to get through the stressful situation and protect your health and rights.
Step 1. Remain at the Scene
No matter how shaken you may feel, it’s critical that you stay at the scene after a crash. Under Florida law, drivers involved in a car accident are required to stop and stay at the scene. Leaving before exchanging information or helping injured parties is not only irresponsible: it’s a crime.
Staying at the scene protects your legal rights and ensures you won’t face criminal consequences for a hit-and-run. However, there are limited cases when leaving the scene of the crash is acceptable.
For example, you may need to leave if you or a passenger requires urgent medical care or you fear for your safety due to the other driver’s actions or a hazard like fire. In these cases, you must still report the accident to the police as soon as possible.
Step 2. Assess the Scene and Move to a Safe Location
Take a deep breath and assess the situation. Do not exit your vehicle until you know it’s safe to do so.
If your vehicle is operational and it’s safe to do so, carefully move your car out of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. If you can’t move the car, or someone is seriously hurt, remain in the vehicle, turn on the hazard lights, and keep your seatbelts on. Wait for emergency responders before exiting the vehicle.
Step 3. Check for Injuries and Call 911 or Police
Florida law requires you to report any car accident to law enforcement right away if it involves injuries, death, or property damage over $500. When in doubt, call 911 for police and EMS response.
Otherwise, you can contact the non-emergency number for local law enforcement:
- Tampa Police Department: Responds to accidents within the city limits.
- Florida Highway Patrol (FHP): Responds to interstate and highway accidents.
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO): Responds to crashes in unincorporated areas.
Law enforcement will typically respond to the scene of the crash and complete an accident report. The responding officers will document the scene, collect witness statements, and more. You can request a copy of the crash report later through the Florida Crash Portal.
Step 4. Exchange Information
Once everyone is safe, exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers.
This includes:
- Full name, address, and phone number for every driver
- Driver’s license numbers
- Vehicle year, make, model, and license plate number
- Insurance information, including the company and police number
It’s also a good idea to get contact information for any witnesses, including passengers in the other vehicle. Keep the conversation brief: don’t admit fault or speculate about what happened.
Step 5. Document the Scene and Preserve Evidence
Use your phone to take photos and videos of the accident scene. Capture vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs, and any factors you think may have contributed to your crash. Be sure to get photos of damage from multiple angles. You should also take photos of any visible injuries you suffered.
These photos will be important evidence for your claim.
Step 6. Seek Medical Care Right Away
Don’t assume you’re uninjured, even if you feel fine. Injuries can occur in a low-speed collision with a velocity change of just 10 mph, even if there is very little property damage. With some types of injuries, like whiplash or a concussion, symptoms may be masked initially by adrenaline. Other injuries may not cause symptoms for days.
To use personal injury protection (PIP) benefits in Florida, you are required to seek medical care within 14 days of the accident. If you don’t, you could lose access to this coverage for your lost earnings and medical bills.
Seeing a doctor protects your health and preserves your right to compensation.
Step 7. Inform Your Insurance Company
You’ll need to report your collision to your insurance company as soon as possible, ideally within the first day or two. Give them basic information about the crash, but be careful about providing a recorded statement. Stick to the facts and avoid speculation.
If you’re unsure what to say, it’s okay to talk with a lawyer first.
Step 8. Know When to Speak With a Lawyer
Finally, it’s important to know when you need a car accident lawyer to help you. Not every accident needs legal help, but if you’ve been injured, the other driver is uninsured, or the insurance company is giving you the runaround, it’s time to speak with a lawyer.
A personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and legal options, protect you from insurance company tactics, and pursue the full value of your losses.
Contact Our Tampa Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have been hurt in a serious car accident, you may be entitled to money for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. The team at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. With over 15 years of experience, our law firm knows how to take on insurance companies and win.
Call today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Tampa car accident lawyer. Let us help you recover the compensation you need to heal and move forward with your life.
