Were you or a loved one involved in a car accident in Tampa, FL? You may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and more. Our Tampa car accident attorney at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers can help you. Call us at (813) 430-3338.
You can count on us to get you winning results we can maximize the value of your claim. We have 15 years of experience, and we’ve won millions for our clients. If you hire us to help you with your claim, we’re confident we can secure the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact our Tampa Bay law offices today for a free consultation with a car accident attorney. You can receive initial legal advice without any obligations.
How Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Car Accident in Tampa, FL
Insurance companies play a large role in almost every car accident case. As a business out to make a profit, they aren’t looking out for your best interests. Rather, they want to put as little money into your pocket as possible.
Don’t let them get away with a lowball offer; call Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers. Our Tampa personal injury attorney is experienced at trial, and our team will fight for your rights. We’ve won thousands of cases and understand the intricacies of Florida law.
Our legal team can help you by:
- Investigating your crash
- Calculating your damages
- Working with leading experts
- Identifying the responsible party or parties
- Filing all the paperwork
- Negotiating a complete settlement
- Taking your case to Hillsborough County court if necessary
Get in touch with us today. A case review with one of our trusted attorneys is completely free of charge. We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.
Tampa Car Accident Statistics
Overall, the State of Florida has hundreds of thousands of car accidents every year.
The latest data for Hillsborough County from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) are:
- 2024 (as of early August): 15,005 crashes, 95 fatalities, and 10,035 injuries
- 2023: 27,468 crashes, 237 fatalities, and 18,873 injuries
- 2022: 28,360 crashes, 225 fatalities, and 19,271 injuries
On average, there are nearly 74 accidents every single day in the Tampa area, based on these statistics.
How Much Money Can I Get From a Car Accident Claim?
Car accident claims can have very different values. Some might only be worth thousands of dollars or less, but others can be worth millions.
The factors we look into when evaluating a case include:
- The type/severity of injuries
- Financial losses
- The at-fault party’s identity
- Insurance policy limits
- Evidence strength/availability
- The victim’s quality of life going forward
- The victim’s ability to return to work
Properly calculating a car accident claim can take extensive effort, even requiring professional help at times – such as assistance from a forensic economist. At Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll exhaust every resource to help you get the money that makes you whole again.
How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
In Florida, you generally have two years from your crash to file a lawsuit in court. This time limit is set by the state’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases. You must file your lawsuit in time because if you don’t, you could lose your ability to recover compensation.
However, an exception to this two-year statute of limitations could apply to your circumstances. It’s also best to begin the insurance claims process as soon as you can. Contacting our experienced Tampa car accident attorney is the best way to confirm the amount of time you have to sue.
What Types of Compensation Are Available After a Car Accident in Florida?
Car accident victims may be able to pursue two kinds of damages that are meant to be compensatory: economic and non-economic. Punitive damages may be available to “punish” the at-fault party for extreme behavior, but only in rare situations.
If you suffer financial losses, those are considered your economic damages. Examples include:
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Rehabilitation and similar services
- Medical bills, current and future
- Property damage
- Diminished earning capacity/lost wages
Many other types could be awarded based on the case.
Your other subjective losses are your non-economic damages. These include things like:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Disfigurement/scarring
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
Florida state law does permit punitive damages awards. However, they need a higher level of evidence and they are only an option if you can prove the other driver was behaving outrageously – such as trying to injure you.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Other attorneys usually charge a flat fee or by the hour. However, injury attorneys only get paid if they successfully win compensation for the client.
You will sign a contingency fee agreement once you hire your attorney. They will typically receive about 33% of the jury verdict or settlement agreement they secure for you. However, you pay nothing in attorney’s fees if you don’t get money.
Having this system in place benefits both you as the client as well as the attorney. You’ll have the opportunity to put a top-rated car accident lawyer on your side regardless of your financial circumstances, and your attorney is incentivized to increase the value of your claim.
Can I Get Money if I Was Partially Responsible for My Accident?
Yes, most likely. Florida is a “no-fault” state for car insurance. You can almost always file a claim against your personal injury protection (PIP) policy, regardless of who caused the crash. However, PIP might not cover all of your losses.
In some situations, you can file a lawsuit against the other driver. This allows you to potentially receive much more compensation than what you can get with a PIP claim. However, Florida’s “modified comparative negligence” law will apply.
Under this law, you cannot receive compensation from the other party if you were 51% or more at fault. You can still get money otherwise, but it can be reduced. For example, being 30% at fault can reduce your damages by 30%.
A Tampa car accident lawyer can help you determine your legal options and then protect you from undue blame.
Will My Car Accident Case Go To Trial?
Not necessarily. In fact, most cases don’t even make it to court in the first place. That said, it’s sometimes best to file a lawsuit and bring a case to court and even all the way to trial in some instances.
For example, liability for a crash isn’t always clear – or the insurance company might refuse to negotiate in good faith. Once our attorneys file a lawsuit, we can get more information from the defendant via pretrial discovery. This could lead to helpful evidence and a better offer as a result.
Our Tampa car accident attorneys are never afraid to take a case to court if that’s what’s best for our clients. Learn more about forming an attorney-client relationship with us by calling for a free case review.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Tampa?
The aftermath of an auto accident can be critical for the success of your legal claim. However, your health and well-being are what’s most important. If you can, move yourself and your vehicle to a safe location away from the road.
From there:
- Call 911 to notify the police about the accident. They will arrive on the scene and complete a police report that you can use later on for your case. Florida law mandates this step for many wrecks as well.
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver.
- Cooperate with the police, but don’t apologize for the crash, and don’t accept any blame. That could hurt your case.
- If you can, collect evidence from the crash scene. For example, take photos of the damage to your car and your injuries.
- Receive medical care as soon as possible. You should take this step, even if you aren’t seriously injured. Not all injuries will be symptomatic immediately, and medical records can serve as evidence.
Next, contact a car accident lawyer for a free consultation. The facts and circumstances of your case will dictate in large part your next steps.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
With 15 years of combined experience, our car accident attorneys can help you with any type of claim. These include, but aren’t limited to, the following:
- Intersection accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Parking lot accidents
- Passenger negligence accidents
- Truck accidents
- Left-turn collisions
- Red and yellow light crashes
- Highway crashes
- Rollover accidents
- Single-vehicle crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
Call our law firm for help after any kind of accident; we have the skills and resources to represent you.
Who Could Be Liable for My Auto Accident Injuries?
Under state law, just about anyone could be held liable for your injuries – whether a person, business, or even a government entity. For example, if your crash happened due to a road defect, the agency responsible for maintaining the area could be responsible for your damages.
You can also file a claim regardless of whether the other party was negligent (careless) or intentional with their actions. Most cases will be based on negligence, which occurs when a person doesn’t act reasonably under the circumstances. For instance, running a red light and crashing into your vehicle would likely constitute negligence.
Once you establish negligence, you’re well on your way to a favorable outcome. Our car accident attorney is here to help you determine who is liable; get started with a claim today.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause life-altering injuries that the victim might not ever fully recover from.
Our attorney is equipped to help you get compensation for include:
- Concussions
- Moderate/severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Lacerations
- Road rash
- Leg injuries
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Eye injuries
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
If you or a family member were hurt in a crash, a auto accident attorney in Tampa can make all the difference in how your claim plays out. Contact our attorneys for a free case assessment.
What are My Options for Recovering Compensation After a Car Crash?
Florida is considered a “no-fault” state for auto accidents, meaning that all parties have to pay for their own damages. Whether or not you were at fault for your accident, you have two options for recovering compensation: submitting an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit.
Submitting an Insurance Claim
After a car crash, your first option is to submit an insurance claim against your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance carrier. Under Florida law, every Florida driver must carry PIP insurance. Since Florida is a “no-fault” state, you can only pursue personal injury compensation from your own carrier, even if someone else caused the accident.
However, PIP coverage has some limitations:
Filing a Lawsuit
Your second option is to file a lawsuit. We recommend filing a lawsuit if you sustained a “serious injury” in the accident or your claim exceeds policy limits. If you file a lawsuit, you will not be bound by the requirements of the “no-fault” system.
A lawsuit would enable you to recover from the at-fault party, whether it be another motorist, bicyclist, truck driving company, or employer of the negligent party that caused the accident. Not only would you be able to recover economic damages such as medical bills and lost income, but you would also be able to recover non-economic damages like ongoing physical pain, psychological harm, and reduced quality of life.
Moreover, depending on the strength of your case, you may be able to recover losses that exceed your PIP coverage’s policy limits.
An experienced Tampa car accident lawyer can help you decide whether a lawsuit is worth pursuing and who may be at fault for your accident.
The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents in Tampa can happen for a wide range of reasons, but most are due to driver negligence in some form or fashion.
Generally speaking, among the most common causes are:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk/drugged driving
- Running through a red traffic light
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Fatigued driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Poor weather/road conditions
- Tailgating
- Defective parts or machinery
Was your Tampa accident caused by someone else? They might owe you compensation, and our attorney can file your claim while you heal from your injuries.
The Most Dangerous Intersections in Tampa
Some parts of Tampa are more prone to collisions than others.
According to local sources, some of the most dangerous intersections include:
- U.S. 301 at Gibsonton Dr
- Bill Tucker Rd and U.S. 301
- Lakewood Dr and E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
- Fishhawk Blvd and Boyette Rd
- U.S. 301 at SR 674
Being aware of these especially dangerous locations can help you prevent an accident, as it is worth being extra cautious when driving through them.
How Should I Deal With the Insurance Company?
Insurance companies are interested in protecting their own profits. Insurance adjusters are responsible for handling claims, and their job is to negotiate for the lowest possible offer. You should be careful when you are dealing with them. Beware of some of their tactics.
They may:
- Try to drag out your claim and get you to settle for a low offer
- Misstate policy terms and limits
- Blame you for your injuries
- Refuse to pay for medical treatment
- Try to dissuade you from seeking legal advice
Remember, your insurance company’s interests do not align with your own. You do not have to fight your insurance company alone. An experienced Tampa car accident lawyer can help you. At Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers, we can handle negotiations with your insurance company, protect your rights, and ensure that you get the compensation you are entitled to.
What are the Legal Elements of a Car Accident Claim?
Claims are typically based on negligence. Negligence means that one person failed to use reasonable care, resulting in harm to another. There are four elements in a negligence claim:
- Duty: This element means that the other person owed a duty of care to you. All drivers owe a duty of care to each other on the road. Every driver is expected to drive safely and follow traffic laws.
- Breach: Once a duty of care has been established, you will need to prove that the other person violated their duty toward you. That is, they did not act like a reasonable person under the circumstances. Not stopping at a stop sign and causing an accident would be an example that satisfies this element.
- Causation: There are two kinds of causation that you must prove to win your negligence case. The first is called “but for” causation. You must prove that “but for” the other person’s actions, you would not have suffered harm. The other person must have directly caused your injuries. The other kind of causation is called proximate cause. The key aspect of proximate causation is foreseeability. For proximate cause, the test is, could a reasonable person have foreseen that the defendant’s conduct would result in your harm?
- Damages: Finally, you must prove that you suffered some damage due to the other person’s actions. This includes property damage, physical and emotional harm, medical care, etc. Navigating a negligence claim is complicated, but we can make the process easier for you. Give Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers a call today. We have handled thousands of cases like yours, and we would be happy to represent you.
What Does PIP Insurance Cover?
PIP Insurance covers up to 80% of reasonable and necessary medical bills and 60% of lost income in the event of an accident. Policyholders can recover up to $10,000; PIP will not cover any expenses that exceed this amount. If you want to learn even more about the specifics of PIP’s coverage, see here.
You can opt out of this system and file a lawsuit against the other driver if you think you are entitled to more than $10,000 in compensation for damages.
Call Our Experienced Tampa Car Accident Attorneys Today for Legal Help
If you or a family member were hurt in a car accident, compensation may be available. Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers is a premier law firm serving throughout Florida and will work hard on your behalf.
Our Tampa car accident attorneys have 15 years of combined experience, and we’ve already obtained millions for victims in the area. Contact our law offices to schedule a free consultation today.
Tampa Car Accident Client Review
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Local Auto Repair Shops Near You
- Anthony’s Auto Service – 2324 E 4th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
- RB Automotive Repair LLc – 1301 S 22nd St, Tampa, FL 33605
- A A Auto Repair – 1207 N 19th St, Tampa, FL 33605
- Ace Collision – 1807 E 2nd Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
Additional Car Accident Resources
- Florida Department of Transportation
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- Distraction.gov
- National Safety Council
Recent Car Accident Blog Posts
Car Accident Infographic
