Tampa Car Accident Lawyer

At Suli & Martinez Attorneys at Law, we provide experienced legal representation for Tampa car accident victims seeking fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Our trusted law firm has recovered millions for our clients. 

Not sure if you have a case? We offer a free and confidential initial consultation. When you contact our law offices, we will listen attentively, and we welcome your questions. If we determine you have a case and you choose our firm to represent you, there are no upfront costs or fees to engage our services. 

Need legal help in Tampa? Call: (813) 592-0000 today for a free, no-risk case review.

How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Car Crash Case in Tampa?

To determine if you have a valid car crash case, we need to first establish the other party’s negligence. The legal approach to assessing whether you may have a car crash case includes establishing the following:

• Duty of Care Existed: All drivers have a legal obligation to reasonably prevent harm. This duty includes following traffic laws, not driving recklessly, and maintaining their vehicles in safe operating condition.
• Legal Duty Breached: The other driver breached that duty, such as by running a red light, weaving in and out of traffic, or knowingly driving with badly worn tires.
• Causation: The other driver’s breach of duty led to a crash, which injured you.
• Damages Occurred: You sustained real losses from the crash, such as medical costs to treat your injuries, property damage, and ongoing pain and suffering.

These elements must be established to prove negligence. If there is no negligence, there is no case.

What Factors Could Affect My Ability to Step Outside Florida’s No-Fault System?

To pursue compensation beyond your PIP coverage in Florida, several factors must be considered beyond just meeting the serious injury threshold. Understanding these factors is crucial for building a successful car accident claim in Tampa.

Insurance Coverage Limitations

In Florida, if you are a driver, you must carry a minimum of $10,000 in both Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance and property damage liability. However, this minimal coverage is often insufficient for serious accidents. If the at-fault driver carries just the minimum coverage or is uninsured, your ability to recover full compensation may be limited. Our attorneys investigate all potential insurance policies, including your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, to maximize your potential recovery sources.

Pre-Existing Conditions Documentation

Insurance companies frequently attempt to attribute your current injuries to pre-existing conditions rather than the accident their policyholder caused. You can prove this by providing relevant medical records. This documentation is hard to dispute and helps to establish how the accident worsened or differed from any pre-existing. Our Tampa attorneys work with medical experts to clearly differentiate accident-related injuries from pre-existing conditions.

Prompt Medical Treatment Requirements

Seeking medical treatment right after a crash helps to protect any legal claim you may pursue. More importantly, however, it protects your health. Waiting to get a medical evaluation after a car crash, even if you feel fine, is a bad idea. A crash impact, even one at a lower speed, can cause serious internal injuries that initially may not give you any visible evidence. Certain internal injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury or internal organ damage, can be life-threatening without immediate treatment. Getting examined and undergoing diagnostic testing helps to rule out serious injuries that could put your health at risk.

If you initially sought treatment but then failed to attend follow-up appointments with your doctor, it could damage your claim. Our firm emphasizes the importance of immediate and consistent medical care following an accident.

How Much Could My Car Accident Case Be Worth in Tampa?

Every case is different, because there are multiple factors that impact the total value of your claim. When we assess the value of a claim, these are some of the major considerations:

• Type and severity of the injuries you sustained
• Extent of treatment, including surgeries, needed
• Whether you lost income from missing work 
• The overall daily impact on your quality of life
• Permanent disfigurement or scarring
• Temporary or permanent disability
• Medical devices you need, such as a wheelchair or prosthetic
• Pain and suffering damages, such as PTSD or anxiety
• And more

Cases involving catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage or permanent disabilities, typically result in higher settlements. These victims often need lifetime medical care for their initial injuries and secondary complications. Other considerations for more severe injuries include a victim’s diminished earning capacity and significant pain and suffering.

Insurance companies pushback and try to minimize what they pay on a claim, especially for higher-value cases. As friendly as an insurance adjuster may be when speaking with you, it is important to remember that their goals do not align with yours. Their primary goal is to protect their company’s profit margin. 

When Should I Report My Tampa Car Accident to the Insurance Company?

You should report the car accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, keeping in mind each insurer may have different deadlines. Florida law requires drivers to report crashes “without unnecessary delay.” Most insurance policies contain specific language requiring “prompt notification” of any accident.

Failing to report your accident quickly may give your insurance company grounds to deny your claim based on policy violation. Insurance adjusters often view delayed reporting with suspicion, questioning why you waited and whether the delay affected their ability to investigate appropriately. 

Florida’s no-fault insurance system includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits to cover your initial medical coverage. However, these benefits must be used within a certain time span of the crash. Waiting to report your crash and seek treatment may cause problems with your claim and risk your access to this coverage.

Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System and PIP Coverage Explained

Florida’s no-fault insurance system requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. As a driver in Florida, it is important to know how this system works after a crash.

Florida’s no-fault insurance system requires you to first seek compensation from your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance after a car accident, regardless of who caused the crash. Understanding this system helps Tampa drivers navigate the claims process effectively.

What PIP Coverage Includes

PIP insurance pays 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages up to $10,000. You must seek treatment within 14 days of the accident to qualify. Coverage extends to you, household relatives, passengers, and authorized drivers of your vehicle.

When You Can Pursue Claims Beyond PIP

To seek compensation from the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet Florida’s “serious injury threshold” – significant and permanent injuries, scarring, or loss of bodily function. Our attorneys help document your injuries properly to qualify for compensation beyond PIP limits.

Property Damage and Secondary Coverage

Property damage claims remain fault-based in Florida. After PIP benefits exhaust, your health insurance typically becomes secondary. Medical payments coverage (MedPay), if available, can help with the 20% of medical expenses PIP doesn’t cover.

How Our Tampa Car Accident Lawyer Help 

Insurance companies often dispute coverage or offer inadequate settlements. At Suli & Martinez Attorneys at Law, we handle communications with your insurer to make sure you receive appropriate benefits while we build your legal case.

What You Should Know When Dealing with Insurance Companies

It is a good idea to approach the insurance company with caution when seeking compensation through a claim. The primary objective of all insurance companies is to maintain their bottom line and minimize payouts.

• Specific points to keep in mind when dealing with insurance companies:
• Insurance companies may delay your claim to entice you to accept less compensation out of frustration.
• Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for your benefit.
• Initial settlement offers typically represent the minimum amount, not what your case is worth.
• Recorded statements can be used against you to reduce or deny your claim.
• Never accept a settlement before understanding the full extent of your injuries.
• Insurance companies can track your social media for evidence to contradict your injury claims.
• Signing medical authorizations gives insurers access to your entire medical history.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Florida?

Florida law establishes strict deadlines for filing car accident claims, known as statute of limitations, which require prompt action to preserve your legal rights. For personal injury claims arising from Tampa car accidents, you have two years from the collision date to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. Claims involving wrongful death must also be filed within two years of the date of death.

Who May Be Liable for a Car Accident?

Determining liability after a vehicle collision involves identifying all parties whose negligence contributed to the collision and resulting injuries. Multiple entities beyond just the other driver may share responsibility for your damages, increasing your potential sources of compensation.

Negligent Drivers

Drivers who violate traffic laws, drive distracted, operate vehicles under the influence or fail to adjust to weather conditions may be held liable for collisions they cause.

Commercial Vehicle Companies

Trucking companies, delivery services and businesses that own commercial vehicles may be liable for accidents involving their vehicles through liability laws. These companies often carry substantial insurance policies that can provide greater compensation than individual policies.

Vehicle Manufacturers

When defective vehicle components such as faulty brakes, airbags or steering systems contribute to vehicle collisions or worsen injuries, manufacturers may bear liability. Product liability claims against large automotive companies can result in significant compensation for affected victims.

Government Entities

City, county or state agencies responsible for road maintenance and design may be liable if poor road conditions, inadequate signage or dangerous intersections contribute to crashes. Claims against government entities involve strict filing deadlines and special procedural requirements.

Rideshare Services

Companies like Uber and Lyft may share liability for collisions involving their drivers, particularly when the driver was transporting passengers or en route to pick up customers. These companies maintain supplemental insurance policies that activate during different phases of service.

Construction Companies

Road construction firms that fail to properly mark hazards, leave equipment in dangerous positions or create unsafe road conditions may be liable for resulting accidents. Multiple contractors working on the same project may share responsibility for safety violations.

Property Owners

Private property owners may be liable for accidents occurring on their premises due to poor maintenance, inadequate lighting or failure to address known hazards. This includes parking lots, private roads and commercial property entrances.

Parts Suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors of aftermarket vehicle parts may be liable when their products fail and cause accidents. These cases typically require evidence to establish the connection between the defective part and the collision.

What Evidence Can Help Prove Fault for My Car Accident Case?

Collecting evidence immediately following your car accident significantly strengthens your ability to prove fault and secure proper compensation. 

• Weather Reports: Records weather conditions leading up to the time of the crash.
• Police Reports: Act as authoritative evidence containing officer observations and preliminary fault determinations 
• Impact Scene Photos: Vehicle damage, skid marks and road conditions 
• Video Footage: Traffic cameras, dashcams or nearby businesses 
• Witness Statements: Observations from individuals who observed the collision  
• Medical Records: Documents diagnostic tests, and other details about your injuries. Because these records also record the date and time of the crash, it helps to link your injuries to the accident that caused them. 
• Reconstruction Specialists: Highly trained individuals who use scientific methods and technology to recreate and present how the crash occurred.
• Cell Phone Records: Provides data to help determine if the other driver was distracted. 
• Electronic Vehicle Data: Your vehicle’s black box data (the event data recorder or EDR) captures multiple details leading up to the moment of impact, such as speed, braking, and steering.
• Weather Reports: Records weather conditions leading up to the time of the crash.

What Types of Injuries Happen in Car Crashes?

Car crashes can result in a variety of injuries ranging from temporary soft tissue damage to permanent life-altering conditions requiring extensive medical intervention. The severity of these injuries often determines the compensation available and your attorney’s approach when pursuing your claim.

• Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Cause restricted movement and chronic pain
• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Mild concussions to severe cognitive impairment
• Spinal Cord Damage: Potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis
• Broken Bones: Often require surgical intervention and extended rehabilitation
• Internal Bleeding: Initially undetected but potentially life-threatening
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Affecting muscles, ligaments and tendons
• Burns: Caused from vehicle fires or airbag deployment causing permanent scarring
• Psychological Trauma: including PTSD, anxiety and related phobias
• Facial Injuries: Commonly caused by windshield impact or airbag deployment
• Joint Dislocations: Injury requiring surgical repair and ongoing physical therapy

If you have sustained injuries in a car collision, contact Suli & Martinez Attorneys at Law immediately to ensure you receive the maximized compensation for your medical expenses, ongoing treatment needs and suffering.

Common Types of Vehicle Crashes That Occur in Tampa

Due to busy roads and ongoing traffic, motorists experience numerous types of vehicle collisions that vary in severity and typically result from driver negligence, poor road conditions or vehicle failures. Understanding the different types of crashes can help establish liability and strengthen your compensation claim.

• Rear-End Collisions: When a vehicle strikes another from behind; often caused by tailgating or distracted driving 
• T-Bone: Impacts the side of another at a perpendicular angle; common at intersections 
• Head-On Crashes: Front-to-front collision; typically result from wrong-way driving or lane departures 
• Sideswipe: Vehicles make lateral contact while traveling parallel; often during improper lane changes 
• Multi-Vehicle Pileups: Chain reaction crashes involving three or more vehicles; frequently weather-related 
• Rollover: Vehicle flips onto its side or roof; more common with top-heavy vehicles like SUVs 
• Intersection Crashes: Collisions occurring at crossroads; result from failure to yield or running traffic signals 
• Merging Accidents: Crashes during lane integration; typically from failure to yield or check blind spots 
• Low-Speed Parking Lot: Minor impacts in commercial areas; often from backing up or tight spaces 
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents: Motorist strikes non-motorized individual; frequently in urban settings

Steps to Take Immediately After a Car Accident

Taking swift action immediately following a car collision can significantly strengthen your injury claim while protecting your health and legal rights. The steps you take in the minutes, hours and days after a collision can make a critical difference in your ability to recover maximum compensation.

• Check for Injuries and Call 911
• Move to Safety When Possible
• Exchange Information with Other Drivers
• Document the impact Scene
• Notify Your Insurance Company
• Contact a Tampa Car Accident Attorney
• Seeking Medical Attention

How Can A Lawyer Help With My Tampa Car Accident Claim?

A skilled car accident attorney provides you advocacy and expertise throughout the complex legal process following your collision. Working with Suli & Martinez Attorneys at Law ensures you have professional representation fighting to maximize your compensation while you focus on recovery.

• Case Investigation: Gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and reconstructing the crash scene.
• Damage Assessment: Calculating the full extent of your current and future economic and non-economic losses.
• Insurance Negotiations: Communicating with adjusters and preventing tactics that devalue your claim.
• Medical Documentation: Ensuring all injuries are properly diagnosed, treated and linked to the event.
• Liability Determination: Identifying all potentially responsible parties to maximize available compensation.
• Settlement Evaluation: Providing objective analysis of offers and advising when to settle or litigate.
• Trial Representation: Presenting compelling arguments and evidence if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
• Deadline Management: Ensuring all filings meet strict Florida statutes of limitations requirements.
• Expert Coordination: Working with medical specialists, economists and reconstruction professionals.
• Stress Reduction: Handling all legal complexities while you concentrate on physical and emotional healing.

Contact a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer Today

Car crash victims deserve experienced legal guidance to navigate the complex compensation process and secure the financial recovery they need. Insurance companies prioritize their profits over your well-being, often offering settlements far below what your case is worth, while you struggle with injuries, medical bills and lost income.

At Suli & Martinez Attorneys at Law, we provide personalized legal representation focused exclusively on maximizing your compensation following serious car accidents. Our attorneys have the experience, resources and dedication to hold negligent parties accountable for your damage. Contact our Tampa car accident attorneys today for a free consultation by calling: (813) 592-0000 or completing our simple online form.