Tampa Car Accident Attorney
Florida Car Accident Lawyers Representing Clients in Tampa
Car accidents can happen almost anywhere in the Tampa area, from high-speed collisions involving multiple vehicles on I-4 or I-75 to local crashes and fender-benders in downtown Tampa. While traffic crashes can have varying causes, most accidents happen when a driver is negligent. Behind the wheel, negligence can take many different forms, and it may be possible to hold a negligent driver accountable for the harm they have caused. An experienced Tampa car accident attorney at Carman and Bevington can speak with you today about the details of your motor vehicle injuries and can provide you with more information about seeking compensation through an auto insurance claim or a car accident lawsuit.
Common Types of Car Accident Cases in Tampa
Many different types of car accidents can happen in the Tampa area, and our Tampa car accident lawyers routinely assist clients with a wide range of claims for compensation. The following are some of the more common types of car accident cases we handle:
- Rear-end collisions;
- Head-on crashes;
- Single-vehicle accidents;
- Side-swipe collisions;
- Car accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists;
- T-bone accidents;
- Red light or intersection accidents;
- Drunk driving crashes;
- Distracted driving collisions;
- Reckless driving accidents;
- Aggressive driving crashes;
- Road rage injuries;
- Drowsy or fatigued driving accidents;
- Car accidents involving large trucks;
- Car accidents involving collisions with motorcycles;
- Hit-and-run accidents; and
- Fatal car accidents.
Get the Facts About Tampa Car Crashes
How frequently do car accidents happen in Tampa, and how often are people injured in those collisions? The following facts and figures come from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV):
- In Hillsborough County in 2021, there were a total of more than 28,000 motor vehicle crashes that resulted in 275 fatalities and 18,697 injuries;
- Of more than 28,000 accidents reported in Hillsborough County, a total of 7,321 were identified as hit-and-run accidents, accounting for more than 26% of all reported collisions in the Tampa area;
- Highest rate of collisions in Hillsborough County occurred between August and December;
- Crashes in the Tampa area accounted for nearly 7% of all recorded accidents in the state of Florida; and
- Motor vehicle injury rates in the Tampa area accounted for more than 7% of all traffic injuries and more than 7% of all reported traffic fatalities.
Frequent Causes of Auto Accidents in Tampa, Florida
Car crashes in the Tampa area can have many different causes including but not limited to the following:
- Driver error, which can include distracted driving, intoxicated driving, reckless or aggressive driving, or drowsy driving;
- Hazardous road conditions that should have been repaired, such as debris in the road or damaged roadway;
- Auto defects, like defective brakes or steering;
- Negligent maintenance or repair of a vehicle, which may involve the vehicle owner failing to have the vehicle serviced properly, or the mechanic negligently repairing a safety issue; or
- Inclement weather.
In situations where collisions have causes beyond driver error, it may be possible to file a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault party. For example, a government entity could be liable for failing to repair a roadway or warning drivers about a serious safety hazard, or a designer or manufacturer of a defective vehicle part could be liable for injuries in a collision caused by the defect.
Even when inclement weather is a major factor in a collision in Tampa, such as during a heavy thunderstorm, another motorist may still be liable for your injuries. When the weather or conditions are poor, motorists have a duty to drive reasonably safely under the circumstances, which may mean traveling at a speed well below the speed limit. The failure to do so may result in liability.
Florida No-Fault Insurance and Tampa Car Accident Claims
Since Florida is a no-fault state for insurance purposes, most people who are injured in car accidents must initially file an auto insurance claim through their own no-fault coverage, which is also known as personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Then, if the injured person cannot obtain full compensation for losses, that person may be eligible to file a car accident lawsuit against the responsible party if they can prove that their injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold. In other words, your injuries must be sufficiently serious to justify a lawsuit.
One of our car accident attorneys in Tampa can assess your case today to clarify whether you may be eligible to file a lawsuit given the severity of your injuries.
Steps to Take After a Tampa Motor Vehicle Collision
You should always take certain steps after a car crash to preserve your ability to obtain compensation, including:
- Document the scene with photographs;
- Obtain witness contact details;
- Have a doctor evaluate you for any and all injuries;
- Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible; and
- Get in touch with a Tampa car accident lawyer to find out about your options for compensation.
How to File Your Tampa Car Accident Lawsuit on Time
If you are eligible to file a car accident lawsuit, you should know that most claims need to be filed within four years from the date of the accident under Florida law. However, you could be required to initiate your claim sooner depending upon your circumstances. If a collision causes the death of another person, you should be aware that the statute of limitations in Florida wrongful death cases is only two years, and the clock starts to tick on the date of the person’s death.
By speaking with a car accident lawyer in Tampa as soon as possible, you can ensure that your claim is filed in a timely manner.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Tampa, Florida
Were you recently injured in an auto accident in the Tampa area? Whether you suffered personal injuries in a Florida car crash or lost a loved one in a devastating traffic collision, one of our experienced Tampa car accident attorneys can assist you with your case. We can discuss your options for seeking compensation, including the process for filing an auto insurance claim and later moving onto a car accident lawsuit. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us to find out more about the services we provide to injury victims and their families. Contact Carman and Bevington today to get started on your car accident claim.