When you or a loved one are involved in a car accident in Tampa, Florida, you need to know who to contact and what your legal options are. Knowledgeable car accident lawyers can help you recover compensation to pay for your medical bills and more.
Let’s explore what to look for in the best car accident lawyers and when you should contact them after seeing medical professionals.
Car Accidents in Tampa, Florida
Unfortunately, car accidents are very common in Tampa, Florida, and the rest of the Sunshine State. According to recent reports, 2020 saw over 330,000 motor vehicle accidents throughout all of Florida, which resulted in over 200,000 injuries and over 3100 fatalities.
Tampa specifically has several dangerous intersections in areas with higher-than-average likelihoods of severe car accidents. Between the years of 2015 and 2019, nearly 4100 accidents happened at locations such as:
- SR 574 and I-275
- I-275 and U.S. 92
- U.S. 301 and Progress Boulevard
- Dale Mabry Highway and Waters Avenue
- SR 60 and Falkenburg Road
Hillsborough County has a higher-than-average concentration of car accidents in Tampa. If you drive around Tampa or these intersections frequently, you need to be very careful no matter when or in what weather conditions you drive.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accidents frequently lead to injuries ranging from minor to severe. Some of the most common car accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- TBIs or traumatic brain injuries, like concussions
- Whiplash and other spinal damage
- Paralysis
- Severe bruising
- Cuts or lacerations
- And more
In many cases, car accidents require immediate medical attention. If you or a loved one are injured in a Tampa car accident, you should call medical professionals right away.
Some car accident injuries are “hidden” in that they may not be detected or noticeable right away. Trained medical professionals know what to look for and can give you a clean bill of health before you begin thinking about fault, causes, or legal actions.
Read more in our blog: Best Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers Explain Car Accident Laws in Florida
Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents are caused for a wide range of reasons. These can include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving in inclement weather, like rainstorms
- Driving late at night when you are tired
- Driving while distracted, such as driving while texting
In many cases, car accidents are caused directly because of the negligence or fault of another party. In a legal context, negligence means:
- At least one person or party had a stated or implied duty of safety toward another. For example, every legal driver in Florida has a duty of safety to other drivers, requiring them to drive safely and reasonably
- That person or party knowingly or negligently breached the duty of safety
- That breach of duty resulted in an accident or injuries
For example, if a driver is texting while on a Tampa roadway, and they cause an accident because of their inattention, they could be found liable or at fault for the car accident and any resulting injuries.
What Are Car Accident Lawyers?
Car accident lawyers are legal professionals who’ve studied local car accident laws and cases for years. They often have extensive experience handling car accident cases involving many different vehicle types, people, and circumstances.
Car accident lawyers are very useful legal professionals to contact if you or a loved one have been involved in such an incident. Car accident lawyers can help you by:
- Gathering evidence on your behalf, like police reports, medical documentation, traffic camera footage, eyewitness reports, and so on
- Coaching you through the legal process and offering sound legal counsel, such as explaining your options, the likelihood of recovering damages, etc.
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
- Fighting for you in court or helping you to testify in court effectively and persuasively
Thanks to all these benefits, you’ll have a much higher chance of recovering compensation or damages to pay for your past and future medical bills, lost income from time spent away from work, and more.
It’s a good idea to hire a Tampa car accident lawyer if you plan on pursuing a claim for damages against the at-fault driver in the aftermath of a roadway incident.
Read more in our blog: When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Tampa, Florida
When to Contact Car Accident Lawyers
You should contact an car accident lawyer as quickly as you reasonably and safely can following a crash. The most important thing is to first make sure that you or your loved ones are safe and secure. If you are severely injured or suspect that you may be, your first priority should always be to seek medical attention.
If necessary, go to the hospital, whether by ambulance or in the vehicle of someone you know and get the medical attention you require. You can then contact a lawyer after you are deemed to be in stable condition.
How to Choose the Right Lawyers
Should you choose to pursue a claim against an at-fault or negligent party, you’ll want the best legal team available, not just the first lawyers you find. To get that representation, make sure to look for three major attributes.
Experience in Similar Cases
First, hire a law firm that has experience in similar Tampa car accident cases. You can determine whether a lawyer has experience in similar cases by checking their website or by looking for newspaper/news site reports about previous cases.
Contingency Fee Policy
Secondly, only work with a lawyer that offers a contingency fee policy. Put simply, a contingency fee policy means you don’t have to worry about payment unless the lawyer secures damages on your behalf. If your case is unsuccessful, you don’t owe your lawyers anything.
Dedication to Your Case
Thirdly, choose a Tampa car accident lawyer based on their dedication and the resources they can provide to your case. Pick a lawyer who will handle your case personally or who can introduce you to a legal professional who will do the majority of the work. Don’t hire a law firm that treats you like any other client – because you’re not.
Contact Hunter Law Today
In the aftermath of an car accident, the right car accident lawyers can make the recovery process much easier. Hunter Law is well-equipped and ready to assist with any injury case. We can gather evidence for you, counsel you through the legal process, and more.
Don’t wait. Contact us today for a free consultation.
