Our firm has recovered millions for our past car accident clients
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Every year in Tampa Bay, thousands of Floridians suffer serious injuries in car crashes. Some car accidents are honest incidents due to mechanical failures, roadway hazards, or vehicle defects. However, most auto accidents happen because a driver was negligent and did not exercise proper care while driving his or her vehicle. If this happened to you while on I-4, I-275, or a surface street, you may need the help of experienced Tampa car accident attorneys.
Don’t talk to the other side’s insurance company before talking to us!
When drivers operate their vehicles unsafely or do not pay attention to the road, they put others at risk. Motor vehicle accidents can happen anywhere. If a driver’s negligence caused a traffic collision, that driver needs to be held accountable for their actions. If you believe this has happened to you, contact our Tampa personal injury lawyers at Fiol & Morros Law Group today and schedule a free case evaluation at our firm in Tampa to discuss your claim.
We Handle All Types of Accident Claims
There are many reasons car wrecks happen, and those caused by negligence can lead to lawsuits. Depending on the facts of your collision, your case can become complex. Some of the most common causes of accidents that lead to crash cases include the following:
HEAD-ON COLLISIONS
A head-on collision is caused by a driver swerving out of their lane to avoid a hazard or a driver falling asleep behind the wheel. In some situations, an aggressive driver may attempt to pass a slower vehicle by driving into the opposing lane. Head-on collisions are typically far more serious than other types of collisions with a higher chance of fatal injuries. Common injuries from wrong-way head-on collisions include brain injuries and back injuries.
HIGHWAY ACCIDENTS
Accidents on the highway are often more serious than those that occur in residential areas. Cars on the highway move at much higher speeds. This means that the initial crash is likely to be more severe, and other passing motorists have less time to stop. Car accidents on the highway often involve many vehicles and victims.
HIT AND RUN ACCIDENTS
If you are struck by another driver who flees the scene, it’s important to record as much information about the other vehicle and driver as possible. If you catch the license plate, try to write it down. Human memory is unreliable, so try to record the first things you observe about a hit-and-run accident. If the other driver is found, they will likely face criminal charges in addition to your civil lawsuit.
FATAL CAR CRASHES
Unfortunately, not everyone walks away from car accidents. The U.S. Department of Transportation recorded 3,174 Florida crash fatalities in 2016 alone. If you lost a family member in a car accident, contact our Tampa wrongful death attorneys to discuss your options.
Other accidents we handle include side-impact collisions, sideswipe accidents, and vehicle rollovers.
What Can a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer Help You Recover?
Filing an accident claim might be the only outlet you have for adequate financial recovery. Hiring a lawyer can improve your odds of securing fair compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. Our team of auto accident attorneys can review your case, evaluate your losses, and file a claim for fair damages on your behalf. Your lawyer can then fight for maximum recovery using proven legal strategies. You are owed the full amount for your injuries, including damages such as:
Medical expenses. Almost all successful car accident claims give the plaintiff financial compensation for related medical bills. You can request payment for past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, hospital stays, treatments, prescriptions, home or vehicle modifications, and disabilities.
Lost wages. Most Florida car accident victims have to take days or weeks off work while they recover. Some may never be able to return to their previous jobs because of long-term disabilities. Recover for lost wages and income from missed time at work during your car accident injury claim.
Property damages. If the crash wrecked or totaled your vehicle, you can receive compensation for property damage repairs. The courts may award you an amount that covers your repair costs based on an auto shop estimate, or the total value of your vehicle prior to the crash.
Past and future pain and suffering. The Florida courts may also award you non-economic damages such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish. If you suffered a permanent disability, you could also receive loss of consortium or payment for lost quality of life.
Punitive damages. Sometimes the courts will award additional punitive damages if the defendant’s actions were grossly negligent or malicious. Punitive damages in car accidents set a precedent in the community against a certain type of misconduct by punishing the defendant.
The specific types of damages you could receive for your auto accident depend on the losses you sustained because of the crash. A car accident attorney in Tampa can review your specific losses and help you understand which types of damages to seek during your car accident claim in Tampa.
Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Tampa FL
Negligence is the number one cause of Tampa car accidents. Driver negligence such as going over speed limits, running red lights, breaking roadway rules, failing to yield the right-of-way, texting, and driving, or driving drunk can easily cause a life-changing collision. Although every driver owes a reasonable duty of care to others on the roadway, not everyone meets this standard. Drivers engaged in dangerous practices cause the most serious collisions. Some of the more common car accidents include:
If driver error caused your crash, talk to a Tampa trial attorney. You could have a lawsuit against that driver if you suffered serious accident injuries. Your claim could instead go to an auto manufacturer if a defective vehicle part – such as a seat belt or airbag – caused your damages. If a roadway defect such as a pothole caused your accident, the City of Tampa could be legally responsible for your losses. Identifying the cause of your crash is one of the first steps toward obtaining compensation from the at-fault party. Our law firm can investigate your accident when you choose us as your representatives.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Tampa?
It’s a good idea to know what you can do following an accident to protect yourself and hold any negligent drivers responsible for damages.
Although each case is unique, most of the steps one should take after a car accident remain essentially the same. The steps you take should aim to gather information, document your crash, and protect your rights. If you are unsure of how to proceed in your specific case, call Fiol & Morros Law Group for tailored legal counsel.
1. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
If you find yourself in a car accident, the very first thing you should do after your vehicle comes to a stop is to check yourself for injuries. Call 911 if you or anyone else involved suffered serious car accident injuries. Even if you don’t see any visible wounds, get yourself checked by a doctor. Car accidents can cause internal injuries that do not immediately manifest symptoms. If you suffered any injuries, your doctor will list the extent of the injuries and the details of his or her treatment plan for you in your medical records. This is a vital document in case you need to build a case later. We will work with the appropriate medical experts to collect this document for you.
If you seek to file a claim and you did not immediately seek medical attention, a jury might wonder why. They will more than likely assume that since you didn’t seek medical care immediately, your injuries weren’t severe. After a car accident, attempting to “tough it out” can harm you and your case down the road. Moreover, Florida’s 14-day accident law states you must see a medical provider within 14 days of the crash. Otherwise, your coverage will be denied. It’s important to adhere to state laws or else your case will be much more difficult to prove.
2. FILE A POLICE REPORT
Florida law requires drivers to call the police after a collision if:
Anyone was injured – even slightly
The accident caused property damage estimated to be in excess $500.
If everyone is fine, try to contact your local police department or the Florida Highway Patrol to file an accident report. The police will conduct brief interviews of everyone involved and assess the accident scene. At this point, it is imperative to contact an experienced car wreck lawyer and be careful of what you say. In addition, collect the contact info from the other driver and any witnesses on the scene.
Even casual statements like “I’m so sorry,” or “I didn’t see the other car” could be construed later in court as an admission of fault. Don’t admit to anything, in any way, even if you think you may be at fault for the accident. Once the police finish their work, you can request a copy of the police report. This document is a vital piece of building a case against a negligent driver, so make sure you get this report. If you are unable to, we will help get it for you as soon as it is available.
3. FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM
After handling the immediate issues of your medical concerns and dealing with the police, contact your insurance company. Even if you were not responsible for the accident, it’s important to speak with your insurance. They will investigate the claim and make their own assessment of fault and damages. However, do no give a recorded statement without representation by a lawyer.
Insurance companies may be in the business of making money, but they have a legal obligation to act in good faith when investigating a claim. This means the honest reporting of the facts, ethical interview practices, and timely responses to claimant issues and inquiries. If you feel as though an insurance claim adjuster is being combative or unfairly underestimating your claim, they may be acting in bad faith. Most insurance companies prefer to pay out on a claim rather than undergo a prolonged court battle. Speak to an attorney if you have any concerns about insurance bad faith after a car accident.
4. CHOOSE THE RIGHT ATTORNEY
After completing the steps above, you should contact our Tampa car accident attorneys to discuss your case. There are countless personal injury firms across the country, so it’s important to be selective about whom you choose to represent your case. Look for a law firm with great reviews from past clients and a strong track record of successful cases.
Do I Have a Good Car Accident Case?
The value of a car crash case can vary significantly. The Florida insurance system determines the amount of a car accident settlement based on the severity of injuries and the circumstances of the crash. From minor injuries to catastrophic injuries, find out the possible value of your car accident by consulting with a Tampa accident lawyer at Fiol & Morros Law Group.
Tampa Auto Accident FAQs
How much does hiring a car accident lawyer cost?
The fees involved with car accident lawsuits in Tampa can add up in the end. At Fiol & Morros Law Group, we strive to provide our clients with the best legal representation, while minimizing the costly fees at the same time.
By doing so, we offer all clients a free case review with an experienced attorney at our location in Tampa. Here, we will discuss your case, potential outcomes, and the next steps to receiving compensation for damages.
We also work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, we will not charge unless we win.
Clients can learn more about the specific cost of a car crash case during their initial consultation.
HOW DOES NO-FAULT (PIP COVERAGE) APPLY?
Florida is a no-fault state. This means that a car collision victim seeks recovery for an accident through his or her own insurance company regardless of who was at fault. The majority of your car accident settlement will, therefore, come from your own company. If your policy does not cover all of your damages the other driver’s insurer can be held responsible. In Florida, vehicle owners must show that they are carrying a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage (PIP) and $10,000 in property damage liability coverage (PDL).
HOW DOES AN INSURANCE COMPANY CALCULATE DAMAGES?
After you file an insurance claim, your company will conduct an investigation into the accident. An insurance claims adjuster or claims analyst will take over your claim on behalf of the insurance company. The adjuster is in charge of assessing your medical costs, property damages, and other losses in relation to the car accident. You may need to provide medical documents, cost estimates from auto repair shops, and other evidence to help evaluate the claim.
It is often up to an attorney to negotiate with insurance providers for higher settlement offers. Initial settlements are often much lower than the claimant’s case is actually worth. The insurer will strive to get the claimant to settle for as little as possible. An attorney can help prove damages, in an attempt to gain a better settlement offer from the insurer. An attorney may then take the insurer to court in pursuit of a better judgment award if settlement negotiations don’t work.
HOW MUCH IS YOUR CLAIM WORTH?
No damage caps exist in the state of Florida. A general rule of thumb to determine the value of a car accident settlement is to multiply the cost of your medical bills by three. Many factors can affect how much you will receive. The more severe your injuries, the higher your settlement amount will likely be. Long-term injuries need more expensive and longer-lasting medical treatments.
WHAT IF YOU WERE PARTIALLY AT FAULT?
Florida’s comparative negligence rule makes it possible for those who are partially at fault to recover some damages. The total damages you receive will be affected by the amount you were deemed negligent. For example, if you were deemed 20% responsible for the accident, then your total damages will be decreased by 20%.
WHAT IF THE OTHER DRIVER IS UNINSURED?
Although car insurance is mandatory for all drivers in the state of Florida, hundreds of irresponsible drivers disobey the law or drive without the minimum level of coverage. If the other driver doesn’t have adequate insurance:
Make a claim under the provisions of your own car insurance policy. Check your insurance coverage policy to see if you have uninsured motorist coverage. It is generally a separate plan that you must purchase in addition to traditional liability coverage. This coverage pays for your medical bills and property damage costs if the at-fault party in an accident does not have insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage will fill the gap between what the at-fault driver’s insurance can cover and what remains.
Sue the at-fault driver. If the other driver does not have insurance to cover your damages and was at fault for the crash, you may be able to sue the driver to receive compensation. However, it is typically unlikely that an uninsured driver will have the funds to pay you, even if you win your personal injury case. Talk to a Tampa, FL car crash lawyer to find out if this is the right choice in your situation.
Speaking with insurance claims adjusters can be stressful, especially if you’re also dealing with physical injuries or expensive property damage. The goal of a claims adjuster is to get you to settle for as small a compensation amount as possible. Instead of agreeing to a settlement over the phone, speak with our personal injury attorneys.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Tampa Car Accident Lawyers
After a Florida driver was injured in a traffic collision, our legal team recovered $675,000 for her injuries. We can never guarantee the outcome of an auto accident lawsuit, but we will do everything we can to maximize the amount of your settlement. If another driver injured you, it’s important to hold them accountable. A reliable car wreck attorney will be your best ally when it comes to securing compensation.
Where you or a loved one injured in a car crash? Fiol & Morros Law Group is dedicated to maximizing your recovery. Our firm believes in accessible representation for every client. We offer services for both English and Spanish speakers. If you need an attorney to fight on your behalf after an auto accident in Hillsborough County, Florida, call our law office at (813) 223-6773 today. Get the legal help you deserve.
“The Fiol & Morros Law Group staff went above and beyond for me and my auto accident case. Attorney Fiol and Attorney Morros were very attentive during every step of my claim. The case manager, Matthew Leonardi and assistant, Dianelys Reyna did a phenomenal job answering all my questions and putting me at ease during my situation. They kept me up to date and informed about my case. I would recommend Fiol & Morros Law Group to all my friends and family.” – Tiana H.
