On average, there are 45 accidents involving motor vehicles per day in Pinellas County. In addition, there are well over 6 million car accidents each year in the United States alone. As these numbers suggest, car accidents and car accident injuries are a fact of life for those who use motor vehicles. While nobody leaves home in the morning planning on a car crash, many are involved in vehicle collisions.
Keeping this information in mind, you must have a thorough understanding of what to do if you are involved in a car accident. While calling the police is mandatory if property damage or bodily injury has occurred, there are other important steps to take. In addition, Florida is one of 12 states that have no-fault insurance laws, so you must understand what you are liable for in the case of an auto accident where you are not at fault.
Enlisting the services of reputable and experienced Tampa car accident lawyers should be the next step you take after calling the police and exchanging information with other drivers.
Contact 1-800-Injured To Connect With Tampa Car Accident Lawyers With Ease
1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service. Instead of going through the process of fighting with the insurance company on your own — all while trying to recover from serious injuries — we will connect you with proven injury lawyers.
They will provide a free case evaluation where you will have the opportunity to discuss your accident and learn more about how competent legal representation can help you get the money you deserve. During this free case evaluation, you will have the opportunity to discuss the details of your automobile accident with a personal injury attorney who can help you understand how a personal injury claim works and what rights you have as a victim following a car crash.
Read more below to learn how Tampa car accident attorneys can help you seek compensation for a wide range of damages. Contact 1-800-Injured to request your free consultation with a personal injury attorney today.
Common Causes of Tampa Car Crashes
The following are just a few of the many different car accidents common in Tampa and beyond. In 2021, there were a total of 16,459 crashes in Pinellas County, resulting in 151 deaths and 9,429 injuries.
The types of crashes listed below are not meant to be exhaustive or comprehensive, so whether or not you see your crash type below, contact us right away to connect with car accident lawyers in your area as soon as possible.
Left-Turn Accidents
A left-turn accident occurs when a driver making a left turn at an intersection collides with oncoming traffic. These types of accidents often happen because the driver making the left turn either did not yield to oncoming traffic or misjudged the speed of an approaching vehicle.
Rear-End Collisions
A rear-end collision is one of the most common types of auto accident and often happens because a driver was following another vehicle too closely or was distracted. During a car accident lawsuit, questions about both drivers’ behaviors will be brought up as fault is discussed.
Single-Vehicle Crashes
A single-vehicle crash is one in which only one vehicle is involved. These types of crashes often happen because of driver error, such as driving under the influence, falling asleep at the wheel, or texting while driving.
Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision is a very dangerous auto accident that happens when two vehicles collide head-on with each other. These types of accidents often happen because a driver crossed over into oncoming traffic or was driving the wrong way down a one-way street.
Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident is a Tampa auto accident in which a vehicle rolls over onto its side or roof. These types of accidents often happen because of driver error, such as driving too fast in dangerous conditions, making a sudden lane change, or veering off the road.
T-Bone Accidents
A T-bone accident is one in which the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. This type of motor vehicle accident often happens because a driver ran a red light or stop sign or because they failed to yield the right of way to another driver, leading to a serious injury.
Speeding Accidents
A speeding car crash is when a driver was going over the posted speed limit or driving too fast for the conditions. These types of accidents often happen because a driver was trying to beat a red light or make it through an intersection before the light changed or because they were simply in a hurry to reach their destination.
Hit and Run Accidents
Hitt and run accidents are when the driver of one vehicle collides with another vehicle and then leaves the scene without stopping to exchange information or render aid. These types of accidents often happen because the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, is uninsured, or has a warrant out for their arrest. In many cases, these types of crashes involve a stolen vehicle.
Drunk or Drugged Driving Accidents
A drunk or drugged driving accident is one in which the driver of one vehicle is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These types of accidents often happen because the driver is impaired by their intoxication and unable to drive safely.
Distracted Driving Accidents
A distracted driving accident is when the driver of one vehicle is focused on something other than the task of driving. These types of accidents often happen because the driver is texting, talking on the phone, eating, or doing something else that takes their attention away from the road. Many personal injury cases involve this area of Florida law, which clearly states that handheld devices are banned due to their disproportionate involvement in auto accidents.
Mechanical Failure
Cars are complex machines with many moving parts, and when one of those parts fails, it can lead to an accident. These types of accidents often happen because of a tire blowout, engine failure, or brake failure. Many personal injury cases stemming from mechanical failures may ultimately be brought against a vehicle manufacturer if it is determined that the car crash was caused by their negligence or oversight of quality control during the manufacturing, design, or marketing processes.
Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents
The following examples of common car accident injuries are only meant to give you a general idea of the many different issues that a victim may suffer. Your Tampa car accident attorneys will work diligently to seek compensation on your behalf for the injuries you have sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Documenting each issue you experience in as much detail as possible will help your attorney file a comprehensive personal injury claim while you focus on recovering from each car accident injury you have suffered.
Whiplash
Neck injuries such as whiplash are extremely common in car accident cases, especially rear-end collisions. The force of the impact can cause the neck to snap back and forth violently, resulting in damage to the soft tissues, discs, and vertebrae. Whiplash typically heals with rest, but serious cases may require surgery to make a full recovery. Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty moving the neck.
Head Injuries
Another common type of injury sustained in car accidents is a head injury. Head injuries can range from mild concussions to more serious traumatic brain injuries. If you or a passenger has lost consciousness for any amount of time — or if you or a passenger are not able to recall the accident — these are indications that you have suffered from a concussion and must see a doctor immediately.
Back Injuries
The high impact of a car accident can cause significant back injuries, ranging from herniated discs to spinal cord damage. Back injuries often require extensive medical treatment and can lead to permanent disability. Seatbelts are designed to keep a passenger in the safest position possible during impact but are not guaranteed to work.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is a complex bundle of nerves that runs from the tailbone to the brain stem, and injuries to these nerves can lead to paralysis and the substantial medical expenses that come with it. Seeking compensation from your personal injury protection policy may not be sufficient for covering these financial impacts, but your car accident attorneys will fight to get you the money you deserve.
Broken Bones
An auto accident can also cause broken bones, which can require surgery and a lengthy recovery process. Fractures can be extremely painful, and wearing a cast for the prescribed length of time often substantially impacts a victim’s ability to go about their normal routines.
Headaches
Headaches can be caused by many different issues that can occur in a car accident. For example, neck injuries such as whiplash can cause headaches, as well as concussions and other head injuries, while other issues like traumatic brain injuries may lead to swelling and pressure that can cause headaches.
Emotional Suffering
Walking away from a car accident without any physical injuries is still a traumatizing event. Many people who have been in an accident suffer from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These conditions can lead to problems sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and flashbacks of the accident. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to seek professional help.
Knee Injuries
Sustaining a knee injury in a car accident is not as common as some of the other injuries on this list, but it can still happen. The impact of the accident can cause the knee to bend in an unnatural way, resulting in damage to the ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Knee injuries often require surgery and physical therapy.
Seatbelt Injuries
Although seatbelts are designed to keep you safe in an accident, they can still cause injuries. The most common seatbelt injuries are abrasions, which occur when the belt rubs against the skin during impact. Seatbelts can also cause internal injuries such as bruising and organ damage.
Shoulder Injuries
In a car accident, the impact can cause the shoulder to be forced out of its socket, resulting in a dislocated shoulder. Shoulder injuries can also occur from the seatbelt restraint, as well as from the airbag deploying. A shoulder injury can be extremely painful and may require surgery to repair.
Internal Bleeding
Dealing with internal bleeding after a motor vehicle accident is a serious matter. Internal bleeding can occur when organs are damaged during the accident’s impact. This type of injury is extremely dangerous and can be fatal if not treated immediately. If you or a passenger experiences any kind of internal bleeding, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Treatment for internal bleeding may require surgery.
Death
Walking away from a car accident is the best-case scenario, but unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you may be feeling overwhelming grief and sadness. It is important to seek professional help to deal with your emotional suffering as you try to move forward from your loss.
Working with Tampa auto accident attorneys through a wrongful death claim is one of the best ways to navigate this complicated, difficult area of car accident claims. It requires survivors of auto accidents to relive their personal injury and tragic loss repeatedly while handling the injury claim. Instead of working directly with insurance adjusters after a fatal vehicle accident, you may find that working with a Tampa car accident attorney will help you avoid this painful process.
If you have been in a car accident, it is important to get help right away, even if you do not think you are injured. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent but can be fatal if left untreated.
How To Calculate Damages After a Tampa Car Accident
Are you wondering how to calculate damages after a Tampa car accident? If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages. The amount of compensation you may receive will depend on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your property damage, and other factors.
In order to calculate your damages, you will need to add up all of your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident. You will also need to determine how much your injuries have affected your quality of life. This can be done by using a pain and suffering calculator.
You may already notice some key differences between damages like medical bills and your subjective quality of life. Since it isn’t possible to provide receipts for something like “pain and suffering,” compensatory damages are divided into two subcategories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate the victim for quantifiable financial losses. These typically include medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. If you can provide receipts or other documentation to support your economic damages, it will be much easier to prove the full extent of your losses in court.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate the victim for more subjective losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages can be much more difficult to calculate, which is why insurance companies work hard to save money on these damages while paying for measurable impacts like the cost of property damage or medical treatment.
How To Calculate Your Damages
Now that you know the basics of economic and non-economic damages, you can start calculating your total losses. As we mentioned earlier, you will need to add up all of your medical bills, lost wages, and other economic damages. You should also keep track of any other expenses related to the accident, such as the cost of a rental car or homecare services.
To calculate your non-economic damages, you will need to determine how much your injuries have impacted your quality of life. This can be done by using a pain and suffering calculator. These calculators use a variety of factors to determine an appropriate value for these damages.
Numerous factors will be considered when calculating your damages, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- The length of time it takes for you to recover
- The amount of pain and suffering you experience
- The extent to which your injuries affect your daily life
- The mental and emotional anguish caused by your injuries
- Whether you will suffer any long-term effects
Non-Economic Multiplier Method of Calculation
One of the most common methods used to calculate these damages is known as the “non-economic multiplier method.” This approach multiplies your total economic damages by a number between 1.5 and 5, depending on the factors listed above (as well as many others).
For example, let’s say you suffered injuries in a car accident that resulted in $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages: if your injuries are minor, you will multiply your economic damages by 1.5 to arrive at a figure of $15,000 in non-economic damages for a total of $25,000. If your injuries are more serious, you will multiply your economic damages by 5 to arrive at a figure of $50,000.
Remember, the non-economic multiplier method is just one way to calculate these damages. The actual amount of compensation you are entitled to could be more or less than the amount calculated using this method. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you determine the full extent of your losses and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Car Accident
In the moments following a car accident, you will find yourself overrun with adrenaline, panic, and perhaps pain. Many people respond by springing into action, ignoring their injuries, and trying to handle the situation on their own.
The most important thing for you to remember is that your health is your top priority. Suppose you are unable to speak with the other driver or gather eyewitness contact information because you were making sure you did not worsen any injuries you sustained. In that case, this is completely understandable and will not cause problems during your insurance claim. Do not try to push through your pain.
The following are some of the most important steps to take if you are involved in a car accident:
Call the Police
If there is any property damage or bodily injury, you should call the police. The police will create a report detailing the accident, which can be used as evidence in your case. Many drivers may try to convince you not to call 911 and handle it directly, but this leaves you without an official report or the option to get medical attention from EMTs at the scene.
A Tampa car accident attorney will recommend that you call 911 after any accident to ensure that you protect your legal interests and health.
Seek Medical Treatment
If you or a passenger is injured, it is important to get medical attention right away. Even if you don’t believe you are seriously injured, it is always better to err on the side of caution and get checked out by a medical professional. If the EMTs at the scene of the accident recommend that you go to the hospital, you should do so.
Many people deny care because of a concern over cost, but your attorney will seek repayment for all reasonable medical expenses.
Some injuries, such as concussions, may not be immediately apparent but can still be serious. If you hit your head in the accident, it is important to get checked out by a doctor, even if you don’t think you are injured.
Gather Evidence
If possible, you should try to gather evidence at the scene of the accident. This may include taking pictures of the damage to your vehicle, getting the contact information for witnesses, and anything else that may be relevant to your case. If possible, you should take pictures of the scene of the accident, as well as any property damage or injuries.
Exchange Information
You should exchange insurance information with the other driver involved in the accident. This will be helpful when filing a claim with your insurance company.
You should also get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident. Eyewitnesses may be able to provide additional context to the crash, such as events leading up to the accident, behaviors they may have seen the other driver engaging in, and more. Witnesses can provide valuable testimony if your case goes to trial.
See Your Doctor
If you did not take an ambulance to the emergency room, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Failing to seek ongoing medical care for your injuries is another excuse that insurers will use to pay you less than you are owed by downplaying your injuries.
Call a Car Accident Attorney
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer is important. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and protect your rights. Trying to find an experienced attorney after suffering injuries in a serious accident can add to an already overwhelming situation, so contacting 1-800-Injured is one of the easiest ways to find a car accident lawyer for a free case evaluation without taking on this additional work.
Tampa Car Accident FAQs
The following are a few of the most common questions and answers that an experienced Tampa car accident attorney often answers during a free consultation — and in greater detail during their work with an injured accident victim. Keep in mind that the answers provided below are meant to provide a general understanding of these complex legal concepts and that none of this is meant to be taken as legal advice.
What should I do if I am in a car accident?
The first thing you should do after being involved in an accident is to check to see if you or anyone else involved sustained any injuries. If there are injuries, you should call 911 to get emergency medical assistance. Once the injured parties have been taken care of, you should exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver and collect contact information from any witnesses to the accident. You should also take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, as well as any property damage or injuries. If possible, you should take pictures of the scene of the accident, as well.
After the accident, seek the support of car accident attorneys who can help you get compensation for your medical expenses, emotional impacts, and much more.
What are some common injuries reported in car accident cases?
A number of different injuries can be suffered in an auto accident. Some of the most common include whiplash, neck and back injuries, broken bones, and cuts and bruises.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
If any parties involved in an accident do not have insurance, you may still be able to recover damages by filing a claim with your insurance company. You may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit or car accident case against the at-fault driver with the help of a Tampa car accident lawyer. Car accident victims with serious injuries or a car accident case involving wrongful death are best handled by car accident attorneys with extensive understanding of Florida law.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Florida?
In Florida, car accident victims have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. This may seem like ample time, but a car accident attorney will work aggressively towards an out-of-court settlement to avoid the costly, time-consuming process of dealing with the Florida courts.
Working with a Tampa car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash will give them a number of options when it comes to fighting for the money you deserve.
What if I am partly at fault for the accident?
In Florida, you can still recover damages even if you are partially at fault for the accident. However, your damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault that is attributed to you. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for the accident, your damages will be reduced by 20%.
This rule is known as “comparative fault” and is a welcome alternative to the concept of “contributory negligence,” which bars a driver from seeking any compensation if they assume any amount of fault whatsoever. However, stay mindful that insurers will use this rule to their advantage by trying to pin additional blame on you to offset their costs.
What if the other driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
If the other driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident, it is important that you call 911 right away and inform the operator of your suspicions. Do not attempt to confront the other driver about their condition, as this may lead to a dangerous situation. Once the authorities arrive, they will be able to assess the driver’s condition and take appropriate action.
Suppose it is determined that the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. In that case, this will play a key factor in your injury claim, settlement negotiations, or your car accident lawsuit.
What if I am involved in a hit and run?
If you are involved in a hit and run, you should call 911 right away. Once the authorities arrive, they will begin an investigation to try and track down the at-fault driver. In the meantime, you should exchange information with any witnesses to the accident and collect as much evidence from the accident scene as possible. This evidence may help track down the at-fault driver and could also be used in your insurance claim or car accident lawsuit.
Typically, many car accident victims ultimately file an injury claim with their insurer to collect insurance benefits from their personal injury protection, or PIP, policy to recover car accident damages, because the at-fault party is unable to be located.
What if I am involved in a car accident with a commercial truck?
If you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First, it is important to know that commercial trucks are subject to different rules and regulations than passenger vehicles. This means that the trucking company may be held liable if a violation of these rules caused the accident.
Second, collecting as much evidence from the accident scene as possible is important. This evidence will be essential in proving your case against the trucking company.
Third, it is important to contact a Tampa auto accident attorney as soon as possible. An experienced car accident lawyer will know how to navigate the complex legal process and fight for your compensation.
What if I am injured in a car accident?
If you are injured in a car accident, it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is always better to err on the side of caution and get checked out by a doctor. Once you have been seen by a medical professional, you should contact a car accident attorney. An experienced Tampa car accident lawyer will help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How can a Tampa car accident lawyer help with a car accident claim?
A car accident lawyer can help with a car accident claim in several ways. First, a lawyer will investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your claim. Second, a lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to try to reach a fair settlement. Third, if necessary, a lawyer will take your case to trial to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Do I need a car accident lawyer?
You may not need injury lawyers if your injuries are minor and you are able to reach a fair settlement with the insurance company on your own. However, if your injuries are serious or the insurance company refuses to cooperate, it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Experienced injury lawyers will know how to navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you need.