Common Types of Car Accidents in Tampa Handled By KFB Law
County Commissioner Gwen Myers has reported that Hillsborough County roads are “among the most deadly in the nation” for motor vehicle accidents.
The car accident lawyers at KFB Law can help you with many types of car accident cases. We specialize in:
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions often result from sudden stops or distracted driving.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are typically severe, occurring when drivers travel the wrong way or cross into oncoming traffic.
Side-Impact Crashes
Common at intersections due to failure to yield or running red lights.
Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups
Involving several vehicles, often on highways, leading to complex liability issues.
Parking Lot Accidents
Parking lot accidents, such as backing in and out of parking lots, lanes with vehicles moving in multiple directions, and pedestrians everywhere, are the perfect storm for a collision.
DUI Accidents
DUI accidents are serious crimes with life-threatening consequences. We pursue all reasonable means of obtaining payment on behalf of our clients when punitive damages are allowed.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents occur when someone flees a crime scene after causing damage and injury; we will help gather information from you to identify the perpetrator in cooperation with law enforcement.
Rideshare Accidents
Using a ridesharing app doesn’t always guarantee you’ll be with a conscientious driver or that they’ll have the required insurance. This is where we help protect you against Uber car accidents, self-driving cars, and other related negligence.
Intoxicated Driving: What About Marijuana and Drunk Driving?
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including marijuana, significantly increases the risk of accidents and is a serious offense in Florida.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with the other driver being intoxicated, it’s crucial to understand your rights and legal options.
We also handle blind spot collisions, airbag injuries, motorcycle accidents, and other motor vehicle personal injuries.
What to Do After a Car Accident: Detailed Steps
Knowing what to do in the moments after a crash can protect your health, your rights, and your ability to recover compensation. Here’s a practical breakdown of the steps to follow—and where to find more in-depth info if you need it:
1. Get Medical Attention
Always get checked out, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and having medical records is crucial to any claim.
2. Call the Police and Get an Accident Report
A police report documents the scene, identifies the parties involved, and can help determine fault. This will be one of the key documents needed later in your case.
3. Gather Evidence at the Scene
Take photos of everything: damage to vehicles, the surrounding area, skid marks, traffic signals, and any injuries. Collect witness contact information and jot down your own notes about what happened.
4. Secure Dash Cam Footage
If you or someone involved had a dash cam, that footage could be crucial in proving fault. Dash cam footage can help establish fault and support your claim. Time is important—dash cam data may be automatically overwritten if not saved quickly.
5. Collect and Organize Important Documents
In the days following your accident, start compiling all relevant documents: police reports, medical records, repair estimates, insurance communications, and anything else related to your crash and injuries.
6. Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurer, but stick to the facts. Avoid speculating or admitting fault. If you’re unsure what to say, a car accident attorney from KFB Law can help guide you.
7. Speak with a Tampa Car Accident Attorney at Our Law Firm
The sooner you talk to an attorney about your potential car accident lawsuit, the better. At KFB Law, we can help you understand your legal rights, deal with insurance companies, and make sure no deadlines are missed.
FAQs About Florida Law and Tampa Car Accidents
How long do I have to file a claim?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim after a car accident is four years. It’s crucial to act quickly to preserve evidence and build a strong case.
What if the other driver is uninsured?
If the other driver doesn’t have insurance, your uninsured motorist coverage may help cover your medical expenses and property damage. A Tampa car accident lawyer can help you explore your options.
Who is going to pay for my medical expenses?
Because there are several ways to help with your medical treatment costs, we’ll first examine your auto insurance policy and use your PIP (personal injury protection benefits). It’s essential to seek medical treatment within 14 days of a car accident. You could risk losing up to $7,500 in medical benefits if you don’t.
If you have health insurance, we could use that to help pay for your care. We also look to the person who caused your car accident because many factors come into play when determining who and when your medical care costs will be paid.
Rest assured, your Tampa auto accident attorney will fully advise you on this matter, as we know how important it is.
Who will fix my car?
We know how important your transportation is. Getting to and from work is how you support yourself and your family. We’ll help resolve the damage done to your car at no cost.
How much is hiring an auto accident attorney going to cost?
There’s no need to worry about being able to afford legal help. Your initial consultation with KFB Law is always free. Plus, we only charge a contingency fee – meaning we’ll only collect a percentage of what we win for you. If we don’t win, you won’t pay.
What happens if I miss work?
You could recover compensation for lost wages if you cannot work after your accident. First, we’ll work with your insurance to try to make up for the lost income. If you don’t have insurance, we can still file a legal claim to recover what you’ve missed. The process of recovering lost wages is complicated, so it’s important you contact a lawyer and get a claim filed as quickly as possible.
What happens when multiple parties are liable?
Sometimes, a single Tampa vehicle wreck could cause more than one death. Or someone drove a car into an intersection—and then another vehicle T-boned you. Or suppose your accident happened because of improper compliance with a construction zone. Employers and multiple drivers may be jointly at fault in these scenarios, and we strongly recommend legal guidance.
What if I think it was my fault?
If you believe you were at fault for a car accident in Florida, you should secure legal representation if the other party was severely injured or if they have threatened to sue. While your own car insurance company may cover some of the damages, if the other party threatens to hold you personally liable, a Tampa car accident lawyer can help guide and protect you throughout the process. We offer a free case evaluation.
Florida follows a pure comparative negligence law, which means that a person can recover damages for an injury even if they are partially at fault for the accident. Under this system, the amount of damages a person can recover will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to them.
For example, if a person is awarded $100,000 in damages for an automobile accident, but it is determined that they were 20% at fault for the accident, their recovery would be reduced by 20%, and they would only receive $80,000.
How much can I get for a car accident claim?
This will depend on the specific circumstances of the car accident lawsuit and the injuries or damages sustained. Factors that can affect the potential settlement or award in a car accident case include the severity of the injuries, the amount of medical expenses incurred, lost wages and earning capacity, and the extent of property damage.
Other factors, such as comparative fault, contributory negligence, and insurance policy limits, also affect the value of a claim.
