Tampa Car Accident Lawyer | Tampa Auto Accident Attorney
Being in a Tampa auto accident can be one of the most confusing and frustrating events in your life. Not knowing how to navigate your insurance policy, talking to adjusters (who do not have your best interest in hand), determining which doctors will assist you, and how to obtain the true value of your injuries are just some of things that can exasperate people injured in a car accident. To make it worse, someone else put you in this situation.
We hear about traffic reports through our apps (ie, Waze, Google Maps, Apple Maps, etc), on the radio and on the news, but few of us imagine ourselves being the ones that suffer traumatic injury or death in a car accident. But this can happen at any time. Martin’s dad always says: “If it can go wrong, it will go wrong, at the worse possible time and it’ll happen to you.”
Despite the prevalence of modern safety features in new vehicles, the chance of injury is still quite high out on the roads. Most drivers will experience at least one motor vehicle collision in their lifetime, and even a small collision can cause incredibly painful and long lasting injuries such as whiplash, back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Some of these symptoms, including the pain of whiplash, may not appear right away after an accident, but sometimes may take hours to weeks to develop, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
An article published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine found that low impact rear end collisions ranging from 10 to 15 kilometers per hour (six to 10 miles per hour) would not likely give the occupants whiplash; however, as the speed goes above 15 kilometers, or 10 miles, per hour, the likelihood of severe whiplash and traumatic brain injury increases dramatically.
Call or Text your Tampa car accident lawyer today for more information at 813-755-9500.
Do I Need A Car Accident Lawyer in Florida?
The short answer is technically: No. However, it is highly recommended. Even judges and lawyers hire other lawyers to represent them in their respective cases and so should you.
What Do I Do If I Am Hurt in A Tampa Car Accident?
Obviously, see a doctor or other medical professional, but when such an injury occurs, either great or small, medical bills accumulate quickly, lost wages accrue rapidly, and victims find that their primary will not accept auto accident victims. That’s why you call a Tampa Injury Attorney to help guide you through the process.
If you have been injured in a Tampa car accident, do not delay calling or texting an experienced Tampa car accident attorney today for a free consultation at 813-755-9500.
Don’t be further victimized by another’s negligence. Do not let an auto accident put you in debt or keep you from receiving the very best possible medical attention that you deserve.
Florida And Tampa Car Accidents On The Rise
Florida traffic has never been the safest to negotiate. With congested highways and the ever increasing presence of tourists and out of towners, the streets are packed with drivers that are not paying due attention to the road. Cell phones (especially texting) are making the streets more dangerous across the nation, and Florida’s lack of stringent cell phone use and texting laws (texting while driving is not a primary offense in Florida) create an even more dangerous atmosphere akin to thousands of people driving while intoxicated. The distractions, high congestion, impatiens, and outright road rage in Tampa and surrounding areas results in hundreds of deaths annually.
Around 28,014 of motor vehicle accidents occurred in Hillsborough County in 2021, which is just slightly above the 2020 figure (as expected considering we were shut down for 3 months for the pandemic). When the greater Tampa Bay area is considered, that statistic nearly doubled to 62,995 reported crashes in 2021. Looking at the big picture, about 16% of all car wrecks in Florida happen in the Tampa Bay area.
What Steps Should I Take After a Tampa Car Accident?
There are a number of important steps to take after a crash to create the best outcome for your case. In addition to seeking medical care within 14-days, filing a police report, and notifying your insurance company, your next step should be calling or texting an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer for legal representation. Working with an experienced Tampa car crash lawyer is highly advised, even if you think that your case is straightforward and that you are guaranteed a settlement.
Why You Should Work with an Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer
Many people hesitate to contact a Tampa car accident lawyer after a crash, wondering whether or not working with a Tampa lawyer is really necessary. While you have no legal obligation to contact a lawyer, doing so can improve your chances of recovering the maximum amount of money that you are owed, and can also provide you with a sense of confidence and comfort throughout the process.
“He who serves as his own counsel has a fool for a lawyer and a jackass for a client” – President Abraham Lincoln
Remember, insurance companies do make money paying claims. They are in the risk business and they never lose. Here are some important ways that our Tampa car accident lawyer helps you after a car accident:
- Investigating your accident. Fault in a crash is not always clear, and even when it is, the right evidence must be collected to prove it. Fault, or negligence, can have a big impact on the amount of money that you receive in a settlement offer, and unless you prove the negligence of the other driver (or other at-fault party), you may be unable to recover compensation at all. The investigation starts as soon as we learn around your accident, collecting all evidence. This includes physical evidence, pictures of the accident scene, police reports, video footage, witness statements, and more.
- Filing your claim. Filing can be tricky. You may have questions when filing your claim after an accident, or against whom. This is especially true if the accident was caused by a party other than another driver, such as the manufacturer of a defective auto part. Our Tampa car accident lawyers help you file your claim against the appropriate party in a timely manner.
- Proving damages. If you are injured in a crash and suffer losses, you may assume that the insurance adjuster responsible for processing your claim will recognize this and you’ll be compensated. Wrong. Unfortunately, you will need to prove the full extent of your losses in order to recover any compensation. Our Tampa car crash lawyers can assist you in gathering medical bills, working with experts, and proving damages.
- Negotiating for a fair settlement offer. Frequently, insurance adjusters offer claimants less than they deserve, hoping that the claimant will take the money in desperation and frustration. When your settlement offer does not address the full amount of damages you have suffered, we will aggressively negotiate for a more suitable settlement amount.
- Taking your claim to court. When a settlement cannot be reached, our Tampa car accident lawyers will be prepared to take your case to court.
Types of Car Accident Claims
Most car accidents happen because of negligence, which is the failure to exercise a certain level of caution while operating a vehicle. The Tampa car accident lawyers at Martin J Hernandez PA, along with your insurance company, will conduct a preliminary investigation to identify whether you were negligent or not.
To have the best chances of winning the case, the experienced Tampa auto accident lawyers must prove that the defendant’s negligence caused the accident; that you are injured; and that this accident caused the injuries. Some examples are negligent drivers, reckless drivers, intoxicated drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and those who text and drive.
Types of Car Crash Injuries and Compensation You May Be Entitled To
The extent and severity of injuries suffered will be different with each individual case. In some cases, treatment for injuries will not be covered by insurance. The Tampa car accident lawyers help cover costs of injuries that include:
- Paralysis
- Burns and scars
- Loss of limbs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Joint, muscle, back, neck, and bone injuries
- Knee damage
- Whiplash
- Permanent disability
If you are seeking further compensation for damages, your lawyer will approach the negligent party’s insurance company in an attempt to recover compensation to cover your remaining costs. Your claim will be submitted for approval to the insurance company, which will have led an investigation of its own.
Providing your lawyer with as much information as possible can help your odds of winning the case. If your lawyer and the insurance company cannot agree on a settlement, often the case may proceed to trial.
In addition to these, our experienced Tampa auto accident lawyers can help you obtain compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of Quality of Life
- Punitive damages (if applicable)
- Loss of Consortium (if applicable)
- Wrongful death
Proving negligence on the party that was responsible for the collision is the most important aspect of acquiring compensation for your damages. To ensure this, take photos, exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, gather witness statements and contact information, and later seek medical attention. Finally, make sure to contact your insurance provider, and call an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer with the law offices of Martin J. Hernandez, PA today at 813-755-9500. Our Tampa car accident lawyers can help ensure you recover compensation for any damages you suffered in a wreck.
Contact Our Successful Tampa Car Accident Lawyers for Help
If you were injured in an auto wreck, contact Martin J. Hernandez, PA today at 813-755-9500 to discuss your legal options with one of our experienced Tampa car accident attorneys. The best accident lawyers will help you throughout each step of your case toward recovery.
When choosing a lawyer, it is important to realize that not all law firms are the same.
Many “trial lawyers” don’t like to go to court, and many law firms don’t have the resources to successfully handle complex cases or go up against the insurance companies.
Call or Text your Tampa car accident lawyer today at 813-755-9500.
We also understand that every injury is a serious injury, and every client deserves justice and fair compensation. Many people try to do it themselves. However, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed after you’ve been involved in an accident that has caused significant injury or loss. It is also difficult to navigate insurance policies and determine what your case is worth. You do not, however, have to be in this alone.
Tampa Injury Lawyer Practice Areas:
- Personal Injury
- Automobile Negligence
- Wrongful Death
- Premises Liability
- Dram Shop
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Tractor Trailer Accidents
- Drunk Driving Accidents
Tampa Car Accident Lawyer | Tampa Auto Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in any kind of accident, your personal injury lawyer with the law firm of Martin J. Hernandez will guide you every step of the way. Call or Text us now at 813-755-9500
The Car Accident Lawyers at Martin J. Hernandez PA will handle personal injury cases throughout the entire Tampa, South Tampa & West Tampa area. Areas we service include Town ‘n’ Country, Brandon, Carrollwood, Temple Terrace, Valrico, Plant City, Seffner, Dover, Riverview, West Tampa, West Chase, Hyde Park, Culbreath, West Shore, Palma Ceia, Gulfview, 33635, 33615, 33634, 33626, 33625, 33508, 33509, 33510, 33511,33568, 33569, 33578, 33579 & all of Hillsborough County and the state of Florida.
