Tampa Car Accident Lawyer

Tampa can be a dangerous place to drive. Busy recreational hotspots mean busy roads for both vacationing tourists and residents.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were a total of 27,469 car accidents in Hillsborough County in 2023. These wrecks resulted in 235 fatalities and 18,877 injuries.

In case you’ve been rear-ended by a distracted driver or your vehicle was in a head-on collision with someone driving under the influence. Accidents like these can lead to physical injury and emotional trauma, and recovery can be a confusing, high-priced, and time-consuming process. If you’ve been injured physically or emotionally in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. Call a Tampa car crash lawyer at Steinger, Greene & Feiner to eliminate the stress associated with financial recovery.

How a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Tampa car accident attorneys like Steinger, Greene & Feiner can help you deal with insurance companies, navigate insurance claims, collect evidence, maximize compensation through various legal strategies, and litigate processes if a fair settlement cannot be reached.

It’s always a good idea to speak with a knowledgeable car wreck lawyer before you speak with your insurance company. In Tampa, you now have two years from the date of the car accident to take legal action, due to recent changes in Florida’s statute of limitations. It’s best to act promptly, as waiting can jeopardize your case and any statements you make to the insurance company could be used against you. Always consult a lawyer before providing any written or recorded statements to ensure you protect your rights and have the best chance of receiving full compensation.

Your insurance company may offer a settlement that only captures the compensation covered by your PIP policy. Chances are, this offer will be well below what you deserve and may include binding language to that number. Don’t accept this! The moment you accept the settlement offer, you forfeit your right to seek greater compensation.

Instead, call an experienced Tampa car accident attorney for a free consultation to discuss all of your legal options.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Tampa

No matter the cause of the accident, Steinger, Greene & Feiner is your Tampa auto accident attorney. We devote our decades of experience to fighting for the compensation you deserve, tackling virtually any kind of car accident case. While we look forward to learning more about your unique situation, some of the most common types of cases we handle include:

• T-bone collisions, which almost always happen when someone fails to obey a stop sign or red light at an intersection and, therefore collides with the side of another driver (or causes another driver to ram them in the side)
• Rear-end collisions, which often happen on highways and at intersections when a driver is coming too fast from behind and rams into the driver(s) in front of them who are either stopped or going a much slower speed
• Head-on collisions, which typically happen when a driver is coming the wrong way down a one-way road or on the wrong side of the road
• Hit-and-run accidents, which often require victims to have uninsured motorist coverage to recover compensation unless the other driver is caught
• Distracted or drunk driver accidents, in which victims are rarely held at fault, are the main type of auto accident for which punitive damages may be assessed
• Failure to yield accidents occur when a driver fails to give the right of way to another vehicle or pedestrian, leading to side impacts or collisions at intersections or crosswalks. This type of negligence often results in serious injuries and complex liability considerations.

Our firm handles all of these types of accidents and more. We also specialize in rideshare accidents involving services like Uber and Lyft, as well as fatal accidents, each of which comes with unique settlement specifics. With our deep understanding of the nuances involved in each type of case, we are equipped to maximize your compensation and navigate the intricacies of the car accident claim process effectively.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Tampa

Safety should be your number one priority after a car accident in Tampa Bay area. Once you’ve received necessary medical care following the accident, you should immediately consult an auto accident lawyer. It is important to speak with a Tampa car accident lawyer like Steinger, Greene & Feiner who can represent you in court.

Never admit fault at the scene of the accident. You should avoid discussing your case with anyone but your lawyer—and never post anything about it on social media. Anything you say or post publicly can and will be used by the opposing counsel to diminish your case. Your attorney-client relationship is important, and everything you discuss together will remain confidential.  Our Tampa personal injury lawyers fight relentlessly for your settlement and, when necessary, aren’t afraid to take a case in front of a judge and jury. 

To make your case as strong as possible, it is important to provide proof of damages and document the accident as thoroughly as possible for legal purposes. Use your cell phone to capture eyewitness accounts and record videos of the damaged vehicle and surrounding accident scene. Take photos and videos of any injuries you or a loved one may have sustained. 

Last, after a car accident in Tampa you should communicate with the other driver and note their contact and insurance information.

Common Injuries After a Car Wreck in Tampa

While motor vehicle accidents can result in a variety of different injuries, some of the most common include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spine, neck and back injuries
• Broken legs and arms
• Broken ribs, which can lead to punctured organs
• Internal injuries, including internal bleeding
• Cuts, scrapes and bruising
• Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, sprains, and strains

And many more. While some of these injuries are relatively minor, they can all have serious consequences. It’s important to speak with a car accident attorney in Tampa as soon as possible if you have suffered any injuries that require medical attention above what is covered by PIP.

Compensation in Car Accident Cases

As we’ve mentioned if you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation not only related to medical costs, but also lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

If it’s a minor car accident, after reporting your auto accident to your insurance company, your Personal Injury Protection coverage will kick in. PIP coverage is mandatory for all drivers who live in Florida, and covers many of the expenses incurred after an accident – regardless of fault. However, it’s important to understand that PIP coverage has its limitations and does not encompass all potential expenses, leaving some gaps in coverage. Certain costs may exceed PIP limits or fall outside its scope, requiring injured parties to explore additional avenues for compensation beyond PIP.

PIP will only pay for 80% of your medical bills, up to $10,000 (unless you pay for additional coverage). Your policy will typically cover medical services, medications, rehab, surgery, hospital costs, ambulatory services, and more. However, if your injury isn’t considered an “emergency,” you will only receive $2,500 in benefits. This cap can leave you with significant out-of-pocket expenses, especially in more severe cases.

PIP policies also cover 60% of your lost wages, up to $10,000. If your loved one is killed in a wreck, their PIP coverage will provide $5,000 for funeral and burial expenses. However, if your injury results in expenses that exceed the scope of PIP coverage – such as more extensive medical treatments, ongoing rehabilitation, or loss of income – you may need to file a car accident claim or a lawsuit to recover the remaining losses.

In general, these damages are divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages pertain to compensation for the real money you lost, such as:

• Medical expenses above $10,000
• Lost wages above $10,000
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses

In addition, your lawsuit may also help you recover compensation for non-economic damages you suffered. These are losses that have nothing to do with tangible money. Instead, non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional pain or distress
• Loss of enjoyment in life
• Permanent disabilities and impairments

To fully maximize your compensation and ensure that all potential damages are accounted for, it’s crucial to work with experienced Tampa car accident lawyers like Steinger, Greene & Feiner, who can guide you through the process of seeking compensation beyond PIP limits.

Can You Get Compensation if You Were Partly at Fault?

Yes, you can still receive compensation for a vehicle accident in Tampa, Florida, even if you’re partly at fault. Florida’s “pure comparative negligence” rule allows you to recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you’re 20% responsible for the crash, your compensation decreases by 20%. Insurance companies often try to exaggerate your fault to pay less, but an experienced Tampa car accident attorney can challenge these claims, gather evidence, and advocate to minimize your fault and maximize your compensation.

Liable Parties and Proving Liability in Your Car Accidents

If multiple parties are at fault—other drivers, commercial entities, or government bodies—liability may be distributed among them. Proving liability requires a thorough investigation, which may include gathering accident reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, and expert testimony, such as accident reconstruction. All possible liable parties must be identified to secure the full compensation you’re entitled to, whether through your PIP policy or third-party claims.

Properly assessing each party’s role ensures that you can recover both economic and non-economic damages, even if you share some portion of the fault. Thorough evidence collection and analysis are essential to accurately distribute liability and maximize your recovery. With an attorney’s guidance, you’ll be better positioned to recover both economic and non-economic damages, even if you share a portion of the fault.

Choosing the Right Tampa Car Accident Attorney

At Steinger, Greene, & Feiner, our team of Tampa auto accident lawyers are experts in local Florida laws and regulations. We understand Tampa’s unique driving conditions, made busier by rising commute times.

Steinger, Greene & Feiner is your best choice for a knowledgeable and compassionate car accident attorney in Tampa. We blend experience and success to achieve results for our clients. Our team of dedicated auto accident lawyers has a combined track record of 10 decades. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay unless we win.

Our legal representation has resulted in billions of dollars of compensation for our clients  including:

• $11.5 MILLION Car Accident Settlement for a case that resulted in the death of our client’s close family member.
• $5.9 MILLION Car Accident Verdict for a client who sustained serious nerve injuries.
• $835,000 Car Accident Verdict for a client who was struck by a police officer working for the City of Delray Beach.
• $700,000 Car Accident Award for a collision caused by a vehicle with no lights.

We work hard to ensure that every one of our clients leaves our personal injury law firm with the maximum compensation they deserve. Our Tampa location has an average rating of 4.9 stars out of 5. You can see our Tampa firm’s car accident lawyer reviews here.

Get An Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Tampa

If you have been injured in a car wreck in the Tampa area, you have legal options. The experienced car accident lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner know how to navigate local and state laws for you, and we are intimately familiar with the local court systems. We know what it takes to help you get the compensation that insurance companies won’t let you know you’re entitled to. Call the best Tampa auto accident attorneys who know how to fight against insurance agents and insurance companies.

Call Steinger, Greene & Feiner at (813) 553-5352 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential, no-obligation consultation with a Tampa insurance claim lawyer today or visit us at our offices: 5440 Mariner St, Unit 211, Tampa, FL 33609.

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