Were you involved in a car accident in Brandon, Florida? If so, Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help you hold the at-fault party liable for your injuries and losses. You can receive compensation for your pain and suffering, financial expenses, and much more if you successfully assert your claim.
We’re one of the best-regarded personal injury law firms in the entire Tampa Bay area. Our Brandon car accident lawyers have over 119 years of experience, and we’ve obtained tens of millions of dollars for our deserving clients. The aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming; we can take care of your compensation claim from start to finish while you focus on your health and well-being.
To get started, Contact us online or give us a call today at (813) 223-6200. We offer a free consultation to review the facts of your case, and you won’t be obligated to hire us afterward.
How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Brandon, Florida
Florida’s car insurance rules are especially complex. The state has a “no-fault” system in place, which limits when accident victims can pursue claims against those responsible for their injuries. But beyond that, the state generally doesn’t require drivers to carry liability insurance. Together, these factors can limit your options for recovering compensation after a crash.
However, if you hire Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, you can rest assured that we’ll aggressively fight for a settlement or verdict that makes you whole again. We understand the nuances of Florida personal injury law inside and out, and we’ll use our extensive resources and experience to your benefit. Our Brandon personal injury attorneys can help by:
- Investigating your case and evaluating all of your damages
- Hiring expert assistance when needed to strengthen your case
- Negotiating with the at-fault party to reach a fair settlement agreement
- Filing a lawsuit against the opposing party and bringing your case to a Hillsborough County courthouse if necessary
These are just a few examples of what we can do to help you after a car accident in Brandon, FL. If you’d like to begin establishing an attorney-client relationship, contact us today to set up your free case review.
Car Accident Statistics for Hillsborough County
Detailed car accident statistics are available for every county in the state, as provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Recent data for Hillsborough County are as follows:
- 2022: 28,322 crashes, 19,276 injuries, and 221 fatalities
- 2021: 28,020 crashes, 18,692 injuries, and 271 fatalities
- 2020: 24,168 crashes, 16,450 injuries, and 213 fatalities
- 2019: 29,155 crashes, 19,802 injuries, and 219 fatalities
- 2018: 29,037 crashes, 20,114 injuries, and 176 fatalities
In just the first couple of months of 2023, there have been 2,141 crashes, 1,509 injuries, and 11 fatalities. These numbers demonstrate that car accidents occur regularly in Hillsborough County, with roughly 75 every single day on average.
How Much Is My Brandon Car Accident Claim Worth?
Car accident claims vary drastically in value, depending on the associated facts and circumstances. Evaluating a claim can sometimes require lengthy procedures and even expert assistance. However, these efforts may be necessary to fully understand the appropriate amount of money to demand from the at-fault party.
Factors such as the following can influence the value of a Brandon car accident claim:
- Severity and type of injuries
- Availability of evidence
- Comparative fault
- Age of the victim
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll cut no corners in the process of evaluating your claim. From there, we’ll work to secure the compensation that accurately makes up for each loss you’ve suffered.
What Damages Can I Receive From a Car Accident Claim in Brandon, FL?
By default, your first option for compensation after a car crash is to go through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance provider. PIP insurance offers you benefits in the event of an accident, regardless of whose fault it was. The damages you can receive from your PIP coverage are limited, primarily representing only a portion of your medical bills and lost wages.
However, if you sustained a “serious injury” in the crash as defined by Florida statute, you may be eligible to file a claim against the at-fault driver. As part of this claim, you can receive two broad categories of damages.
The first category of damages is called economic damages. These damages represent your financial losses, such as:
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning capacity
- Rehabilitation, therapy, and other similar costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Medical bills
Another category of damages you can pursue is called non-economic damages, which are based on the other consequences of the accident, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring or disfigurement
A third category of damages, punitive damages, may be available as well – but only in rare cases. Punitive damages are reserved for cases where the responsible party acted egregiously, such as with an extreme disregard for the safety of others.
We’ll Fight for Compensation That Reflects All of Your Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can potentially result in serious, life-changing injuries. Our Brandon car accident attorneys can help you recover compensation for injuries such as the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Catastrophic injuries, such as amputations or paralysis
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord damage
- Leg injuries
- Broken bones and fracture
- Road rash
- Neck injuries
- Chest injuries
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- The wrongful death of a close relative
Reach out to us today to speak with a qualified personal injury lawyer about your legal rights and options.
Why Do Car Accidents Occur in Brandon, Florida?
Although car accidents can happen for an almost innumerable number of reasons, some are much more prevalent than others. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Brandon, Florida, include:
- Aggressive driving, such as speeding or tailgating
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Not adhering to the proper right-of-way
- Road conditions or poor weather
- Distracted driving
- Improper lane changes or left turns
- Defective machinery or parts
- Fatigued driving
Regardless of why your car accident happened, you might be entitled to compensation from the driver who caused the accident. Contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your case with a Brandon car accident lawyer.
What Happens if I’m Blamed for My Car Accident in Brandon?
Florida follows a “modified comparative fault” standard in allocating blame for car accidents. Under this system, you can still recover compensation even if you are partially at fault for your car crash. The compensation you may receive will just be reduced based on your level of fault. However, you cannot recover compensation if you are 51% or more at fault for the accent.
For example, your financial award can be reduced by 20% if you are found 20% responsible for the accident. But if you are 51% responsible for the crash, you cannot recover any money.
Without a skilled Brandon car accident attorney on your side, the at-fault party may get away with placing more of the blame on you than is fair. Hiring Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers means you’ll be equipped with the tools needed to respond to these types of accusations effectively.
How Do I Prove Negligence in My Brandon, Florida, Car Accident Case?
Negligence is a legal term that means something akin to “carelessness,” and it is the cause of action most car accident claims are based on. In order to prove negligence, you must establish the following legal elements:
- Given the situation, did the other driver owe you a duty of care?
- Did the at-fault driver breach that duty of care?
- Was the car accident caused by the other driver, both factually and proximately?
- Did you suffer damages due to the responsible driver’s actions (or inactions)?
Securing compensation generally means establishing each of these elements “by a preponderance of the evidence.” As the accident victim, you’ll need to provide enough evidence to show each element is at least 51% likely true. Types of evidence you can bring include:
- Medical records
- Expert testimony or analysis
- Eyewitness testimony
- Video and photo evidence
Proving negligence is rarely a simple task, but our car accident attorneys have what it takes. Learn more today by calling our law office serving Brandon, Florida.
When Do I Need To File My Car Accident Claim By in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations sets a two-year deadline to file a car accident claim in most cases. The deadline used to be four years before a new tort reform bill cut it in half. If you got into an accident before this bill took effect (on 3/24/2023), you will still be subject to the longer four-year deadline.
Sometimes, an exception applies that could afford you additional time to file your claim. Contact our legal team to make sure you have the appropriate deadline in hand for your case or if you have any questions.
Set Up a Free Case Assessment With an Experienced Brandon Car Accident Attorney
You deserve full compensation after a car accident in Brandon, Florida. If you choose Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, you’ll have a highly-qualified legal team in your corner with a wealth of experience.
Our Brandon car accident attorneys work on contingency, so you won’t have to pay us anything upfront to hire us. We’ll also only receive attorney’s fees if we win or settle your claim.
Contact us today online or by phone at (866) 691-2707 if you’d like further information or are ready to get started.
