If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else in Tampa, FL, you might be tempted to handle the claim yourself. You might think it’s not a big deal and that you don’t need a lawyer’s help. While this might be true for some collisions (such as those that don’t cause any injuries and only minor property damage), generally speaking, it’s in your best interest to hire an attorney.
The car accident attorneys with Winters & Yonkers Personal Injury Lawyers have been helping accident victims since 2001, with tens of millions of dollars recovered for our clients. We know what it takes to build a solid accident claim and how to recover maximum compensation.
We provide a free case review to discuss how we can help. Contact us today at (813) 223-6200 to learn more about your legal rights and options after a collision.
How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Tampa Car Accident
Being injured in an accident can uproot your life. You may be dealing with painful injuries, trying to coordinate your medical care, and handling all of your regular responsibilities. It is worth considering hiring a lawyer to take the burden of handling your car accident claim off your shoulders.
Winters & Yonkers Personal Injury Lawyers can explain the process of filing a car accident claim in Tampa, Florida, and how we can help. We have over 119 years of combined legal experience, so we know how to prepare claims for even the most complex car accident cases. When you hire us, we can:
- Conduct a thorough investigation to determine all parties who are responsible for your injuries
- Review all applicable insurance policies for coverage
- Advise you on what to do and not do after a car accident
- Gather evidence to support your claim
- Document all of your accident-related losses, including future anticipated losses
- File your claims in a timely manner
- Handle communication with insurance companies and third parties on your behalf
- Prepare a convincing demand package
- Negotiate for maximum compensation for your claim
- File a lawsuit against the at-fault party if necessary
Keep in mind that insurance adjusters deal with accident cases every day. They use various tactics to deny or minimize the value of claims to protect the insurance company’s bottom line.
Having a lawyer on your side is more likely to make the insurance company take your claim seriously. Before you decide to go it alone, consider contacting our firm for a free case review so we can discuss all the ways we can help you during this difficult time.
How Much Does a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
The main reason why people try to handle their own car accident claims is because they think they cannot afford a lawyer. But this simply isn’t true.
Personal injury lawyers generally work on a contingency-fee basis. This means that you are not charged any fees upfront. Instead, your lawyer gets to work on your case right away, but you don’t have to pay them anything until they recover compensation on your behalf. If they don’t recover compensation, you don’t owe them for their fees.
If they do recover compensation for you, they receive a percentage of your award as payment. This means their interests are aligned with yours because the more compensation they recover for you, the higher their share of the award. Your lawyer will work hard to help you get the largest settlement possible.
Signs You Need a Lawyer for Your Tampa Car Accident Case
You have the right to ask for legal assistance whenever you feel like you need it. While you might be considering handling your car accident claim on your own, here are some signs when you really need a lawyer:
- You suffered serious injuries – Florida is a no-fault insurance state, so you generally file a car accident claim with your own insurer. However, if you suffered a serious injury, you may be able to seek the full amount of your damages, including for pain and suffering. Serious injuries will also impact your life more, making it difficult for you to manage the stress and complexity of an insurance claim.
- Liability is in dispute – The insurance company might try to blame you for the accident, multiple parties might have been involved, or the at-fault driver’s version of events is different than yours.
- You need help gathering evidence – There may be important evidence that can help establish fault, such as video footage from a nearby traffic camera or surveillance video. Your case might also require expert assistance, such as help from an accident reconstructionist.
- The insurance company denied your claim – The insurance company may have refused to pay any compensation for your claim.
- Time is running out – Florida has a strict two-year statute of limitations by which you must file a car accident lawsuit.
At the least, it’s likely worth your time to set up a free consultation with an attorney to learn about your best course of action.
Steps To Get Compensation After a Car Accident in Tampa
If the signs above do not apply and you want to try to handle your claim alone, be warned that this will likely be a long and difficult process. Any mistake you make along the way can adversely affect your claim and the money you can potentially recover. The steps involved in a car accident claim include:
Reporting the Accident
Report the accident to the police (by calling 911) so you can get a police report that shows the accident happened. This can help your claim, and this step is often required by law as well.
Documenting The Scene
Exchange information with the other driver, take pictures, and ask witnesses for their contact information.
Getting Medical Treatment
You must begin your medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to have your PIP insurance cover the costs.
Filing an Accident Claim
You will first submit a claim with your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance provider. You must file your claim within your policy guidelines.
Documenting Your Damages
The insurance company might not provide you with as much money as you think they would under the circumstances. Your PIP insurance only provides for 80% of your medical expenses and 60% of your lost wages.
However, if you suffered a serious injury, you can seek the full extent of compensation for your claim, including pain and suffering. This will be done by filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Sending a Demand Letter
You will want to send a demand letter to the insurance company that says how much compensation you want for the case and why you are owed it.
Negotiating for Compensation
The insurance company might not give you the amount of money you demanded. You might have to try to negotiate a fair settlement.
Contact an Experienced Tampa Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Assessment
If you’re wondering, “How to get money from a car accident in Tampa without a lawyer,” we encourage you to contact Winters & Yonkers Personal Injury Lawyers today.
We can discuss the risks of trying to handle your claim on your own and how our Tampa car accident lawyers can help if hiring us makes sense for your situation. Contact us for a free case review.
