Tampa Car Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a car accident in Tampa, Florida, you likely need the help of a car accident lawyer at Winters & Yonker. Your first consultation with our attorneys is completely free. At this initial visit, you can ask any questions, and give your side of the story to an experienced attorney. Then, we will be in the best position to tell you if you have a case against the other driver. If you do, we can tell you how much you could potentially claim as compensation and provide guidance on how you should proceed with your claim.

You should know that if you have suffered injuries or have sustained property damage after a car accident, you can file a compensation claim so that you can recover some of the damages you have incurred. However, it is important that you do it the right way and you do it as per the laws and regulations in Tampa, Florida. Call our attorneys at (813)223-6200 to find out more about car accident compensation claims.

How Much Do Tampa Car Accident Lawyers Cost?

Victims of car accidents are often hesitant to consult with an attorney because of the perceived cost associated with doing so. They wrongly believe that they will owe a large payment upfront just to have a personal injury lawyer represent them or that their case simply is not worth paying a lawyer to help with. Unfortunately, none of these things are true. At Winters & Yonker, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that car accident victims pay nothing upfront and only owe their attorneys if they obtain compensation for their claim.

Once you have obtained your settlement, your attorney will deduct a percentage to cover their fees. Not only does this provide all victims with access to experienced legal representation, it means that your Tampa car accident lawyer has a vested interest in your case. With their compensation tied to how much money you receive for your claim, you can rest assured that they will be working their hardest to secure the best results possible for you.

While the contingency fee can vary, it generally is between 25-40% of the settlement, averaging out to 33%. The more time your Tampa car accident lawyer spends on the case, the more their percentage will be. If your case settles quickly without going to trial, your fee will likely be close to 25%, whereas if your claim goes to trial, the attorney will receive closer to 40%.

While this number may seem large on the surface, having an expert attorney fighting for you can often double or triple your settlement amount from what was initially offered by the insurance companies. In these cases, victims come out far better than they would without representation and are happy to pay the lawyer for their excellent work.

What Types Of Compensation Can I Receive After A Car Wreck?

In general, the type of compensation depends on the type of accident and the extent of your injuries. However, if the other driver is at fault, you can expect to be compensated for the following:

• Bodily injury
• Loss of income
• All present and future medical bills
• Any rehabilitation costs
• Cost of prescription medications
• Pain and suffering
• Any mobility or safety aid that you might require because of your injuries
• If you live alone and need assistance with your daily living activities and if you incur expenses in this regard, you can also claim compensation for these expenses.

The amount of compensation will depend on the extent of your injuries and what is required for you to properly recover. Talk to an accident attorney for more information regarding the type of damages you can claim after a car accident.

What Should I Do After a Tampa Car Accident?

If you are involved in an auto accident, it is important that you don’t panic. At Winters & Yonker, we understand that this could be a very stressful situation, but it is in your interest if you can manage to stay focused and calm. Immediately after the accident, you should do the following:

• Call 911. In most cases, if you are unable to do so, somebody with you or somebody in the area will make the call.
• Do not leave the scene of the accident. Wait for the police and the paramedics to arrive.
• While you wait or whenever you get a chance, take as many pictures of the scene of the accident as you can. Take images of the surrounding area including the presence of any traffic lights, skid marks, speed limit sign and the condition of the road.
• If you can, take images of your injuries.
• When the police arrive, answer all their questions honestly and briefly. Give your account of events.
• Exchange information with the other driver. Get their name, address, insurance policy, car registration, and contact number.
• Collect witness information. Get the names and addresses of any witnesses. If possible write down what they saw.
• Write down all the details of the accident so that you can remember them later. This can prove helpful if you contact a Tampa car accident lawyer and decide to pursue legal action against the other driver.

Should I Go To The Hospital After an Auto Accident?

When you are in an auto accident, the injuries can vary from mild to severe. While some injuries may be obvious like a laceration or a fracture, there are many injuries that may not become evident immediately. For example, whiplash likely won’t display symptoms for 24-48 hours and the same is the case with lower back pain. Regardless of whether you have serious or mild injuries, it is important that you seek medical attention. This can either be through the paramedic staff who arrive at the scene of the accident or the local Tampa hospital if need be.

You will have lots of adrenaline flowing after an accident and may not feel pain immediately, but you need to know that you have not suffered any major external or internal injuries. You also need to ensure that if you decide to take legal action at a later stage, there is a medical report that documents what happened and the injuries that you sustained after the accident. Your injury attorney in the city of Tampa, Florida will use this medical report to establish the fact that you sustained injuries as a result of the collision.

Should I Talk to the Other Driver After an Accident?

Apart from exchanging basic contact information, it is generally recommended that you do not engage in any other conversations with the other driver. The only thing you should do is exchange details about your insurance policy, name, and address. You are not obligated to speak to the other driver or their insurance company.

Keep in mind that in automobile accident situations, emotions run high and tempers can flare-up. You don’t want to do anything at the scene that could be used against you in the future. Also, this is not the time to confront the other driver, no matter how much they were at fault or how angry you are at them for hitting your car and causing damage. It will only damage any future claim you may have, so let the police deal with them.

Once you’ve received medical attention and have given the police your account of the events, you should speak to our car accident attorneys Don’t go around claiming responsibility and don’t apologize until you’re absolutely sure what happened. The best thing you can do is remain silent because anything you say can be taken out of context later on. Remember the other side is always looking for someone to blame. Say as little as possible, then call our trusted injury law firm.

How Do I Know if I Have a Case?

In general, if you are involved in a car accident in Florida, the no-fault law suggests that each side will need to cover their losses, as long as it is a minor accident. For example, a fender bender which is less than $1,000 dollars with no injuries can be resolved without a court case. But, if your injuries are serious and life-threatening or there has been extensive damage to your property or car then you have the legal right to sue the driver responsible for your injuries.

If the fault is entirely due to the other party, you will be able to sue for all damages and injuries that occurred as a result of the accident. For example, if your leg is fractured or if your lung is collapsed as a result of the accident, you can sue for all of the medical bills, including any pain and suffering. That is the way the no-fault system works in Florida.

However, if you also had a role to play in the accident, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. In other words, the no-fault system works on the simple premise that each driver is responsible for their actions. If the other driver was completely at fault, their insurance company would compensate you. If you were completely at fault, your insurance company would compensate them.

You both would be held accountable for your respective role in the accident if both parties were equally at fault. However, keep in mind that dealing with insurance companies is not easy. Obtaining compensation may seem simple in theory, but in reality, there is a lot of work that must be done. That is why it is essential to speak to a skilled Tampa car accident lawyer. With their help, you have a better chance to recover the compensation you deserve for your damages.

Do All Auto Accident Cases Go to Trial?

Going to trial is an expensive undertaking and can be very time-consuming. If you are involved in a car accident, and you are not at fault, the other driver’s insurance company may call you up to find out if you want to settle outside of court. While this is not a bad idea, it is important not to engage with the insurance company on your own. If they contact you and make an offer, call the attorneys at Winters & Yonker immediately.

The case does not have to go to trial, but your Tampa car accident lawyer will ensure that the offer you accept is in line with what you initially claimed. There is no point in accepting an offer that does not give you the financial relief you need after the accident. That is why it is optimal that you let our attorneys handle the negotiations with the insurance company. We have years of experience dealing with insurance adjusters and will be able to determine if an offer is fair.

Even if you feel the amount is fairly reasonable and you are extremely tempted to sign on the dotted line, don’t do it without speaking to a car accident lawyer first. The settlement you are offered will be a lump sum amount which may sound like a lot but could end up being much less than what you would get if you allow your attorney to handle the negotiations. Once you have settled, even if you later discover that you have a permanent injury, you can never go back and obtain more compensation.

There is no doubt that it is in the interest of both parties if the case does not go to trial. That is why meditation is often recommended in such cases and resolution is attempted in the presence of a judge. A large majority of car accidents are settled before they get to the local Tampa courts. However, if there is a dispute about the cause of the crash or the total amount of compensation, then the case will likely go to trial.

Contact Our Tampa Attorneys for a Free Consultation

Sorting out a car accident case is time-consuming and requires the collection of a lot of information. In Florida, the statute of limitations is four years, but it is important to get the case resolved quickly. If you are late filing the case by even one day after the 4-year limit, you have no case.
Contact us today and we will help you get the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys know that recovering from an auto accident can be quite challenging, especially if you have sustained serious injuries. We fight for the rights of car accident victims so that they can obtain compensation for their injuries and any other damages they incurred as a result of the accident. Let us help you get the financial support you need during this time so that you can focus on getting healthy and going back to work. Don’t hesitate to call one of our aggressive Tampa car accident lawyers today at (813)223-6200 and see how we can help you get justice.

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