After a car accident caused by the negligence of another party, you have legal options for pursuing compensation to cover your losses. Following a crash, you may be facing an injury that limits your ability to work and causes significant financial strain. A Tampa car accident lawyer can help you pursue a legal claim against the liable party to recover damages.
At The Schiller Kessler Group, we will explain your legal options and help you file an insurance claim or lawsuit. Working with a Tampa personal injury lawyer ensures you have a dedicated legal representative in your corner. Our attorneys have over three decades of experience and are dedicated to helping you secure fair compensation. Schedule your free consultation today.
Car Accident Cases Our Tampa, FL, Attorneys Handle
Negligence is a key factor in a car accident claim, and we understand that negligence can take various forms on the road. Our lawyers handle a variety of auto accident cases. When you choose The Schiller Kessler Group to help with your case, our team is ready to serve in a variety of roles depending on your specific needs.
We are ready to represent you as your:
- Tampa DUI accident victim lawyers: Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense that significantly impairs a driver’s judgment and reaction time. We can help you pursue a claim against the liable party, which may include punitive damages.
- Tampa reckless driving accident lawyers: Reckless driving encompasses a range of dangerous behaviors, including excessive speeding, aggressive lane changes, and disregarding traffic signals. These actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the safety of others on the road and often lead to severe accidents.
- Tampa distracted driving accident lawyers: With the rise of smartphones and in-car technology, distracted driving has become increasingly prevalent. Activities such as texting, talking on the phone, or adjusting the radio can divert a driver’s attention from the road, leading to serious collisions.
- Tampa rear–end collisions lawyers: These accidents occur when a vehicle collides with the back of another vehicle, often due to following too closely or distracted driving. Rear-end collisions can lead to whiplash and other injuries for occupants of the impacted vehicle.
- Tampa head–on collision lawyers: One of the most dangerous types of accidents is a head-on collision, which happens when two vehicles collide front-to-front. These accidents frequently result from reckless driving or driving under the influence, leading to severe injuries or fatalities.
Our Case Results
$1,350,000
Motorist struck by another vehicle
$550,000
Motorist hit by truck
$3,000,000
Driver struck by drunk driver
$2,400,000
Motorist struck and killed by truck
More people choose The Schiller Kessler Group because they know that we're a cut above other personal injury law firms.
Our Car Accident Attorneys in Tampa Will Seek the Compensation You Deserve
You may receive compensation to cover a range of damages after suffering physical injuries and financial losses in a car accident. Our personal injury law firm considers both the economic and non–economic damages in your car accident claim, striving to bring you fair compensation.
Depending on the specific details of your case, our Tampa, FL, car accident attorneys may be able to help you pursue some or all of the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
In addition to these compensatory damages, you may also be eligible to pursue punitive damages in certain circumstances.
Punitive damages are only awarded in rare cases involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence, such as DUI or hit-and-run crashes, as outlined in Florida Statutes § 768.72. These are intended to punish the liable party for the role they played in causing the accident and deter similar behavior in the future.
No matter what time of day it is, you can contact The Schiller Kessler Group to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
How Our Tampa, FL, Car Accident Lawyers Will Help You Pursue a Claim
Having a car accident lawyer in Tampa on your side means you’ll get personalized advice and attention after your wreck. Our experienced attorneys will put you first, advocating for a fair settlement and working to hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence.
We will be by your side every step of the way, fighting to get you fair compensation for your losses.
Investigate Your Tampa Car Accident
Our Tampa car accident attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation into your case to determine the cause of your collision and collect evidence that supports your personal injury claim. We may interview eyewitnesses, look for video surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and obtain a copy of the police report.
We may also work with accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts to help bolster the strength of your claim.
Communicate With the At-Fault Driver’s Legal Team and Insurance Provider
One of the most difficult things to deal with after an accident is communication with the liable party’s insurer or legal team. You need to be on your guard during all interactions, as these parties are looking to deny or devalue your claim.
An insurer may contact you while you’re trying to recover, looking for information they can use against you and trying to get you to accept a subpar settlement.
Fortunately, you can turn all communication over to our team. Our Tampa car accident lawyers put our clients first. We can review all settlement offers and negotiate for the damages you deserve.
Provide Client-Focused Legal Care
We understand that every car accident case is unique, which is why our lawyers never apply a standardized approach when handling a claim. We tailor our legal strategy to suit your unique situation and work to hold all liable parties accountable.
You Can Afford to Hire Our Car Accident Attorneys in Tampa
Accident victims often fail to secure legal representation due to concerns that they will not be able to afford to hire a lawyer. This is never an issue because our team works on a contingency fee basis. What this means is that we only receive payment for our services after we resolve your claim.
If we are unable to get you the money you need and deserve, you won’t owe us a single penny. Should we succeed in recovering compensation on your behalf, our fee is taken directly from the settlement or court-ordered payout at a predetermined percentage.
Since our payment is tied directly to the compensation you receive, you can be confident that we will do everything in our power to ensure you get the maximum compensation available. We work aggressively to bring you a settlement that covers your losses and stand ready to assist with a car accident lawsuit.
Our Tampa Attorneys Will Determine if You Have the Right to File a Car Accident Lawsuit
Florida is a no–fault insurance state, which means that victims of car accidents must first file a claim with their own insurance provider before they can potentially pursue compensation from the liable party.
This means that accident victims often rely on Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to cover reasonable medical costs and a portion of lost wages. However, this coverage has important limitations.
According to Florida Statute § 627.737, you generally must meet Florida’s serious injury threshold to recover damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and inconvenience after a motor vehicle accident. Under the statute, serious injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
The Time Limits for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Tampa
In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including those arising from car accidents, is governed by Florida Statutes § 95.11. This statute generally grants accident victims two years from the date of the collision to initiate legal proceedings.
If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the two years, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation. This means that even if you have a valid case, the court will dismiss it due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Hiring an experienced attorney is critical for ensuring that all of the paperwork for your lawsuit gets filed accurately and on time.
Another benefit of hiring a lawyer soon after your accident is that they will be in a better position to build a strong case supporting your claim. Your attorney will have a much higher chance of securing supporting evidence before it is lost or compromised. Additionally, they will be able to speak with eyewitnesses and record their testimony before their memories begin to fade.
Modified Comparative Negligence in Florida
When determining your eligibility to pursue compensation after a car accident in Florida, the state uses a modified comparative negligence system. Under this system, anyone injured in an accident may have the right to pursue compensation from any other liable party, even if they were partially to blame for the collision.
However, the right to pursue damages only exists if your level of fault is 50% or less. Even in this situation, you will find that the amount you can recover is reduced at a rate proportional to your fault if you were partially to blame.
For example, if you were 20% responsible for causing the accident, you would only be able to pursue 80% of the full value of your damages. That means that if you incurred $100,000 in damages, the most you would be able to recover would be $80,000.
Most Car Accident Cases are Resolved Through Out-of-Court Settlements
The majority of car accident cases never go to court. It is typically in the best interest of all parties involved to reach a settlement agreement. Settling will allow you to recover compensation far quicker than would be possible if your case went to trial.
However, the fact that your case is likely to settle does not mean that you should rush into accepting a settlement deal. The first offer you receive from the liable party’s insurer will likely be far below the true value of your claim. You should always have your lawyer review any settlement offer and negotiate on your behalf to get the best possible deal.
Even though most cases settle, your lawyer will prepare as though your case will go to trial. Being able to show the other party that you are ready and willing to go to court will give you leverage during settlement negotiations. Furthermore, if you are unable to reach a fair settlement deal, you will be ready for a courtroom battle.
The Cost of Hiring Our Team to Represent You After a Car Accident in Tampa
Many car accident victims fail to secure legal representation because they worry they can not afford to do so. Fortunately, this is a common misconception, as many car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. What this means is that there are no upfront costs for hiring an attorney, and you will only have to pay for legal services if you recover compensation.
Should your lawyer fail to get you money for your losses, you will owe nothing. If our team does secure compensation on your behalf, you will be charged a single fee, which will be deducted directly from the money you recover once your case is resolved.
Charging our clients in this manner helps ensure that all accident victims have access to experienced legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
The Four Elements of Negligence
To recover compensation after a car accident, you will generally need to prove that another party acted negligently. To prove negligence, you must establish four elements:
- Duty of care: You must first show that the liable party owed you a duty of care. This is often simple in car accident cases, as all drivers owe everyone else on the road a duty to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner.
- Breached duty of care: The next thing you must demonstrate is that the liable party breached their duty of care. Possible ways to establish a breach of duty in a car accident case include proving that another party was speeding, texting, driving under the influence, or engaging in any other unsafe driving habits.
- Damages: You must then show that you suffered damages as a result of the crash. Common methods for proving damages include providing your medical and repair bills.
- Causation: Finally, you need to demonstrate how all the pieces fit together. An experienced car accident attorney serving Tampa can help connect the dots between the liable party breaching a duty of care that they owed to you and the damages you incurred.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Tampa
You can take several steps after a motor vehicle collision to protect both your health and your claim for financial compensation. Failing to take the proper steps can seriously damage your case and potentially prevent you from recovering the money you need.
Seek Medical Care Immediately
The most important thing to do after a car accident is to protect your health. You should seek immediate medical attention for any injuries you sustained in the accident. Even if you do not suspect your collision led to any injuries, play it safe and see a doctor as soon as possible.
Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), have latent symptoms but require prompt treatment to prevent them from worsening.
Report Your Accident to the Authorities
You should also report the accident, especially if it caused property damage, injuries, or a fatality. Even if you did not originally call the police to the scene of the accident, contact your local police department to report it soon afterward, or go online to report your traffic crash.
The sooner you report the accident, the better, as having impartial documentation of your accident by a law enforcement officer can be vital in pursuing a legal claim.
Consult an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Finally, make sure you contact a Tampa car accident lawyer for assistance. Our attorneys can answer your questions, advise you about your next steps, and help you avoid common mistakes after being injured in an accident. We will guide you through the legal process and seek financial recovery to help you heal from your accident injuries.
Get Help From Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Serving Tampa Today
You can contact our team at The Schiller Kessler Group for assistance if a negligent driver or another responsible party caused your injuries. Our Tampa car accident attorneys will review your situation, assess your losses, and help you seek the compensation you deserve.
We have helped over 30,000 injury victims in Florida pursue compensation for the losses they incurred as a result of another party’s negligence. We fight to help accident victims recover from their losses and hold negligent parties liable. Call us today for a free consultation, where we will discuss your case and create a plan for how to proceed.
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