If a car accident in Tampa injured you, Florida law gives you the right to pursue payment for your injuries and financial losses from the driver who caused the crash. After a collision, questions about medical bills, lost paychecks, and insurance companies pile up quickly, creating a stressful burden when your focus should be on healing.
You do not have to figure this out alone.
A Tampa car accident lawyer manages the entire legal process for you. While you recover, we build your case, handle the paperwork and phone calls, and work to secure the funds you need to get your life back on track. The team at Holliday Karatinos Law Firm has spent years helping people in your exact situation get clear answers and real results.
For a free, confidential review of your case, call us today at (813) 868-1887.
Key Takeaways for Tampa Car Accident Claims
- Florida's no-fault system has a serious injury exception. You first claim benefits from your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, but if your injuries are significant and permanent, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for damages like pain and suffering.
- The deadline to file a lawsuit is shorter than it used to be. For most accidents occurring on or after March 24, 2023, you have only two years to file a lawsuit, a change from the previous four-year limit. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to pursue compensation forever.
- Another driver's fault must be proven with strong evidence. Even if you believe the other driver was 100% to blame, their insurance company will look for ways to argue you were partially at fault to reduce the value of your claim under Florida's comparative fault system.
What You Should Expect From Your Legal Team
After a crash, you need a law firm that provides confidence, not more confusion. At Holliday Karatinos Law Firm, we combine the resources of a large firm with the direct, personal attention of a dedicated local team.
Here’s our commitment to you:
- Over 50 Years of Collective Experience: Our attorneys have a deep background in Florida personal injury law. We have handled thousands of cases, putting that experience to work for every client.
- Direct Attorney Access: You will work directly with your lawyer. We believe clear communication is key, and you will not be passed along to a case manager or paralegal.
- No Win, No Fee Guarantee: We operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us nothing unless we successfully recover money for you. There are no upfront costs to begin.
- A Focus on Your Recovery: Our job is to manage every legal detail so you can focus on what matters: getting better. We handle the paperwork, the phone calls, and the negotiations.
- Free Case Consultation: We offer a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to help you understand your options. We will review the details of your accident and give you an honest assessment of your claim.
How Much Is Your Tampa Car Accident Claim Worth?
The goal of a car accident claim is to secure payment that covers every expense and loss caused by the collision. Florida law separates these damages into two categories.
Economic Damages: The Tangible Costs
This includes all the measurable financial losses you have suffered.
- Medical Expenses: Every bill from the emergency room, hospital stays, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, and prescription medications is tallied. This also includes the estimated cost of any future medical care you may require.
- Lost Income: The paychecks you have lost from being unable to work. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or earning the same income, we can also pursue compensation for your diminished earning capacity.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle.
Non-Economic Damages: The Personal Impact
These damages compensate you for the non-financial ways the accident has rewritten your life.
- Pain and Suffering: For the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, family activities, or daily routines you once valued.
How Does Florida's Comparative Fault Rule Affect Your Claim?
Florida law follows a "modified comparative fault" system. It's a legal concept that means your total compensation may be reduced by the percentage you are found to be at fault for the crash. However, if your percentage of fault is determined to be more than 50%, you are barred from recovering any damages at all.
Insurance companies conduct thorough investigations to look for any evidence they can use to argue you were partially to blame. Our role is to build a strong case with clear evidence to ensure no amount of fault is unfairly placed on you.
What Evidence Do We Use to Build Your Case?
A successful claim depends on evidence that tells a clear and convincing story of what happened and how it has affected you. We leave no stone unturned in gathering the proof needed, such as:
- Official Police Reports: We obtain and analyze the official crash report, which contains the officer’s initial findings, diagrams, and witness information.
- Witness Statements: We contact and interview anyone who saw the accident to get their account of events, which sometimes reveals details the police report missed.
- Scene and Vehicle Evidence: We analyze photos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, and any other physical evidence that helps piece together the moments before impact.
- Electronic Data: Many modern vehicles have "black box" recorders that capture data on speed, braking, and steering. We can secure this data before it is erased.
- Video Footage: We search for footage from nearby traffic cameras, security cameras on buildings, or even doorbell cameras that may have captured the collision.
- Medical Records: Your medical records provide the official link between the crash and your injuries, documenting the extent of the harm you have suffered.
- Expert Testimony: For some cases, we hire accident reconstructionists who can use physics to show how the crash occurred and who was at fault. We also work with medical experts to demonstrate the long-term impact of your injuries.
Where Do Car Accidents Happen Most in Tampa?
A crash can happen on any road, but some streets and intersections in Hillsborough County see more collisions than others because of high traffic, confusing layouts, and constant congestion. Sadly, Hillsborough County has one of the highest traffic fatality rates for large counties in the United States.
We see accidents happen frequently at or near these locations:
- Bruce B. Downs Boulevard & Fletcher Avenue: Near the University of South Florida (USF), this area is filled with cars, buses, and cyclists, leading to a high number of collisions.
- Hillsborough Avenue & Sheldon Road: This busy intersection is a known hotspot, particularly for drivers making left turns who misjudge the speed of oncoming vehicles.
- I-275 & Busch Boulevard: The mix of commuters, tourists, and USF students makes this interchange a common site for merging and rear-end crashes.
- Dale Mabry Highway & Waters Avenue: With heavy traffic moving between homes and shopping centers, this intersection consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous in the city.
- Interstate 4: This major highway connecting Tampa to Daytona Beach is consistently named one of the most dangerous roads in the country, with a high rate of crashes per mile.
- Brandon Boulevard: A seven-mile stretch of this road averages an unusually high number of crashes per mile, making it another high-risk corridor.
Florida's Unique Car Accident Laws
What Does It Mean That Florida Is a "No-Fault" State?
After an accident, you first turn to your own car insurance policy to cover your immediate medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. This coverage is called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP.
PIP covers 80% of your initial medical bills and 60% of your lost wages, up to a total of $10,000. For anything beyond a minor injury, this $10,000 limit can be used up very quickly.
What Is the "Serious Injury Threshold"?
Because of the no-fault system, you can only file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering damages if your injuries meet a specific legal standard. This is known as the "serious injury threshold." According to Florida Statute 627.737, your injury must involve one of the following:
- Significant and permanent loss of a bodily function.
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability.
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement.
- Death.
An insurance company may argue that your injuries do not meet this standard to avoid paying these damages. We work with your doctors to gather the evidence needed to prove the true, long-term impact of your injuries.
Common Injuries That Meet Florida's "Serious Injury" Standard
Certain injuries are more likely to qualify as "serious" under Florida law because of their long-term or permanent effects on a person's life.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): A TBI might result from a violent jolt to the head, causing symptoms like persistent headaches, cognitive difficulties, and loss of coordination. Because these injuries permanently alter brain function in some cases, they frequently meet the serious injury threshold.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and other permanent functional losses. Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of these devastating injuries.
- Whiplash: This neck injury is caused by a rapid back-and-forth motion of the head, common in rear-end crashes. While some cases heal, severe whiplash can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, and headaches that constitute a permanent injury.
- Complex Bone Fractures: A simple fracture may heal completely, but severe breaks that require surgery, pins, or plates may result in permanent mobility issues, arthritis, or chronic pain.
- Significant Scarring or Burns: Disfiguring scars, particularly on the face, neck, or hands, can have a permanent physical and psychological impact, easily meeting the threshold.
Actions You Should Take to Strengthen Your Case
While we handle the investigation and negotiations, there are steps you can take to protect the value of your claim.
- Follow Your Doctor's Treatment Plan: Go to all your appointments, attend every physical therapy session, and follow all medical advice. If you stop treatment, an insurance company will argue your injuries were not as serious as you claimed.
- Stay Off Social Media: Do not post pictures, videos, or updates about the accident, your injuries, or your activities. A photo from a "good day" can be taken out of context and used by an insurer to argue you are not really hurt. The safest choice is to stay off social media until your case is resolved.
- Keep a Pain Journal: Each day, write down your pain levels, physical limitations, and how your injuries affect your work, sleep, and ability to do daily tasks. This becomes a powerful record of your suffering.
- Keep All Your Paperwork: Hold on to every bill, receipt, and letter related to the crash. This includes medical bills, pharmacy receipts, and pay stubs showing your lost wages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have a case if the at-fault driver fled the scene?
Yes. If you have Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy, we can file a claim to cover your damages. This type of insurance is designed for hit-and-run accidents and crashes caused by drivers with no insurance. In 2023, Hillsborough County reported over 7,000 hit-and-run incidents, so this is a common problem.
What if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough?
This is precisely what Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is for. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, your UM coverage acts as their insurance. If they have insurance but your damages exceed their policy limits, your UIM coverage can make up the difference.
Will I have to go to the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa?
Probably not. The vast majority of car accident cases are settled out of court through negotiations. However, insurance companies are more likely to offer a fair settlement when they know your lawyers are fully prepared to take a case to trial if needed. We prepare every case for the courtroom, which is why most of our cases never have to see one.
The police report says the accident was my fault, but I disagree. What now?
An officer's opinion on a traffic report is not the final word. We conduct our own independent investigation, using accident reconstructionists, witness statements, and physical evidence to show what really happened and challenge incorrect findings.
I was a passenger in a car driven by a friend. Can I file a claim?
Yes. As an injured passenger, you have the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver's insurance, even if that driver was a friend or family member. This is why people carry insurance—to provide financial protection for anyone harmed in a crash they cause.
You Don't Have to Do This Alone
The thought of a legal claim can be draining. We get it. Your energy should be focused on one thing: your health. Let us take the entire legal burden from you.
The first step is understanding your options so you can make an informed decision. Our team at Holliday Karatinos Law Firm is ready to handle the legal details so you can focus on getting better. We will protect your rights and pursue the maximum compensation available under the law.
Call us for a free, no-pressure consultation to discuss what happened. We’ll provide clear answers and help you map out the next steps. Contact us today at (813) 868-1887.
