November 18, 2019

You were just driving home like any other day. Then another driver wasn’t paying attention and a car accident changed everything. Now you’re shaken, hurting, unsure what to do next, and the other driver’s insurance company is already working to protect their interests. Here’s the exact process to follow before you say another word to them. TL;DR — QUICK SUMMARY Your first moves after a crash — calling 911, getting medical care, and documenting the scene — protect both your health and your future claim. Florida is a no-fault state, so you must seek medical treatment within 14 days to keep your Personal Injury Protection benefits. Never give a recorded statement or accept a fast settlement from the other driver’s insurer before you understand your injuries. Under Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a), you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If another driver’s negligence injured you, you may recover beyond PIP through their bodily injury liability coverage and your own uninsured motorist coverage. The Reyes Firm Hurt in a Car Accident in Tampa? Get clear next steps after a serious crash. Had a bad day? Contact Us Now 14 Days To seek care and keep PIP benefits Fla. Stat. § 627.736 $10,000 Florida minimum PIP coverage Fla. Stat. § 627.736 2 Years Florida statute of limitations Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a) 50%+ Fault that bars recovery in Florida Fla. Stat. § 768.81 What is the first thing you should do after a car accident in Tampa? The first thing to do after a car accident in Tampa is make sure everyone is safe, then call 911. Even if the crash seems minor, an official police report creates a neutral record of what happened, who was involved, and that emergency responders were notified — and that record becomes one of the most important pieces of evidence in your claim. Once you’re safe and the police are on the way, your focus shifts to two things at the same time: protecting your health and protecting your case. The choices you make in the first hours and days often shape what you’re able to recover later. Can you file a claim after a car accident in Tampa, Florida? Yes, you can file a claim after a car accident in Tampa if another driver’s negligence caused or contributed to the crash. A driver who was speeding, distracted, ran a red light, or failed to yield can be held financially responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The key is acting before the deadline passes and before evidence disappears. Vehicles get repaired, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and witness memories fade within days. The sooner a Tampa car accident lawyer starts preserving the facts, the stronger your claim tends to be. ⚠️ Deadline Warning: Under Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a), you generally have two years from the date of your crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to recover anything. Don’t wait to call a lawyer. Watch: What to do after a car accident in Tampa This short video walks through the steps to take in the minutes and days after a crash to protect your health and your claim. If you have questions after watching, The Reyes Firm offers a free consultation so you can talk through your specific situation with a real attorney. How does Florida’s no-fault insurance work after a car accident? Florida is a no-fault state, which means your own Personal Injury Protection coverage pays first after a crash, regardless of who caused it. Under Florida Statute § 627.736, PIP covers a portion of your medical bills and lost wages up to your policy limit, commonly $10,000. There’s a critical catch: you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the crash, or you can lose your PIP benefits entirely. And because PIP only goes so far, drivers with serious injuries often need to step outside the no-fault system and pursue the at-fault driver directly for the rest of their losses. 💡 Did You Know? Florida’s no-fault law requires you to seek medical care within 14 days of a crash to qualify for Personal Injury Protection benefits. Wait longer, and your insurer can deny PIP coverage for those injuries — even if the other driver was clearly at fault. Source: Fla. Stat. § 627.736, leg.state.fl.us. Who is liable after a car accident in Tampa? Liability after a car accident comes down to who failed to use reasonable care, and most often that’s the other driver. A motorist who was texting, tailgating, running a light, or driving impaired can be held responsible for the harm they caused. Sometimes more than one party shares fault. An employer whose driver was working at the time, a vehicle or parts manufacturer, a maintenance shop, or a government entity responsible for a dangerous road condition can all be pulled into a claim. Identifying every responsible party matters, because it often determines how much insurance coverage is actually available to pay for your injuries. 🛡️ Your Rights Under Florida Law: Under Florida Statute § 768.81, your compensation is reduced by your share of fault, and you may be barred from recovery if you are found greater than 50% responsible for your own harm. An experienced Tampa car accident lawyer works to protect the facts, challenge unfair blame, and keep your percentage of fault as low as the evidence allows. What is a car accident case worth in Tampa, Florida? There’s no flat dollar figure, because a car accident case is worth what your specific losses add up to. Two crashes that look similar on paper can settle very differently depending on the severity of the injuries and how the wreck has changed your life. The value of your claim generally reflects past and future medical treatment, lost wages and lost earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, property damage, and the physical pain and emotional toll you carry. Serious outcomes —