October 6, 2024

You were just driving home through Tampa when another driver’s mistake turned an ordinary day into a nightmare. Now you are hurt, your car accident has left you with mounting medical bills, and an insurance adjuster is already working to pay you as little as possible. Here is what you need to know before you accept anything they offer. The Reyes Firm Hurt in a Car Accident in Tampa? Get clear next steps and protect what your claim is worth. Had a bad day? Contact Us Now 2 Years Florida statute of limitations Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a) $10,000 Florida minimum PIP coverage Fla. Stat. § 627.736 14 Days Deadline to seek care for PIP Fla. Stat. § 627.736(1)(a) 50% Fault share that bars recovery Fla. Stat. § 768.81 A car accident can leave you overwhelmed, in pain, and unsure what to do next. The choices you make in the days that follow, from getting medical care to dealing with insurers, can shape both your recovery and your right to compensation. Here is how Florida law works, how a lawyer can help, and what your case may be worth. Can you sue the at-fault driver after a car accident in Tampa? In many cases, yes, but Florida’s no-fault system adds a step that other states do not. Negligence is usually the central question, meaning whether another driver failed to act with reasonable care, such as speeding, driving distracted, or running a red light. If a negligent driver caused your crash and your injuries are serious enough to meet Florida’s legal threshold, you can pursue them directly for the full value of your losses. Because that threshold and the deadlines around it can be complex, the steps you take early and the lawyer you choose can shape your entire case. ⚠️ 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. How does Florida’s no-fault car insurance system work? Florida is one of a handful of no-fault states, which changes how your medical bills get paid after a crash. Every driver is required to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection coverage under Florida Statute § 627.736. This coverage pays a portion of your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident, up to your policy limit. No-fault does not mean you are stuck with only PIP, however. When your injuries are serious, such as permanent injury, significant scarring, or loss of an important bodily function, you can step outside the no-fault system and hold the at-fault driver responsible for your full damages, including pain and suffering. 💡 Did You Know? Florida’s PIP law requires you to seek initial medical care within 14 days of your car accident. If you wait longer than 14 days to be seen, you can lose access to your Personal Injury Protection benefits entirely, even if your injuries are real and serious. Source: Fla. Stat. § 627.736(1)(a). How can a car accident lawyer help with your claim? A car accident lawyer protects your rights at every stage and takes the pressure of the claim off your shoulders. Insurance companies handle thousands of claims and use practiced tactics to minimize what they pay, and an experienced attorney knows how to counter them. Your lawyer can investigate the crash, gather evidence, establish the other driver’s negligence, document the full extent of your injuries, and negotiate from a position of strength. Just as important, a good lawyer makes sure every deadline is met and every form is filed correctly, so a technicality never costs you your claim. Because most personal injury attorneys, including The Reyes Firm, work on a contingency fee basis, you can get that help without paying anything upfront. What types of car accidents and injuries are most common in Florida? Florida sees a wide range of crashes, and the type often points to who was at fault. Common collisions include rear-end crashes, which frequently result from distracted or tailgating drivers, head-on collisions, which can be catastrophic, side-impact or T-bone crashes at intersections, and rollovers. Identifying the type of crash helps your lawyer build the right strategy. The injuries that follow range from painful to permanently disabling, and some are not obvious right away. Among the most common are: Whiplash and neck injuries from the violent motion of impact, which can cause lasting pain and limited mobility Concussions and traumatic brain injuries, where a traumatic brain injury can range from a mild concussion to permanent cognitive damage Broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis, sometimes requiring surgery and months of recovery Spinal cord injuries, where a serious spinal cord injury can lead to partial or complete paralysis Internal injuries such as organ damage or internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening and are not always visible When a crash causes life-altering harm, the case may rise to the level of a catastrophic injury claim, which carries higher stakes and demands careful documentation of long-term needs. Why do car accident cases move faster than you think? The evidence that proves your case is strongest right after the crash and weakens with every passing day. Skid marks fade, vehicles get repaired or scrapped, traffic and surveillance footage gets overwritten, and witness memories blur. Florida’s 14-day deadline to seek medical care adds even more urgency, because a delay can cost you both your benefits and a clear medical record linking your injuries to the crash. Acting quickly lets your lawyer preserve evidence, secure witness statements, and document your injuries while everything is still fresh. The sooner you start, the stronger your claim. Watch: What to Do After a Car Accident in Tampa If you prefer to hear it explained, the short video below walks through the first steps after a Tampa car accident. When you are ready to talk through your own situation,