Tampa Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents happen every day in the Tampa area for various reasons. Tampa is one of the busiest metropolitan areas in Florida, and locals and tourists alike face many unpredictable dangers on local roads. If you or a family member is hurt in an accident caused by another driver, you need to speak with a Tampa car accident lawyer at your first opportunity to discuss your options for recovering from the incident.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Car Accident Victims in Tampa, FL

The Amarosa Law Firm, P.A., can provide compassionate legal counsel when you need it most after a damaging car accident. Our firm has cultivated a strong reputation as a leading choice for personal injury counsel in the Tampa area, and we have successfully helped many past clients recover substantial compensation for the damages caused by other drivers’ negligence and misconduct behind the wheel.

You’re likely to have many difficult legal questions in the aftermath of your accident, and it is possible for you to encounter a host of complex issues as you pursue compensation for the damages you suffered. Whether your accident happened on I-4, US-301, or the many notorious stretches of Brandon Boulevard or Gibsonton Drive, it’s possible for your accident to have caused severe damages, and you will need an attorney’s help to recover.

Even if you know exactly how your accident happened and who is responsible, the formal process of establishing liability and holding the defendant accountable for your damages is likely to be more difficult than you might expect.

With an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer representing you, you can approach your case with greater confidence and peace of mind. The Amarosa Law Firm, P.A., can work diligently to gather the proof of liability you need to hold the defendant accountable for your damages. We can help you with your auto insurance claim and build a strong personal injury case for you to ensure maximum compensation for your damages.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Tampa

Before you are able to recover any compensation for the damages you suffered, it will be important to establish fault for the accident. Note that while Florida upholds a no-fault system for vehicle accidents, it generally applies to auto insurance after accidents resulting in minimal harm. Whenever such an accident occurs, a driver’s own insurance will cover the damages, regardless of who caused the accident.

However, if you suffered any type of catastrophic personal injury, or if the other driver caused a fatal injury to your loved one in the accident, you will likely have grounds to pursue further compensation from the at-fault driver than what your personal auto insurance can cover. Your Tampa car accident lawyer can examine the details of your case and determine the optimal way you can establish liability for the accident.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) recorded more than 26,000 vehicle crashes in Hillsborough County in 2024. These accidents caused 181 fatalities and more than 17,000 injuries. Most car accidents in Tampa are the results of negligence, such as:

• Distracted driving. This is one of the most commonly cited causes of car accidents throughout Florida each year. Texting while driving or other distractions can easily lead to severe accidents. Your Tampa car accident lawyer can determine what evidence you will need to prove that an at-fault driver was distracted in causing your accident.
• Posted speed limits are not suggestions, and while it is relatively common to see drivers moving a few miles per hour above posted speed limits, any level of speeding is potentially dangerous. Speeding reduces the time and distance a driver has to react to sudden changes on the road, and accidents that happen at higher speeds are more likely to result in severe injuries.
• Moving violations. Drivers have a duty of care to respect posted traffic signs and signals. Failure to stop for a red light or stop sign, illegal turns, and failure to yield the right-of-way are some of the most commonly reported moving violations that result in accidents throughout the Tampa area each year.
• Negligent vehicle maintenance. Drivers are required to keep their vehicles in good working order. When a driver notices any mechanical problem with their vehicle, they should address it immediately. Failure to do so could lead to an accident, and if it is shown the driver knew of the problem with their vehicle but failed to take reasonable steps to address it, it can qualify as liability for the resulting accident.

These are just a few examples of how driver negligence can easily cause serious car accidents in the Tampa area. It is also possible for illegal misconduct like intoxicated driving to cause an accident, in which case the at-fault driver will face criminal prosecution along with civil liability for damages they inflicted on others. Tampa has a very active nightlife scene, and this, unfortunately, results in many incidents of intoxicated driving.

You may recall exactly how your accident happened, or you may have no memory of the crash due to your injuries. In either case, you will need an experienced attorney’s help to gather the evidence you will need to establish liability and hold the defendant accountable for the harm they have caused. You can still file an auto insurance claim, but it is important to know what to expect with this step of your recovery process.

First Things to Do After a Car Accident

The aftermath of any accident can be traumatic and confusing. If you suffered serious injuries, it is important to remain where you are and wait for first responders to arrive. Do not move and risk making your injuries worse. However, if you are able to do so safely, taking time to record as much as you can from the scene of the crash could be invaluable to your case. You also need to call 911 to report any accident resulting in serious property damage, injury, or death.

When first responders arrive, they will provide medical attention to anyone injured, and if you are not critically injured, the police may ask a few questions. Remember to be careful with your word choice when speaking with the police. Be honest when answering their questions, but do not say anything that could be construed as an admission of fault. Even under Florida’s no-fault rule, admitting any type of fault could severely complicate your recovery efforts.

Seek medical care right away, even if you think you only sustained minor injuries, and then reach out to a Tampa car accident lawyer at your first opportunity. They can help you build your auto insurance claim and, if applicable to your situation, determine whether you have grounds to pursue a personal injury case. Seeking legal counsel right away ensures you will be ready to build an effective case as efficiently as possible and meet applicable filing deadlines.

Dealing With Auto Insurance in Tampa

Every driver in Florida is required to have auto insurance that includes personal injury protection. When an accident happens, a driver uses their own insurance to pay for their damages regardless of who caused the accident. However, Tampa is ranked in the top 10 US cities for the highest number of uninsured drivers, and more than 20% of drivers in Tampa do not meet the state’s minimum insurance coverage requirements.

If you do have required coverage, your Tampa car accident lawyer can help you file your claim to your insurer. It is important to understand that insurance carriers in Florida will almost always look for ways to minimize settlements. They often attempt to use claimants’ own words against them whenever possible in their efforts to justify lowball settlement offers or unfair claim denials.

Your Tampa car accident lawyer can help you file your claim and will ensure you are treated fairly. The Amarosa Law Firm, P.A., has extensive experience dealing with major auto insurance carriers throughout Florida, and we know the tactics they may attempt to use against you in their efforts to minimize a claim payout. Trust our team to help you maximize your insurance claim settlement and pursue further legal recourse if you have grounds to do so.

Building a Personal Injury Case After a Car Accident in Tampa

Florida’s no-fault rule for vehicle accidents and insurance may appear to be a barrier to seeking compensation from the driver who caused your accident. However, under certain conditions, it is possible for an injured driver to have grounds to file a personal injury suit against the driver responsible for their accident in Tampa.

If a car accident results in a catastrophic injury that involves any level of permanent harm, it is likely that the victim will have grounds to pursue a personal injury case against the at-fault driver. This means you could recover compensation beyond what your auto insurance policy provides, but to succeed with your personal injury case, you must be prepared to prove the defendant is entirely liable for your damages.

Success with any personal injury case in Tampa requires establishing four basic elements:

1. The defendant owed a duty of care in the situation. For example, a driver has a duty of care to operate their vehicle attentively.
2. The defendant breached this duty of care. Distracted driving is an example of how a driver breaches their duty of care to pay attention behind the wheel.
3. The defendant’s breach caused actual harm. The plaintiff must be ready to prove the full scope of the damages the defendant caused.
4. The plaintiff’s claimed damages directly resulted from the defendant’s actions and did not occur from any other cause. This establishes causation; you must prove your damages resulted from the defendant’s breach of duty and did not occur from any other cause.

Your Tampa car accident lawyer at the Amarosa Law Firm, P.A., can assist you in building the framework of your personal injury case. Our team has years of proven experience helping injured clients construct solid personal injury cases, and our goal for every client is maximum recovery.

It is possible for a defendant to allege comparative fault, and your Tampa car accident lawyer can be ready to address any such allegations that arise in your case. You have a short timeframe in which to build an effective personal injury case in Tampa, so it will be crucial for you to connect with an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer at your first opportunity after your accident.

Compensation in Your Personal Injury Case

The main objective of any personal injury case is to prove the exact cause of your accident and hold the defendant accountable for the damages they inflicted. It’s possible for a successful personal injury case in Tampa to yield compensation for economic damages such as:

• Property damage. When insurance does not fully cover property losses the defendant caused, it is possible to recover any outstanding property damage with a civil claim.
• Medical expenses. The defendant is liable for the full scope of medical expenses you incur from the accident they caused. You can not only claim compensation for immediate treatment costs following the accident but also for the cost of future medical care you will likely require to reach maximum medical improvement from your injuries.
• Lost income. If you suffered an injury severe enough to qualify you to file a personal injury case, you will likely be unable to work for an extended time while you recover. In this case, your attorney can help you hold the defendant accountable for the income you are unable to earn during your recovery. You may also have grounds to claim compensation for lost future earning capacity.

You may have an idea of the total economic damages you suffered from your accident, but your attorney may uncover additional avenues of recovery you did not realize were available to you. Additionally, you also have grounds to seek compensation for the pain and suffering the defendant caused.

It may sound difficult to calculate the economic value of intangible losses like physical pain and psychological distress, but your Tampa car accident lawyer at the Amarosa Law Firm, P.A., can help you determine a suitable figure to include in your case. Generally, the more serious the injury is, the more the plaintiff is likely to obtain in pain and suffering compensation.

What to Do After a Fatal Car Accident in Tampa

Florida Health reports that accidental injuries are a leading cause of death in Florida each year, responsible for more than 16,000 deaths in 2023 alone. While this statistic applies to all types of accidental deaths, car accidents are consistently ranked as a leading cause of fatal personal injuries in Tampa each year. If your loved one died in a car accident, you are likely to have many questions about your family’s legal options in the aftermath of the fatal incident.

If you can prove that another party is directly responsible for the death of your family member, it can form the basis for a wrongful death case. This type of personal injury case seeks compensation for the surviving family of the victim. If you believe you have grounds for such a case, it is imperative that you speak with an experienced attorney as quickly as possible.

What to Expect From Your Tampa Car Accident Lawyer

The right legal representative can have a tremendous positive impact on the outcome of your car accident case in Tampa. When you choose the Amarosa Law Firm, P.A., to represent you, you are investing in years of proven success in handling all types of accident cases. We are confident we can address the unique variables in your case and guide you to the recovery you deserve.

For many car accident victims in Florida, insurance is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome in your efforts to recover. Even if your auto insurance carrier has been helpful in the past, you should always expect an insurance company to push back against your claim in whatever way it can, especially if you suffered serious damages and are seeking maximum coverage from your policy.

Your Tampa car accident lawyer can assist you with filing your auto insurance claim, gathering any supporting evidence you need to submit to the insurance carrier, and ensuring they handle your claim in good faith. If you encounter any disputes with your insurer, your attorney can be ready to respond. Your attorney can also be prepared to build a personal injury case if you have grounds to file one.

In any personal injury case, it is possible for the plaintiff and the defendant to negotiate a settlement, or they may be compelled to resolve the case through litigation when negotiation is not a viable option. The Amarosa Law Firm, P.A., can explain the potential benefits and possible drawbacks of settlement and litigation in your personal injury case. Whatever your case requires, we can be ready to develop an individualized legal strategy for you.

You can also rely on us to clarify disputes regarding liability for your accident. Whether you are accused of sharing fault or you believe multiple parties share liability for your damages, we can resolve any such issues that arise to ensure the correct party or parties face accountability for your damages.

There is a time limit for pursuing compensation for your damages after a car accident in Tampa. You must report the accident to your insurer right away to ensure you can file your claim, and if you intend to file a personal injury suit, you must do so within the statute of limitations.

The first steps you take immediately following an accident can significantly impact your case, so it’s vital to reach out to a Tampa car accident lawyer right away to ensure the greatest chances of success in your recovery efforts.

FAQs

The team at the Amarosa Law Firm, P.A., has years of experience helping injured car accident victims navigate their cases and recover compensation for their damages. If you believe another driver is responsible for your recent accident, we can help you hold them accountable. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer.