Tampa Car Accident Lawyer

Collisions along North Tampa Street and other local roads are a daily reality in Tampa, Florida. When someone’s negligence causes a wreck, injured victims can pursue fair compensation for the harm they suffered. A Tampa car accident lawyer can play a key role in protecting claimants’ rights and interests throughout the process. Injury lawyers bring years or decades of experience to these matters, and their support can streamline the process. 

Trust Spangenberg Shibley & Liber’s Dedicated Lawyers

The dedicated injury lawyers at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber understand the hardships and setbacks that can follow a serious car collision. Since 1946, we have stood by victims of personal injuries in their pursuit of justice and accountability. Our track record of success is reflected in the more than $1 billion in compensation we have secured through settlements and court verdicts. However, past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.

We are proud to receive referrals from fellow attorneys who trust us to provide focused legal representation to their clients, friends, and family members. Our focus on complex, high-value claims allows us to dedicate significant time and resources to the cases we accept and has contributed to numerous six- and seven-figure verdicts and settlements. We serve clients in Ohio and Florida. 

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Tampa

According to the city of Tampa, an average of 44 people die, and another 289 receive life-altering injuries on Tampa roads each year. Tampa uses crash data to identify its most dangerous roads and prioritize safety improvements through its Vision Zero initiative, including rapid infrastructure changes, traffic-calming measures, and longer-term transportation projects. Still, collisions remain a significant cause of preventable injuries and death every year. 

Distracted driving is a leading cause of car crashes across the country, and 315,167 people were injured due to this form of driver negligence in 2024. Common sources of distracted driving include smartphones and navigation systems. When someone eats while driving or takes their attention off the road for other reasons, they can cause collisions that injure innocent nearby drivers and passengers. 

The crime rate in Tampa is 15.82 per 1,000 residents per year on average, and drunk driving contributes to those figures. When someone is intoxicated, they are less able to react to changing road conditions. They may drift into another lane or directly cause a collision due to their erratic driving. Driver fatigue, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and aggressive driving can also cause wrecks along West Kennedy Boulevard, Selmon Expressway, and elsewhere in Tampa. 

What Should You Do After a Tampa Car Accident?

The steps you take after a Tampa car accident can protect your health, support your recovery, and position you for a favorable outcome in your injury claim. A serious collision should be reported to law enforcement by calling 911. Wait somewhere safe until paramedics and law enforcement arrive. Let the medics examine you for injuries. You may require urgent transportation to Tampa General Hospital, located at 1 Tampa General Circle here in Tampa. 

If you are able to, take photographs of the scene of the crash. Gather the names of drivers involved in the crash and potential eyewitnesses. Do not rush your recovery and follow your doctor’s guidelines carefully. The Tampa Police Department allows motorists to request copies of traffic and crash reports through its public records system. 

Your attorney can review the report alongside photographs, medical records, witness statements, and other evidence when determining fault and pursuing compensation. Once sufficient evidence has been gathered, your attorney can pursue compensation through direct negotiations or litigation. 

Compensation You May Recover After a Car Accident

A serious car accident can leave you facing unexpected financial hardships. With support from an attorney, your compensation can address medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and future medical treatments resulting from your injuries. If you suffer a permanent disability, the cost of long-term care and necessary modifications to your home may also contribute to the value of your claim.

You may also be eligible to recover non-economic damages for losses that do not have a direct monetary value. A fair settlement can address physical pain, emotional suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. The amount you ultimately recover will depend on the severity of your injuries, your financial losses, available insurance coverage, and evidence your lawyer gathers to support your claim. 

How Is Fault Established After a Car Accident?

Fault is established after a car accident by examining evidence to gain an understanding of the factors that contributed to the collision. Objective evidence like the police report, eyewitness statements, and photographs of the crash site can all be used to establish which driver or drivers were responsible for causing a wreck. Traffic violations, such as speeding and running a red light, can also be used to determine which party is liable for the harm you suffered. 

Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Collision

Insurance companies may contact you shortly after a car accident to ask questions about the collision and your injuries. Avoid admitting fault, speculating about what happened, or downplaying your injuries. You should also be cautious about accepting an early settlement offer before you understand the full extent of your losses.

Your attorney can handle communications with the insurance carrier and submit evidence supporting your claim. Settlement negotiations typically involve an initial demand followed by offers and counteroffers between the parties. If negotiations do not lead to a fair settlement, your lawyer can pursue compensation through a civil court action at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse at 800 E. Twiggs Street here in Tampa. 

Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a car collision, your first step should be to hire a car accident lawyer who brings years of experience managing cases similar to your car accident claim. Florida’s car accidents are complex, and you may not be able to hold the at-fault party accountable if a Tampa car accident attorney does not represent you. 

When you secure legal support, you gain representation from an advocate who understands Florida’s car accident laws and the steps that are needed to establish liability and pursue compensation. An attorney can initiate talks with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. When necessary, they can file a claim in court or request a trial date. During a challenging time, their support can prove crucial for holding the at-fault driver accountable for causing your injury. 

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has a proven record of securing substantial results in serious motor vehicle cases. Among our many favorable court verdicts is a $2.1 million verdict that compensated five children whose parents were killed by a negligent driver. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

We bring that record of trial advocacy to clients in Tampa. When a collision causes catastrophic injuries or losses, our attorneys can investigate liability, assess available insurance coverage, and build a case that accounts for both the immediate and lasting financial consequences.

FAQs

Q: Can You Recover Compensation if You Were Partially at Fault for a Car Accident in Florida?

A: Yes, you can recover compensation if you were partially at fault for causing a collision. Being partially responsible for a Florida car accident does not necessarily prevent you from recovering compensation. Under the state’s modified comparative negligence rule, your share of fault can reduce the amount you recover. However, drivers found more than 50% responsible for causing a wreck are generally barred from recovering damages. 

Q: What Happens if You Don’t Report an Accident Within 24 Hours in Florida?

A: Florida does not require every car accident to be reported within 24 hours. Certain crashes, including those involving injuries, deaths, or significant property damage, must be reported to law enforcement immediately. Failing to report an accident when legally required can result in a traffic violation. A police report can also provide important documentation when you later seek compensation through an insurance or injury claim.

Q: What Should You Legally Do After a Car Accident in Florida?

A: After a Florida car accident in Wellswood, Tampa Heights, or elsewhere in Tampa, you should stop at the scene and exchange contact, vehicle, and insurance information with the other driver. You must also report serious crashes to law enforcement. If someone is injured, you must provide reasonable assistance, which may include arranging emergency medical care. You have the right to secure legal representation to represent you in your claim. 

Q: How Does Insurance Work if an Accident Wasn’t Your Fault?

A: Even when another driver causes a Florida car accident, your own personal injury protection coverage can pay certain medical expenses and lost income. When your injuries are serious enough to support a claim against the at-fault driver, their liability insurance may provide additional compensation. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also become important when the responsible driver does not carry enough insurance to cover your losses.

Q: How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Florida?

A: Florida generally gives injured motorists two years to file a negligence claim in court following a car accident. Civil court actions are governed by different deadlines than cases handled only through direct negotiations with insurance carriers. Starting the civil court claims process sooner rather than later gives your attorney more time to document what happened and pursue compensation from the party responsible.

Injured in a Tampa Car Accident? Contact Spangenberg Shibley & Liber Today

A serious car accident can leave you facing mounting medical bills, lost income, and injuries that disrupt nearly every aspect of your life. Spangenberg Shibley & Liber represents people facing substantial losses after preventable injuries. As our firm expands its presence in Florida, Tampa clients can benefit from the same focused representation that has defined our practice for decades.

Since 1946, our trial lawyers have secured more than $1 billion in settlements and favorable verdicts for our clients.Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

We focus on complex, high-value claims and are prepared to invest the time and resources needed to build a compelling case for compensation. Whether your claim is resolved through settlement negotiations or requires a jury trial, you can trust our award-winning attorneys to see it through. Contact Spangenberg Shibley & Liber today to discuss your Tampa car accident claim.