While Temple Terrace is known for being slower-paced than nearby Tampa, many residents commute to Tampa daily, leading to high congestion and more accidents, especially as the city grows. In 2023, Hillsborough County, where Temple Terrace is located, reported 27,468 crashes, which sadly caused 18,876 injuries and 234 deaths.
These car accidents often lead to major consequences for accident victims. If you have been involved in a car accident that resulted in serious injuries, it’s likely that you are now dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and even ongoing changes to your personal life.
Although filing a successful car accident claim won’t erase these negative experiences, the money included in the settlement can make it easier for you to recover. Keep reading to learn more about the claim-filing process in Temple Terrace and how hiring an attorney can help.
The Car Accident Claim-Filing Process
Filing an auto accident claim in Temple Terrace generally involves the following steps.
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- Document injuries and damages by taking photos of any vehicle damage and the accident as a whole. Also, keep any medical documents related to accident injuries.
- File a police report by cooperating with the police after the accident. They will file a report on your behalf, which you can request a copy of later.
- Notify your insurance company, letting them know you were in an accident. They can provide the necessary forms to file your claim.
- Gather evidence to support your claim, like your police report, medical bills, and pictures.
- Seek legal advice from a car accident attorney. Law firms typically provide free case reviews, which you can use to figure out the best next steps for your situation and whether hiring a lawyer is right for you.
- File your claim, carefully filling out all information and submitting all supporting evidence. Your lawyer may do this on your behalf if you have one.
The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Among other things, a knowledgeable attorney will help you understand your rights, gather the necessary evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries, lost wages, and emotional suffering.
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can help you:
- Navigate complex legal issues
- Maximize compensation
- Help negotiate medical bills
- Protect your legal rights
Record verdict-winning attorney Chad K. Florin says, “It’s a good idea to take advantage of a free case review after an accident, even if you think the incident was straightforward. An attorney can help make sure you’re considering all relevant factors, such as whether your injuries need more time to heal before you assess the damage caused or if something you say or do can be used against you to lower or even deny your compensation.”
Car accident claims can be complicated, but having the right attorney on your side can make all the difference. If you or a loved one are thinking about filing a car accident claim in Temple Terrace, the experienced lawyers at Florin|Roebig law firm are here to help you succeed. Reach out today for a free case evaluation.
State Laws For Car Accident Cases
Temple Terrace follows Florida and Hillsborough County laws, as well as local ordinances. These can all have a big impact on your car accident case.
Traffic Laws
After a car accident, the police, attorneys, insurance agencies, and/or courts will all consider traffic laws to help them determine who was at fault—or, in other words, responsible for the accident. If one driver broke any laws like speeding or running a red light and that caused the accident, that can help prove they were negligent (careless) and, therefore, responsible for compensating anyone harmed in the accident.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
All Florida-registered vehicles must have the following car insurance coverage under the no-fault system:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP covers 80% (up to $10,000) of all “necessary and reasonable” medical expenses for an injury covered under the plan.
- Personal Damage Liability (PDL): PDL covers $10,000 of another driver’s vehicle or property damage in an accident if you’re at fault.
Attorney Chad Florin advises, “If you were injured in an accident, seek care as soon as possible. Florida has a 14-day accident law that requires PIP policyholders to get medical care within 14 days of the crash to receive coverage.”
The No-fault System
The Florida no-fault law also requires anyone involved in a car accident to turn to their own insurance to cover injury-related expenses, no matter who was at fault. That said, you may be eligible to file a claim against the at-fault driver or their insurance company in certain cases. This usually involves getting compensation for your damaged vehicle or serious injuries.
Third-party car accident claims require injuries that cause at least one of the following:
- Severe and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury
- Severe and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Legal Remedies Available To Accident Victims
Temple Terrace car accident victims can seek compensation in a few ways.
- First-party personal injury claims: These claims, filed with your own insurance company, can be helpful if you need quick coverage for medical bills and other injury-related expenses, but depending on your coverage, what they cover and how much they cover may be quite limited.
- Third-party personal injury claims: These claims, which are usually filed against the at-fault party’s insurance company, can potentially give you a lot more compensation for a wider array of accident-related losses, but they’re generally harder to win and take longer to receive.
- Personal injury lawsuits: You may need to file a lawsuit with the Hillsborough County court if you can’t reach a settlement agreement with the insurance company. This will usually pressure the insurer to come to the table and settle, but if your case goes to trial, a jury or judge will decide your compensation.
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Liability In Car Accident Cases
Any party legally responsible for compensating someone who’s been harmed in a car accident is described as liable.
Car accident cases in Temple Terrace may use the following to help determine liability:
- Negligence: Generally, if one person’s negligence caused an accident, they will be liable for compensating any crash victims.
- Strict liability: In some car accident cases, an entity may be liable regardless of negligence or intent. For example, the manufacturer of a defective seatbelt may be strictly liable in a case where that seatbelt caused the crash victim to suffer worse injuries.
- Vicarious liability: Sometimes one party is liable because of the actions of someone else. For example, a business may be vicariously liable because their on-the-job employee caused an accident that injured someone.
Understanding Consideration Of Negligence And Degree Of Fault
As of March 24, 2023, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard. This means that more than one person can be at fault in an accident and will be assigned a percentage of negligence—the extent to which their failure to take proper care caused the crash. This percentage will reduce their total compensation by the same amount, and if it’s over 50%, they can’t receive compensation at all.
For example, if you were ruled to be 15% negligent in an accident and your damages totaled $100,000, you could only collect $85,000.
Ways The Accident Can Impact Your Life
Whether you’re commuting to or from work in Tampa, driving under difficult weather conditions, or in some other circumstance when it happens, a car accident can upend your life in an instant, leading to financial, physical, and emotional hardship.
Some common struggles after a car accident include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of intimacy with a spouse or partner
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Death of a loved one
Car accident resources in Temple Terrace may include:
- Emergency services
- Temple Terrace Police Department
- Medical care providers
- Insurance companies
- Therapy and support groups for accident survivors
- Victim advocacy services
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit community safety organizations
- Car accident attorneys
Don’t hesitate to use the resources around you, including free case reviews from experienced legal experts like those at Florin|Roebig. Our attorneys are standing by at our local main office in Palm Harbor or over the phone to help you determine your legal options. Sign up today for a free case evaluation.
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What To Do After A Car Accident
If you find yourself in an accident, there are steps you can take immediately after to make the claim-filing process easier and potentially more successful later.
After a car accident in Temple Terrace:
- Check for injuries and, if needed, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention.
- Contact law enforcement to report your accident and to start the process of getting a police report filed.
- Gather information at the scene of the crash like contact details of witnesses and those involved in the accident.
- Document the accident scene by taking pictures and video.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
Florin|Roebig’s track record speaks for itself. Its seasoned, passionate attorneys have won several record-breaking settlements and jury awards throughout Florida, totaling more than $1 billion in compensation.
Florin Roebig car accident lawyers offer many services, including:
- Case evaluation
- Legal representation
- Negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation support
Florin|Roebig’s team of triple-board certified attorneys has a proven track record of success in handling car accident cases, offering personalized service and fighting tirelessly for their clients’ rights. When you trust Florin|Roebig with your case, you can rest assured that you are in the hands of a law firm that has the experience, resources, and dedication to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average settlement for a car accident in Temple Terrace?
Most settlements are thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, but they can be considerably higher depending on the circumstances, like the more than $1 million average at Florin|Roebig. Contact an attorney to get a realistic estimate of how much you can expect from your claim.
How long after an accident can you sue in Florida?
In Florida, you generally have two years from the day of the accident to file a lawsuit. Keep in mind that there are exceptions. Ask your lawyer about deadlines for your specific case.
Can I sue the at-fault driver in Florida?
If you were injured or suffered other damages in an accident, you may have grounds to sue the at-fault driver, the driver’s insurance company, or other parties. Talk to a car accident lawyer to explore your best options.
How to Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
By law, you are not required to hire a car accident lawyer to file a claim in Temple Terrace. However, hiring a qualified attorney can dramatically increase your chances of a positive outcome in court. At Florin|Roebig, we employ a team of seasoned professionals who serve clients across the state of Florida.
Our car accident lawyers serving clients in Temple Terrace include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Shaun M. Cummings
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
If you are interested in seeking legal advice from our legal team, you can contact our offices to schedule an appointment.
- Our website, florinroebig.com, has an option for requesting more information.
- You can call our phone number 24/7
- For more information regarding our services and free consultations, you can email us at [email protected]
- Or you can reach us at an office near you below.
Palm Harbor Office
Primary & Administrative Office
777 Alderman Road
Palm Harbor, Florida 34683
Being injured in a car accident can be a life-changing experience, but car accident claims exist to help get you back on your feet. If you have suffered serious injuries because of someone else’s negligence, the expert car accident lawyers at our firm are here to help you pursue a car accident claim. Please contact Florin|Roebig today to schedule a free consultation or to learn more.
