HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

Traffic accidents in Hillsborough County can occur on city streets, country roads, and highways. Common motor vehicle crashes can include:

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end accidents, where the front of one car hits the rear of another, are almost par for the course in urban traffic. While low-speed rear-end crashes are typically minor, high-speed accidents or those involving a commercial truck can be catastrophic. Rear-end crashes can be caused by dangerous driving, such as tailgating, driving distracted, and speeding.  

T-Bone Accidents

T-Bone accidents, also called side-impact collisions, involve one car slamming into the side of another. These crashes can be common at intersections when drivers run red lights or make illegal U-turns. T-Bone accidents can cause catastrophic injuries as they involve the largely unprotected sides of the car.

Sideswipe Accidents

Sideswipe accidents can occur when drivers fail to check their blind spots, leading to vehicles coming into contact with each other. Such accidents typically happen when drivers merge into traffic or change lanes. While sideswipes at low speeds are generally minor, such accidents can lead to significant injury and car damage at high speeds.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on or frontal crashes occur when cars driving in opposite directions collide. While head-on collisions are not as frequent as some other types of accidents, they are more likely to result in fatalities and severe injuries to drivers and passengers. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), frontal impact crashes in 2020 caused almost 60 percent of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths in the US.

Any motor vehicle accident can cause physical, mental, and financial struggles. If you were hurt in a collision, you could qualify for compensation from the responsible driver.

Knowing what to do at the traffic accident scene and in the days following can be crucial for protecting your rights. While car crash scenes can be chaotic and overwhelming, keeping a clear head is essential. If you are involved in an accident in Hillsborough County, do the following:

• Stay at the accident scene
• Call 911 for the police and medical assistance
• Check on any injured individuals and offer help if you can
• Exchange contact details and insurance information with other drivers
• Take photos of the accident scene, car damage, and injuries
• Ask eyewitnesses for their contact details
• Contact your car insurer
• See a doctor and document your injuries
• Gather receipts of any out-of-pocket costs in connection with the crash
• Contact a car accident lawyer for advice

If someone else causes your Hillsborough County traffic accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and financial losses. Common compensable injuries in car accidents can include:

• Whiplash
• Head and brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries and internal bleeding
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Spinal cord injury
• Emotional trauma

Severe or disabling injuries can change lives and cause devastating impacts on a victim’s career, home life, and financial situation. If this has happened to you or a loved one, Morgan & Morgan has your back. We could help you recover the settlement you need and deserve.

You should not have to shoulder your costs alone if another is liable for your accident. While compensation varies from one traffic accident to another, you could qualify for the following damages and others:

• Medical expenses and future healthcare costs
• Wage losses and future loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disability
• Scarring

A car accident lawyer can determine the worth of your claim, prove your damages, and fight for the settlement you need.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that most crashes occur due to driver error or carelessness. Common negligent driving behaviors include:

• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of drink or drugs
• Driving distracted
• Violating traffic laws or ignoring signs and signals
• Driving generally dangerously

While to you, the fault for the accident clearly lies with the other side, you will need to prove your claim to receive compensation. An attorney from Morgan & Morgan can help show the following four elements of a personal injury case:

1. The other party owed you a duty of care
2. They breached their duty, for example, by driving drunk
3. The other party’s breach of duty caused your crash and injury
4. There are damages, such as healthcare costs or others

Proving the negligence of a driver or another responsible party can be tricky. Having a seasoned traffic accident lawyer by your side can be essential for establishing your claim and receiving the compensation you deserve.

Accidents We Handle

Here at Morgan & Morgan, we have dedicated our lives to helping the injured receive the compensation they and their families need for moving forward after severe car crashes. Traffic accidents we handle include, among others:

• Car crashes
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle crashes
• Bus accidents
• Bicycle collisions
• Pedestrian accidents

Hiring an attorney can be critical if you suffered significant injuries or a loved one died in a car crash. The aftermath of a severe accident can be stressful and overwhelming. You might have to negotiate a settlement with an insurance company or file a lawsuit to get what you deserve. Our traffic accident attorneys can be by your side every step of the way and handle your accident claim from start to finish so you can focus on recovery. In general, working with an attorney is highly advisable in the following cases:
 

• You suffered catastrophic or disabling injuries
• There are steep medical bills
• Your loved one passed away from car crash injuries
• You have lost wages
• Fault for the accident is unclear
• The insurance company is making lowball offers
• Your claim was denied
• You have non-economic damages, such as pain and anguish
• You may not be able to work again

Morgan & Morgan offers free consultations, allowing victims to learn about their legal rights and the next best steps after a traffic accident in Hillsborough County.

Experiencing an accident with a truck can be traumatizing and result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. In addition, truck accidents can be highly complicated. Determining the at-fault party is typically more complex than in car crashes. Trucking companies are generally regulated by state and federal laws, meaning drivers and companies have responsibilities such as:

• Observing mandated rest periods
• Keeping accurate logbooks
• Documenting service and maintenance of trucks
• Carrying out periodic drug and alcohol testing

If a trucking company or driver implicated in an accident failed to observe state or federal regulations, victims could have a strong claim. Injured individuals may also have several avenues for recovering compensation, such as a truck driver, a trucking company, a maintenance garage, or even a truck manufacturer. However, determining fault may require professional accident investigators and research into a trucking company’s records.

If you or a loved one suffered harm in a truck accident in Hillsborough County, consider working with an experienced and determined traffic accident lawyer who can help you navigate the legal process.

If you suffered significant injuries or a loved one died in a crash, getting a lawyer can be essential for asserting your rights to justice and compensation. Our experienced and motivated traffic accident lawyers have helped thousands of crash victims recover compensation. We can:

Help You Navigate the Legal Process

Knowing what to do for the best after a car crash can be tricky. However, our lawyers can take you by the hand and walk you through your next best steps and legal options. Importantly, we can identify all potentially liable parties and avenues for recovering compensation and move forward with a claim on your behalf.

Determine the Worth of Your Claim

Knowing the value of your case is critical. However, many victims underestimate the extent of their damages, including their future potential medical expenses and income losses. Not knowing the worth of your claim can result in agreeing to a lowball settlement offer that you may later regret. Our attorneys can calculate your damages and losses accurately and prevent you from leaving money on the table in settlement negotiations.

Negotiate with the Insurance Provider

Most injured victims benefit from an advocate who safeguards their rights and negotiates aggressively with an insurer. Our attorneys can protect you from manipulative insurance companies seeking to deny, delay, or minimize your valid claim. We never shy away from taking an insurer to court if they refuse an adequate payout.

Present Your Case Strongly in Court

While in an ideal world, injured individuals should receive a quick and fair out-of-court settlement, some victims have to go all the way to trial to recover their due. Morgan & Morgan never settles for less. We can present your case powerfully at trial and fight tooth and nail for adequate compensation for your damages.

In Florida, you generally have four years to file a personal injury claim, per Florida Statute §95.11. If your loved one died in a car accident, you should file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years. Missing the deadline can make it impossible to get compensation. Consider contacting an attorney as soon as possible after your traffic accident to discover your options and the best timing for filing a lawsuit.

We know that obtaining a fast settlement is essential for victims who may be facing considerable expenses, medical bills, and wage losses. While most car accident claims are resolved out of court, which can happen in a few weeks, some invariably go to trial because the parties cannot agree on a fair settlement amount. Therefore, it is impossible to determine, at the outset, whether your claim may take a few weeks, several months, or even years to settle.

However, Morgan & Morgan understands that you want to put the crash behind you and move forward with your life. Our motivated attorneys work tirelessly for the best possible outcome in the shortest timeframe.

Morgan & Morgan wants all injured victims to have the best representation and the best shot at getting what they deserve, regardless of their finances. We don’t want you to take on any financial risks to fight for what you deserve after getting hurt in a car accident. Therefore, you pay no upfront attorney’s fees when we take your case. Morgan & Morgan’s fee is free unless and until we win and you receive compensation.

Our biggest reward is seeing clients recover from their injuries and receive the settlement they deserve after getting hurt in a car crash. Morgan & Morgan has fought for the injured for more than three decades, recovering over $30 billion in damages. We could help you too. Contact us today for a free and confidential case review to learn about your rights and options.