Get Answers to Your Car Accident Questions in Tampa and Across Florida
Tampa Car Accident Lawyer Armando Edmiston Explains Your Legal Rights
A car accident can turn your world upside down in seconds. Medical bills pile up, your vehicle is damaged, and insurance companies start calling before you’ve had time to process what happened. You deserve clear answers — not pressure or confusion.
At Armando Personal Injury Law, we help Floridians take back control after serious crashes. Armando Edmiston, a trusted Tampa auto accident attorney and founder of a personal injury law firm, has built his law firm around one goal: helping injured people who’ve experienced a serious vehicle crash understand their rights and get the compensation they deserve after serious auto accidents and vehicle collisions in Tampa and throughout Florida.
Legal FAQs About Car Accidents in Tampa & Florida: Your Crash Claim Questions Answered
- Do I Have a Car Accident Claim?
- Can I Still Get Compensation If I Was Partially At Fault for the Car Crash?
- Should I Accept a Settlement Offer Without Talking to a Lawyer?
- Why Do Insurance Companies Offer Quick Settlements?
- How Do I Get a Copy of My Florida Car Accident Report?
- Why Should I Talk to a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
- How Much Is the Average Car Accident Settlement?
- How Do Insurance Companies Calculate Car Accident Claims?
- What Happens If I Accept a Settlement Too Soon?
- Should I Call the Police After a Car Accident?
- Why Is It Important to Seek Medical Attention Right Away?
- What Is an Examination Under Oath (EUO)?
- How Long After a Car Accident Can I File a Lawsuit in Florida?
- How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Case?
- How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
- Will Dashcam Footage Help My Case?
Do I Have a Car Accident Claim?
If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you likely have the right to pursue compensation. Negligence can include distracted driving, speeding, running red lights, drunk driving, or failing to yield.
Even if you think the crash was “minor,” injuries like whiplash or concussions can worsen over time. Talking to a Tampa car accident lawyer early helps protect your rights, guides you through the Florida auto collision claims process, and prevents the insurance company from downplaying your injuries.
Can I Still Get Compensation If I Was Partially At Fault for the Car Crash?
As of March 24, 2023, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence law. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover compensation. If you’re 50 percent or less at fault, you can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your share of fault. Understanding comparative fault rules in Florida and how liability percentage in a Florida auto crash affects your claim is crucial.
Insurance adjusters often exaggerate fault to pay you less. A lawyer can investigate the crash, gather witness statements, and review traffic camera footage to show the truth about what really happened.
Should I Accept a Settlement Offer Without Talking to a Lawyer?
No — and this is one of the biggest mistakes people make after a crash. Insurance companies move fast after an accident because they know you’re vulnerable and under financial pressure. That quick settlement offer isn’t designed to help you. It’s designed to protect their bottom line.
Once you sign a settlement agreement, you can’t ask for more money later — even if your injuries get worse, or you need surgery or long-term care. That’s why it’s critical to talk to a Tampa car accident lawyer before signing anything to determine whether the insurance settlement after your car crash is fair and legal.
An attorney can calculate what your claim is truly worth, factoring in future medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A fair settlement should make you whole, not leave you struggling months later.
Before you ever accept an offer, speak with a Tampa car accident attorney to determine whether the insurance settlement reflects the full value of your crash claim, including future medical costs and long-term needs.
Why Do Insurance Companies Offer Quick Settlements?
- Insurance companies act quickly because they want to close claims for as little money as possible. Their tactics often include:
- Lowball Offers: Early payments that don’t reflect the full cost of your injuries.
- Pressure to Settle: Creating urgency by saying the offer is “limited” or will “expire soon.”
- Downplaying Injuries: Suggesting your pain isn’t serious or unrelated to the crash.
- Discouraging Legal Help: Saying you “don’t need a lawyer” to make you handle it alone.
- Bad Faith Tactics: Insurers may deny valid claims, delay payment without cause, or undervalue serious injuries — common tactics in Florida car accident insurance disputes.
A skilled attorney recognizes these tactics immediately and pushes back to make sure you get what you’re owed, not what the insurer thinks you’ll accept.
How Do I Get a Copy of My Florida Car Accident Report?
Crash reports are confidential for the first 60 days after an accident. During that time, only involved parties, insurance companies, lawyers, and certain government entities can access them.
After 60 days, reports become public record. You can request a copy through the Florida Crash Portal using your report number, VIN, or last name. It may take up to 10 days for reports to appear in the system.
If your crash happened in Tampa, you can also request the report from the Tampa Police Department. As your attorney, we’ll also request official vehicle crash documentation such as the Tampa Police accident report.
Why Should I Talk to a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
You deserve a strong legal advocate after a crash. An experienced accident lawyer in Tampa Bay will fight the insurance company’s team of lawyers and adjusters working to minimize your payout.
A Tampa car accident lawyer can:
- Investigate who was at fault and identify all sources of compensation.
- Calculate the full value of your damages, including future medical needs.
- Negotiate with insurance companies so you’re not pressured into settling early.
- Handle all paperwork, deadlines, and communications while you recover.
At Armando Personal Injury Law, you don’t pay anything upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win.
How Much Is the Average Car Accident Settlement?
There’s no universal number because every case is different. Settlement amounts depend on factors such as injury severity, long-term recovery needs, and how the crash impacts your life. Compensation can include:
- Medical Expenses: Hospital care, physical therapy, surgeries, medications.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: Income lost during recovery or due to disability.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, or reduced quality of life.
- Property Damage: Vehicle repair or replacement.
The best way to understand your case value is to schedule a free consultation with a Tampa car accident lawyer who can review the details and explain what fair compensation looks like in a Florida injury compensation case.
How Do Insurance Companies Calculate Car Accident Claims?
Insurance companies use computer algorithms and internal formulas to estimate what they’ll offer you. These calculations rarely account for future treatment, long-term pain, or the emotional toll of an accident.
Adjusters are trained to protect profits, not people. They might leave out categories of compensation or undervalue your injuries to settle for less. That’s why having an attorney evaluate your claim before you agree to anything can make a major difference in the outcome.
What Happens If I Accept a Settlement Too Soon?
Once you sign a settlement, it’s final. You release the insurance company and the at-fault driver from any future claims. If you discover new injuries or need more treatment later, you’re responsible for those costs.
Common consequences of accepting too early include:
- Realizing your injuries are more serious than first thought.
- Running out of money for ongoing care or physical therapy.
- Losing the right to sue for pain and suffering.
If you’re unsure whether an offer is fair, talk to an attorney before signing anything. A single conversation could prevent a costly mistake.
Should I Call the Police After a Car Accident?
Always call the police after a crash, even if it seems minor. The responding officer will document the scene, take statements, and file an official accident report, which is a critical piece of evidence for your claim.
If someone refuses to exchange information or leaves the scene, a police report helps establish what happened and protects your right to pursue compensation.
Why Is It Important to Seek Medical Attention Right Away?
Many serious injuries — including concussions, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage — don’t show symptoms immediately. Getting checked by a doctor within 24 hours helps protect both your health and your legal claim.
Under Florida’s no-fault rules, your personal injury protection claim (PIP) must be supported by prompt medical evaluation.
Post-accident injuries, even if delayed, are still covered under Florida PIP law requirements if reported within 14 days of your crash to qualify for benefits. Delaying care gives insurers a reason to question the legitimacy of your injuries.
What Is an Examination Under Oath (EUO)?
An Examination Under Oath is when your insurance company requires you to answer formal questions about your accident in front of a court reporter. It’s part of their investigation process and can impact your benefits if handled incorrectly.
Before participating in an EUO, talk to a lawyer. Your attorney can prepare you for the questions, attend the session, and make sure you don’t accidentally say something that hurts your claim.
How Long After a Car Accident Can I File a Lawsuit in Florida?
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Florida is two years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline usually means your case will be dismissed, no matter how strong it might be.
That’s why acting quickly matters. The sooner your lawyer begins building your case, the more evidence can be preserved, including witness statements, dashcam footage, and medical records.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Case?
It depends. Some cases resolve in a few months, while others take a year or more if litigation becomes necessary. The timeline often depends on:
- How severe your injuries are and how long recovery takes.
- The insurance company’s willingness to negotiate fairly.
- Whether the case needs to go to court.
Our firm keeps you informed at every step and never rushes you into an unfair settlement just to close a case quickly.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
At Armando Personal Injury Law, you never have to worry about upfront costs or hourly billing. Our firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case.
This arrangement allows anyone, regardless of financial situation, to access strong legal representation after a crash. You can focus on recovery while we handle the legal work, the negotiations, and the insurance company.
If your case is successful, our fee comes from the settlement or verdict we recover for you, not from your pocket. It’s a simple and fair system that aligns our goals with yours — getting you the best possible outcome.
Will Dashcam Footage Help My Case?
Dashcam crash recordings provide powerful video evidence for car accidents in Tampa. In many cases, dashcam video can serve as an unbiased witness to show what really happened.
Footage can prove you were following traffic laws or demonstrate that another driver was speeding, texting, or driving recklessly. However, in some cases, video can also show details that insurers might use against you.
It’s always wise to share any footage with your attorney before submitting it to an insurance company. They can determine whether it strengthens your claim and how best to use it during negotiations or trial.
Get Legal Help After a Car Accident in Tampa
The days after a crash can feel overwhelming. You may be in pain, dealing with car repairs, or worried about lost income. During this time, it’s easy to feel pressured by insurance companies or confused about your rights.
You don’t have to go through it alone. At Armando Personal Injury Law, we help injured Floridians understand their options, protect their claims, and pursue the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. Our team will listen to your story, explain your next steps, and handle every detail of your case from start to finish.
If you were hurt in a car accident anywhere in Florida, contact our Tampa personal injury firm today to receive a free accident consultation for full statewide Florida car crash representation. We serve clients injured in car accidents across Tampa, St. Petersburg, Brandon, and beyond. Let us handle the insurance company while you focus on what matters most — your recovery.
“I was in a car accident and Armando was recommended to me, and I am SO SO HAPPY I chose him! He made this process so easy for me; he took care of everything and got me the MAX amount for my settlement. He explained everything very clearly, and if this ever happens to any of my friends, I know EXACTLY who to send them to! Thank you, Armando…! You guys are the best!” – Mekaela J., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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